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<div>This discussion of business boycotts should have the maximum free market/individual choice limited government advocates leaping to defend the informed choice of consumers, the free flow of information, and free speech rights. Anyone following recent history will recall the local boycott advocated by certain moral guardians against businesses selling certain sexy magazines. If I recall correctly, the boycott was somewhat successful in forcing the businesses to either pull from the racks, or otherwise make less visible, the "offending" magazines.
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<div>If a person or group thinks the products certain businesses are selling, or the profits generated by a business, are doing social harm, they are within their rights, as far as I know, to make public information about what businesses are associated with the "social harm." People can make their own choices in the matter. There may be civil legal actions that can be taken against a person or a group who damages a business by pursuing a boycott, depending.
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<div>To construct an extreme example, If KKK associated individuals were running businesses locally, using the profits to fund KKK activities, many would welcome a list of these businesses, to inform them of what their patronage was supporting, even if the KKK activities are protected by the US Constitution.
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<div>Those suggesting business boycotts should consider that if their is widespread skepticism of the boycott, public sympathy with the business or businesses might increase their business. The boycott of the Beatles after John Lennon made his comment about the Beatles being more popular than Jesus Christ was just more publicity for the Beatles, though Beatles albums were being burned in bonfires by those outraged by Lennon's comment.
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<div>Ted Moffett</div>
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<div><span class="gmail_quote">On 11/13/07, <b class="gmail_sendername">Tom Hansen</b> <<a href="mailto:thansen@moscow.com">thansen@moscow.com</a>> wrote:</span></div>
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<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Sunil stated:</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Is it bad to attack someone in way that might affect his or her ability to earn a living?"</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">To which Arnold responded:</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"IMO, sometimes, yes. It depends on the situation."</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">This strongly suggests that there ARE times when it is appropriate to "attack someone in [a] way that might affect his or her ability to earn a living.
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<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Question, Arnold: When is it appropriate for such attacks?</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Tom Hansen</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Moscow</span></font><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
, Idaho</span></font><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman" color="navy" size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy">Seeya round town, Moscow.<br><br>Tom Hansen<br>Moscow, Idaho<br><br>"I think one of the best ways to support education is to make successful private schools like Logos prosper through tax exemption."
<br><br>- Donovan Arnold (July 11, 2005)</span></font> </p></div></div><br>=======================================================<br> List services made available by First Step Internet,<br> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
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