Languish.org

General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Admiral Yi on July 02, 2014, 01:14:24 PM

Poll
Question: Business to include individuals, like actors and writers.
Option 1: Yes votes: 15
Option 2: No votes: 26
Option 3: durka durka durka votes: 2
Title: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 02, 2014, 01:14:24 PM
 :homestar:
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: The Brain on July 02, 2014, 01:26:49 PM
Not that I remember. I don't seek out Communist newspapers and similar but that's not so much a boycott as a case of not being interested in what they have to say. As for actors etc they are mostly Commies or worse so boycotting isn't really an option. Locally famous Swedish actor Sven Wollter (King Hrothgar in 13th Warrior to you foreigners, not the best movie he's been in) is a blood red insanocommie (regular Communist party is too right wing for him), but I have no problem paying for and enjoying his work.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Valmy on July 02, 2014, 01:29:12 PM
I tend to avoid all businesses owned by people from Oklahoma or Arkansas.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: derspiess on July 02, 2014, 01:31:51 PM
Can't think of any.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Norgy on July 02, 2014, 01:32:32 PM
Yes. McDonald's. Exxon. BP. Shell.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: garbon on July 02, 2014, 01:32:39 PM
No, I don't think I ever have. Only businesses I've every boycotted is because they've annoyed me but wasn't on political (or even religious) basis.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Barrister on July 02, 2014, 01:48:46 PM
Yes, I would go out of my way to avoid purchasing gas from Petro Canada, out of my belief that the government had no business owning an oil company.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Viking on July 02, 2014, 01:53:03 PM
No specific boycotts. However I avoid doing business with the present and former monopolies wherever possible.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Grey Fox on July 02, 2014, 01:56:45 PM
Quote from: Barrister on July 02, 2014, 01:48:46 PM
Yes, I would go out of my way to avoid purchasing gas from Petro Canada, out of my belief that the government had no business owning an oil company.

That's funny, I go out of my to avoir purchasing anything at Petro Canada right now but it's mostly over them harassing me.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 01:59:23 PM
Yes, several.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: crazy canuck on July 02, 2014, 01:59:52 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 02, 2014, 01:56:45 PM
Quote from: Barrister on July 02, 2014, 01:48:46 PM
Yes, I would go out of my way to avoid purchasing gas from Petro Canada, out of my belief that the government had no business owning an oil company.

That's funny, I go out of my to avoir purchasing anything at Petro Canada right now but it's mostly over them harassing me.

Its no longer a crown corporation so I doubt BB is still boycotting.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Neil on July 02, 2014, 02:03:51 PM
Absolutely not.  There are many things that factor into my purchasing decisions, but politics hasn't managed to get in there yet.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: derspiess on July 02, 2014, 02:07:28 PM
Quote from: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 01:59:23 PM
Yes, several.

List plz :)
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Valmy on July 02, 2014, 02:10:44 PM
Spicey is going to reverse boycott all of them.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Razgovory on July 02, 2014, 02:11:03 PM
I honestly don't think so.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Valmy on July 02, 2014, 02:12:59 PM
I will say this: there are several companies I probably would not do business with them for political reasons.  But I am already not doing business with them for other reasons that are not political at all.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Barrister on July 02, 2014, 02:14:36 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 02, 2014, 01:59:52 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 02, 2014, 01:56:45 PM
Quote from: Barrister on July 02, 2014, 01:48:46 PM
Yes, I would go out of my way to avoid purchasing gas from Petro Canada, out of my belief that the government had no business owning an oil company.

That's funny, I go out of my to avoir purchasing anything at Petro Canada right now but it's mostly over them harassing me.

Its no longer a crown corporation so I doubt BB is still boycotting.

