NationStates Jolt Archive

http://i17.tinypic.com/3zjgrxc.jpg

The Chiquita fruit company has been charged in connection with a terrorism investigation. No, it's not unveiling a new smallpox flavored banana, it just paid off Colombian terrorists to leave it's operations in South America alone.

If you buy bananas you're funding terrorism. Buy cocaine instead.

They're doing that it takes to survive. You pay off the enemy. It's "protection" money really. Except it goes to a bunch of terrorists and not the mob.

http://209.85.12.227/1381/85/emo/banana.gif=http://images.killermovies.com/forums/customsmilies/bandevil.gif

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20070314-110701-7166r.htm

This is not the first time that this company has been involved in shady dealings in Latin America.

http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/bananas/chiquitaSecretsRevealed.html

Security guards have used brute force to enforce their authority on plantations operated or controlled by Chiquita. In an internationally controversial case, Chiquita called in the Honduran military to enforce a court order to evict residents of a farm village; the village was bulldozed and villagers run out at gunpoint. On a palm plantation controlled by a Chiquita subsidiary in Honduras, a man was shot to death and another man injured by guards using an illegal automatic weapon. An agent of a competitor has filed a federal lawsuit claiming that armed men led by Chiquita officials tried to kidnap him in Honduras.

I am not convinced that the payments were merely for th eprotection of its employees as this company has been accused of funding such groups in order to increase or protect their interests.

http://209.85.12.227/1381/85/emo/banana.gif=http://images.killermovies.com/forums/customsmilies/bandevil.gif

Best senseless smiley post ever! :D

If you buy bananas you're funding terrorism. Buy cocaine instead.

Bananas.

'Nuff said.

Ah Chiquita. Formerly the United Fruit Company (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Fruit_Company), 'el pulpo'...the octopus with tentacles throughout Latin America, tugging at political strings, financing coups...supporting terrorism (http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/index.php/United_Fruit_Company) since 1899! The reason we have the term 'banana republic'.

About time they got called on it.

Ah Chiquita. Formerly the United Fruit Company (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Fruit_Company), 'el pulpo'...the octopus with tentacles throughout Latin America, tugging at political strings, financing coups...supporting terrorism (http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/index.php/United_Fruit_Company) since 1899! The reason we have the term 'banana republic'.

About time they got called on it.

Yeah, exactly. Not really anything new from these guys.

All of which is why I don't buy their bananas in the first place.

All of which is why I don't buy their bananas in the first place.

They actually label which company fruit and vegetable produce comes from in Germany?

They actually label which company fruit and vegetable produce comes from in Germany?

You've never seen the little stickers on fruit sold in the supermarket?

You've never seen the little stickers on fruit sold in the supermarket?

I work in a supermarket.

But half of those stickers are produce identification codes, and with the rare exception, don't identify the company (sometimes the country of origin, however).

Some things, like Cavendish bananas, don't even have stickers (because they're obvious as the default variety of banana). 90% of common vegetables don't either. So no, most times I wouldn't have a clue what company they're from.

that aside, the United Fruit company is pretty vicous against small independent holdings.
Look at the so-called 'Banana War' between them and the EU a few years back.

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/law/lwsch/journals/bciclr/24_1/09_FMS.htm

http://209.85.12.227/1381/85/emo/banana.gif=http://images.killermovies.com/forums/customsmilies/bandevil.gif
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Pergament.jpg

Nice job!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Pergament.jpg

Nice job!

Yay!

that aside, the United Fruit company is pretty vicous against small independent holdings.
Look at the so-called 'Banana War' between them and the EU a few years back.

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/law/lwsch/journals/bciclr/24_1/09_FMS.htm

Let's not forget United Fruit, and their "banana wars" in Central America. Or their pressure on the US government in the 1950s to keep Central American governments "in line".

On the face of it, fomenting war and violence for bananas does seem ridiculous in the extreme.

On the face of it, fomenting war and violence for bananas does seem ridiculous in the extreme.

No more so than say...oil. Bananas are the source of this companies profits, companies will protect their profits.

The name Ken Saro-Wiwa ring a bell?

On the face of it, fomenting war and violence for bananas does seem ridiculous in the extreme.

Whereas fomenting war and violence for oil is entirely rational and morally justified, according to certain people in Washington... :headbang:

A business is protecting its interests? How dare they?

Do they have the right to protect their interests if they chose to go into the business of child prostitution? How about murder for hire? When protecting their interests means funding terrorists who kidnap, torture, rape and kill civilians isn't that just as bad?

A business is protecting its interests? How dare they?

