http//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4476664.stm
In this BBC article, there is disturbing evidence of cat and dog skins being used in the American and European fur trade. It's gruesome reading featuring film footage from [the dreaed] PETA. If you care to read it you might well be horrified at the way the animals are treated and slaughtered.
Paul & Heather McCartney are urging people to boycott Chinese goods but I wonder if that is truly possible, given that practically everything is made in China these days.
What would make you truly boycott China and all things Chinese? Do you think it's realistic to try, given limited financial resources.
I am going to try - not for this reason alone but for child labour and underpaid labour which is also an issue over there.
What do you think?
If you are willing to boycott Chinese goods - even if only as an experiment it would be interesting to report back here as to how successful you are. It will be a challenge with Christmas coming up - especially if you have children's gifts to buy or you plan to buy new lights or decorations.
Are you up for it?
If we were to boycot products made in China, also those countries that employ child labour, it would be almost impossible to find substitute products made in US/Canada.
Talk is cheap and most of these well meaning people tend to be unrealistic.
Pppphhhgh....Nothing surprises me about the Chinese and their lack of respect for life whether it be girl babies aborted or left to die after they're born , to how they treat animals.
I ALWAYS look at where something is made before I buy it and I won't have anything made in China that I would put food on, i.e. plates, cups, etc.
I just don't trust them, period. Don't even care for their food!
But where would you find a commodity like toys for expample, that aren't made in China?
EVERYTHING seems to come from China these days.
If I had Paul McCartney's money I could afford to boycott China.
I don't.
/Incidentally, where are his new cd's being pressed?
I don't like PETA - their credibility is usually questionable.
Shame as I like animals but I'd rather deal with moderates than hot-heads.
The Chinese? Thought they were a great bunch of lads.....
does the boycott include China Buffet? cos I was about to nip out (no pun intended) for my lunch
If I had Paul McCartney's money I could afford to boycott China.
I don't.
That's my point - I'm not sure that any of us could really do it unless we were rich or prepared to do without the affordable items we might otherwise have bought.
Elaine Joy, I am not prepared to tar all the Chinese with the same brush. The cat/dog issue is as much cultural as it is business. Certain countries would view our use of cattle for food, clothing and furniture as equally barbaric, but I digress.
I really wonder what we would do without Chinese goods. Even the humble Christmas Cracker is now made in China - and if you can buy (or afford) one made in England, the item(s) inside are probably made in China.
Where DO they press CD's anyway?
I don't like PETA - their credibility is usually questionable.
Shame as I like animals but I'd rather deal with moderates than hot-heads.
I agree absulutely, Pilgrim. I dislike them too. However, I intended this thread to be really more about the boycott question. What are your views on that?
Given a choice, I try to boycott most foreign goods (non-US/European) but it's extremely difficult because our economies are mostly designed on Asian manufacture/assembly.
China has issues treating its citizens correctly a lot of the time so their animals really are on a sticky wicket to begin with.
Oh I did this once. After having two DVD players go kaput on us in less than a year (one was very cheap) husband said Just don't go with Made In China
Despite the brand name on the box, there were only about three I could find that weren't. Can't remember the other brands now but I ended up buying a Sony that was made in South Korea. None were made in USA.
The Royal Albert dinnerware I bought was made in Indonesia. I thought it was supposed to be made in Stoke on Trent. I am halfway through The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. To be honest I'll be surprised if any western country is manufacturing a thing in the next 20 years.
I am going to try - not for this reason alone but for child labour and underpaid labour which is also an issue over there.
Not to mention Communism, Political Oppression and Human Rights abuses.
I like the irony of Bush mentioning Human Rights to the Chinese while stuff like Abu Graib and Guatanamo go on... :roll:
Just out of curiosity, did anyone watch the BBC piece? Can you tell me why the journo went to Paul McCartney's house to show him the video? I have no idea why other than to see him go "look at that...it's disgusting."
I see your point and understand the sincerity in which it was made but its impossible to boycott any country these days let alone china many childrens clothers , electronics and travel/sporting l goods come from china .
I beplore the way they abuse animals in that country but as you pointed out yourself its part of thier culture .
I wouldnt trust PETA to feed my cats .
I am going to try - not for this reason alone but for child labour and underpaid labour which is also an issue over there.
Not to mention Communism, Political Oppression and Human Rights abuses.
:[/quote]
They are not breaking any child labouror unerpaid workers laws ( they dont have any like us ).
Its a differant culture and you cant judge what would be a decent wage by US standards cus there culture and social struture is different .
I do believe homes are allocated by the govt for example
funny you say that about the US .
Cus according to the UN a body im sure all liberals support, says the country at the top of the list for abuse of labour is AMERICA .
China must be something right
:evil: