Pampered Chef "scandal" - Page 2

AOIIalum · #1 07-04-2003, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by texas*princess
What one person thinks "lying with the devil" is, another person might totally disagree.

All I can say to this statement is, "Amen Sister!"

AXO_MOM_3 · #2 07-04-2003, 10:57 PM

Hey AXO Alum (or anyone else who wants to buy it), I know where you can get a company making ID cards real cheap! Forget these other companies and work for yourself! Make 100% instead of 20%!

CarolinaCutie · #3 07-05-2003, 01:41 AM

Wow... I am Christian, and it's probably a sin for me to admit this... but those quotes from Tammy from Tupelo made me almost die from laughter. I may be Southern Baptist, but I am so glad that my church doesn't get into the whole "Let's boycott the entire world" thing. I will continue to watch Disney movies even if they DO have Gay Pride Day at WDW, thank you very much. I will use all sorts of Procter and Gamble products even if you say their packages are covered with devil-worshipper symbolism.

And Warren Buffett's particular political views wouldn't stop me from buying Pampered Chef products or selling them if I was so inclined. I can't control the entire world and force them to worship my God. I worry about my own spiritual walk with the Lord, and that's hard enough without worrying about how every cent I spend is contributing to the devil's work.

HOWEVER... I would not want to financially contribute (through employment) to a company whose values completely contradicted mine such as in this story. So I don't blame her, and I suppose I do admire her strength of conviction.

Hootie · #4 07-05-2003, 01:57 AM

Yeah, I have to agree with the above statement. I mean seriously. At some point in our lives we've all bought something or worked for someone who had their hands in the cookie jar (in a bad way).

I commend their rights and if they want to boycott that's great. But also realize that people will probably continue to donate to causes that are to their liking and not base it off of the concensus of the group. What Mr. Buffet does with his money is his business - whether or not we agree with it.

I guess that's just my opinion!

Munchkin03 · #5 07-05-2003, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hootie
What Mr. Buffet does with his money is his business - whether or not we agree with it.

So very true. This is also true for the shareholders--who directed what happened to the profits from their individual shares. At the end of the day--money talks.

I'm surprised that this didn't come up the very moment that Buffett and BH acquired PC, as he is known for being a staunch pro-choice supporter. In fact, Operation Rescue or some such organization has him listed as one of the top supporters of abortions in terms of donations to reproductive rights organizations (Bill Gates is also high on the list).

It's really not that hard to find out the stance of your employer/ favorite store/university in certain arenas, especially if they are causes that you are especially concerned about (as these PC women are supposedly about abortion). A quick internet search or asking around can provide information about divestments and social policies--I have often used these as a tool to decide whether I want to grace an employer or store with my time or money. If BH had been hiding their collaboration with family planning organizations, I could feel sorry for these women. But I don't.

texas*princess · #6 07-05-2003, 11:01 AM

CarolinaCutie, very well said!

Here's another way of looking at it:

From the customer's point of view (people who purchase the PC products and in effect make the PC world go 'round:

Now that 'it's gotten out' that Mr. Buffet likes to contribute monetary donations to 'devilish' causes, should the PC consultants or even Dairy Queen cashiers (since they guy supposedly owns Dairy Queen too?) put in a quick disclaimer to their customers before closing a sale?

"Oh yea, just so you know, some portions of this sale of your sundae and banana split will go to pro-choice organizations, so you might want to reconsider your purchase if you don't believe in this cause"

It makes absolutely no sense.

Like Munchkin mentioned, a quick internet search some other sort of quick reference can provide the employee, or in this case - this customer, with the information they want to know if they are really hard-core about boycotting products/companies that support organizations that don't line up with their beliefs. So there really isn't a need for the employees to majorly freak out about this because the information is out there.

AXO Alum · #7 07-05-2003, 08:52 PM

I wasn't trying to be sarcastic in my post, and didn't realize that it would come off to others that way -- I was simply asking for some more info from a PC person (thanks AOTT for that) about this. Its not that I necessarily believe every parent company with 10 bazillion employees should "ask permission" or send a memo out to let them know what they intend to do with their money. However, I do believe that a company (such as PC) that claims (or used to claim) Christian ideals through a home-based business SHOULD let their employees know. It is not fair that these people (involved) were not told that the money they were contributing to the parent company, through their home based business, was going to a cause with which these people morally disagree.

