Recognize these fellows? You should, they impact your life daily.
The list and information on Clear Channel is extensive. Here's a brief summary. Clear Channel owns: Operates
Clear Channel News Network and local news networks in Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. Clear Channel Traffic reports on traffic and road conditions nationwide. Clear Channel also owns outdoor marketing such as Bought Eller Media, Universal Outdoor, and More Group Plc, giving Clear Channel outdoor advertising space in 25 countries as well as advertising on cabs.Bottom line: Clear Channel owns over 1200 Radio stations nationwide, including as many as 7 stations in certain markets, Clear Channel also operates or exclusively books over 135 live venues, including the Super Bowl halftime show.
Why this is a problem: Such a wide grasp on the media gives Clear Channel the ability to control what we hear and see. After 9/11 Clear Channel published a list of about 150 songs that should not be played on their radio stations, such songs included:
Louis Armstrong – "What A Wonderful World"
The Clash – "Rock The Casbah"
Dave Matthews Band – "Crash Into Me"
Neil Diamond – "America"
Bob Dylan/Guns n' RosesKnockin' On Heaven's Door"
Cat Stevens – "Morning Has Broken" and "Peace Train"
In 2004 Clear Channel also banned the Dixie Chicks from their stations after they critized President Bush. But wait, there's more! Clear Channel also has a tendency to buy AM radio stations and simply turn them off. Clear Channel has also been accused of censoring critics to George W. Bush as well as refusing to display an anti-war ad on one of there billboards.
Bruce Ro
hde, CEO, ConAgra Foods
ConAgra foods owns too many brands for me to even list, highlights include Butterball (turkey and prepared poultry products), Hunts, Jiffypop, Lunch Makers (that stuff for kids), PAM (cooking spray), Orville Redenbockers Popcorn, Peter Pan (peanut butter), Reddi-wip (whipped cream), Slim Jim meat snacks, Healthy Choice and a whole host of other brands.
Why this is a problem: ConAgra has reportedly used genetically modified foods, artificial hormones, mixes products that do and don't use hormones and claims that they don't etc etc. The list goes on, there unfair to growers and, well, just are another big business that makes it hard for others to compete.
Rupert Murdoch, Owner, Fox News
Mr. Rupert Murdoch started Fox News in 1996 to counter what what he believed was
a media dominated by liberals, Yup, definitely. Fox News gained publicity in some pretty shifty ways, including paying $11 per subscriber in subsidies for taking up the network, as well as New York City threatening to revoke Time Warner's cable franchise for not carrying Fox News. Time Warner then brings a lawsuit against New York City claiming undue reference for inappropriate use of the cities educational programming. Fox News then countered with an antitrust lawsuit claiming that they were protecting CNN. After everything was settled, various mudslinging occurred, an agreement was signed that stated that Fox News would be carried in New York in 1997. Fox News is live to the world about 15 hours a day, with such personalities as Geraldo Rivera and Bill O'Riley.Why Fox News is a problem: The networks slogans: "You Decide" and "Fair and Balanced". Now, I have to comment on the fair and balanced one. If this news channel was put out to counter liberal media, do you really think it'll be fair and balanced? Leading up to the war in Iraq Rupert Murdoch's 175 owned print publications, including the New York Post and The Times all editorialized for the war. Fox News has come under heavy fire for catering to the republican party and promoting the Bush agenda. Many "liberals" on the channel endorse republican legislation, base arguments on republican claims, and generally present week arguments for democrats. We finish with a quote:
~Ann Coulter on Hannity and Colmes
Jim Skinner, CEO, McDonald's
McDonald's has over 30,000 restaurants, 18,000 are franchises locations, 8,000 are company-operated, and 4,000 operated by affiliates. It serves 51,000,000 fuckin customers per day, which translates to an average of 1700 daily customers per location. Found in 122 countries around the world McDonalds is one of America's most recognizable labels. McDonald's also owns Boston Market and Chipotle Mexican Grill. In 2001 McDonalds total revenues were $14.87 billion. But there's good news. McDonalds, net income was only 1.64 billion, so dont worry, they really arnt making that much money. According to Fast Food Nation McDonald's in the nations largest purchaser of pork, beef and potatoes, as well as the nations largest private operator of playgrounds (irony?!) and supposedly 1 in 8 workers in the US has at some point been employed at McDonald's.Why this is a problem: Get ready. Not only has McDonalds received government funding to research how to make french fries more crispy but they have been accused of ecological damage caused by industrial processing and agricultural production (not to mention all the trash it generates with it's packaging), promoting high calorie foods, using factory farms when dealing with livestock as well as exploitative advertising targeted to minorities, low-income people and America's youth. Oh, and in case you hadnt noticed, they also sell food that isnt really healthy for you...
