Discussion»Statements»Rosie's Corner» The extreme right-wing says boycott isn't the way to go. Remember your Bill O'Reilly who boycotted everything FRENCH?
Speaking as a conservative, (I wouldn't know anything about something you've made reference to as an "extreme right wing") boycotts are only as effective as the numbers of consumers willing to carry it out. Can it be done? Sure. It takes organization and some determination, but history has proven that it works on occasion. That was one of the lessons of the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960's. I personally recall the flyers and pamphlets that were printed and distributed around neighborhoods and public places while growing up in the south. Most of the time, the boycott worked by way of media manipulation and intimidation, more than by any financial impact and the smaller the target, the greater the impact. I know that as a consumer, I have the right to boycott the goods and services of companies and organizations that I feel to be detrimental to this country, and I do more as a matter of conscience.
I think that fact is why we seem to have some things in common ub. You are NOT an extreme anything which makes it easier to bridge our political divide. For which I thank you. Frankly I'm torn about boycotting. Of course front and center currently is what happened to Laura Ingraham. What she says is geared to her audience. Her advertisers are not responsible for what comes out of her mouth. I think it's unfair to boycott them. On the other hand I guess advertisers on her show are implying they support what she says. I'm gonna ask that question. Years ago when O'Reilly said we should boycott everything French (I forget why) I thought that was silly. I thought changing "French Fries" on the menu in D.C. to "freedom fries" was really stupid dumb. I kept buying whatever I wanted. Yes. I confess. I used to watch Bill O'Reilly in the long ago. So I'm not a fan of punishing manufacturers. But I do think attacking the victim is always out of line and the person doing it needs to get smacked down. See how confused I am? Thank you for your thoughtful answer. I wonder if any of Laura's advertisers who left will return? :)
I believe that boycotts are fine IN PRINCIPLE so long as they remain organic and from the grassroots. If an individual is unhappy with a particular institution they are free to boycott it and free to encourage others to do the same. A media personality who encourages a boycott may influence a large number of people and that's ok.
Where it becomes wrong is when coercive pressure is applied to those who don't want to join in the boycott. The far left often threaten anyone who doesn't join in.
Leftism is a system of authoritarian collectivism that works on the threat of social ostracisation. When leftists are unhappy with a company, instead of simply encouraging customers to take their business elsewhere, they begin intimidating advertisers and other associates. Anyone who won't join the boycott is boycotted too. They try to force all associates to take sides, either publicly standing with the boycott or publicly standing against it.
For such associates, the smart business decision is always to give in to the side that is most vengeful and obnoxious. This is the side that will boycott them most if angered. Business knows that conservatives do not believe in coercion or guilt by loose association. They know that conservatives won't really hold their decision against them. They know leftist trash will. So they screw conservatives over, every single time.
This post was edited by Zeitgeist at March 31, 2018 3:36 PM MDT
Boycotts are fine but companies need to know that it can come from both sides. I personally will be messaging every company who pulled ads from Laura Ingrams show that I am will be boycotting them. Depending on the product I may even make a video of me getting rid of their products.
It worked on some of Hannity's advertisers. 100s of videos of Keurig coffee makers being destroyed by viewers were submitted to the coffee maker. They apologized for taking sides and brought their ads back to the show.
Benedict Arnold 