Old habits die hard.  :blush:  I still rarely buy gas from Petro Can, although you're right it hasn't been owned by the government for several years (and for several years before that the government only owned a minority stake).
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: crazy canuck on July 02, 2014, 02:29:23 PM
In answer to the question I try to support small local businesses when possible.  So I go to a local butcher, green grocer and baker for much of my food rather than buying from a large grocery store.  You might not call that a political decision but that misses the point I was making in the other thread that decisions made by consumers have important impacts on the world around them.  My local green grocer tends to have more locally grown product.  By supporting that grocer I also support local growers who cannot grow to the quantity required to supply large grocery stores.


Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 02:40:40 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on July 02, 2014, 02:29:23 PM
In answer to the question I try to support small local businesses when possible.  So I go to a local butcher, green grocer and baker for much of my food rather than buying from a large grocery store.  You might not call that a political decision but that misses the point I was making in the other thread that decisions made by consumers have important impacts on the world around them.  My local green grocer tends to have more locally grown product.  By supporting that grocer I also support local growers who cannot grow to the quantity required to supply large grocery stores.

Same.

Quote from: derspiess on July 02, 2014, 02:07:28 PM
Quote from: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 01:59:23 PM
Yes, several.

List plz :)

:lol:

Hardly. If you wanted to know because you wanted to look into it yourself to decide if you wanted to make changes, then sure. But to have you pick the list apart and find minuscule reasons why you think I'm stupid for my choice? Nah, not worth it.

I've done my research and I'm comfortable with my choices. If you're really interested, feel free to do your own.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: viper37 on July 02, 2014, 03:28:41 PM
No, I don't think I've ever boycotted a store for political reasons.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Agelastus on July 02, 2014, 04:19:08 PM
Obviously enough given another thread here, no. Not for political reasons.

I do boycott my local Co-Op though...but that's because I got sick of them replacing the few things that they did better than anyone else locally with something worse (or having them disappear completely.)

Fish pies, Caramel shortcakes, Hovis Bread (which they must have got from a different factory to the others as it was consistenlty the best in the area)... :glare:

Convenience needs some additional selling factor to win against expense (in other words they were closest but dearest.)
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Eddie Teach on July 02, 2014, 05:38:48 PM
No, though my government has boycotted a lot of them for me, particularly Cuban ones.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Josquius on July 02, 2014, 06:15:34 PM
It has pushed decisions agains things I was already uninterested in but not a full boycott of something I would otherwise use
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Monoriu on July 02, 2014, 06:16:36 PM
No.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Caliga on July 02, 2014, 07:16:19 PM
No... I'm not some filthy hippie.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 07:55:21 PM
No.  If I started down that road, I'd starve to death.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: CountDeMoney on July 02, 2014, 07:57:26 PM
I find that not spending money on particular entities isn't as nearly effective as spending on organizations that actively oppose them.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: garbon on July 02, 2014, 08:08:12 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 07:55:21 PM
No.  If I started down that road, I'd starve to death.

Is it that hard to grow vegetables? :unsure:
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 08:10:27 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 02, 2014, 08:08:12 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 07:55:21 PM
No.  If I started down that road, I'd starve to death.

Is it that hard to grow vegetables? :unsure:

Nope! My tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are doing fan-freaking-tastic! :w00t:
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: garbon on July 02, 2014, 08:11:34 PM
Quote from: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 08:10:27 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 02, 2014, 08:08:12 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 07:55:21 PM
No.  If I started down that road, I'd starve to death.

Is it that hard to grow vegetables? :unsure:

Nope! My tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are doing fan-freaking-tastic! :w00t:

Yeah, I mean my father has a rather large garden. When I was last visiting I suggested he expand it because he has so much else growing on his deck that needs to be planted somewhere.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Grey Fox on July 02, 2014, 08:31:25 PM
I refuse to shop at The Brick, a furniture store. Fuck that place.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: DontSayBanana on July 02, 2014, 08:43:31 PM
Quote from: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 02:40:40 PM
:lol:

Hardly. If you wanted to know because you wanted to look into it yourself to decide if you wanted to make changes, then sure. But to have you pick the list apart and find minuscule reasons why you think I'm stupid for my choice? Nah, not worth it.

