Jack Cafferty Insulted China. Good For Him.
Posted by Slobokan @ 10:59 · 356 words · print
The Chinese government is demanding that CNN and Jack Cafferty apologize for comments made on the air.
China on Tuesday demanded that television news channel CNN apologize after one of its commentators said the Chinese were "goons" and that their products were "junk".
Jack Cafferty made the comments earlier this month on CNN's political program, The Situation Room.
…
Cafferty said the United States imported Chinese-made "junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food", adding: "They're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years
First of all, he has nothing to apologize for. I hardly ever agree with Jack Cafferty but this time, I do. The United States has imported the Chinese made crap he talked about. The majority of toys recalled in our country because of lead paint contamination do come from China. The poisoned pet food also came from China.
China has a very poor track record when it comes to human rights. Heck, they haven't even made in onto the track, that's how poor their record is. From the outside looking in, they are goons and thugs and even though I have heard they are slowly improving, it doesn't change the fact they are still the same "goons and thugs" they've always been.
So what is CNN going to do? Will they apologize? Will they grovel and beg forgiveness? Or will they stand up and tell China to stuff it? I'll be shocked if they stand their ground.
We, as a world community, cannot bring about the changes needed within China, only the people of China can stand up and force a change. But it's our duty to do everything we can, whether it's boycotting Chinese made products or simply calling them out on a live broadcast on television. We must do everything we can to ensure that the people behind that Great Wall know that the rest of the world has their back. Only then will real change come to China.
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Posted In: International Crap
Posted by gismo
April 16, 2008 @ 11:21
simple for the americans to do, stop buying the chinese products, stop choosing to import from China, isn't everything about demand and supply in capitalism? it's a matter of choice, the americans made that choice, no one is pointing a gun at ur head to buy their products – blame yourself for god sake!
Posted by Slobokan
April 16, 2008 @ 11:47
Blame myself for China being abusive to their own people?
Blame myself for Chinese companies using lead based paints?
What are you talking about? I just said the only way to get the message through to them is to stop buying their products. Didn't you read the post?
Oh, and you obviously don't read my site, else you would know not to tell me to blame myself, as my family does their part where Chinese made products are concerned.
I'm not sure how many Chinese products you purchase down there in Queensland, Australia, but in our household we do everything we can to avoid Chinese made products.
Posted by Slobokan’s Site O’ Schtuff : More Lead Paint Recalls
April 16, 2008 @ 14:27
[...] « Jack Cafferty Insulted China. Good For Him. · Main · More Lead Paint Recalls April 16, 2008 @ 2:27 pm · 101 words [...]
Posted by jerry
April 16, 2008 @ 15:52
I bet you have never been to China and do not have any Chinese friend. I guess all you know about China is learned from biased media and history books. Maybe it's time to learn to have a balanced view by visiting China.
Posted by Slobokan
April 16, 2008 @ 16:09
You have no idea if I have been to China. You have no idea if I have Chinese friends. None of that matters.
The toys contaminated with lead are here in the United States. I don't need to be in China to know that. I don't need a "biased" media and history books to tell me there is a problem.
Here in the United States we have toy bin after toy bin full of toys that can hurt our children. We also have thousands of dead pets that were subject to tainted pet food. Who needs the media to understand these things?
Visiting China won't change anything. Whether or not I visit China, the toys will still contain lead and the pet food already killed the pets. It's pretty cut and dry.
Posted by nishishabi
April 16, 2008 @ 16:23
how about ipod, iphone, nike shoes, LV bags,
CK cloth and almost all computers?
Are you all junks?
Posted by nishishabi
April 16, 2008 @ 16:27
look at how much goods is imported in US.
Didn't you use all the junks from the list?
http://ia.ita.doc.gov/trcs/monitoring/china/imports/output/china4digit_yty1.html
Posted by Twitter
April 16, 2008 @ 16:48
Do you know those toys and pet food are made according to U.S manufacture spec? In other words, those U.S companys want to use lower-priced material so that they can rip you off a little bit more!
And talking about Jack Cafferty, he must been your lost twin brother. China has no progress in 50 years? At least Chinese people now can tell what is brainwash and what's not. I bet you CAN'T 'cause you agree with Jack Cafferty. So that Jerry's suggestion of you going out of U.S is a good chance for you to get the other side of the story.
Posted by NY
April 16, 2008 @ 17:01
Why not ask not import all of the Chinese goods, and take back all of the invest, and pay off the money own Chinese?
Most of Americans are the people who like cheap.
Posted by Slobokan
April 16, 2008 @ 17:22
nishishabi: Don't be ridiculous. Of course none of those items are junk. We were talking about lead contamination in children's toys and melamine in dog food. Keep it to the point.
