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February 20, 2009

Proposed Ban Roiling Park Slope Co-op

A neighborhood institution known for its earnestness and political correctness, the Park Slope Co-op now finds itself at the center of a mounting media circus revolving around a recent proposal by a member to ban products from Israel as a statement of protest against the state's recent actions in Gaza. About 10 people reportedly support the measure; the Co-op has about 15,000 members. While on a practical level all that's at stake here is a few boxes of peppers and persimmons, the symbolism is causing controversy throughout the neighborhood and beyond. “There are so many Jews who shop there, there are so many Israelis who shop there, there’s a huge number of frum people from all over Brooklyn who shop there,” said Rabbi Andy Bachman of Beth Elohim in the original article in the Jewish Daily Forward, “so my guess is that if it passes, and I want to emphasize that I don’t think it will, they will lose a lot of members.” Assemblyman Dov Hikind echoed these sentiments: "[The co-op would] lose a great number of people," he told The Post. Even TimeOut New York has chimed in: "The motion feels born from the very stiff and self-righteous soapbox awareness that many naysayers feel makes the Co-op unpalatable under normal circumstances," writes TONY, making to sure to add "we support the Co-op’s open forum for this kind of divisive dialogue." Still no word on where Adrian Grenier stands on the issue.
Food Fight: Brooklyn Co-op Mulls Israel Ban [Forward]
Park Slope Co-op to Ban Israeli Products? [TONY]
'Ban Israel' Bid Mushrooms Into B'klyn Food Fight [NY Post]
Photo by pseudoreal

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Comments

good. faux political-correctness needs to be correctified anyway.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at February 20, 2009 9:06 AM

I, for one would not visit the place anymore if this will pass!
It's insulting that they even entertain the idea!

Posted by: troll at February 20, 2009 9:06 AM

I still think this quote from Rabbi Bachman sums it up the best:

"It will remain an irrelevant gesture to 5 million Israelis and 2 million Palestinians, but it will make someone in Park Slope feel really good about themselves,” he said. That’s what this is about; it’s about the political purity, which is part of Park Slope’s unique self-absorption.”

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 9:08 AM

it's better in these economic times to shop at actual real supermarkets that, um hello, EMPLOY PEOPLE anyway

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at February 20, 2009 9:10 AM

10 out of 15,000 people support it and it's an issue? Regardless of what you think of Israel, this is a tiny minority with a differing opinion. People must not have enough to do.

Posted by: jawbreaker at February 20, 2009 9:10 AM

a think a bunch of people should go old school 90s and invade the co-op and throw a rave. cucumbers, melons, and organic pepper all thru the air!

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at February 20, 2009 9:15 AM

Just when you need a laugh ... the NYU "protest" and the fun at the Park Slope Food Coop come through in the clutch.
It doesn't get any better ...

Posted by: 5w30 at February 20, 2009 9:19 AM

By definition, a Co-op is a democratically-controlled enterprise.
10 to 14990 votes may not be enough.

As far as the publicity, as least they spelled the name right

Posted by: jasetheace at February 20, 2009 9:22 AM

The Food Coop is free to adopt any rules or measures it sees fit. They have members who are allowed to vote, so the issue will be decided one way or another. I don't understand why people get so riled up about decisions made by an entity that they have nothing to do with.

Posted by: SouthParker at February 20, 2009 9:22 AM

5w30...what's the NYU protest over??? I googled it and saw pics of topless women but no mention of what the protests were about.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 9:26 AM

what is the basic idealogy behind the co-op btw? im not sure i understand what its purpose is. is it just a glorified organic market that things are cheaper or is it somethign else? like locally grown stuff? im not a green person so these things are foreign to me.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at February 20, 2009 9:28 AM

Probably, southparker, for the same reason they get riled up over the KKK. And getting riled up over decisions made by an entity that they have nothing to do with is exactly what these 10 self-righteous folk are doing. (Making them fair game for comments from the rest of us.