Whereas fomenting war and violence for oil is entirely rational and morally justified, according to certain people in Washington... :headbang:

Thank you.:)

As opposed to being attacked, presumably at the cost of many lives, and potentially going out of business, hence seeing thousands of jobs lost, and many producers and suppliers in danger of unemployment, which, in the context of such a country, may well lead to starvation?

There are plenty of places where Bananas grow. One doesn't have to do business someplace where terrorists call the shots. The loss of revenue weakens the terrorist organization and motivates the government to crack down on terrorists who are costing them jobs. In the long run not doing business with terrorists would improve the situation.

Do they have the right to protect their interests if they chose to go into the business of child prostitution? How about murder for hire? When protecting their interests means funding terrorists who kidnap, torture, rape and kill civilians isn't that just as bad?

As opposed to being attacked, presumably at the cost of many lives, and potentially going out of business, hence seeing thousands of jobs lost, and many producers and suppliers in danger of unemployment, which, in the context of such a country, may well lead to starvation?

As opposed to being attacked, presumably at the cost of many lives, and potentially going out of business, hence seeing thousands of jobs lost, and many producers and suppliers in danger of unemployment, which, in the context of such a country, may well lead to starvation?

You obviously have very little idea of the context in which this event is occurring. Chiquita, formerly known as the United Fruit Company has previously been accused of funding paramilitary organisations to kill union leaders and other activists who threaten their profits.

here is a brief introduction:
http://www.mayaparadise.com/ufc1e.htm

I strongly doubt that Chiquita was simply paying money for protection. More likely, they were paying the AUC to do some dirty work for them. This would explain why they are plea bargaining to avoid a trial.

The name Ken Saro-Wiwa ring a bell?

If I put my ear to a shell, will I figure it out?

If I put my ear to a shell, will I figure it out?

perhaps, but I imagine fingers to google would work better.

perhaps, but I imagine fingers to google would work better.

Na. Considering it was a Canadian company who orchestrated his hanging, I figure it's already part of the national consciousness*.

*for the minority who actually pay attention to the world around them

Na. Considering it was a Canadian company who orchestrated his hanging, I figure it's already part of the national consciousness*.

*for the minority who actually pay attention to the world around them

what, an evil perpetrated in the world that wasn't from the US? Shock, horror! Shame! We must do better.

I suggest the immediate execution of several small tibetan children.

what, an evil perpetrated in the world that wasn't from the US? Shock, horror! Shame! We must do better. I don't think it will matter...we somehow manage to keep our evil on the down low.

I mean...who knows about Talisman Energy in the Sudan?

No one, because we Canuks can do no wrong....

Let's not forget United Fruit, and their "banana wars" in Central America. Or their pressure on the US government in the 1950s to keep Central American governments "in line".

On the face of it, fomenting war and violence for bananas does seem ridiculous in the extreme.
Then again, they do have the perfect weapon in the Banana.
It looks like a gun if hidden under a coat or in dim light, so can be used to bluff your way out of a tight spot.
Failing that, you can throw the peel on the ground and your pursuers will slip on it, allowing you to escape. Additionally, the energy from eating the banana will help you run that little bit faster.

what, an evil perpetrated in the world that wasn't from the US? Shock, horror! Shame! We must do better.

I suggest the immediate execution of several small tibetan children.
all Tibetan children are small, so the phrase 'small Tibetan children' is a tautology.

Also, the PRC have first dibs on killing Tibetans, and I don't think they'd be too happy about the US muscling it's way onto their patch.
Best find some other innocents if you must.

Then again, they do have the perfect weapon in the Banana.
It looks like a gun if hidden under a coat or in dim light, so can be used to bluff your way out of a tight spot.
Failing that, you can throw the peel on the ground and your pursuers will slip on it, allowing you to escape. Additionally, the energy from eating the banana will help you run that little bit faster.

Aren't you forgetting the most obvious use?

http://www.pbfcomics.com/archive/0PBF33037BC-Banana_Scientists.jpg (www.pbfcomics.com)

They actually label which company fruit and vegetable produce comes from in Germany?Chiquita bananas ALWAYS come with a little Chiquita sticker attached to each single one of them, yes. It's a "sign of quality". :rolleyes:

Heh. We musn't get them here. The only sticker on bananas I can think of is a boring #4233. Maybe our bananas aren't made delicious by the blood of latin american campesinos. :(

(actually, I know they aren't...the vast majority are grown in Australia.)Pffft. Where's the fun in that?

Chiquita bananas ALWAYS come with a little Chiquita sticker attached to each single one of them, yes. It's a "sign of quality". :rolleyes:

Heh. We musn't get them here. The only sticker on bananas I can think of is a boring #4233. Maybe our bananas aren't made delicious by the blood of latin american campesinos. :(

(actually, I know they aren't...the vast majority are grown in Australia.)