I've done my research and I'm comfortable with my choices. If you're really interested, feel free to do your own.

I find it interesting that you're willing to make enough of a statement to boycott a company, but not enough to talk about it.  Just saying, that kinda reeks more of passive aggression (nice anonymous way to "make a statement") than conviction.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 08:44:22 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 02, 2014, 08:08:12 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 07:55:21 PM
No.  If I started down that road, I'd starve to death.

Is it that hard to grow vegetables? :unsure:

On my 1/10 of an acre of rented yard?  Yeah, man, it's that hard. :blink:
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Eddie Teach on July 02, 2014, 08:44:53 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 02, 2014, 08:08:12 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 07:55:21 PM
No.  If I started down that road, I'd starve to death.

Is it that hard to grow vegetables? :unsure:

Ide disapproves of gardening stores. And farmers.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: DontSayBanana on July 02, 2014, 08:51:04 PM
Oh, and I continuously boycott Monsanto.  I find it ridiculous that that company gets away with so much bullshit just to bring us cheap weed killer.

More often, I wish I could boycott the government for economic reasons than the other way around- the reclassification of satellite and Internet radio to basically the highest fee bracket the FCC can legally get away with was a sore sport, for example.

Also, considering boycotting Comcast over the ridiculously poor-smelling merger with Time Warner Cable.  If it means I buy less games for my computer and pictures take longer to load, that seems like a fair price to pay.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: garbon on July 02, 2014, 09:25:24 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 08:44:22 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 02, 2014, 08:08:12 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 07:55:21 PM
No.  If I started down that road, I'd starve to death.

Is it that hard to grow vegetables? :unsure:

On my 1/10 of an acre of rented yard?  Yeah, man, it's that hard. :blink:

There are a lot of things you can grow in pots. :hmm:

Anyway, you are a smart boy and I'm sure you could figure something out if you really wanted to. Why from my experience, Portland is a great place for even those without a lot of income to avoid a lot of major companies. And there I don't think most rental properties would take issue with you creating a garden.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 09:42:20 PM
And I live in Portland now?  Cool. :cool:
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: sbr on July 02, 2014, 09:44:09 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 09:42:20 PM
And I live in Portland now?  Cool. :cool:

Let's go have a beer!
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 09:46:15 PM
:D

You know, I say I'd feel more at home in Portland or Seattle or such, but I'd probably be looked on like a hillbilly stooge thanks to my accent (and lack of exactly McConaugheyan good looks).
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: sbr on July 02, 2014, 09:52:03 PM
Meh, some of us are more Gandolfini than McConaughey.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: dps on July 02, 2014, 10:01:17 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 02, 2014, 01:32:39 PM
No, I don't think I ever have. Only businesses I've every boycotted is because they've annoyed me but wasn't on political (or even religious) basis.

Yeah, same here.  Actually, I think Lowe's is the only place I simply refuse to shop at, and that is because we had a very unpleasant experience trying to buy some floor covering there.

Oh, an there was an auto dealership that pissed me off.  It was a Cadillac/Buick dealership back in the early 90's.  I was in the market for a new car at the time.  When I told the salesman who came out to talk to me that I was interested in looking at a Roadmaster, he said, "You don't look like you could afford a new Buick.  You probably should stick to Chevys, or used cars".   I told him that I could afford to take my business elsewhere.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 10:20:47 PM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on July 02, 2014, 08:43:31 PM
Quote from: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 02:40:40 PM
:lol:

Hardly. If you wanted to know because you wanted to look into it yourself to decide if you wanted to make changes, then sure. But to have you pick the list apart and find minuscule reasons why you think I'm stupid for my choice? Nah, not worth it.

I've done my research and I'm comfortable with my choices. If you're really interested, feel free to do your own.

I find it interesting that you're willing to make enough of a statement to boycott a company, but not enough to talk about it.  Just saying, that kinda reeks more of passive aggression (nice anonymous way to "make a statement") than conviction.

More like I know my audience. derspeiss neither lives around here nor gives two shits why I do or don't shop at places. What he wants is a list to pick apart, and I'm not interested in playing.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: garbon on July 02, 2014, 10:27:05 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 09:42:20 PM
And I live in Portland now?  Cool. :cool:

Because it would be impossible to get a plane ticket to Portland.

Inconvenient to move there? Sure, but your claim was that you would die if you adopted such standards and I'm certain you wouldn't choose death over inconvenience...right? :unsure:
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: OttoVonBismarck on July 02, 2014, 10:45:18 PM
I only boycott businesses owned by people who themselves have boycotted businesses for political reasons.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 11:15:17 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 02, 2014, 10:27:05 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 09:42:20 PM
And I live in Portland now?  Cool. :cool:

Because it would be impossible to get a plane ticket to Portland.

Inconvenient to move there? Sure, but your claim was that you would die if you adopted such standards and I'm certain you wouldn't choose death over inconvenience...right? :unsure:

Wrong.  A life of inconvenience is a death by a thousand cuts.  I'd prefer only two.

Just kidding, but seriously, do you own a rental property in Portland or something?  You seem very invested in my move. :P
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: garbon on July 02, 2014, 11:44:13 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 02, 2014, 11:15:17 PM
Just kidding, but seriously, do you own a rental property in Portland or something?  You seem very invested in my move. :P

No, I don't really even like Portland (Sorry fhdz and sbr) but from my sisters' friends I met while visiting - it doesn't seem like it is that hard for 30-somethings to live there on very little income. Now, of course, I frown upon them and have referred to most of them as losers but it is something, I guess. :D

Anyway, my point in bringing up Portland is that it was just a place I could think of that you could actually boycott a whole lot of companies and not starve to death as you said it. We're talking about a place where the citizens won't even allow fluoride put in their water.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Ideologue on July 03, 2014, 12:28:36 AM
Whoa, for real?  No way I'm going to Portland.  That's nuts and unhygienic.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: HVC on July 03, 2014, 12:35:45 AM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 03, 2014, 12:28:36 AM
Whoa, for real?  No way I'm going to Portland.  That's nuts and unhygienic.
i think you may be thinking if chlorine. As far as I know fluorine is only added for the benefit of your teeth.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Ideologue on July 03, 2014, 01:27:48 AM
Quote from: HVC on July 03, 2014, 12:35:45 AM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 03, 2014, 12:28:36 AM
Whoa, for real?  No way I'm going to Portland.  That's nuts and unhygienic.
i think you may be thinking if chlorine. As far as I know fluorine is only added for the benefit of your teeth.

I know that fluoride is (it saps my vital essense and protects my enamel).  If they're not putting it in the water, they're insane.  It's like the only feat of social engineering America ever accomplished besides the interstate highway system.  To abandon it is madness.  (In short, read g's post again. :P )
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Josquius on July 03, 2014, 02:17:30 AM
A lack of fluoride in the water is why Japanese people have such cheap teeth (and expats always need a filling or two when they go home. I'm dreading my count)
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Archy on July 03, 2014, 06:01:47 AM
durka durka durka et blastium  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: mongers on July 03, 2014, 06:09:31 AM
Several, though as mentioned by others, there are many more I 'boycott' for consumer reasons. And still others I only use for exploitative reasons.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Ed Anger on July 03, 2014, 08:23:18 AM
I'm boycotting Meri.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: sbr on July 03, 2014, 08:45:12 AM
I don't shop at Walmart because I am not a fan of a lot of their business practices, but the closest Walmart is far enough away that that isn't really tested on a regular basis.  I am pretty sure I would continue to avoid them even if they built one here in town.

Other than that I prefer to "shop locally" as much as I can without it being too inconvenient.  The local hardware store over Home Depot; always check the small local bookstore before going anywhere else even though it would be more expensive; buy berries from roadside stands instead of the large supermarket.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: derspiess on July 03, 2014, 08:53:12 AM
Quote from: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 10:20:47 PM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on July 02, 2014, 08:43:31 PM
Quote from: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 02:40:40 PM
:lol:

Hardly. If you wanted to know because you wanted to look into it yourself to decide if you wanted to make changes, then sure. But to have you pick the list apart and find minuscule reasons why you think I'm stupid for my choice? Nah, not worth it.