Posted by Slobokan
April 16, 2008 @ 17:24
nishishabi: Also, my ipod was made in China, yes, but I do not wear Nike shoes, use LV bags, or CK clothing. Like I said, I avoid Chinese made products where I can and support buying things made here in the United States if I can, as I am sure most Chinese people do as well.
Posted by Slobokan
April 16, 2008 @ 17:28
The U.S. manufacturer specifications are not being followed. That was proven by the documents released by the pet food company. There was also another recall involving "Aqua Dots" where the plant in China had substituted items AGAINST the manufacturers specifications.
There is no denying that some companies might be trying to pull the wool over people's eyes, but the instances I spoke of in my post (lead paint in toys and poison in pet foods) were done from inside China. Nothing will change that. I don't have to travel outside the United States to see what happened in those cases.
Jack Cafferty my twin brother? Hmm. If so, I am the better looking one, that's for sure.
Posted by Slobokan
April 16, 2008 @ 17:32
NY: Why would we take back investments and such? There is no reason why our economies cannot work together, but sending a message to the Chinese leaders through boycott or whatever means might just facilitate changes needed.
Changes like better safety controls on the manufacturing processes, and the ingredients that are put in pet foods.
Most Americans do like to save money and buy cheaper products. That's what we need to change. Saving a buck isn't always the best thing and that's a lesson the American people need to learn, but not at the expense of endangering their lives with substandard products.
Posted by Ed
April 16, 2008 @ 20:00
First of all, about the chinese paint problem. Did you know that Mattel admitted that it was their fault? Do a company setting up a plant overseas also responsible for the quality of their product?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119037171135935172.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Secondly, don't blame about others on their progress of democracy. How about the absurd cases of "separte but equal", "women and the black voting rights"? Did they all happen here in America? How long did US has those rights? 30years/40 years? How can you use your standard to judge others whilst a country has just really open up for about 20 years.
Not to even say. Who brought the slaves here from Africa? Who brought the Chinese here who worked like a slaves to build the US train networks?
Posted by Ed
April 16, 2008 @ 20:12
How do you feel US wastes dump to Asia (including China, India and other developing countries)?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1839997.stm
Posted by Slobokan
April 16, 2008 @ 22:45
Way to go Ed. There's nothing like stating a fact that simply is not true.
In your response you say that Mattel admitted that it was their fault where the paint problem was concerned.
If you read the article you yourself linked to you would read,
The admission by Mattel had nothing to do with lead. The apology given was for a design flaw with magnets, not lead paint.
If you're going to argue a point and try to back it up with facts, know the argument you are making and double check your facts before replying again.
The paint contamination on toys is widespread, simply search this site for the key words 'lead paint' or 'lead recalls'. There are hundreds of them just since I started keeping track and they stem for dozens of different companies.
Oh, and as far as our own democratic process, it's irrelevant. Yes, we had our own problems, but guess what? We worked to overcome them. The best way to deflect criticism from yourself is to try and focus it on someone else. Nice try.
Posted by Slobokan
April 16, 2008 @ 22:51
Ed: I think it's horrible that electronic waste is being dumped in other countries. I feel really bad about it. Almost as bad as I feel about lead contaminated toys coming in by the thousands and tons of poisoned pet food coming too.
Maybe someone should say something and start a movement to get them to stop allowing the importation of trash into those areas?
Now maybe you understand why we feel the way we do. The difference is, you all know it's trash before it hits your shores.
Posted by Walmart
April 17, 2008 @ 00:19
When you greedy American merchants such as walmart pressed the China factory to manufacture the products with minimum profit margin of 40 cents for a pair of shoes while Walmart shared a profit of $5. You, slobokan, deserve the "junk".
Posted by Slobokan
April 17, 2008 @ 00:51
You're kidding, right? You actually think I deserve "junk" because Wal-Mart stocks products made in China? Haha. Wow. Talk about a biased look at the situation.
In this comment thread people keep telling me to travel outside of the United States to see the real picture. Maybe you should travel out of your country to see that not everyone is that "greedy American" you keep talking about.
Posted by Sunny
April 17, 2008 @ 12:32
Neither China nor the States ought to be blamed, but those share holders who are squeezing eveything to achieve maximum profit. Products from China get recalled, so do the ones from the States. In Canada, we've removed some US products from shelfs several times last year. BTW from what I heard the investigation result shows that stuff causes contaminated pet food actually is imported from an East Europe country, a NATO member (not named).
