On the Picket Line in Islamabad

harimau #38 The stated aim of this boycott, per the article, is to change US policy by pressuring fast food places in Pakistan: ``If Corporate America feels the pinch, it will make the American administration change its policy.`` This would be laughable if real (Pakistani) people`s jobs were not put in jeopardy by this boycott, and if lack of investors wasnt such a major problem in Pakistan today. In saying that even if all the fast food places in pakistan were shut down, the impact on the US economy would be essentially zero, I am merely stating a fact (check the US GNP with the royalties that go to the US from fast food restaurants in Pakistan if you dont believe me).

On enron etc., no one is saying that the legal framework in the US is perfect. But it is miles ahead of anything in Pakistan (India is of course perfect in everything aside from being the richest country in the world). The fact is that the US has been able to maintain a balance of trade deficit due to large net inflows of foreign capital that turn the BoP positive. This is the most sincere vote of confidence possible in the US system of justice and property rights, with people putting their money where their mouth may or may not be. Compare the inflows of capital to the US with India (sorry, Pakistan) and I think you will begin to get the picture.

PS: I think you need to take some classes in building self-confidence. You seem so terrified of appearing like you are kissing ass that you reject such simple statements of fact.

Ref Urstruly #29

[I am pretty sure that Ras`s bun doesn`t have any of these characteristics. But whom am I to judge. Beauty is in the eye of beholder. hamidm and ali1 are exprets in these matters, buns that is. where are they?]

Hamidm, God bless him, is probably enjoying his Macallen. As far Eunuch #1, he got such a tongue-lashing that he is trying to hide under the name Amrit Patel but has been smoked out.

`` Would you care to elaborate on governance, corporate and governmental, with particular reference to Enron, WorldCom, Global Crossing, Pacific Gas & Electric, etc.? ``

PG&E went bankrupt because of California state policies. Enron, Worldcom, Tyco, Qwest are a fraction (1-2%) of all US blue chip corporations. All CEOs and CFOs have to attest their financial reports. If it is false they go to prison. Tyco CEO got kicked out for what would be routine in India and other countries. A lot of problems in USA are traced to the fact that company stock can be issued to buy other companies. That is not allowed in India and a lot of other states.

`` I remember that when George Bush I was vice president, his son Neil Bush, as member of the the board of directors of the Silverado Savings & Loan in Denver, approved a loan of $225 million for a buddy who never paid it back. Neil Bush had taken a loan of $300,000 from the same buddy which was forgiven. In most countries, this would fall under the statute governing bribery. ``

I believe the amount was $50,000 not $300,000. The Bushes have been clean compared to other pols in USA.

Theres been a lot of hype about this kind of stuff lately ... but theres also the alternate viewpoint ... that of a kutther maulvi friend of mine, someone who`s like stayed four months in a jihaadi commando camp, has a foot long beard and a shalwaar which come rain or shine stays well above his painchaas.

He reasons ... if we quit drinking pepsi ... the yuhoodees will not be able to survive ... if they dont survive ... who will we fight jihaad against?

Silly no doubt ... but logical ;)

Ref tahmed32 #23

[Close down all the fast food restaurants in Pakistan, and it will still have essentially zero impact on the US economy. That economy is based on sound economic principles, on concepts of property rights, governance, and encouragement of free enterprise...]

Would you care to elaborate on governance, corporate and governmental, with particular reference to Enron, WorldCom, Global Crossing, Pacific Gas & Electric, etc.?

I remember that when George Bush I was vice president, his son Neil Bush, as member of the the board of directors of the Silverado Savings & Loan in Denver, approved a loan of $225 million for a buddy who never paid it back. Neil Bush had taken a loan of $300,000 from the same buddy which was forgiven. In most countries, this would fall under the statute governing bribery.

If there is a need to kiss a$$, you seem to think that there is no need for even a fig leaf to cover the fact that you ARE in fact kissing a$$.

veeresh: ``where did they come from?``
ask urstruly...he brought it up...something about buns, i believe. :-)
bon apetit

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ali87, I think Iran with its crumpled collarless shirt/jacket and appreciation of most things French is one society standing up, quietly, to the US. But very valid point about Pakistan doing so, too.

tahmed32, I`m not allowed to eat such stuff anymore,however I still lust for it and often do. Where DID they come from?

urstruly: i believe you have cured veeresh of his lust for

(a) sweet ``fruit`` buns with a bit of glazed stuff on top?
(b) onion rings?
(c) green chutney? Pumpkin ketchup?
(d) double fried egg inside?
(e) the kabab sticking out from either side?
(f) butter inside?

he will never be able to eat any of these without thinking of where they came from.

#16 by nazarhayatkhan on May 14, 2003 11:30pm PT

i guess US citizesns did not get your message while dealing with cuba.

#22 by veeresh on May 15, 2003 6:50am PT

Just for record sake, Coca cola which came back to India about a decade ago (when it came people talked about deep pockets) well coca cola has till date not earned a naya paisa in profit. last year it had accumulated losses of 400 crores. It had to revive the Indian brands of thums up to gain market share over pepsi. apparently the brands purchased from Ramesh Chauan when they came to India are the the ones which save coca cola from time to time vis a vis pepsi
Indians are drinking them into bankruptcy! same is the case of pepsi.

Kellogs which came to India with the promise of changing the breakfast habits of Indians(this was actually claimed by the Indian lady VP of Kellogs)is in losses. The VP has long resigned in after taking very fat salaries. Indians are no where close to eating ``Healthy Cereal`` for breakfast enmasse or for that matter even O.1 percent of the population does not eat breakfast Cereal. Coke now keeps making noises about the Chai being its main competitor I hope they dont make a fool of themselves by saying that they could over take it. or even make a minimal dent in tea drinking.
Various socites have provided roadblocks on the various accpeted myths of corporate america. Japan in manufacturing. Germany/Italy in luxury cars, Tiwan now china in costeffective manufacutring. India in Software and the death of American brands and american cultural invasion. we are still awaiting a socitey which will stand up to America in the accepted western clothing pakistan is a leading contender.

We have been discussing two points:

i- Boycotting the chains
ii- Which food is better?

As we all know, nothing can beat a nutritious home cooked meal. However, we have limited the conversation to commercially available food.

As for the Wesern style fast food, the only one I personally like is SUBWAY. That is if you exercise your judgement and load it up with the greens and not just the `proteins`.

As for boycotting the Western chains, it is right that they are owned by the local businesses and local economy gets hurt (despite sending out royalties to the chain`s HQ).

However, the most important thing is to raise awareness amonst the masses. I am sure that we can all sit all day long and shoot some breeze and perhaps some really smart and hillarious comments. But should that be our objective? I will let you decide that.

:-)

veeresh

I am pretty sure that Ras`s bun doesn`t have any of these characteristics. But whom am I to judge. Beauty is in the eye of beholder. hamidm and ali1 are exprets in these matters, buns that is. where are they?

I am with the author on this one but for different reasons. Fast food places are major culprits in producing obese people specially obese women. Considering how much I hate those, I applaud Jamil Omar sahib`s wonderful campaign. I`ll be happy to contribute my halal dollars towards this worthwhile cause provided ultimately the boycott is extended to ice-cream and falooda parlours, nihari shops as well as other obese generating enterprises.

later
-sac

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Ras #18, does your bun kabab have:-

(a) sweet ``fruit`` bun with a bit of glazed stuff on top?
(b) onion rings?
(c) green chutney? Pumpkin ketchup?
(d) double fried egg inside?
(e) the kabab sticking out from either side?
(f) butter inside?
(g) wrapping paper from a newspaper?
(h) credit facilities?

+++

Yum!!