No one is talking about the olympics(china...)

[kat_h]

One less person interested in the 08 games-it's all commerical this year & companies with their heads up the chinese gov'ts behinds trying to pretend there's nothing happening.

I think it would make sense to boycott some of the major advertisers.

[Trek420]

As long as they know that is why you're not buying. The bitter part of me says I don't think most would notice the blip in sales.

One thing that will get noticed is there is this thing we call an election. I don't care who you vote for (well, yes I do but this is a neutral board) but vote check your candidates stance.

How will they bring jobs back home and help local economies? What's their stance on human rights? On climate change (c'mon, this is a neutral board but I think we share a common love of the outdoors).

Do you like it? If not change your vote.

Meanwhile how do we shop?

[smilingcat]

We've told the managers at different Trader Joe's that we are not buying produce grown in China. They told us that number of customers have complained and that TJ is actively reducing the number of items from China. And when we did notice the change, we thanked the manager for finding alternative sources. Ginger is now coming from Thailand and Hawaii. yayy!! And it wasn't that much more expensive.

We are learning to be frugal and more careful about our buying habbit. I've heard that consumers typically throw xx% of our produce away after it comes home. We are okay but could be better at it.

Why is edamame grown in US so hard to come by?? Most of what we see in the store are "organic" grown in China. After my avatar cat died from the melamine poisoning, I have zero confidence from them or for that matter our govt. for food safety. We buy local whenever possible.

smilingcat

[mimitabby]

probably because all our Edamame goes to feed pigs.

[Velobambina]

Then there's the air quality......or lack thereof.

The Chinese Govt terrifies me.

I will not knowingly buy anything made there (if I can see the label and it says "made in China" no thanks).

[shootingstar]

I think the peaceful public protests in public areas, should continue if people wish to actively participate.

I haven't kept on the top of the developments between China and Tibet, but China has in the past few decades, proven to be a deliberate aggressor to Tibet. There are times I question if the vast majority of CHinese even care about Tibet/know much about Tibet. They're probably like us, lost in living daily life and trying to earn a living.

Real trade boycotts perhaps become more effective, if tariffs are slapped on goods.

This is my buying pattern with Chinese products...

I probably might sound jingoistic, but reality is that my personal financial well-being is partially tied to how my country's (Canada's) economy is doing..

*I am Canadian nationalist, wherever I can be, in food buying for fresh products and for my financial investments.

In the past few decades, I invest in Candian companies, as my no.1 priority with a focus on Canadian companies that have international markets/services. Investing outside of Canada is focused on a generic group of companies in a particular industry or based on a financial index.

I will still end up buying products from China, because let's face it, some dried Chinese products just aren't produced in North America. Yes, one has to be careful the type of products and their safety if standards are somewhat slack.

I probably will end up buying a piece of clothing --if by coincidence it's made in China and if it's reasonably priced. quality, fit and colour are my criteria. Country of origin is 2nd. If it's made in Turkey, India, no problem either..I mean...I'm sorry, the Canadian federal government caved into NAFTA...etc...and this decimated a thriving garmet industry in Toronto and Montreal. I remember 20 years ago, happily shopping and buying at near wholesale prices, new clothing from the retail outlets tied to the factories in Toronto's downtown garmet district....beside Chinatown. I should know this because I had cousins who worked in these Toronto factories and also had friends who were active union organizers among the factory workers.

So what should I do as an aware consumer, unhappy how my own government handled the trade agreement? I might as well be abit more intelligent as a consumer and buy at least, products that are safe/meet standards, if a North American company has struck a deal with a Chinese company to manufacture, then it benefits both Canada and some other people in another country to earn money. Example: MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) store has a number of products under MEC brand, made in China.

Now, pray tell me that all of REI products are produced in the U.S.? Impressive if they are...

Unless we can convince more locals to work on our farms to sustain /keep those farms from being sold off to developers, convince locals to work in factories, build up our manufacturing, garmet plants ...we will be faced with buying and wearing alot of foreign made products.

Of course, some of us used to sew our own wardrobe..like me...before cycling passion overtook me years ago.

But others here on the forum, are even better to have their own little veggie/fruit plots.

Sorry for the jumbled rant..

[Trek420]

As some of you know I'm midst of a remodel and I thought to my self "self?" I thought "this is the biggest investment I'll ever do till the next house. It's my time to make a difference".

Sure I buy some things at a box store but for most purchases whether it's appliances, materials, financing I researched companies and products and bought smaller local suppliers where I can.

It not only feels good but I've saved LOT$. One source I use is

www.bluefund.com/why-blue/blue-companies

Now TE gals and guys don't take this the wrong way. This isn't a plug for the Demo's (though I am one). You could be a dyed-in-the-wool-lifelong Republican and find good info on this site. After all I think these are values we all share.

Regardless of who you vote for and whether you buy, online, local store, farm market, box store check the manufacturer's stance on human rights, enviornment, labor practices etc.

[bmccasland]

One thought ... The average citizen on the street in China doesn't know what's going on the Tibet because the media is controlled. This has been true in other autocratic countries. Just because a reporter calls out on a satellite phone from the zone doesn't mean the guy 200 miles away knows what's happening.

Even then on things well documented, like the US internments of Japanese (and anyone who "looked" Japanese) during WW2, or the Holocost, etc... there are those who will argue that it never happened except in a movie studio. I've heard it too.

Having, or currently live, in a dissaster zone - what was really going on down here, and what gets protrayed in the media very often isn't the same thing. Both good and bad. So I can see how things get twisted. And how people, in say, Chicago, have an impression that the city is 100% rebuilt (only about 50%), or is even still flooded (it was dry 3 weeks after Katrina, and the Mississippi is staying inside the levees right now).

[administrator]

"Other forums exist elsewhere on the Internet for involved discussions of religion, politics, etc."

[Trek420]

I've just found out that we have two guest speakers at work tomorrow from the US paralympic team. One I think is US Track star April Holmes.

http://www.dsusa.org/ChallMagarchive...rilHolmes.html

I for one plan to bike to work wouldn't want to seem too sedentary considering what she's able to do. Now, what jersey to wear?

TE Hill slug jersey I think

[MM_QFC!]

how bout this one?

[Trek420]

You got a spare you can get to me by tomorrow morning?

[MM_QFC!]

Am not quite that fast, but I'm working on it...

[Trek420]

Ya know, I'm, over 50, 5' nuthin', out of training shape and a TdG would look kinda silly. On the other hand the best thing about the Hill Slug jersey is it's fun to wear when I'm back in shape and might actually pass people while wearing it

I'm thinking the company team AIDS ride jersey and see if I can get her to sign it.

[Geonz]

It's a money-making business. It's hard to thrill to the excitement of that level of athleticism when I think of the costs of it at so many levels. Obsession with winning has wrought much bad karma.