Comments on: ADM Protest: Stench, Soy, and Severe Security

By: Antônio Roberto Ferreira de Aguiar

Antônio Roberto Ferreira de Aguiar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:47:43 +0000

Por insatisfação, e ingnorar sobre a renovação da mesma venho requerer o canselamento e reembolso refentes aos saque feito em minha conta no banco do Brasil no valor de 48,00 o qual eu ingnorava, vindo a perceber no ultimo saque no dia 03/03/2009.
Sem mais Antônio Roberto

By: Fred

Fred — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:03:31 +0000

“Governments in developing nations that try to protect their natural resources from exploitation by US corporations have a disturbing tendency to be overthrown – covertly, of course – by the United States.”

You cannot be serious. I mean you could argue that powerful transnational corporations in practice control local governments, but the idea of the United States planning coups so it can produce more biofuels is laughable at best. I like how you say the US will do it “covertly”, so there will be no evidence for your claim. Very convenient.

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:29:10 +0000

Mike, like I said, I was just relaying what I was told by folks I met in Decatur. I understand now that ADM has both union and non-union workers in Decatur. Got it. I wonder if you have any thoughts, as a union member, about the overall labor practices of the company? In particular I wonder what your thoughts are about the gross abuse of labor right ADM has been responsible for around the world or about ADM’s history with unions here in the U.S.?

By: Mike E.

Mike E. — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:12:24 +0000

I am an employee of ADM and also a proud member of the United Steel Workers. We work just across the tracks from where you were. We are by far not the only union that ADM has.They have sever thousand that are made up of a lot of diffrent unions. We have over 300 members just in my plant. So you need to get your facts straight before you post them for the world to see.

By: Luke

Luke — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:49:32 +0000

Flack attack!

By: Robin

Robin — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:32:25 +0000

Wow, “Heywood,” how did you manage to break into ADM and use one of their computers to post that comment? Your IP address indicates that you posted from an ADM computer.

I guess I should call the Decatur police–who were for the record very welcoming–and tell them that ADM has a bad security breach.

Seems like you’re getting closer to committing an illegal act of terrorism than our peaceful and totally lawful demonstration ever was.

Bottom line, your comment displays just the kind of ignorance I expect from an ADM crony.

By: Heywood

Heywood — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:41:37 +0000

Although not a shareholder or employee of ADM, I was happy to hear that the city of Decatur, IL did not give you the keys to the city or welcome you with open arms. Though I have given to your cause over the years, I’ve become somewhat disillusioned with what I consider to be terrorist tactics and the fact that those that are truly exploited in the name of the saving the rainforest are the “leaders” that you bring to the states in order for you to display like a “prop” at your protests. No one likes a bully or a crybaby and your organization has come to epitomize both. Good luck BS’ing others in your attempt to destroy companies such as this one. I for one will no longer accept your rhetoric as the truth and hope that others come to the realization that you indeed exploit others in order to solicit donations and fill your coffers, while maintaining that you are protecting the interests of the Rainforest and its inhabitants.

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:28:38 +0000

Martin makes a mistake by assuming that rainforest destruction can be stopped simply by changing laws in Third World countries. Governments in developing nations that try to protect their natural resources from exploitation by US corporations have a disturbing tendency to be overthrown – covertly, of course – by the United States. What do you think would happen if every country in South America suddenly said it would not allow ADM and thier ilk to destroy forests? Those governments wouldn’t last long, in a world where mega-corporations control US politics, and the US is willing to “intervene” in other peoples’ countries their own to protect corporate interests. No, you can’t stop rainforest destruction without fighting the corporations on their home turf – in the US. RAN has it right.

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 07:29:57 +0000

I’m glad you wrote in. First, I will freely admit I got my info from folks in Decatur and I took them at their word. Looking into things, it looks like ADM does have some union employees, maybe even up to the 400 you mention (ADM’s total workforce: 26,000+). Also, on the topic of labor, let’s not forget that ADM wouldn’t even sign on to an agreement against using slave labor in Brazil until just a few weeks ago and they still don’t have any enforcement mechanisms in place to ensure they live up to that pledge.

As for the pipelines I mentioned, I heard that one in town as well, and here is an article by Richard Whitney of the National Lawyers Guild discussing just what I mentioned the building of those pipelines as a way to move corn products during a labor lockout:

http://www.greens.org/s-r/10/10-21.html

Here also is an article from the Center for Land Use Interpretation which also talks about the corn syrup pipelines:

http://www.clui.org/clui_4_1/lotl/lotlsu00/adm.html

Also, as if that wasn’t bad enough. There’s another crazy thing about the industrial landscape in Decatur I forgot to mention. How does ADM power its agricultural facilities? With their very own coal-fired power plant of course!

As far as ownership of Wilmar, I know that ADM loves to claim over and over that they have no influence over anything since they don’t wholly own the plantations in question. Sure, but as the world’s largest agricultural processor they are clearly in a particularly powerful position when it comes to influencing the business practices of the industry. If ADM wouldn’t do business with anyone who used forced labor, or destroyed rainforests, or exploited indigenous communities do you think these practices would keep on expanding?

By: Martin w

Martin w — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:21:55 +0000

you are sadly misguided, and have not done your homework. the 400+ members of the BCTGM union would be disappointed in your comment about no unions. ADM has only ~7% of Wilmar. the pipeline you mention is for steam. stop wasting the money given to you by children and others concerned about rainforests. camp out on government doorsteps in brazil until they stop the destruction.