Comments on: Net Gain — Negative; A Fishy Story http://thetexasring.com/2009/10/02/net-gain-negative-a-fishy-story/ Common Sense In A Ridiculous World Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:21:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Tony De Maio http://thetexasring.com/2009/10/02/net-gain-negative-a-fishy-story/comment-page-1/#comment-16 Tony De Maio Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:00:16 +0000 http://thetexasring.com/?p=20#comment-16 Oliver, You're not the first one to point this out. I don't KNOW, but I suspect you are correct. I know nothing about that aspect of the United Fruit experience, but I would suspect that United Fruit was far more concerned with profits than with politics. I suspect they were trying to protect themselves from the government--in particular a government takeover. Apparently they were not successful. I make no statement as to the ethics or morality of United Fruit. For one thing, it is not relavent to the story. For another, I know nothing about it. I suspect the natives would prefer to have United Fruit to have remained so they would still have jobs. I cannot help but recall the Puerto Ricans agitating for that island that was used as a target range by the navy. They agitated and agitated and finally got the U.S. to turn it over to Puerty Rico. The navy then closed the base that was used to support the firing range, throwing thousands of Puerto Ricans out of work--and no similar paying jobs in sight. Of course, it also withdrew millions from the local economy. Can you point to "indiscretions" on the part of the navy in Puerto Rico?? Probably. Do you think the Puerto Ricans would rather have the navy own the island and the base remain? most certainly. Wot's the old saw?? Be careful what you wish for--you may get it. Oliver,

You’re not the first one to point this out. I don’t KNOW, but I suspect you are correct.

I know nothing about that aspect of the United Fruit experience, but I would suspect that United Fruit was far more concerned with profits than with politics. I suspect they were trying to protect themselves from the government–in particular a government takeover. Apparently they were not successful.

I make no statement as to the ethics or morality of United Fruit. For one thing, it is not relavent to the story. For another, I know nothing about it. I suspect the natives would prefer to have United Fruit to have remained so they would still have jobs.

I cannot help but recall the Puerto Ricans agitating for that island that was used as a target range by the navy. They agitated and agitated and finally got the U.S. to turn it over to Puerty Rico. The navy then closed the base that was used to support the firing range, throwing thousands of Puerto Ricans out of work–and no similar paying jobs in sight. Of course, it also withdrew millions from the local economy.

Can you point to “indiscretions” on the part of the navy in Puerto Rico?? Probably. Do you think the Puerto Ricans would rather have the navy own the island and the base remain? most certainly.

Wot’s the old saw?? Be careful what you wish for–you may get it.

]]> By: Oliver K. Burrows III http://thetexasring.com/2009/10/02/net-gain-negative-a-fishy-story/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Oliver K. Burrows III Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:42:47 +0000 http://thetexasring.com/?p=20#comment-11 As the late Paul Harvey would have said, "And now . . . the rest of the story." As I recall, the people from United Fruit were also involved (with the CIA) in destabilizing the Guatamalan government and instigating a coup. Am I correct? If so, what really happened to Dick and Jane (we know where Jack and Jill went . . . and what happened to Jack as a result of the local health care system)? As the late Paul Harvey would have said, “And now . . . the rest of the story.”

As I recall, the people from United Fruit were also involved (with the CIA) in destabilizing the Guatamalan government and instigating a coup. Am I correct? If so, what really happened to Dick and Jane (we know where Jack and Jill went . . . and what happened to Jack as a result of the local health care system)?

]]> By: Linda Brady Traynham http://thetexasring.com/2009/10/02/net-gain-negative-a-fishy-story/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Linda Brady Traynham Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:31:15 +0000 http://thetexasring.com/?p=20#comment-9 Tony, thank you for another of your Fabulous Fables for Modern Times. This one works beautifully, as a good fable should, when we apply it to our lives. The spam filter catches long answers and a human has to release them. We use an electronic 'Net, which can break. It is taxed and regulated. The genius of others made our lives easier until the government found a way to profit by their work and ours. Clunk, clunk, clunk all the pieces fall into place, just as they should! How about one on the three great big pigs, Pharma, Labor, and Agribiz?! Tony, thank you for another of your Fabulous Fables for Modern Times. This one works beautifully, as a good fable should, when we apply it to our lives. The spam filter catches long answers and a human has to release them. We use an electronic ‘Net, which can break. It is taxed and regulated. The genius of others made our lives easier until the government found a way to profit by their work and ours. Clunk, clunk, clunk all the pieces fall into place, just as they should! How about one on the three great big pigs, Pharma, Labor, and Agribiz?!

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