Man Arrested in Threat Against Presbyterian Churches

[pelagius]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A New York man has been arrested for threatening to burn down Presbyterian churches because of policies he believed were anti-Semitic, the church said on Friday.

More at:

http://tinyurl.com/3ouj9

[Freedom_from_Chains]

1. The things you learn

"Last July the denomination's top legislative body authorized a targeted divestment of church holdings from multinational companies profiting from Israeli-Palestinian violence in the West Bank and elsewhere. The divestment was to begin in 2006 only if public pressure failed."

So let me see if I have this straight. This guy is pissed off because the church is getting out of investments that profit from violence and death. And here I thought the church was suppose to be promoting peace and compassion.

[Coastie for Truth]

2. Divestment Is Counterproductive - Close the Placement Offices

Disinvestment of the stocks in companies that do business in Israel is just plain dumb.

1. Unless there is an IPO or a secondary offering in the works - disinvestment does not hurt the company.
2. To the contrary - it just makes stock buyback more profitable.

The real way to bring pressure on these companies is to deny them your services - as in a "strike."

How?

Do what the elite universities and law schools are doing with respect to the military and other anti-gay employers --

NO ON CAMPUS RECRUITING

CLOSE THE UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT OFFICE

This would be an act of moral courage?

Why -- because it would be calling for more then a mere token protest. It would be demanding a moral statement about your own career. It would be a demand that you actually take a stand instead of merely carrying a sign or posting on a blog.

Look at the companies to do business in Israel --- and the companies that specifically do not do business in Israel.

Now ask yourself:

1. Which companies are the most pro-female - especially in promotion to significant positions of responsibility and leadership with commensurate pay? And don't forget "family friendliness" and "dual track careers."

2. Which companies are the most pro-gay/lesbian/trans gender - at a "base level" with domestic partner benefits, and at a higher level the opportunities for promotion to significant positions of responsibility and leadership with commensurate pay?

3. Which companies are the most pro-racial/ethnic minority - again, especially in promotion to significant positions of responsibility and leadership with commensurate pay?

4. Ask yourself the "mirror" questions - the counterpoints - which companies are the least female friendly, the least family friendly, the least gay/lesbian/trans gender friendly, the least racial/ethic minority friendly.

NOW - HERE'S THE HARD PART - MATCH THE COMPANIES WITH THEIR BUSINESS TIES IN ISRAEL - AND IF YOU ARE SINCERE IN YOUR BELIEFS AND INTELLECTUALLY HONEST - PLAN YOUR CAREER ACCORDINGLY!