Comments on: Did The Agriprocessors Boycott End Too Soon? An Interview with Ari Hart http://jcarrot.org/did-the-agriprocessors-boycott-end-too-soon-an-interview-with-ari-hart/ Jews, Food, and Contemporary Issues Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:19:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: RLeeSmith http://jcarrot.org/did-the-agriprocessors-boycott-end-too-soon-an-interview-with-ari-hart/#comment-8992 RLeeSmith Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:55:13 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/did-the-agriprocessors-boycott-end-too-soon-an-interview-with-ari-hart/#comment-8992 I should add, we have given them the stick, now it's time for the carrot! I should add, we have given them the stick, now it’s time for the carrot!

]]> By: RLeeSmith http://jcarrot.org/did-the-agriprocessors-boycott-end-too-soon-an-interview-with-ari-hart/#comment-8991 RLeeSmith Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:53:55 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/did-the-agriprocessors-boycott-end-too-soon-an-interview-with-ari-hart/#comment-8991 People refuse to give Agriprocessors the benefit of the doubt and this is especially disheartening as Tisha B'Av approaches. True Agriprocessors generally has to be drawn kicking and screaming to make reforms but history shows that they do make them. They cleaned up their slaughtering techniques and brought in Dr. Temple Grandin (who was the expert PETA requested) -- Dr. Grandin gave them a clean bill of health --- yet the stories persist that they are abusing animals. Similarly they have now brought in Mr. Jim Martin, and I have not read any challenges to his credentials or independence. They deserve, in my opinion, the benefit of the doubt and a presumption of innocence, and their steps in the right direction should be reinforced with positive feedback and an end to the lynchmob approach that seems to permeate the scene. People refuse to give Agriprocessors the benefit of the doubt and this is especially disheartening as Tisha B’Av approaches. True Agriprocessors generally has to be drawn kicking and screaming to make reforms but history shows that they do make them. They cleaned up their slaughtering techniques and brought in Dr. Temple Grandin (who was the expert PETA requested) — Dr. Grandin gave them a clean bill of health — yet the stories persist that they are abusing animals. Similarly they have now brought in Mr. Jim Martin, and I have not read any challenges to his credentials or independence. They deserve, in my opinion, the benefit of the doubt and a presumption of innocence, and their steps in the right direction should be reinforced with positive feedback and an end to the lynchmob approach that seems to permeate the scene.

]]> By: T is for Tomato http://jcarrot.org/did-the-agriprocessors-boycott-end-too-soon-an-interview-with-ari-hart/#comment-8237 T is for Tomato Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:11:39 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/did-the-agriprocessors-boycott-end-too-soon-an-interview-with-ari-hart/#comment-8237 I have to say that I think this premature ending of the boycott and the fact that one of the architects of it still won't eat Agri meat reflects badly on Uri L'Tzedek and makes it look like they were well-intentioned but in WAY over their heads and never had the ability to carry out a successful boycott... or perhaps got intimidated by Agri into making this choice. It is irresponsible to end a boycott because someone told you that they were going to make things better. Since when do activists believe everything's better because someone who is part of the company says so? We've seen no proof - only further allegations of worker abuse. And I've heard that Martin isn't going to even be in Iowa. So, the boycott continues in my household... and I'm sad to say this is ending up reflecting poorly on Uri L'Tzedek and even YCT (though I am aware YCT is not affiliated with the organization, people on the blogosphere seem to be largely equating the two). I do hope that Uri L'Tzedek can have more success, and perhaps rebuild their reputation, through more effective campaigns in other areas of social justice. I have to say that I think this premature ending of the boycott and the fact that one of the architects of it still won’t eat Agri meat reflects badly on Uri L’Tzedek and makes it look like they were well-intentioned but in WAY over their heads and never had the ability to carry out a successful boycott… or perhaps got intimidated by Agri into making this choice. It is irresponsible to end a boycott because someone told you that they were going to make things better. Since when do activists believe everything’s better because someone who is part of the company says so? We’ve seen no proof - only further allegations of worker abuse. And I’ve heard that Martin isn’t going to even be in Iowa. So, the boycott continues in my household… and I’m sad to say this is ending up reflecting poorly on Uri L’Tzedek and even YCT (though I am aware YCT is not affiliated with the organization, people on the blogosphere seem to be largely equating the two). I do hope that Uri L’Tzedek can have more success, and perhaps rebuild their reputation, through more effective campaigns in other areas of social justice.

]]> By: rebmoti http://jcarrot.org/did-the-agriprocessors-boycott-end-too-soon-an-interview-with-ari-hart/#comment-8233 rebmoti Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:01:04 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/did-the-agriprocessors-boycott-end-too-soon-an-interview-with-ari-hart/#comment-8233 Very unfortunate that the boycott was lifted prematurely, based on the hiring of one person (and not any actions). Given that Agri is clearly treating this as a PR issue and not a tzedek issue, Uri L'tzedek should have waited (and I personally will continue to wait) until there are demonstrable improvements in the workings of the plant, and not just the (implicit) promise of future improvements. OTOH, I like and agree with everything said here about considering yashrut as well as kashrut in the production of our food. Very unfortunate that the boycott was lifted prematurely, based on the hiring of one person (and not any actions). Given that Agri is clearly treating this as a PR issue and not a tzedek issue, Uri L’tzedek should have waited (and I personally will continue to wait) until there are demonstrable improvements in the workings of the plant, and not just the (implicit) promise of future improvements.

OTOH, I like and agree with everything said here about considering yashrut as well as kashrut in the production of our food.

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