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 9:29 AM

Are there KKK members at the coop??

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 9:35 AM

I dunno- do they sell white sheets in there? :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 9:40 AM

If the 10 are members than they are free to choose which way they want to vote. The point is, it's more of a symbolic gesture than anything and they know it. Btw, there are people that refuse to buy anything made in China. Now, that's a challenge...

Posted by: SouthParker at February 20, 2009 9:41 AM

im a huge video game collecter and im very anti Sony and refuse to buy any sony products. even tho i'd love a psp :(
but i won't buy one. at least not new. maybe used on craigslist in a few years when it's super super cheap. i guess we all do pick our battles.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at February 20, 2009 9:45 AM

They should substitute Israeli products with products that the palestininas grow and produce!

Oh thats right, the palestinians don't grow or produce anything.....

Oh well

Posted by: fsrg at February 20, 2009 9:46 AM

Where would the best marijuana come from if it were sold here??? I think many states are reconsidering this given the opportunity for huge tax inflows.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 9:48 AM

And if you answer that question you will be granted full immunity. We're not here to judge.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 9:49 AM

The crux of this Palestinian/Israeli thing is actually Egypt. We should ban imports from Egypt but other than mummies for museums and camels for zoos I don't know of any.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 9:52 AM

Yes they do- but at the same time it is obvious that the issue is one designed to upset and offend quite a few co-op members. Seems to me that undermines the concept of the co-op. First, because the co-op is not a political action committee, and second- the issue seems specifically designed to cause conflict and controversy. third- it's hypocritical- as other , and you have noted, by these lights we should then ban imports from everyplace we disagree with.

so my question is- what was the real purpose of raising this issue in the co-op anyway?

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 9:53 AM

Egyptian cotton dave- there go those nice shirts and bedding. (Of course depends on the thread count)

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 9:55 AM

personally i dont think marijuana or any drugs should be legalized. why? cuz i dont think they should be overly taxed. ill get flack for this, i dont care. i dont buy drugs really, but i know for a fact that if i did id rather have the money go into the pockets of people who need it. not the government. also i feel like it would overly expensive in certain areas of the country like here in nyc. hello cigarettes are almost 10 bux a pack! wtf? so annoying. yeah yeah i know you all hate smokers blah blah blah. whatever i smoke, i enjoy it, i dont have kids so i dont care about shaving those last 20-30 years off my life anyway. (tho i do get my newports for very very cheap by a kick ass bike messenger who delivers in soho! woo woo).

but yeah my point is that i dont think drugs should be legalized. also it would totally take the fun out of doing them.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at February 20, 2009 9:56 AM

The article says the issue was raised by "Hima B." Perhaps Hima is the sort of Park Slope resident who is a busybody with nothing to do. I think there are more than a few of those in PS.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 9:57 AM

Dave, I bought some lovely leather ottomans from Egypt on ebay. Are you saying this was wrong? It felt so right! 36.95 and free shipping for a real leather faux morrocan pouf!

Posted by: Heather at February 20, 2009 9:57 AM

Humboldt County gets my vote for the best weed. Legalize it, then sell it at the Co-Op. California needs all the help it can get.

Posted by: buttermilk channel at February 20, 2009 9:58 AM

How about banning U.S. products because the U.S. promoted torture during the Bush administration, at least until Obama indicates that he will prosecute Bush administration officials? I'd be in support of that. How about banning U.S., products because, unprovoked, the U.S. invaded Iraq?

Posted by: PPSer at February 20, 2009 10:00 AM

Heather. My dear Heather....One must live with the decisions that they make. My question to you is why didn't you buy a real Moroccan pouf??? The global business of fake goods is one we must put a stop to.

Besides, being a pouf in Egypt is illegal and you can get imprisoned whereas it is not in Morocco and the guys are better looking.