H. Lee Scott, CEO, Wal*Mart
Ok, this one'll be breif..er. Wal*Mart. oy, ok, so Wal*Martemployees are referred to as associates and encourages its managers to think of themselves as "servant leaders". At the opening of each store the managers go over a goal for the day, sales figures and have a general bru-ha-ha in the middle of the store.
Why Wal*Mart sucks ass:
- Pay's minimum wage, doesnt allow over 40 hours, so "associates" cant get health benefits
- Violates labor laws
- Doesnt allow employees to join unions.
- Illegal use of undocumented workers.
- Forces out small businesses by underselling them
- Unfair treatment of employees. See Human Right Campaign reports for 2005, 2004 and 2003 for how they treat gay and lesbian consumers.
- Hillary Clinton formerly worked as a lawyer for Wal*Mart and also served on its board of directors.
- Just because something say's its "Made in the USA" doesnt mean its true. If I'm selling a button down men's shirt and have it all made in a sweatshop in China, but have one button sewn on in the US, I can claim that is made in the USA.
William D. Perez, CEO, NIKE Inc
We'll let’s see here, Nike right. A 2005 total revenue of 14 billion dollars, for shoes mind you my problem with them doesn’t really consist of excessive money or profits, but how they supposedly conduct business. When the Wikipedia people think that the article about your company may not be neutral, you may have a problem. So what do we have here you as? Well, believe it or not, it’s not all bad news! The company has received a 100% on the Corporate Equality Index from Human Rights Campaign in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The Corporate Equality Index rates American businesses on how they are treating gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. Ok, so we've got some good stuff right? Yeah, I'll give ya that, but here comes something...not so good. Nike draws heavy criticism from many individuals and organizations for allegedly using sweatshops in Indonesia and Mexico. The conditions are poor to say the least and supposedly Nike takes advantage of the cheap labor in free trade zones overseas and exploits what it can. Nike has drawn criticism from those such as Michael Moore (who hasn’t he though...) and has been reflected in the novel Jennifer Government in which the main criminals are Nike execs. I've actually read the book and would recommend it to those who don't like the idea of privatizing everything, you'll probably agree with the books underlying messages. It’s a fast read, so don't worry if you don't like it, you'll get through it fairly quick. Several boycotts have been staged against Nike and some have even created a "swooshtika", resembling a swastika but with the Nike trademark swooshes. Nike also doesn’t have a very good relationship with the city its headquarters are located by. Something about not wanting to be annexed into the city and pay taxes it sounds like to me. Nike, the only major corporation in the Portland area also is on the receiving end of many tax breaks from both the county and state.
Wrapping it up: I personally don’t buy Nike products, I don’t want to advertise for free by buying brand name apparel from anyone, them included. And as for shoes, we'll, Nike brand doesn’t fit my wide feet very well anyway, so its more of a makes sense choice than conscious consumer choice, however don’t get me wrong, I'm definitely aware of what they do.
This is an unfinished list. The Renegade Blogger will be adding Haliburton and other companies in the immediate future, so check back soon. Renegade Blogger is a semi equal corporate basher, if you'd like a company/CEO up here please feel free to let me know. . Please direct any questions or comments to me via e-mail.