Chiquita bananas ALWAYS come with a little Chiquita sticker attached to each single one of them, yes. It's a "sign of quality". :rolleyes:
I thought they did that everywhere. I always wondered why. Do they consider us so dumb that we need to be told it's a damn banana?

It's ok on bananas and the such (putting aside the environmental waste it causes), but on apples, tomatoes, peaches, nectarines etc etc is a right pain in the butt. You have to peel them off before eating! grrr...

I thought they did that everywhere. I always wondered why. Do they consider us so dumb that we need to be told it's a damn banana? I dunno, does it actually say "Banana" on the sticker? Or just "Chiquita"? Because the latter is definitely (at least in this country) a "sign of quality", per the company. There have been TV ads as long as I can remember (not anymore recently, though, if I'm not mistaken) about how being a Chiquita banana is the best thing that can happen to a banana. :rolleyes:
It's definitely the ONLY banana "brand" that anybody knows here.

It's ok on bananas and the such (putting aside the environmental waste it causes), but on apples, tomatoes, peaches, nectarines etc etc is a right pain in the butt. You have to peel them off before eating! grrr...I never had them on tomatoes but whoever thought to put them on peaches and nectarines deserves to be slapped in the face repeatedly and hard. At least an apple is sturdy enough to withstand the ensuing poking and scratching.

I want a bananna.

I can vouch for the stickers being used here in Canada. You have the chiquita girl, and the country of origin stickered on each individual banana. My girls love it, and stick them all over themselves (no doubt tranferring pesticides to their skin, but ah well).

Most if not ALL of our produce identifies the producer and country of origin, either via the stickers, or labelled beside the price.

(no doubt tranferring pesticides to their skin, but ah well).That special kind of serenity only a mother can have. :p

Aw, jeez, thanks, WYTYG! Now I got that verdammt Chiquita Banana jingle going in my head! :eek:"verdammt"?! :p

Aw, sorry. Would it make you feel better to know that I myself can't even remember there was a Chiquita Banana jingle, let alone what it sounded like? No? Too bad. :D

That special kind of serenity only a mother can have. :p
Well, compared to the exposure they get when I fly over the vineyards I force them to work at, raining pesticides down upon them, I hardly think the stickers are going to be what kills them.

It's ok on bananas and the such (putting aside the environmental waste it causes), but on apples, tomatoes, peaches, nectarines etc etc is a right pain in the butt. You have to peel them off before eating! grrr...

Well...it's kinda necessary for some of those...

Can you tell the difference between a Royal Gala, Fuji or Jonathon apple on first glance?

I certainly can't... :P

I dunno, does it actually say "Banana" on the sticker? Or just "Chiquita"? Because the latter is definitely (at least in this country) a "sign of quality", per the company. There have been TV ads as long as I can remember (not anymore recently, though, if I'm not mistaken) about how being a Chiquita banana is the best thing that can happen to a banana. :rolleyes:
It's definitely the ONLY banana "brand" that anybody knows here.

I never had them on tomatoes but whoever thought to put them on peaches and nectarines deserves to be slapped in the face repeatedly and hard. At least an apple is sturdy enough to withstand the ensuing poking and scratching.

Aw, jeez, thanks, WYTYG! Now I got that verdammt Chiquita Banana jingle going in my head! :eek:

Well, compared to the exposure they get when I fly over the vineyards I force them to work at, raining pesticides down upon them, I hardly think the stickers are going to be what kills them.
True. Ah, mom really always knows best. :)

I never had them on tomatoes but whoever thought to put them on peaches and nectarines deserves to be slapped in the face repeatedly and hard. At least an apple is sturdy enough to withstand the ensuing poking and scratching.

Yeah, again. What's the difference between a white peach and a yellow peach? I'll give you a hint.

http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/328Fall98/328FruitLab/twopeach.jpg

I don't think people would appreciate me biting into their fruit before they buy it in order for me to find out. :)

Yeah, again. What's the difference between a white peach and a yellow peach? I'll give you a hint.

http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/328Fall98/328FruitLab/twopeach.jpg

I don't think people would appreciate me biting into their fruit before they buy it in order for me to find out. :)I'd totally let you bite into my fruit. :eek: :D :p

Nah, meh, you're right. But still!

I'd totally let you bite into my fruit. :eek: :D :p

http://www.fuckyou.com/images/smilies/eyebrows.gif must...not...make...cherry...joke...

Nah, meh, you're right. But still!

The customer is always right.... :rolleyes: :p

I'd totally let you bite into my fruit. :eek: :D :p

oh baby