Thousands in Hollywood protest remarks from CNN's Jack Cafferty

[ckramer]

Source: CNN

Thousands of Chinese Americans protested outside CNN's offices in Hollywood this morning, calling for the dismissal of commentator Jack Cafferty, whose recent remarks about Chinese goods and the Beijing government inflamed a community already angry about international condemnations directed at the host country of the upcoming Olympics.

The protesters lined Sunset Boulevard from Cahuenga Boulevard to Wilcox Avenue chanting "Cafferty, Fire," and singing patriotic Chinese songs.

"We understand free speech," said Lake Wang, 39, of Thousand Oaks. "But what if Cafferty said this about other racial groups? I think he would be fired. I think he's jealous of China."

The anger mirrors the growing sense of nationalism that is taking hold around the world as the Olympics come to China. Much of that anger has been directed at foreign media, which some accuse of painting an unfairly negative image of China.

On the April 9 airing of "The Situation Room," Cafferty, in a discussion about China, said that goods from that country were "junk," and referred to the Chinese as "a bunch of goons and thugs."

CNN later said Cafferty's comments were directed at the Beijing government.

"In this occasion Jack was offering his strongly held opinion of the Chinese government, not the Chinese people," a CNN spokesman said in a statement. "It should be noted that over many years, Jack Cafferty has expressed critical comments on many governments, including the U.S. government and its leaders."



Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cnn20apr20,0,2778839.story

---

Apparently, CNN is as guilty as Cafferty by defending him. Come on, "a bunch of goons and thugs," A five-year-old could tell this comment was directing to the people, not the government, which only has one.

"Chinese Americans?" this sounds like a new word to me.

[gateley]

1. I heard the remark and I didn't think for a moment

that he was referring to the Chinese people. To me it was clear he was referring to the government.

But then Im' not a five-year old. :shrug:

People are getting absolutely over-the-top with their knee jerk reactions in instances like this.

[roguevalley]

40. we are a nation of idiots. he was talking of their government but I

guess if you want to be offended, you are. the idiots.

[doxieone]

54. Hi Roguevalley!!! We have a doxie that does what yours does!!

Meet Honey, our sitting up doxie!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doxieone/2327324315/in/set-72157600977930148/

[lonestarnot]

80. Pilicon translators. LOL

[onenote]

95. agreed

[indepat]

2. Maybe Jack should confine his "goon and thugs" remarks to the gaggle of homegrown goons and thugs

whose day-to-day actions are reminiscent of quintessential goons and thugs. :D

[grasswire]

3. oboy

I'm impressed with their mobilization. Democrats could never get that together to protest a media outlet.

[NikolaC]

19. They Have

The problem is that we don't really hear about it, as usual.

[AzDar]

4. 'Jealous of China' ?

Jeebus. :eyes:

[Joanne98]

5. Hey! I like Jack Cafferty!!!!!Leave him alone!

[gateley]

9. He's become my fave.

No BS and he brings up issues that aren't covered by MSM. Think I'll drop CNN a line expressing my support.

[Joanne98]

13. And he's a grouchy old man. I like that too.

:pals:

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

6. Chinese products are just wonderful

All that lead is really good for my 4 year old, and he likes the taste, too! And how dare Cafferty call the Chinese government "goons and thugs"? They're just a bunch of good, freedom-loving guys.

:sarcasm:

[Doctor Cynic]

7. Can you imagine if he called black people goons and thugs?

There would be yelling in the CNN Newsroom. Cafferty would apologize instantly and will never ever see his face on TV again.

Definitely he should be fired and disgraced and CNN should disclaim their commentators don't represent the views of CNN.

[gateley]

10. If the black people were running a government that

quashed dissidents and violated basic human rights en masse, I'd applaud him for that, too.

He was right-on -- the Chinese government IS run by goons and thugs.

[izquierdista]

14. You mean like Zimbabwe?

At least they don't shrinkwrap their turds and offer them for sale at Wal-Mart.

[Doctor Cynic]

21. Yes, if some French TV guy says

that the USA is a sh!thole or something, without specifying he was criticizing the US Government, he would be at the very least forced to apologize for his remarks.

I can't see how this is different.

[gateley]

26. Being a mature, rational person who thinks before I react,

I would assume that the criticism of the Government was implied -- not a criticism of the people.

And I'd probably agree with the French TV guy.

[Flagg]

53. US 'journalists' say worse things about France and the French all the time

and they never have to apologize

Why should they apologize to the Chinese ?

