Do You Boycott?

[DubaiSis]

I chose Always, although that's not pristinely true. There are times when I am so incensed by a company's stupitude (Chik-fil-A) that I will boycott them and talk about it, share it on FB, etc. Many more times, I will consider them something to avoid if possible. I don't like Walmart's practices and will choose Target, or other when given a choice. But I'm not going to actively boycott them because I don't care that badly. You just can't care that badly about everything!

I won't be eating at Chik-fil-A again, or until something dramatic happens. However, with them being a mostly red state fast food chain (perception maybe?), this outing of themselves as homophobes might work to their favor. I did notice that the line at the new Chik-fil-A at Fashion Island which had long lines 2 weeks ago (it was new) has no lines now at lunch time. But I'm not willing to say those behind the Orange Curtain are boycotting. Likely, they had a 3-days worth of calories splurge at the opening and now it's back to more healthy lunches. But I could be wrong and it really is distate for bigotry that's holding people back.

The only other thing I can think of that I've actively boycotted for a long time was Tom Cruise movies. I rescinded that so that I could see Rock of Ages, and I'm on the fence about whether he gets my future entertainment dollars or not. He (or more likely his publicist) seems to have shoved a sock in it to keep him from preaching the word every day and as loud as he can. Your religion is your own business, but when you tell women not to treat post partum depression in every way possible, you've overstepped.

And that's sort of how I choose. You're allowed to be Republican, Christian, anti-choice or whatever other thing I don't agree with, but once you start hurting people's lives with intention, then that's a different thing.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I won't be eating at Chik-fil-A again, or until something dramatic happens. However, with them being a mostly red state fast food chain (perception maybe?), this outing of themselves as homophobes might work to their favor. I did notice that the line at the new Chik-fil-A at Fashion Island which had long lines 2 weeks ago (it was new) has no lines now at lunch time. But I'm not willing to say those behind the Orange Curtain are boycotting. Likely, they had a 3-days worth of calories splurge at the opening and now it's back to more healthy lunches. But I could be wrong and it really is distate for bigotry that's holding people back.

There's a little push back on the Chick-Fil-A. My bff from 7th grade posted a "Let's Eat at Chik-Fil-A" counter-protest on her FB feed. Apparently, evangelicals are making a point to eat there on August 1 to support their stance.

I didn't eat at Chick-Fil-A before this, because their super-strict religious nuttiness was pretty well known before this. I also don't eat at Cracker Barrel or shop at Hobby Lobby. That's because I don't believe in their particular brand of religious/political activism. (They're free to believe it. I'm free not to support it.)

I also don't buy any food that has imported ingredients from China. After the Chinese kid died of poisoned milk chocolate and the pets died, I went on a major campaign to make sure that any food that comes into our house does not include ingredients sourced in China. I emailed a ton of companies. I also don't buy dishes or cookware or utensils that were made in China for the same reasons. My kids frequently hear "Don't put that toy in your mouth. It was made in China." (It's hard to find toys that aren't made in China.)

I haven't made up my mind about Nike or Apple or other companies that make products elsewhere. On the one hand, they should treat their workers better. On the other hand, bad jobs are sometimes better than no jobs. I just don't know. I avoid their products when I can, but I don't boycott them.

I've previously supported Komen, but they can piss off. My money will go to American Cancer Society, or straight to Planned Parenthood, instead.