Rich Austin says
“Where was the leadership? Well, the highest governing body - the Convention - passed the China Resolution after it had passed out of the Resolutions Committee. It was, therefore, the leadership who passed the resolution.”
First of all Rich, Just because the “highest governing body” passed it (without a vote of the membership) doesn’t mean it’s “leadership”. . . . . . . Or did you guys bring the tablets too?? Over the years there have been literally hundreds of innane resolutions passed at Conventions (check out some from this year) most of are soon chucked to the waste basket where they are best forgotten. . . . . . .
“Don’t understand how some are able to play both on sides of the net. There are any number of countries who have been identified as being guilty of committing horrible human and civil rights abuses. The Marianas - ‘owned’ by the U. S. - deserve such a billing. How about Afghanistan where women are stoned? (By the way, the Convention passed a resolution on Afghanistan also. Why no ‘right-ons’?)”
Well, yes,“right on”!! No stoning women in Afghanistan or elsewhere!! But who’s playing both sides of the net?? We are only talking about China here. Those of us that do not take a hypocritical stand by opposing the granting of most favorite nation trade status (MFNTS) with China, or those that back a certain horse in November in Seattle, only to change horses when it might affect our paychecks.
Pat Buchanan was mentioned as someone we want to distance ourselves from (and who wouldn’t from that reprobate) but we marched with him in Seattle and his brand of rhetoric didn’t seem to bother the “leadership” then did it??
Which by opposing the granting of MFNTS does NOT mean that there is ANY STOPPING trade with China, only keeping in place the current status of yearly oversights. By granting MFNTS with China it frees them from ANY constraints in regard to its Labor and Human rights practices. ANY RESTRAINTS!! But your logic is that since it is practiced world wide (and most especially by this country) we should do nothing because we profit from it?? Or do you wish to use the even more specious argument that trade equates to more freedom for the offending countries people?? Well there are NO facts or studies to back that argument up. It is a argument used by the WTO time and time again!! And you and others are falling for this propaganda!! With the granting of MFNTS with China it assures China entry into the WTO. I might be mistaken but didn’t we as a Union take a day off and march in Seattle against this very thing?? Now who’s the hypocrite?? Us that question this, or the “leadership”?? By backing the MFNTS with China it assures the WTO of everything we (the various groups in Seattle) stopped it from getting in Seattle. If this issue was put on a referrendum ballot for everyone in the ILWU to vote for with all the facts from both sides it would NEVER pass. The only hypocrites are the “leadership” that put forth this resolution and those that backed it. Because let’s face it we wouldn’t want to do anything to affect trade (i. e. our paychecks) would we??
“Christ, we shouldn’t be trading with ourselves! My memory recalls Kent State, the strike at Pittston Coal, Janitors For Justice in L.A.; the list goes on and on yet I have seen no mention of U. S. abuses. As far as I am concerned a nation as rich as ours should be providing health care for all. Someone out there just try to convince me that children, the elderly, single women - anybody that goes to bed at night suffering from untreated medical problems because they can’t afford health care - are not victims of human and civil rights abuses. (The plight of homeless children is a whole other disgrace. )”
Once again, only China is mentioned in this argument. It would seem to me that those that profess to caring about your list of abuses would back the status quo in beating your chest but backing off when anyone threatens the status quo’s marching orders on this issue. Because that is EXACTLY what it is. Backing the STATUS QUO!! If you did care (and I am sure you really do or you would not have written) about the list of crimes against humanity you mentioned you would NOT back this ploy in circumventing the only checks in place to help the very people you are talking about in China (which in effect rolls back down on the people of this country). Basically you’re all talk and no walk as they say. But in the name of trade though!! AND ALL TRADE IS GOOD!! That’s the same arguments that Prescott Bush said to the US government after being caught trading with Nazi Germany during the beginings of WW2. (Prescott Bush is the father of George Herbert Walker Bush and the grandfather of George W. Bush, yes the same guy running for president!!). Well at least you guys are in good company!!
“No alibis for China. Every country - including the U. S. - should be held accountable, but let’s not single one out and ignore the rest. (Amazed that nobody mentioned Haiti.) By the way, how many members of your families wear Nike shoes? Guess where many of them are made? Yup, ya’ got it. China!”
Why not single out one?? Where do you suggest we start?? The USA?? That’s cool with me. . And why not single out the biggest and the worst?? And that’s China. Then go after the rest, one at a time?? As they say in the Northwest!! Earth First!! Then we’ll log the rest of the Planets!! (yes I know that is a lame joke, but one fitting to the point of view taken by the pro-China/WTO crowd in the ILWU) And yes I know where Nike shoes are made and NOBODY wears Nike shoes in my house!!
Tim 35181