More consumers should think before they act. :)

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 10:01 AM

Heather....you can get a real zebra pouffe (the correct spelling too) here...check out all the other politically correct animal hides...

http://www.africanskins.com/products/pillows/

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 10:03 AM

PPSer....this is a thread about ridiculousness. Please, lets not get sidetracked into serious political issues.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 10:04 AM

quote:
How about banning U.S. products because the U.S. promoted torture during the Bush administration, at least until Obama indicates that he will prosecute Bush administration officials? I'd be in support of that. How about banning U.S., products because, unprovoked, the U.S. invaded Iraq?

rolleyeyes

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at February 20, 2009 10:05 AM

Oy.

Posted by: East New York at February 20, 2009 10:06 AM

DIBS, I know you love a good poof.

Posted by: dittoburg at February 20, 2009 10:06 AM

"i dont buy drugs really"

What do you do....really?

Posted by: East New York at February 20, 2009 10:07 AM

The poof is in the pudding.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 10:08 AM

fsrq - they did until the Israeli bulldozers knocked down their olive grove.

Posted by: dittoburg at February 20, 2009 10:08 AM

It's not happening. Forget about it. It was a stray comment by someone at a general meeting. All hype.

Leave the coop alone.

Posted by: windsorterraceguy at February 20, 2009 10:10 AM

get off my d-ck today ENY. not in the mood for you hahahh. i have a ton of laundry to do this weekend and i have to clean my room :( there is nothing more annoying on earth than doing laundry.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at February 20, 2009 10:12 AM

Were you told to clean your room??

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 10:12 AM

I REALLY, REALLY THINK THIS SHOULD BE QOTD.....

but yeah my point is that i dont think drugs should be legalized. also it would totally take the fun out of doing them.

*r*

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 10:16 AM

This is why I shop at C-Town.

Posted by: ProfRobert at February 20, 2009 10:19 AM

Has anyone at C-Town even heard of persimmons???? My only experience with one was about 12 years ago when I was lining in the seaport and there was one a few blocks up towrds Chinatown. I thought that's where they got the name from !!!! LOL

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 10:21 AM

dittoburg- can we please not go there? It's touchy and complicated enough. We don't need Friday to degenerate into a battle over the Middle East. Suffice it to say neither side has much to be proud of (although i will say the recent Gaza War was horrible and I hate Netanyahoo. Yes- intentional spelling).)

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 10:22 AM

get off my d-ck today ENY. not in the mood for you hahahh.

No Rob, I know you'd like that, but I'm not on your d-k, sorry. It's not my fault you are eager to post some really idiotic comments. If you're going to post stream-of-consciousness style, you'd better learn to handle the reactions you're going to receive.

Posted by: East New York at February 20, 2009 10:23 AM

bxgrl...What has already started it in the Open Thread>>>>>

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 10:26 AM

I can buy my own pouf on ebay?? THL- I'm with dave on this. You need a real pouf, not a faux pouf. You'll see why- the pouf is in the pudding.

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 10:27 AM

Any of you guys actually belong to the Food Co-op? These kinds of global issues are raised often (witness: banning bottled water, banning plastic bags) and there's a whole process before anything gets passed. Just because someone suggests something you don't agree with, doesn't make it wrong. This suggestion will either get quashed or put to a vote, in which case it will get quashed. The end.

Posted by: tiptoe at February 20, 2009 10:30 AM

I asked if they had any persimmon-colored duvets at the Atlantic Mall and ...

Posted by: dittoburg at February 20, 2009 10:36 AM

DIBS- so I see. I should be getting blasted out of the water any moment now :-) the TONY article is very funny! "Scuse a moment- i have to go mark my door with some lamb's blood just in case.

tiptoe- we aren't doing anything about the co-op but discussing it. i think that's called freedom of speech.