[saigon68]

44. That country has turned into a right wing Fascist Dictatorship

Led by a Cabal of murdering Criminals

[reggie the dog]

11. Mgabe

is a goon and a thug, surronded by other black goons and thugs in Zimbabwe.

[ckramer]

15. I think you got a point there

"Bunch of nappy headed hos"...ooops...sorry, I was really referring to the Bush government.

[Dessalines]

30. You Ever Heard Pat Buchannan Go Into Klan Mode Over

the last 20 or so years?

[girl gone mad]

36. You mean..

like calling the Sudanese government a bunch of goons and thugs? Because people in the media do that all of the time, and I've never heard a peep of outrage. Maybe that's because they are a bunch of goons and thugs, just like the members of the Chinese government, but without the propaganda budget.

Welcome to 2008. The race card only works when those playing it are actual victims.

[barbtries]

39. that's apples and oranges

he isn't talking about race, he's talking about how they treat people. bad analogy.

[GOPNotForMe]

8. I thought he was referring to the government, too.

Send the PC police after me, but I have no problem with the comments. I tried to get worked up but couldn't muster the appropriate self-righteousness.

[katmondoo]

12. I thought he was referring to our country

[ToughLuck]

16. Chinese government..bash away Jack,,good for you

Its just been grand our trade with China...NOT

Lets have more junk toys made with lead..hooray!

[143tbone]

58. It's not just the toys and the toothpaste.

Everything I have bought that was made in China, I have either had to bring back because it broke within days or or had some other disturbing quality about it. I highly recommend looking at the labels before you buy anything.

[digidigido]

17. Jack is indeed right

For the most part what is made in China is cheap garbage, that breaks in a few months and in many countries does not even meet environmental standards.
The Government of China is a bunch of Goons and Thugs, look at Tienamen square. Their record on human rights is abysmal. If you're going to complain
about something, make sure you have something to complain about

[David__77]

18. His comments were racist.

He was attacking the Chinese people, and Chinese people are tired of being scapegoated!

[MaineDem]

20. Olbermann supported Cafferty last night

He agreed that the government was still the "same old goons". The government, not the people.

[Frank Cannon]

22. Until Chinese corps stop poisoning us with their toys and other shit

these protestors can, IMHO, STFU.

[dbonds]

23. Big Business has many reasons to not want the public to sour on China.

Don't take these protests at face value.

[mwb970]

24. I'm more than five years old, and

it sounded to me like he was talking about the Chinese government, not the people. You have to really strain to assume he was smearing all of the Chinese people. Is it important to you for some reason to believe that he was?

[DRoseDARs]

25. This is rich, coming from the poster that's defended China with regards to Tibet.

Sorry, ckramer, but your shit DO stink. Only a China-apologist could read Cafferty's comments as directed at the Chinese people. You have to have been living under a rock for the past 60+ years or five-years-old to NOT know the Chinese government IS a belligerent bunch of goons and thugs. Hatred of the Chinese people (and Teh Scary Brown People From Teh South) is Lou Dobbs' schtick, not Cafferty's.

And Chinese-American is NOT a new term. The suffixing and prefixing of Americans has been going on for many years. Irish-Americans? Jewish-Americans? African-Americans? Gay-Americans? YOU must be new.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

29. I was wondering...

What sort of contortions does one have to go through to defend the killing of a people and destruction of a culture?

The reason I am asking is that one day, I might get ambitious and try it for myself. Or take up whittling. I haven't made up my mind yet.

[azureblue]

42. well, ask Bush

He stole the money to fix the New Orleans levees, killed people and destroyed a musical culture. But instead of whittling, he played guitar (wrongly, at that- you don't play G7 on the fourth fret)

[IsItJustMe]

27. Can't really tell in all honesty. Kind of reminds me of the Obama finger thing.

[Arugula Latte]

28. I think they meant that the cheer was "Fire, Cafferty" not "Cafferty, Fire"

But, whatevah.

[tularetom]

31. Be careful Cafferty when you phone for delivery of moo goo gai pan

ya never know what them "goons and thugs" may have put in it.

I don't often watch TV and literally never watch CNN but I was channel surfing and caught Jack's little rant. It sure as hell sounded to me like he was referring to the government.

[devilgrrl]

32. Thousands huh?

Where are the pictures?

Yeah, uh huh, sure.... thousands...

[Codeine]

33. Why does your post

say "Source CNN" when in fact it's quoted from a piece in the Los Angeles Times, and indeed links to the LAT site? The source isn't CNN at all, is it? And why did you change the quote from "Fire Cafferty" to "Cafferty, Fire?"