Posted by Slobokan
April 17, 2008 @ 12:45
Sunny: Thank you for pointing that out. While I agree most of the problem lies with corporations that are trying to maximize profits, that does not validate the use of such products.
I am sure products are recalled all the time, at all levels in the marketplace, from every country that produces them.
A recall caused by an unintentional act is one thing. Food products are recalled because there are peanuts in a product that shouldn't contain them, or when there is a risk of salmonella or some other contamination.
The recalls I am speaking about are the ones that are happening because someone at some level chose to use a dangerous item to produce the product.
The toys being recalled are a danger to our children because they contain lead paint. Lead paint has been banned in the United States for 30 years. Someone, at some level, chose to use lead based paint in those products. Someone chose to put children at risk.
The pet food that was recalled was pulled from the shelves because it contained melamine. A substance that is not approved for food. In fact, it's used to produce plastics and insecticides. Someone, at some level, chose to add melamine to the pet food. Someone chose to put pets at risk.
I know that recalls affect people everyday, but there really is a huge difference here.
Posted by Shu Cheuk
April 17, 2008 @ 14:30
We do not call American crimals becuase the slauhter house keep feeding us sick cattle beef. The airlines skip inspections. Toys may with phthalates (illegal in Europe, like lead). Drug companies hide some data (Vioxx).
The list go on and on.
Posted by Slobokan
April 17, 2008 @ 15:30
Shu Cheuk: Nice way to stay on topic here.
How much beef does China import from the United States? Which companies have sent beef from sick cattle to China? Have a link for that claim you're making? I would be interested to know how many pounds of "sick" beef as you call it, makes it into China.
Airlines skip inspections? Yeah? And some people don't change their underwear, what's that got to do with anything we are discussing here?
Some toys are made with phthalates. How many toys are imported into China from the United States? Seriously. Show me a link with evidence of this claim too. I would be interested to know how many Chinese children have suffered because of American toy imports.
Wow, you got us with the drug companies. They hide data. Ouch. That hurts. Seriously. My side is busting, I am laughing so hard.
Are you seriously trying to compare one company based in New Jersey and the fact that they did not release information on one of their products with the willing distribution of millions of toys and other products that were contaminated with lead from hundreds of different companies based all over China?
Give me a fucking break.
So far, in 11 comments from different people, not one of you has actually addressed the issue this post originally discussed.
You can point out all the flaws from every company and country in the world and it still does not change the fact that companies in China knowingly produced toys contaminated with lead. We're not talking just one company or one instance either. Nothing you say about other recalls or company policies will change that this was done knowingly, nor will it make it right.
Now, from this point forward, if you have something to say that's on topic and addresses the toy recalls, pet food recall, or human rights in China, then say it.
If all you're going to do is try to change the focus of the discussion away from those topics, while standing your own soapbox, then don't bother commenting.
This is my soapbox.
Posted by Sunny
April 17, 2008 @ 16:24
By Slobokan: "So far, in 11 comments from different people, not one of you has actually addressed the issue this post originally discussed."
The issue of CNN or issue of CHINA?
Jack must not apologize as free speach is our
right. However CNN is not right to spread Jack's word freely. This is same when Jenny Jacson exposed her breast to millions millions eyes proudly, CBS had to take the accusation;-)
While we are hoping Chinese standing up to make change in their own country, I'm afraid the best way is to create more issues till no more issues there from outside.
Posted by Slobokan
April 17, 2008 @ 16:49
Actually, Sunny, either of those issues will work. But you are mistaken about CNN's right to spread Jack's word…
In the United States we have freedom of speech, and we also have freedom of the press. CNN, as much as I hate to admit it, is a news organization, and therefore enjoys the freedom set forth in our Constitution.
Jack Cafferty's statement was a fine example of him expressing his right to free speech, and CNN, if they back him up, is just exercising their rights being a member of the press.
The Janet Jackson ordeal on CBS is a completely different story. First of all, it involved nudity. Second, it did not involve the press. It happened during a football game. A sports event. However, not all of us in this country think CBS should have been fined or held accountable for that incident either.
I am having some trouble understanding your last sentence. "The best way is to create more issues til no more issues there from outside"? Could you please explain that a bit better?
Posted by Ed
April 17, 2008 @ 17:40
You may probably right that Mattel is apologizing for magnet problem. However, it does not excuse Mattel from taking the responsibility to ensure their products to follow safety standards.
In fact, according to the link below, "Of the 19.6 million toys that it has recalled this year globally, 2.2 million were due to lead paint; the remaining 17.4 million (11.7 million in the U.S.) were toys recalled not because of lead paint but because they were made with super-strong magnets." Mattel initial conveniently putting the public focus on Chinese manufacturers to take all the blames with both magnet and paint problems is a pattern of American culture to always blame on somebody else when a problem happens. Note that CPSC expects companies to self-police, and they're each responsible for making sure their products meet U.S. safety guidelines.