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 10:42 AM

they said they were in the banned aisle with the chocolate suede sofas, ditto? :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 10:46 AM

I have a magazine where there's a story (but mostly pictures) of an Asian guy with a persimmon!!! I kid you not.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 10:48 AM

bxgrl - i know what freedom of speech is. but if you don't belong to the Food Co-op then you probably don't have any idea how this place operates. full of colorful characters, and it's practically a platform for making statements. the people making the statements to which you obviously disagree are entitled to freedom of speech as well.

Posted by: tiptoe at February 20, 2009 11:03 AM

Freedom of speach means that you can say whatever you want, but it also means that I'm free to call you a dumbass when you say stupid ass shit like this....

Posted by: Make My Heights the P Heights at February 20, 2009 11:06 AM

"but if you don't belong to the Food Co-op then you probably don't have any idea how this place operates. full of colorful characters, and it's practically a platform for making statements"

Which is why those of us who don't belong find it so utterly ridiculous & laughable. Who wants to listen to that shit all day when you're there...New yorkers are annoying enough without giving them a soap box for whatever pops into their neurotic and paranoid heads.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 11:07 AM

I'm willing to bet that the vast majority of co-op members aren't self-righteous, "trying to feel better about themselves" park slope stereotypes. They're mostly just people who're looking to get decent food at a decent price and don't mind donating a bit of their time each month to do so.

It's goofy the way this kind of stuff gets blown out of proportion. Ten people out of 15,000? Seriously? You can probably find a larger percentage of people at the co-op who believe the holocaust was faked, or that all Mexicans should be deported, or that there's a big magical man who lives in the sky and controls our fate. :P

It's a non-issue being raised by a tiny group of people who will have no actual impact on the co-op's policies.

Posted by: cwbuecheler at February 20, 2009 11:08 AM

Them's fightin words, cw. Better watch out.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 11:10 AM

And you know which ones I mean!!!! :)

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 11:11 AM

i'm going to go to the general meeting with a list of all the other countries the coop buys from that are human rights violators. by the time we're done, you'll have nothing on the shelves but some rudabagas and organic parchment condoms from vermont.

maybe i skimmed too fast...did someone say DIBS is a leathery morroccan pouf with 300 thread count skin?

Posted by: goldie at February 20, 2009 11:13 AM

It often seems to me that Japan is at war with anything living in the sea. Lets not buy any more Manga until they stop killing the whales and dolphins.

Posted by: dittoburg at February 20, 2009 11:17 AM

so tiptoe- you're saying that since I am not a member I have no right to discuss this? Hmmm.....

I think I'm more confused by the people who seem upset that we are discussing the co-op than I am by the issue wa are discussing. One the one hand, the 10 supporters are defended for exercising their freedom of speech, but on the other we are reprimanded for exercising ours.

CWB- Of course its not the majority, but odd isn't it how a tiny minority can have so much impact? It may be a non-issue, but it certainly makes for a lively morning discussion :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 11:20 AM

DIBS - couldn't help myself, sorry. :)

ditto - they're not at war with them ... they just want to devour them!

Posted by: cwbuecheler at February 20, 2009 11:20 AM

Yes goldie- authentic Morroccan, not the faux Egyptian knock off that Heather bought on ebay :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 11:27 AM

are people allowed into the food co-op just to browse? or do you need a badge or something? i want to check this place out so badly. like trina says, im a curious B-tch!

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at February 20, 2009 11:38 AM

Does anyone know if boycotting counts towards your volunteer hour requirements? ;-)

Posted by: saminthehood at February 20, 2009 11:42 AM

Rob, they let guests in for one visit, I think.

Posted by: cwbuecheler at February 20, 2009 11:43 AM

quote:
they let guests in for one visit

hahahaha. hmm. i guess that's just to see if you like it? i just wanna see what it looks like (fyi not to cause trouble).

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at February 20, 2009 11:56 AM

Yeh, I think it's for prospective members to evaluate it. I don't know ... currently neither MrsCWB nor I are members, altho she's considering it, since it's literally a 15 second walk away from our building. Right now we mostly use Fresh Direct and/or Union Market on 6th.