>"Chinese Americans?" this sounds like a new word to me.

No, that's a normal way of showing both the ethnicity (Chinese) and the nationality (American) of a person. We do it all the time with different groups in the US.

[girl gone mad]

34. The Chinese propaganda ministry..

has really been going all out lately. I've even noticed a few of them around here.

[Kaleko]

81. Yep. Counted six of them so far,

constantly hammering out the same message, as persistent as a toothache:

Chinese government wunderbar! Always do right. Tibetans never right.

[Thickasabrick]

35. I agreed with Cafferty - and all this nationalistic "group anger" exhibited

by the Chinese in response to the world's objection of their treatment of the monks makes them look more and more like modern day nazis. Screw China and their products.

[barbtries]

37. actually i've been saying for years that

the biggest thugs in the world are in the white house and i definitely differentiate between the people and the government of the USA. i call them bushies. one government, lots of thugs.

i tend to think that tibetans would agree with cafferty.

[catnhatnh]

38. Transparent???

It really is-go to the photo and see that EVERY sign is of commercial quality.Ya'ever see a real grassroots protest where all the signs are that good? If CNN falls for this then they are idiots. This is one of the few times I would like to ask how many are US citizens, how many are on student visas, and how many are on H1Bs....

[Plucketeer]

41. I'm with Jack

Cheap, poor quality crap that stupid-ass Americans snap up because they don't want to buy quality American-made stuff that pays real wages and lasts forever. You have to ask yourself - who's the stupids - the ones making and selling us the crap or those who gleefully snap it up and then bitch when it breaks???

[biggerfishsmallpond]

50. EXACTLY!

Concern about China is only happening because the negative externalities of this trade consumerism relationship finally impacted North Americans, hence the whining about lead paint on toys or toxins in dog food.

The disposable labor practices and polluted rivers in China and closed US factories and burger flipping workforce was A-OK until now. It gave is cheaper big screen TVs and a new wardrobe for every season.

Status quo, only with better quality cheap crap won't fix the problem.

So, concerned about the costs of Chinese made products of the policies of its government?

Think before you buy
Buy less, buy better.
Actually make something yourself
Mend a shirt

[JohnnyCougar]

43. China -- perhaps the most repressive government in the world ever.

I have no shame bashing them.

[onehandle]

45. Jack's right. Fuck China's government.

It's clear to me that he was talking about the goons and thugs that run the slave labor using government.

[magellan]

46. It's crap like this that makes me want to give up on Americans

Selfish, self-interested sleepwalkers, protesting a remark obviously not directed at them while letting the criminals in DC shred the Constitution. Why don't they organize and get their butts out on the streets over THAT?

[Xithras]

47. He did NOT call the Chinese people goons and thugs. The Chinese are twisting this.

What the Chinese people and the muckracking media have focused on is the last sentence in his quote: "I think they're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years." That seems pretty damning, but when you look at his WHOLE quote, the perspective changes. He's talking about the Chiense GOVERNMENT:

"Well, I don't know if China is any different, but our relationship with China is certainly different. We're in hock to the Chinese up to our eyeballs because of the war in Iraq, for one thing. They're holding hundreds of billions of dollars worth of our paper. We also are running hundred of billions of dollars worth of trade deficits with them, as we continue to import their junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food and export, you know, jobs to places where you can pay workers a dollar a month to turn out the stuff that we're buying from Wal-Mart. So I think our relationship with China has certainly changed. I think they're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years."

I don't think we're in the hock to the Chinese CITIZENS, or that it's the CITIZENS personal creations that we're importing every year. He was clearly referring to the government and leadership in China. And yes, I consider the Chinese leadership to be a bunch of goons and thugs.

[Robb]

73. I demand Jack apologize

Clearly, when he says "They're holding hundreds of billions of dollars worth of our paper" he's referring to the Chinese people.

When he says "We also are running hundred of billions of dollars worth of trade deficits with them" he's referring to the Chinese people.

What a racist. :eyes:

For the ESL among us who tend to miss such things, this was :sarcasm:

[ckramer]

74. But Jack is still wrong and idiotic because

the "them" in the sentence "hundred of billions of dollars worth of trade deficits with them" is not really with the chinese government, it's with the chinese PEOPLE.

Why?

The chinese economy is basically an economy of capitalism-on-steroids. The latest reported statistics show that 90 % of the enterprises are held in private hands or owned by private citizens.

In 2007, only 11% of the companies are controlled by the chinese government.

So it's "them" the chinese people who are "holding hundreds of billions of dollars worth of our paper," Jack.