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1664428,00.html?iid=sphere-inline-sidebar
On the other hand, US companies sent their production plants to overseas are motivated by cost. If they do not send to China, they can send to some other developing countries like Mexico, Vietnam. But can they ensure manufacturers from those areas able to maintain US standards? Some problems happen to a few sub-contractors can happen any where. However, you cannot magnify the problems and say that alll goods from the country are craps. And this remains the same responsibility for the importers to ensure the standards to be met.
Posted by Ed
April 17, 2008 @ 18:08
Also regarding confusing proposition, Jack Cafferty was discussing controversy surrounding China's hosting of the Olympic Games, but he indeed mixed that up with these product recall issues.
That is basically the same pattern that US public culture put themselves on a higher moral high chair and allow themselves to say anything they like, but accusing and judging others without looking at their own problems.
Posted by Slobokan
April 17, 2008 @ 21:30
Ed. I am right about Mattel. Not probably. Thanks for clarifying the total toys recalled because of lead paint. 2.2 million. 98% of which came from China. There is no dispute about that, so please stop trying to deflect from the topics at hand.
Yes, it's true the CPSC does expect companies to self police. That's how we find all the lead tainted products coming from China. Duh. That is not news.
Manufacturers overseas should be required to meet U.S. standards, if they want to do business in the United States. It's that simple. Make a quality product or keep your shit out of our country.
I am not magnifying problems and saying that all items from China are crap. I love my iPod. I won't however, let my kids have toys made in China. That's a pretty good standard if you ask me.
Posted by Slobokan
April 17, 2008 @ 21:46
We have no problem looking at our own problems. The American people are quite adept and tearing down anyone, even their next door neighbor, if they know something is wrong.
China has a poor human rights record that is hundreds of years old. Earlier in the comments you compared China's human rights policy with the United States and "women and the black voting rights".
You can hardly compare our civil rights issues with the human rights violations occurring China today.
When we look back on our country's history, we are not happy with our record on slavery, but we changed. Our nation grew and we learned from our mistakes.
Our country was founded just 232 years ago. Yet we have evolved into a thriving society where all men and women, no matter their race, are created equal. We had a bumpy road, but we kept moving forward.
The first Chinese dynasty uniting China was formed in 221 BC. Since then, China's track record on human rights has been anything but honorable. That's 2,229 years they've had to improve on their treatment of all people. So… What's the hold up?
Posted by jerry
April 18, 2008 @ 00:54
Please read the following article, you will understand why Chinese used lead paint on the toys.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2006/2006-08-24-02.asp
This article tell you actions taken by Chinese government on lead painted toy problem.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/11/AR2007091100832.html
When did US ban lead paint? 30 years ago? Article below will show you bigger lead polution problem is at home, not those Chinese made toys
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-10-28-lead-cover_N.htm
What other facts you need not to bias toward China? At least on the lead painted toy problem?
Remember China is a developing country. If you are really in favor of human rights this much, learn to respect Chinese people first!
Posted by Slobokan
April 18, 2008 @ 01:22
Jerry: Get off your high horse.
The first link you recommended that I read does make me understand why China uses lead based paints. It doesn't justify it.
The Chinese government knows the risk they are putting children in by allowing this manufacturing nightmare to continue.
As far as the second link is concerned, I think it's honorable that the Chinese government has signed an agreement to ban the use of lead based paints on toys exported to the United States. I just hope they will actually do so, and I also hope they ban the use of such paints within China as well.
With that third link you posted, I never said there was not a problem with some products here in the United States, so just drop the crap. If you are going to offer an opposing view about lead based paints on toys, let's keep the discussion on just that, lead based paints on toys.
I don't need any facts to "need not to bias toward China". I am not biased about China. I have simply stated the facts.
And just so you know, Mr. High and Mighty, I do respect Chinese people. I respect every single Chinese person that questions the motives of their government. I respect every single Chinese person that stands up and helps raise awareness of the human rights problems in China. I respect every single Chinese person that tries to make the world a better place.
I take issue with the Chinese government that, until now, does hardly anything to change their human rights policies. I take issue with the companies that are willingly trying to poison children. I take issue with anyone, Chinese or not, that cannot see that these things are simply wrong.
You say China is a developing country. China has had 2,229 years to develop since the beginning of the first dynasty. I have seen lots of development within China. Taller buildings, bigger cities, and more. What I, and the rest of the world, haven't seen is a basic respect for human rights. When does that start to develop?
Posted by Ed
April 18, 2008 @ 02:20
I think we are simply wasting time here. You definitely open my eyes when you compare Chinese history comparing to US history.
And your perception about US today really has a better values than it was 232 years ago – sometimes I don't really believe when I look at the crime rate, the divorce rate, and the way how the public media bias for whatever political reasons! That is what you say the "growth" of the country.
Posted by Slobokan
April 18, 2008 @ 03:06
Yes Ed, we are wasting time.
If you cannot see the difference between the evolution of human rights in the United States and the complete disregard of them in China, then there is no point continuing this conversation.
For the record, crime rates and divorce rates have nothing to do with the disregard of human rights by the government.
And just for shits and giggles, I will entertain you.
Crime rates in the United States are lower now than they were 25 years ago (yes, another example of how we have bettered ourselves in one-tenth the time our country has existed).
Source Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_the_United_States
Divorce rates are the lowest they have been in 30 years. Wow. Watch out, we may be on to something here.
Source Link: http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/statsus.shtml
Should we look at the "growth" in China. Oh wait, we can't because China has so many restrictions in place that one could be convicted of several crimes simply by stating facts. Don't believe me? Just ask members of Falun Gong what they think. Check with any person of ethnic minority and see how they are treated. Travel to Tibet and watch first hand what's happening there.
You're right though. We are wasting our time. Until the people of China wake up and start standing up to their government, nothing will change. Thank you for opening my eyes.
Posted by Shu Cheuk
April 18, 2008 @ 10:29
Lead in toys are action of individuals/ company, it is not an action of the government. One to 3% of food import to Hong Kong from the US is rejected. Food, cars, medicine etc recalls are not intended by the US government.
You are wrong on phthalates. Phthalates is allowed by the US government but not by EU. The Chinese is exporting toys with phthalates to the US but there is no law against it. Part of the blame belong to the importer and the government allowing it.
The beef and the airline issues point to the fact that if allowed companies will cheat. South Korea restarted imported beef from The US. By the way people of the US have no rights to test beef for mad cow disease.
Posted by Slobokan
April 18, 2008 @ 11:05
How was I wrong on phthalates? I never said a thing about phthalates, except confirming what you said. In fact, I know how dangerous phthalates are, as I have blogged about them here in the past as well. I believe I asked you for evidence of your claim where you stated that you do not call Americans criminals because of toys made with phthalates.
You mention that 3% of food imported to Hong Kong is rejected, then you mention that South Korea has restarted beef imports. Do you see anything there? When something happens with a product to cause a recall, it's terrible, we all know that. At least our government puts actual pressure on the companies involved to solve the problem and correct the matter.
Our government is not perfect either, but at least they make an attempt to ensure companies abide by certain standards to help prevent problems, and if they do occur, rectify them as soon as possible. You will find I have been critical of our government in this regard as well. Yet another example of how our human rights records differ. If I said the things I have said in the past, living in China, I most likely wouldn't be alive today to have this conversation with you.
Posted by Shu Cheuk
April 18, 2008 @ 12:20
"Jack Cafferty Insulted China. Good For Him." Yes, but not good for Tibetans. The Chinese Government has to restrains the goons and thugs(for 2500 years, not 50) not to attack Tibetans living among Han Chinese. After August, its only going to be worst for Tibetans in China.
Posted by Slobokan
April 18, 2008 @ 12:30
Shu Cheuk:
Why will it only get worse for Tibetans in China after August? Is it because the focus of the Olympics will be gone and China can return to their old methods of abusing human rights again?
Posted by Ed
April 18, 2008 @ 14:00
I don't know what to say if you consider about 50% of divorce rate for every marriage is a good number for marriage. The declines in divorce number is simply the number of marriages are declining too.
Good for you!
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-07-18-cohabit-divorce_x.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr54/nvsr54_20.pdf
Posted by Shu Cheuk
April 22, 2008 @ 13:14
Grace Wang , a Chinese freshman at Duke, was threatened.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/us/17student.html?hp
Her home in China had broken flower pot and all kinds of dirt at the door and the walls of the house. US educated Chinese did not react to her in a civilized way. After The Olympics, the goverment may not restrain its people from acting against the Tibatans in China. Remember the Boxer Rebellion and the Cultural Revolution. I hope my fear does not come true in September.
Posted by Slobokan
April 23, 2008 @ 00:31
Shu Cheuk,
And therein lies the problem. Until the people of China are willing to stand up to the government and force them to stop such acts, there will no real change within China.
The fact that an entire ethnic group faces peril because they simply want the most basic of human rights is appalling, especially in today's world.