Posted by: cwbuecheler at February 20, 2009 11:59 AM

cw...I believe, from a discussion on here a few months ago, that both of you will have to work there as ALL household members are required, not just one who joins.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 12:01 PM

DIBS - well, if they need people to design web pages, sure. I'm not lugging shopping carts around in the freezing-ass cold, though. :P

Posted by: cwbuecheler at February 20, 2009 12:06 PM

cwb- I have a friend in need of desperate technical website help. Has a Manhattan store and the website is a mess- technical stuff far beyond my abilities. Anyway I can contact you to give you more info and if you're interested,see what you think?

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 12:13 PM

Just another in the long list of ridiculously unrealistic things proposed at the coop. A couple years ago, someone proposed the coop invent in jars of Himalayan air, which would be placed in the corners of the store and opened every morning and closed back up every night (to keep the air from escaping, I guess). What a circus!

Posted by: levtoma at February 20, 2009 12:25 PM

Late to the party but kind of surprised only 10 people are supportive. I was listening to the BBC World Report at 5 am recently, some Israeli dude was accusing Dan Damon (the host) and liberals in general of being pro-Palestinian, which I always thought they were.

Posted by: infinitejester at February 20, 2009 12:27 PM

Just because someone's a liberal doesn't automatically make them pro-Palestinian. I'm a lib, but frankly I think the situation in the Middle East is an equal opportunity stupid party.

Maybe only 10 people are supportive because the majority of co-op people are smart enough to see both sides of the story. FYI- Jews have a reputation for being heavily liberal (75% of us voted for Obama)- and there are quite a few Jewish co-op members. Maybe the majority of co-op members just don't see the need to encourage divisiveness and partisanship, especially in regards to a complex and painful situation.

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 12:44 PM

dibs: "Which is why those of us who don't belong find it so utterly ridiculous & laughable. Who wants to listen to that shit all day when you're there...New yorkers are annoying enough without giving them a soap box for whatever pops into their neurotic and paranoid heads."

Well, that's so silly it's almost funny. You think we go to the Co-op to listen to rants when we could do very so here at brownstoner?

As a long-time member and one who's ridiculed the Co-ops policies and procedures a-plenty, I find it weird that anyone takes this sort of stuff seriously. But then, any criticism of Israel brings out the best.

Posted by: cmu at February 20, 2009 1:02 PM

LOL, cmu. I don't think anyone here took any of it seriously. However, your last sentence is sure true as hell.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 1:06 PM

Well if you want to see how the Best of the Worst can rampage go to the open thread where the What is blathering about MM again. Bet he's one of that gang of 10 :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 1:18 PM

I'm sad to report that the NYU 'occupation' is now over, without a single flash-bang grenade or attack dog being used.

Those kids are about as clear-thinking as the Co-Op 10 are.

Posted by: goldie at February 20, 2009 1:33 PM

bxgrl - you don't know how to read or maybe you don't comprehend what you read. I'm just going to leave it as cwbuecheler stated--he/she said it best.

Posted by: tiptoe at February 20, 2009 1:48 PM

goldie....what was the "occupation" about??? I just saw some barechested women on a google but couldn't figure out what the protest was about.

There are few groups of people with more time on their hands than sense than those in PS but university students certainly come to mind.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 1:48 PM

Isn't the purpose of the co-op to buy locally grown and locally made products. Why buy anything from out of the USA or Brooklyn wether from Israel or any country. All those products come with a huge Carbon foot print no matter how much cheaper it is. I don't say ban Israeli made products, but ban all out of USA products to make all their products GREENER!

Posted by: Shimmi at February 20, 2009 2:12 PM

How does one determine the carbon footprint of an Israeli persimmon? Jeeeesh.

