Thom Hartmann: Sexual predators and serial rapists run wild in free trade

[thomhartmann]

Run time: 08:52 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1vTx4TjDEs   Posted on YouTube: June 14, 2011 By YouTube Member: TheBigPictureRT Views on YouTube: 123   Posted on DU: June 14, 2011 By DU Member: thomhartmann Views on DU: 2804

 
Free Trade has created a race to the bottom around the world - where the most
in-demand labor force is the least protected. Though conditions in factories
across America have drastically improved in the one hundred years since the
Triangle Shirtwaist factory went up in flames - we shouldn't sleep any easier at
night just because employee abuse is out-of-sight and out-of-mind. It exists all
around the world in places like Jordan and Bangladesh where corporate power has
overtaken sovereign governments and devoured the protections offered to average
workers. As long as so-called American corporations like Wal Mart are dealing in
abusive labor practices around the world - then so too is America. And the only
way to put an end to the abuse - is to put an end to Free Trade.

The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann on RT TV & FSTV "live" 9pm and 11pm check
www.thomhartmann.com/tv for local listings

[fascisthunter]

1. why the hell would someone unrec this?

I hope it was just a mistake. Of if you disagree with what Thom was saying, then post it.

Thanks Thom.... frightening but expected. We know what happens when big business isn't regulated.

[spooked911]

5. I suspect some people don't like RT as a source

and consider this some sort of propaganda. I think this is a great, shocking and important piece.

[dotymed]

9. Many people, especially "entrepreneurs", love "free trade."

That is their "cash cow."

Fair trade is great, just as the Unions have been saying since the beginning. Free trade is slavery and degradation for all countries, even America.

Since we no longer are able to compete globally, the masses are enslaved in poverty and forced to live horribly just to survive.

Of course this started a whole new class of wealthy Americans. Ones who knowingly thrive off of the misery of all concerned. Just to make money.

[HankyDubs]

14. Entrepreneur is French for Asshole.

[dotymed]

27. lol...oui Hanky

:toast:

[ProfessionalLeftist]

2. Wish I could rec this 1000x n/t

[sulphurdunn]

3. I believe

the correct word for this is "slavery".

[FiveGoodMen]

4. Agreed.

Slavery is what the right has sought since they lost it in 1865.

[Mosaic]

6. If true

The traitorous "right" must be eliminated.

[MedicalAdmin]

7. Careful there pal.

I mentioned that poverty = slavery on du a few days ago and I got ripped to pieces. Apparently this denegrates slavery, an opinion that ignores the fact that slavery is at historically high levels.

To be crude, lots of people need to get the shit out o their ears from a life time of asshattery.

[midnight]

8. I agree povery=slavery.... you are right.... We need to wake up...

[Plucketeer]

12. I think "slavery" is almost too kind a word here

What these women are subject to is torture. Sure they get "paid" or even a trip back home - but at what horrific costs?

I can only think of the ignorant and gleeful faithful that shop exclusively at Walmart and their ilk. I have to wonder if every buyer of stuff made at that Jordanian factory would opt out if they watched this segment. Or would they just shrug their shoulders and press on for the checkout counter.

[spooked911]

16. True, but we at least need to try to spread the word about this evil

[Plucketeer]

17. I don't disagree

Now - as to my wonder.... Do you think shoppers would put back what they'd bought if they were to watch the last half of this clip before hitting the checkout???

[MedicalAdmin]

20. In my experience the answer is NO, they would purchase.

They just don't give a fuck. After all it's; a) someone they don't know personally, b) they don't beleive it could ever happen to their white asses or the white asses of their children, c) like any other emotional cripple, they want what they want and they want it when they want it and fuck you for making them think.

I've pointed this out to relatives, people I meet, online acquaintences and the result is NADA. They think about it for a sec, agree that it is horrible (insert platitude de jour here), and then waddle back into Walmart (et. al.).

Ya cain't fix stupid.

[spooked911]

25. I'm sure some would be like that

I'd like to think a fair number of people would change their mind

[Plucketeer]

26. I'm one of those

But I'm also with MedicalAdmin, in that I doubt "most" would let the facts stop them. Their notion is it's off on some foreign soil and there's nothing they can do about it anyways, and this really is a cute blouse that would make me feel attractive when I wear it.

[chervilant]

10. Corporate power

enables a handful of humans planet-wide to determine the livelihoods of the vast hoi polloi. But, as wise philosophers have already noted, a time will come when the hoi polloi will say "No more!" I suspect I will see that day soon.

[zeemike]

11. Thom's argument is a powerful one.

If you buy your shit from wall mart you promote the slave labor we see in the world
America must just learn to say no to cheep goods.
K&higlyR

[amyrose2712]

13. Sad thing is it isn't simply walmart.

It is becoming harder to get away from these types of stores. And as the people become poorer they find they have no choice but to shop in such places. I'm not condoning this of course but I am toldthat because I don t have kids or am not a single mom that I have the"the luxury of of being idealistic"and if I wasa parent also would have no choice. How do we combat this?

[spooked911]

15. it's true that as a parent, you constantly need to buy clothes; if you can get something decent-

looking for cheap, than there's little question about not buying it because of where it might come from.

But pressure needs to be put on all these clothing manufacturers. The abuse of women workers is simply evil! I don't know how the supervisors live with themselves.

[Auggie]

19. We've become jaded as to the REAL cost goods and services

This is an additional, albeit heinous, cost.

[MedicalAdmin]

21. The supervisors enjoy this perk.

The job attracts exactly the type of person who would enjoy abusing and using helpless women. Come the revolution I don't forsee a good end to these men - something involving testicles and industrial sewing machines...

[TygrBright]

18. This is probably the wrong question/wrong place, but... What kind of MEN do this?

Seriously, what kind of men think it's okay to exploit, degrade, and abuse vulnerable women AS PART OF (apparently) THEIR "PERKS" at their workplace?

What kind of men do this?

What kind of men allow other men to do this?

What kind of men permit this to happen in their factory, their city, their nation?

WHAT KIND OF MEN?

disgustedly,
Bright

[MedicalAdmin]

22. Good Germans allow it.

Bad Germans perpetrate it.

And these days most of us are good Germans. Most people know this is going on. They just don't give a shit because it doesn't effect them directly.

[spooked911]

24. That's true about so many things these days-- the fuckedupness is overwhelming once you get into it

So it is easier to ignore.

But the rape thing-- would be easier to do something if it were here in the US. All we can do is warn people the costs of what they are buying.

[spooked911]

23. really evil, screwed up men

very sad the system allows this