This ratio of ownership can only get worse going forward.

Jack was insulting chinese people here. He just didn't know it.

Time to renew the knowledge of China.

[Xithras]

93. Suuure. And 100% of the American economy is private, so insulting McDonalds insults ALL Americans

What great logic.

The fact that the Chinese government ALLOWS a relatively tiny percentage of private fatcats to open and run large businesses doesn't negate the fact that all of those businesses are sanctioned by the government and operate not only by their own whim, but under the auspices of their own authoritarian economic system and with the backing of their government sponsored trade boards. Nobody opens a company in China without the backing of the government.

While the nature of the Chinese power-elite may be changing, their behaviors have not. As the song goes: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

And, by the way, the hundreds of billions worth of our paper is held in debt bonds owned by the Chinese government. Private enterprise doesn't play the slightest role in that sort of thing.

Our debt, held by the same genocidal thugs and goons who like bashing in Tibetan monk skulls, used by a brutal authoritarian government to open our markets to low-quality goods produced by companies owned by the friends, cronies, and bribe payers of those same authoritarians, is held over our head with the vague threat that if we get out of line, the debt will be dumped and our economy will be destroyed.

Of course, the economy is imploding anyway, and soon enough China's threats will be irrelevant.

[ckramer]

97. Talking about debt

have you thought about it?

Why have Americans accumulated so much debts in every level from national to municipal to personal?

Anyone blames China for that should have his head examined.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

48. He chose his words poorly

Even though I genuinely believe that he was describing the Chinese government and not the Chinese people, he slipped up here and gave the Chinese government a great opportunity to engage in a nice little propaganda exercise stirring up nationalist sentiment while ignoring the real issues as usual

[moondust]

49. Jack is way too smart

to make a blanket statement like that about a general population.

No question that he was referring to the Chinese Communist government.

[ckramer]

51. Even if Cafferty's comment was referred to the chinese government

I still think he's misspoken.

Chinese government didn't get oil by invading another country, they get oil by using their hard-earned cash.

The Bush government is truly "goons and thugs" concerning international law and order.

[INDIA]

55. "Chinese government...get oil by using their hard earned cash"

FROM THE FUCKING SUDANESE GOVERNMENT!!!!!!!!!!! How dense can you be? Seriously!

They are also blocking any action by the UN in bringing peace to the Darfur region, and are actively selling arms to Mugabe in Zimbabwe. FUCK THEM.


China: A Government of Goons and Thugs. (And a nation of children from what my well-traveled friends have told me. And that's just the way the government likes it.)

[ckramer]

57. Would you like to grant US green card to all refugees in the

Darfur region?

[INDIA]

60. Nice dodge/strawman. I'd like that piece of shit Chinese government to let the UN

do it's fucking job!!!!! Darfur needs UN peacekeepers NOW. WHAT PROBLEM DOES CHINA HAVE WITH THAT? PEOPLE ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED.

They are flat out allowing genocide to happen in the interest of getting cheap oil! That's no better than what we're doing in Iraq! Probably WORSE!

When did I ever bring up green cards or bringing immigrants to the US? What does that have anything to do with anything?

[ckramer]

63. No dodge/strawman, answer the question

[INDIA]

66. I take it you haven't heard of the "Lost Boys of Sudan."

"Lost Boys of Sudan is the name given by aid organizations to refer to the more than 27,000 boys who were displaced and/or orphaned during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2003, about 2 million killed).<1> This name was also used by the International Rescue Committee program which resettled some of these refugees from Sudan to the United States

In 2001, about 3800 Lost Boys arrived in the United States, where they are now scattered in about 38 cities, averaging about 100 per city.<1> Halted after 9/11 for security reasons, the program restarted in 2004, but peace talks were underway in Sudan, and so other refugee crises in other countries took priority.<1> As of 2006, the largest population of Sudanese refugees in the United States is in Omaha, Nebraska which hosts about 7,000 people<2>."


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Boys_of_Sudan


How many Sudanese refugees has your glorious People's Republic taken in? You know, since they are basically help fund the murder and genocide of these poor people...I'm guessing zero.

I swear, if there's a maniacal, tyrannical, murderous regime somewhere in the world, chances are pretty good that China's backing them militarily or financially. (Sudan, N. Korea, Zimbabwe) PUKE. CHINA SUCKS. FUCK THEM.

[ckramer]

70. Now I heard it

but still don't know why that has anything to do with china?

I'd like to see how they "... help fund the murder and genocide of these poor people..."

Educate me please.

[INDIA]

79. They're blocking UN action against the gnocide in Darfur.

The ONLY country on the UN Security Council to do so. Why would they do that you might say? They then turn around and buy huge amounts of oil from Sudan (which the the civilized world refrains from doing), and that blood money is used to fund and support militias carrying out genocide in the south. They also support the murderous regime in Burma, both financially and militarily. Not to mention N. Korea. AND Zimbabwe.

And the "lost boys" info was a response to your irrelevant question about letting Sudanese refugees into the U.S. We already do. They number in the tens of thousands. China is indirectly funding the genocide, and doesn't have ANY Sudanese refugees in their country. Although the life of a Chinese sweatshop worker probably isn't what most Sudanese picture as a better life.

And why bring up the crimes of the Bush Administration and call us all hypocrites? This is the most anti-Bush site on the net, his administration is criticized ALL THE TIME here, and you defend China by bringing up shubs actions? You make no sense. None. And I have yet to hear a legitimate defense from you other than..."boosh does it tooo!11!!" Educated people can criticize both. Although you'd probably get thrown in a re-education camp for criticizing the PRC in China.

China really is a "nation of children." Arguing with you is like arguing with a child. Although I don't blame you. It's tough to grow up and get an educated worldview if your government stifles internet access and a free press.

[ckramer]

83. "They're blocking UN action against the gnocide in Darfur" just like

Bush admin blocking the UN Security Council's efforts to jointly condemn Israel's aggressiveness against Palastinians. Duh. So why are you so shocked on these international politics?

And you called me a child? Let's learn to layoff the F words for a good start.

As to the weaponry sales to Sudan, let get the fact straight:

From the US Congress Research Bureau in September 2007: the United States remained the world's largest seller of conventional arms to developing countries in 2006, with 36 per cent of the total sales. It was followed by Russia, with 28 per cent; Britain, 11 per cent; Germany, 6 per cent; and China, only 3 per cent. Now, let's get a mirror.

According to the 2006 international statistics, China's arms sales to Sudan only accounted for 8 per cent of the total amount of weapons imported by Sudan.

And also, people outside the US don't distinguish you or me from the Bush admin. We are all bad guys, the invader of Iraq. That's all they can see it.

On the refugee issue, my point is, if you are so concerned about the Sudan refugees, why don't you write to your congressman for granting each of them a green card. Have you done that yet?

And why should china admit these refugees? I don't think they have too many "professional do-gooders" of the "progressive" persuasion.

By the way, I read somewhere that China has close to 150 million hight speed internet users this year. Maybe it's just too hard for you to believe, right?

[INDIA]

85. Let me sum up your argument..."China ok because Boosh do it too! China Roolz!"

Damn, you got me! Because we here at DU just LOVE Bush and the current American foreign policy! :sarcasm:

And of COURSE people distinguish Americans from their government. Just like we distinguish the Chinese government from it's people. All I hear when I'm abroad is "we really like Americans, but we hate Bush/your government." That's bullshit and you know it.

Yes China has the internet. It is strictly controlled and censored by the government. Try Googling "Tieneman Square" from within mainland China, see what happens. It's like it never happened.

The rest of your arguments are absolutely laughable. Only 8% of the arms to Sudan? Well that must be some relief to the Darfur villager when the weapons being used to kill his family only have about a 1/10 chance of being Chinese made. And once again you're bringing up IRRELEVANT CRAP with your Israel comparison. :boring: The Darfur refugees aren't professional and are anti-progressive? Well then lets kill them all! And yes, shithead, I'm all for bringing Sudanese refugees, (like the LOST BOYS OF SUDAN who are already in the U.S.) into the U.S. I'm even MORE for giving them a peaceful life in their home country first with UN peacekeepers, which China continues to prevent from happening so they can get that sweet sweet crude.

Blood for oil. Sound familiar? What a disgusting government China has. They truly are a bunch of goons and thugs. Mao must be looking up at them so proud.

Tell your superior officer that the American bloggers aren't buying your propaganda bullshit. Time to change tactics. Ruh-ro.

"I know! Let's have the Olympics! Then the world will ignore all the horrible crap we've done and LOVE US! Gooooooo China!"

[ckramer]

89. Let me sum up your argument - "fact means nothing to me"

"Our country right or wrong! We are the biggest arms dealer in the world, so what?"

Duh!

Hey, btw, when you hear the foreigners say "we really like Americans, but we hate Bush/your government," they really meant to say "We really like your money. You guys can print!"

[INDIA]

91. Your english sucks. Very telling. You're paid to do this by the PRC.

Although I can't see why. You're doing a terrible job. In fact, I think I have an even MORE negative view of China after our little conversation. I guess your little propaganda pushing plan backfired huh?

What does a paid blogger make in yuan anyway? Just curious...

[ckramer]

92. So you refuse to acknowledge that USA is the biggest arms dealer in the world?

I didn't make that up, you know.

You wouldn't be a hypocrite if you were, say, an Indian, India3, on accusing China selling weapons to a nation state. But being an American, you have no moral high ground in regards to this matter.

How's my English grammar doing, India3?

[Flagg]

52. The French regularly receive a more insulting treatment in the US media.

and they don't protest.

[Better Believe It]

56. They Should! Dobbs And Cafferty Are Feeding Bigotry

The Dynamic Duo: Dobbs attacking Mexican immigrants and Cafferty attacking Chinese. Both are feeding bigotry and zenophobia.

Chinese Americans line Sunset Boulevard outside the network's offices to call for the commentator's dismissal.
By David Pierson, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
April 20, 2008

Throngs of Chinese Americans protested outside CNN's offices in Hollywood on Saturday morning, calling for the dismissal of commentator Jack Cafferty, whose recent remarks about Chinese goods and China inflamed a community already angry about international condemnations directed at the host country of the upcoming Olympic Games.

The protesters lined Sunset Boulevard from Cahuenga Boulevard to Wilcox Avenue chanting "Fire Cafferty" and "CNN liar" and singing the Chinese national anthem and other patriotic songs. They waved Chinese, American and Taiwanese flags and directed their anger at the news channel's dark glass tower. "It's really unacceptable," said John He, an organizer of the event. "It maliciously attacks all Chinese. This would not be accepted if it was directed at any other ethnic group."

The controversy has added fuel to a growing resentment toward the West. Many Chinese feel the West is unfairly ganging up on the country at a time when the world should be celebrating the Olympics. Much of the blame is being directed at Western media, which the Chinese American community has accused of bias for failing to show the violence inflicted on non-Tibetans during the recent unrest in the western Chinese province and of being too critical of China.

Lake Wang, a 39-year-old engineer from Thousand Oaks, was wearing a T-shirt that read, "Do not be jealous of China Jack." The last protest Wang attended was 19 years ago in Beijing -- the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Wang said China has become a vastly different society since then and that the country deserved credit for the changes.

"Most of these people are American citizens and legal resident aliens," said John Chen, a lead organizer. "We love China and we love America too. We should not be regarded as goons and thugs."

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-cnn20apr20,1,3238004.story

[143tbone]

59. Chinese Americans more concerned about China than America?

In other words, where do their loyalties lie? It's a real concern of Americans about so many of the manufacturing jobs going to China. And it's a real concern that we are all being forced to buy crap. And it's a real concern that this country has worked so hard to create humane working conditions for workers and and worked so hard to set levels of safety and quality for products and that now all that is out the window because none of it applies to manufacturing conditions in China.
So who are these people and where do their loyalties lie? This is a glimpse of the future isn't it? America is now owned by everybody else. Thanks a fucking lot, Bush and all you greedy son of a bitches that are feeding off the common trough.

[pegleg]

61. well said.

[dger11]

62. You're right. Everything that created and sustained an American

middle class is being snuffed out before our very eyes. The corporation and the government have teamed up to maximize the profits of a few. CNN is very outspoken about this in general. The goal at this point is to reign in criticism of these policies.

[ckramer]

65. "we are all being forced to buy crap" ???

Now that sounds silly to me. Why?

Did China force American companies move operation out of America? No.

Did China force you to buy crap? No.

That manufacturing jobs going to China/Vietnam is more like an economic/financial decision made by greedy corporations.

Blaming China for that is really wrongheaded, in my opinion.

[143tbone]

75. Yes, goddamn it!, we're being forced to buy crap.

I have been trying for weeks to find some headphones for my computer that have not been made in China. Ones that I have bought in the past self destruct once you get them home. And even when I put out the call on DU to see if anyone knew of any, one poster mentioned a German company. But upon research I found that they were assembled in China and that these earphones worked well but they had a tendency to fall apart, so said many people online.
That is just ONE example.
And no, China did not force American companies to move their operations out of America. I'm not saying that. The blame goes totally to the greedy corporate/government entities in both China AND America. All those greedy assholes at the top.
China shares some of this blame. They could make better products. They could practice better employment standards and products standards.
I do and will continue to do everything I can to search out products NOT MADE IN CHINA.

[FastHorizon]

90. What about Bose? n/t

[143tbone]

98. Even some of Bose's products

are either made and/or assembled in China.

[ckramer]

96. If you say you are forced to buy chinese stuff because you don't have

other choices, then I agree with you. But that's not china's fault, is it?

Chinese stuff is no crap from my experience. I can tell you that all of my toys like radio, TV, and VCR were made in China. They were cheap (that's the part I love) and in decent quality. I have used them for years without any problem. I have four radios from Walgreen's that were made in china. I bought this many because it's in a good price comparing to some of the local made. Occasionally I bought things from Wal-mart too.

I'm actually thankful for the cheap Chinese stuff that can afford me to live like a middle class. They have been doing us a big favor for the last decade providing affordable daily stuff to the majority of the American working class. Yet, some of the "do-gooder" democrats didn't appreciated that. They tried every hard to upset the good relationship between the two countries by stirring up some trivial and nonsensical political events. And you've got to ask the question - what do they think they are doing?

[143tbone]

99. I said in my post whose fault I think it is.

I don't have a problem with the Chinese people. I have a problem with governments and greedy capitalists.
I'm glad that you are happy with all your products but I am wondering if you're old enough and were in this country when products were of a much higher quality than they are now.

[Better Believe It]

77. And Why Aren't They Wearing American Flags In Their Lapels?

Dam foreign Chinese communist agitators!

Deport em all!

And now let's all join McCain and the neocons in singing the Star Spangled Banner and America The Beautiful!

Put on your flag pins now!

Later we can play a game of freedom checkers!

I swear .... some of these flag waving "I'm a real American" posts are unbelievable!

One would expect to see that sort of thing on a right-wing discussion board, but not here!

[LBJDemocrat]

87. Look at the picture above your post

Look at all the red PRC flags.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

100. It's the flag of a COUNTRY. -nt

[w8liftinglady]

64. I stand behind Jack...see below..

Jack Cafferty Quotes


A collection of quotes from Jack Cafferty's appearances on The Situation Room is listed below. This page will occasionally be updated with more quotes.



"I don't understand this reluctance to say, Mr. Brown, you failed in your assignment. You're out of here. Go away. Go back to Colorado and go back to work for the Arabian Horse Association that we got you from." - Sept. 6, 2005

"The other sin is that these two lowlifes - and that's what they are - are going to be allowed to remain free pending sentencing on September 11th, and then I'm sure their lawyers will argue vigorously for them to remain free pending appeal. I assume they plan to appeal. It's too bad they weren't remanded into custody immediately like Dennis Kozlowski, that fat worm that ran Tyco was, and told to begin serving their sentence immediately." - on former Enron executives Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling - May 25, 2006

"Well, judging by the reaction on Capitol Hill, maybe the FBI ought to raid their offices more often. What is it, do you suppose, they're hiding in those offices? Once again, Congress is demanding a different set of standards for themselves." - May 24, 2006

"My belly is full of acid every time I look at the government in Washington, D.C. I've had it." -February 28, 2006

“President Bush names his homeland security adviser to investigate what went wrong with the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina. Frances Townsend is the one who mostly recently oversaw the reorganization of the nation’s intelligence services following the WMD debacle. Given the outcome of that effort she’ll probably conclude there was no hurricane.” - Sept. 20, 2005

"I would guess it didn't exactly represent a profile in courage for the vice president to wander over there to the F-word network for a sit down with Brit Hume. I mean, that's a little like Bonnie interviewing Clyde, ain't it? Where was the news conference?" - February 15, 2006

"Has he been indicted yet?" – on former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay - Sept. 21, 2005

"We better all hope nothing happens to Arlen Specter, the Republican head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, cause he might be all that stands between us and a full blown dictatorship in this country.” - May 11, 2006

"Well, that would be a good idea. He was out in San Diego, I think, at a Naval air station giving a speech on Japan and the war in Iraq today. Based on his approval rating in the latest polls, my guess is getting back to work might not be a terrible idea." - August 30, 2005

CAFFERTY: Did you say the IRS building is flooded?
BLITZER: A little bit, yes.
CAFFERTY: Oh, sorry to hear that.
- June 27, 2006

"But the White House insists it's important for the president to express reservations about the constitutionality of certain provisions of laws, because, of course, he's the decider and he can decide these things just by looking at them." - June 27, 2006