I've done my research and I'm comfortable with my choices. If you're really interested, feel free to do your own.

I find it interesting that you're willing to make enough of a statement to boycott a company, but not enough to talk about it.  Just saying, that kinda reeks more of passive aggression (nice anonymous way to "make a statement") than conviction.

More like I know my audience. derspeiss neither lives around here nor gives two shits why I do or don't shop at places. What he wants is a list to pick apart, and I'm not interested in playing.

I was just curious :mellow: 

Also, you've used the word "stupid" a couple times-- I've never even hinted that I think your boycotts are stupid.  Maybe I'm partly to blame, but you seem to read the worst possible intentions in a lot of what I say.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: fhdz on July 03, 2014, 09:02:50 AM
Yes. Goodwill and Salvation Army.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Valmy on July 03, 2014, 09:03:19 AM
Quote from: fhdz on July 03, 2014, 09:02:50 AM
Yes. Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Those bastards will pay for their crimes.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Ed Anger on July 03, 2014, 09:07:07 AM
Quote from: derspiess on July 03, 2014, 08:53:12 AM
Quote from: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 10:20:47 PM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on July 02, 2014, 08:43:31 PM
Quote from: merithyn on July 02, 2014, 02:40:40 PM
:lol:

Hardly. If you wanted to know because you wanted to look into it yourself to decide if you wanted to make changes, then sure. But to have you pick the list apart and find minuscule reasons why you think I'm stupid for my choice? Nah, not worth it.

I've done my research and I'm comfortable with my choices. If you're really interested, feel free to do your own.

I find it interesting that you're willing to make enough of a statement to boycott a company, but not enough to talk about it.  Just saying, that kinda reeks more of passive aggression (nice anonymous way to "make a statement") than conviction.

More like I know my audience. derspeiss neither lives around here nor gives two shits why I do or don't shop at places. What he wants is a list to pick apart, and I'm not interested in playing.

I was just curious :mellow: 

Also, you've used the word "stupid" a couple times-- I've never even hinted that I think your boycotts are stupid.  Maybe I'm partly to blame, but you seem to read the worst possible intentions in a lot of what I say.

Monster
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: garbon on July 03, 2014, 09:56:08 AM
Quote from: Ideologue on July 03, 2014, 12:28:36 AM
Whoa, for real?  No way I'm going to Portland.  That's nuts and unhygienic.

From last spring:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/22/portland-fluoride-water/2350329/

Quotehe mayor of Portland, Ore., has conceded defeat in an effort to add fluoride to the city's drinking water.

With more than 80 percent of the expected ballots counted late Tuesday night, the Multnomah County election website showed the fluoride proposal failing, 60 percent to 40 percent.

Mayor Charlie Hales supported fluoridation and said "the measure lost despite my own 'yes' vote.

"That's sure disappointing, but I accept the will of the voters," he said in a statement.

Fluoridation foes were delighted.

"We're very excited with how the numbers look," said Kellie Barnes with the anti-fluoride group Clean Water Portland.

If the early returns hold up, "then Portlanders spoke out to value our clean water and ask for better solutions for our kids."

Voters in Portland twice rejected fluoridation before approving it in 1978. That plan was overturned two years later, before any fluoride was ever added to the water.

The City Council voted last year to add fluoride to the water supply that serves about 900,000 people. But opponents quickly gathered enough signatures to force a vote on the subject.

Rejection of the proposal would keep Portland the largest U.S. city without fluoride in the water or with plans to add it. San Jose, Calif., — which is larger than Portland — has been working to add fluoride to its water supply.

Voters had weeks to make their choice in the mail-ballot election. By Tuesday it was too late to rely on the postman, so drop boxes were placed across the city to accommodate those who waited until the final day.