AXO_Mom_3 -- sorry - I LOVE PARTYLITE too much

33girl · #8 07-06-2003, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AXO Alum
However, I do believe that a company (such as PC) that claims (or used to claim) Christian ideals through a home-based business SHOULD let their employees know. It is not fair that these people (involved) were not told that the money they were contributing to the parent company, through their home based business, was going to a cause with which these people morally disagree.

Well, some Christians believe that population control and respecting the resources that God gave us IS a Christian ideal. Abortion is not population control, and women who use it as such are repugnant. However, if my DQ butterscotch sundae that I had yesterday helps a desperate woman keep from becoming pregnant again, well, cool beans.

and I agree, before you get involved, find out something about the company before you are in too deep. I mean if you are an atheist and get involved with Mary Kay, you're going to feel very stupid very soon.

MTSUGURL · #9 07-06-2003, 05:03 PM

My aunt was a PC consultant - I say was because this issue led to her resigning.

I think that we all have issues that we feel very strongly about. I feel strongly about abortion, so I will not purchase PC anymore. It also makes me sad because I will be giving up my weekly DQ ice cream cone... I do not feel so strongly about animal rights that I check every label of cosmetics I buy, (if something is known to treat animals cruelly or test on them then I stay away from that product, but I don't go on a huge boycott spree). While we cannot boycott everything, we can boycott those that affect our "pet issues" (as my grandfather calls them). Isn't this the way that we make a lot of our decisions, such as voting for leaders? We choose the one that lines up with how we believe. It only makes sense that we choose things in our every day lives the same way when we are able.

AOIIalum · #10 07-06-2003, 10:43 PM

Here's the text of the email sent out last week to PC consultants, forwarded to me by my friend the PC consultant! Christin

----- Original Message -----
From: <web_mail@pamperedchef.com>
To: ((Consultant email deleted by Christin!))
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2003 6:45 PM
Subject: Message from Doris Christopher

Dear Kitchen Consultants:

I have shared with you my pride in being a part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of businesses. I knew that this was the kind of family where The Pampered Chef would thrive and grow for years to come. I have also shared with you my feelings of respect for Warren Buffett.

Today, I am even more proud to call Warren my mentor, leader and friend.

This week I went to Warren with a heavy heart. I told him that many of our Kitchen Consultants were concerned and troubled with Berkshire Hathaway's donation policies - specifically the contributions to pro-choice organizations and to the Buffett Foundation. I knew that I could speak with Warren frankly and that he would want to hear of the issues impacting your business.

It troubled him deeply that charitable donations from Berkshire Hathaway were causing you difficulty. He listened to me carefully and with great compassion. He understands that as his family of Berkshire companies expands, it becomes more diverse, and there are opinions and concerns that need to be taken into consideration. Warren Buffett made a landmark decision regarding the long-standing corporate giving policies of Berkshire Hathaway. His decision was this:

Effective immediately, Berkshire Hathaway will cease all corporate contributions of any kind to any non-profit organization. This means there will be no donations from Berkshire Hathaway to the Buffett Foundation. Let me be clear, there will be no possibility of any Pampered Chef profits being donated to any cause other than those we initiate, including our three current charitable giving programs: Round-Up from the Heart, Help Whip Cancer and the Family Resiliency Program.

Warren Buffett made his landmark decision after hearing what was in my heart and in yours. I believe that Kitchen Consultants, hosts and customers are a diverse group of individuals with different opinions and beliefs. Our business is built on trust and on personal relationships. Warren understands our business and wants you to be successful in every way, able to do business with people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

I admire Warren Buffett for his heart and his insight. He is a wise leader!

Thank you for all you do to make this company strong.

Doris K. Christopher
Founder and Chairman

AXO Alum · #11 07-07-2003, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MTSUGURL
While we cannot boycott everything, we can boycott those that affect our "pet issues" (as my grandfather calls them). Isn't this the way that we make a lot of our decisions, such as voting for leaders? We choose the one that lines up with how we believe. It only makes sense that we choose things in our every day lives the same way when we are able.

Good point! I guess that we do have our "pet issues" -- good way to put that, grandpa!

Christin - thank you SO MUCH for the info! That is exactly what I was wanting to see -- WB's opinion on the controversy. Thanks for getting that and offering it here!