I am not the one calling for a boycott (apparently global in nature) of Ford products on a Ford Truck Enthusiasts web site.

In regards to your implied personal attack maybe you should be involved in the life of someone that is disrespected by that terminology. Its not about me because I can surely, clearly...and with much prejudice...defend myself against such derogatory words.

It's about showing respect and dignity for a branch of our society that, more often than not is unable to defend themselves when someone offends them by using this word. Or uses it as a point of reference regarding someones state of learning or rational thinking.

When you use "Retarded" as a defamation toward someone else it is tantamount to insulting individuals with disabilities in general and those with mental disabilites specifically . It promotes the continued mockery of those with a condition that they can do NOTHING about and are often unable to say, "hey stop using that word." It is cruel and shameful, especially when your use of this word is done to denote the inability to fully function and the connotation directly targets those with disabilities. The down side of it for you is that it dispalys a special niche in your own character.

As a side note: The right the vote for those with mental challenges is protected by Federal law.

 

Don't feel alone. The U.S. taxpayer is subsidizing GE to move a crapload of jobs to China to make CFL light bulbs........GE couldn't be happier.

Seriously, Peter....Sorry to hear this. I hate when companies pull this, but I wonder how much is due to pressure from the EU to help their poor little southern members (Spain, Italy, Greece) get some juice from their richer northern neighbors (France, Germany, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, et al)....You know....'spread the wealth'........

On edit, I posted this before reading Bricks' link.....So maybe some questions were answered there.

 

That's hilarious.

 

That's too bad. Your obvious disdain for those with disabilities is anything but, hilarious. I would rather live with a person of special needs than casually pass you by on any street USA. For they are much more human than you. Perhaps you will, someday, have the opportunity to learn from one of these folks.

Moving on...I wish the people of Belgium the best of luck. Their lives will certainly be forever changed but, maybe Ford is not the only one that bears the burden of culpability here.

In addition, had they not made the concessions that Pete eluded to earlier, there is a very likely chance that the job losses would have occurred much earlier.

 

Like they say, birds of a feather.

 

So restitution must be in the works for breach of contract?

From the articles I've read concerning the shutdown, it sounded as if the writing was on the wall with that plant only running at 48%(?) capacity. Odd that they would "ink a deal" only months before announcing a full shut down.

 

Really? C'mon. That's quite a stretch. Maybe you're "creating" your argument because of recent news?

While his choice of words shows his limited vocabulary, nobody but a person either overly-sensitive to the word or looking for fodder for an argument would construe that his using retarded in that sentence was "tantamount to insulting individuals with disabilities in general and those with mental disabilities specifically."

 

Sure he was. Read the sentence and follow the context.

On Edit: I had not seen the the article or heard of her comment. Never cared much for her anyway.

 

Ford deepens European cuts, sees $3 billion in losses | Reuters

I found this line to be humorous:
It looks like Ford isn't the only auto manufacturer faced with making changes in Europe...

 

Dude, be careful what links you post......That crap popped up about 20 windows of the same article, and I couldn't click out of them quick enough. Can you say 'virus'?

 

Worked fine for me - only 1 window popped up - maybe it's something with your computer? It is a valid CNN link...

 

Agreed.

Sorry! I post only links from reputable* sites.




However, let me be on the record and say that CNN is in NO way reputable. But I can usually trust their website to be be virus free.

 

I'm sorry I stirred up this hornets nest. I was merely trying to convey my sympathies to whole region which is going to suffer the consequences of the largest employer in the area closing its doors.

Incidentally, it's the second time the province will have to recover from a disaster like this. The area was heavily dependent on the mining industry in the early 80's, when coal mining suffered general closures.

The people in the area crawled out of their hole by working very hard, aided by substantial investments by our government to expand the Ford site.
The site employs 4200 people directly, and over 5000 with subcontractors that have conveyor connections directly to the plant. It has an integrated approach, and was heralded as the future of automobile construction in the nineties. Everyone thought they would be safe for years. Inceidentally, these companies will evidently not be covered by the redundancy settlement of the Ford employees. Which is the whole point of using subcontrators.

I'm not employed by Ford, nor do I have any other ties to the region. I just felt very bad for a whole region of our country having to suffer a second massive hit in 30 years.

Incidentally, GM-Opel closed their plant in Antwerp last year, booting out some 6500 people combined. BOTH closures (GM and now Ford) resulted in production volumes moving to Germany. In the Ford case it's a little more convoluted. They're moving the C-Max (one of their more succesful small cars) from Valencia to Germany, moving the bigger cars (which are generally perceived as being in decline) from Belgium to Valencia to appease the Spanish.

As for burning the truck : I don't think this situation calls for a binary solution set. I also do not see how burning the truck would help alleviate the troubles of the people loosing their jobs. I also do not see how burning a company vehicle (it's my own company) will help me provide more jobs within my company. I could, however, be forced to fire someone because insurance generally does not cover arson perpetrated by owners and I would need to buy another vehicle. (caveat : people who suggest such course of action will probably not pick up on the slightly err..inflammatory tone of this comment) .

But I DO stand by my comment that I will not reward Ford for their actions by buying any of their products as long as there are alternatives. My money will be better spent supporting companies that DO invest in my country.

Have a very nice day,

Pete

 

Now that's funny right there. Thanks for the great laugh after a tough day. It seems that most people just don't get your sense of humor.

 

A tongue-in-cheek comment in response to your DUI death analogy. As ridiculous an option as the UK DUI comparison. A list of comic options to your Ford rant on your 5th post here.


The serious part of my post was my observations of human nature in regards to dedication to our convictions...typically a matter of convienience and/or fiscal reality.

Good luck with your future Ram purchases. BTW: Are you aware of how many Chrysler/Dodge plants were closed in the US since 2009? How many "promises" were broken? How many lives were turned upside down?

Well, in any case, while I wish the best for you and the good citizens of Belgium my immediate concerns are for the good citizens on our side of the pond.

You have a nice day as well sir.