"We were still getting ballots from drop sites close to 8 p.m.," said Eric Sample, a Multnomah County elections spokesman. That meant a "pretty darn long night" of vote counting that likely would stretch into Wednesday, he said.

Supporters and opponents of fluoridation raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and traded accusations of sign-stealing and shoddy science in an election that has been the city's most contentious of the 21st century.

A sampling of voters dropping off ballots earlier Tuesday in rainy Pioneer Courthouse Square found people opposed to fluoridation.

"People don't like change. When in doubt, say no," said Tracy Rauscher, a native Portlander who, like a native Portlander, did not use an umbrella.

Portland's drinking water already contains naturally occurring fluoride, though not at levels considered to be effective at fighting cavities. Backers of fluoridation say adding more of it to the water is a safe, effective and affordable way to improve the health of low-income children whose parents don't stress proper nutrition and dental hygiene.

Opponents describe fluoride as a chemical that will ruin the city's pristine water supply, and they argue that adding it would violate an individual's right to consent to medication.

Although most Americans drink water treated with fluoride, it has long been a contentious topic. In the 1950s, fluoridation was feared as a Communist plot. Today, people worry that its effect on the body has not been sufficiently examined.

"I don't want chemicals in my water," Sarah Lazzaro said after voting Tuesday. "I know that there are really no known health risks with it, but there's a lot of things we find out later in life really do have health risks."

The issue re-appeared on Portland's radar late last summer, when health organizations that had quietly lobbied the City Council for a year persuaded the panel to unanimously approve fluoridation by March 2014.

Days before the vote, 227 people — most of them opponents — signed up to testify at a public hearing that lasted 6 1 / 2hours. When their objections weren't heeded, they quickly gathered tens of thousands of signatures to force Tuesday's vote.

Also, I always knew San Jose was scummy but wow...
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Siege on July 04, 2014, 06:28:52 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 02, 2014, 01:14:24 PM
:homestar:

Better question is who boycotts businesses, liberals or conservatives?
I suspect only liberals engage in this kind of warfare.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: garbon on July 04, 2014, 06:32:01 PM
Quote from: Siege on July 04, 2014, 06:28:52 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 02, 2014, 01:14:24 PM
:homestar:

Better question is who boycotts businesses, liberals or conservatives?
I suspect only liberals engage in this kind of warfare.


Nope.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/08/03/here-are-7-other-faith-based-boycotts-against-american-companies-in-addition-to-chick-fil-a/
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Siege on July 04, 2014, 06:34:43 PM
I meant in Languish.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Siege on July 04, 2014, 06:35:43 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 04, 2014, 06:32:01 PM
Quote from: Siege on July 04, 2014, 06:28:52 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 02, 2014, 01:14:24 PM
:homestar:

Better question is who boycotts businesses, liberals or conservatives?
I suspect only liberals engage in this kind of warfare.


Nope.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/08/03/here-are-7-other-faith-based-boycotts-against-american-companies-in-addition-to-chick-fil-a/

At this point, what difference does it make?
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: garbon on July 04, 2014, 06:36:34 PM
I don't know.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Siege on July 04, 2014, 06:56:16 PM
You are not fun anymore.
It was an attempt to Hillary-bait you.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: garbon on July 04, 2014, 06:59:02 PM
But I actually like that statement of hers.
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: CountDeMoney on July 04, 2014, 07:00:21 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 03, 2014, 09:56:08 AM
Also, I always knew San Jose was scummy but wow...

So you no longer know the way?
Title: Re: Have You Boycotted a Business for Political Reasons?
Post by: Valmy on July 04, 2014, 07:55:22 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 04, 2014, 06:32:01 PM
Nope.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/08/03/here-are-7-other-faith-based-boycotts-against-american-companies-in-addition-to-chick-fil-a/

Wow there is a conspiracy to wipe out 281 million Americans in six months?  That seems like a bigger deal than a few boycotts.