BLITZER: But you did hear Ed Henry say it is a basement apartment, which is not necessarily all that desirable, and he's paying the fair market value.
CAFFERTY: Ya, and pigs fly upside down and the moon's made of green cheese and there's no quid pro quo from a lobbyist who is also your landlord. Do I look like I just fell out of the back of a vegetable truck to you?
BLITZER: No, you look like Jack Cafferty.
- On Rep. John Boehner renting an apartment owned by a lobbyist - February 8, 2006

"They're cutting $80 some million from New York City. And this was Ground Zero. What the hell is going on here?" - May 31, 2006

"It's becoming, Wolf, a situation where those who are in power only want those of us to vote who can help those of them who are power. It's a vicious, nasty little thing that's beginning to creep into the system here and there." - June 1, 2006

"He would strut around on Capitol Hill like a cocky little bandy rooster. But today he slithered away from Congress to await his fate at the hands of the criminal justice system. Good riddance." - On the resignation of Tom Delay - April 4, 2006


Time magazine asked him in September 2007 if he’s gotten in trouble for anything said on the air and he replied:

Once. I called Donald Rumsfeld a war criminal the night before the midterm election. The president of the network and the executive producer of the Situation Room and two or three other management gerbils assaulted me en masse, immediately as I got off of the air, saying, “You can’t say that.” Apparently, what happened was our correspondent at the Pentagon started getting these phone calls from people in the Pentagon, saying, “Cafferty just called Rumsfeld a war criminal.” I had to go on the air and say, “You know, I’ve stepped over the line.” That being said, I will go to my grave as Jack Cafferty, Private Citizen, believing that these people committed war crimes.


"How important is the new Osama bin Laden tape? The last time we got a tape from Osama was right before the 2004 presidential election. Now here we are, four days away from Bush wiretapping hearings and up pops another tape from Osama bin Laden. Coincidence? Who knows."



"Who cares if the Patriot Act get's renewed. Want to abuse our civil liberties - Just do it! Who cares about the Geneva conventions? Want to torture prisoners - Just do it! Who cares about rules concerning the identity of CIA gents. Want to reveal the name of a covert operative? Just do it! Who cares about whether the intelligence concerning WMD's is accurate. You want to invade Iraq? Just do it. Who cares about qualifications to serve on the nation's highest court. Want to nominate a personal friend with no qualifications? Just do it. And the latest outrage, which I read about in The New York Times this morning, who cares about needing a court order to eavesdrop on American citizens. Want to wiretap their phones conversations? Just do it. ... What a joke. A very cruel, very sad joke."

[ckramer]

71. From all these quotes here I can see that

Jack is a progressive person.

But I still think his knowledge of china is outdated and misguided. So is Nancy Pelosi's. And I hope that the "goons and thugs" thingy is only his personal opinion and not the position of that of the democrative party.

[OhioChick]

67. I see nothing wrong with what Jack says....

He says it as it is.

[np33]

68. If Americans

are so tired of the crappy products out of China how about stop buying them. This is all just hot air because at the end of the day Americans will buy products from anyone as long as its the cheapest price. Not to mention that this country is pretty much pimped out to the highest bidder.

[whirlygigspin]

69. this is such bs

glad to they're free to protest here


try it in China and they'll send your family the bill for the bullet they killed you with

[OregonProg]

72. protesting

Exactly.

[Better Believe It]

78. Yes Sir Dis Da Land Of Da Free All Right!

Three cheers for the Department of Homeland Security and Bush's fight against terrorists within our borders!

Isn't it just wonderful?

NOT!

[143tbone]

76. You can't stop buying them if that is all that is out there!

I challenge all of you. Think of a product. Like a toaster. Go the a few stores and look at where they're all made. If it doesn't say, go back home with the info and do a google search on the company.
And ladies, have you noticed how some of your favorite clothes have changed drastically in the quality? Not only in the way they are put together but in the type of material?
Actually I think this is an excellent opportunity for manufacturers in America or elsewhere to make a quality product, advertise "MADE AND ASSEMBLED IN AMERICA" and even though it would be more expensive, I for one would buy it because I know in the long run that a well-made but more expensive product is actually cheaper in the long run.
I don't buy things in big box stores, I shop locally. But then again I'm not your typical American consumer.

[xxqqqzme]

82. Last week Keith Olbermann called the Chinese government

a bunch of goons & thugs in support of Cafferty. Why are they not protesting KO as well.

[samsingh]

84. Jack's been one of the good guys

[LBJDemocrat]

86. Fuck China

Cafferty's right.

[classysassy]

88. Turn off Cnn

Chinese all over the world turn off Cnn,I bet my last peso an apology will be forthcoming.

[NutmegYankee]

94. Ummm, Chinese products are Junk. n/t