On the organic thing, not sure i really care. I mean come on, if I'll eat a McDonalds sausage biscuit for breakfast every two weaks (becasue they taste so good), chinese food loaded with whatever salts and oils, more than a six pack of beer and a few bottles of wine every week and the occassional black & white cookie, what's the point.

That said, the most ludicrous thing I ever see is people stuffing their face with something like a quarter pounder but getting a diet coke.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 2:23 PM

That said, the most ludicrous thing I ever see is people stuffing their face with something like a quarter Pounder but getting a diet coke.

Really why? A large coke adds almost SIXTY PERCENT more calories to the meal then a Diet Coke. (Qtr Pounder has 535 calories and a Large coke has 310 calories)
- Seems to me that if you absolutely HAVE to eat something like a Qtr Pounder - you ought to at least substitute Diet Coke for regular.

Posted by: fsrg at February 20, 2009 2:48 PM

This whole story is preposterous! The lack of familiarity with the Coop's methods is sourly evident by this ridiculous piece of "news". The Coop is based on an egalitarian model that stresses the importance of the opinion and feedback of each one of it's members. Given that the current number of members is nearly 15k, one can reasonably consider the possibility that not all opinions are in the collective interest. However, this effort to listen to each and every person, that takes the time, is what makes it such a special place. It is what makes it a community. Did you follow through with every ridiculous statement your family proposed? I'm guessing not. But, you might have been respectful enough to listen to them. Anyone may stand at the open microphone at the general meeting in order to express an opinion or concern. While every member is important, many of the General Coordinators are the ones who are charged with implementing the day to day needs of the Coop and it's members.

The Coop has no history of making stands based on political reasons. The likes of ceasing to carry bottled water or ceasing to provide plastic bags have become no real action of note in this day and age. Ireland banned giving out plastic bags over a year before the membership approved the measure to do the same. As to the bottled water debate; frankly, distilled is the only water that is regulated and guaranteed "pure". Otherwise, one pays an exorbitant amount (far more than peak gas prices) per gallon for the hope that a well designed and marketed bottle of water from no guaranteed source is going to prove beneficial. It is important to note, these are environmentally sensitive decisions. NOT political actions. No companies targeted. No countries noted. Simply the equivalent of changing the source of the Coop's power to wind, as opposed to conventional (coal fired) power plants. These are actions in response to, and in the interest of, our members and the greater community of which we are a part.

I am a great fan of the 24 hour news cycle. The ability to disseminate information quickly and easily is one of the hallmarks of this decade. However, in the scramble to be first (which is every journalist and blogger's requirement and desire) there are those whose character's are not served. To vilify a group based on an article, as opposed to one's own research, is negligent and under serves anyones readership.

There is no greater way to assuage misunderstanding than dialogue, compromise, and being willing to work together. Not every person will get what they want, but mutual respect will most often prevail. That is the culture of the COOP.

Posted by: narayana at February 20, 2009 2:50 PM

tiptoe- I do know how to read and comprehend very well. I wonder at your overly defensive stance and hypocritical position. Are you one of the gang of 10 perhaps? Frankly, since they were all about making a statement on political issues beyond the scope of the Co-op they have nothing to complain about if it becomes the topic of discussion on a blog. Your problem is comprehending that. Discuss- that's what we do here. Don't like it, you're free not to discuss.

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 3:03 PM

narayana- I don't think the intent was to vilify the Co-op. Certainly not my intent- I think most of the commentary was about the 10 people who seem to want to have the co-op take a position that would overall have a very negative impact. No matter how they vote, the controversy is already out there. The co-op seems to bend over backwards on matters of environmental concerns and I for one thinks that's great. But if the intent of the 10 members was to force an issue and cause discomfort to co-op members, they have certainly succeeded. SO who called the media in the first place? How did ths story get out to them? Anyone know?

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 3:11 PM

the people at the soon to be bushwick co-op have a certain take on the park slope food co-op
...
"Plus I think a number of us have chosen to live in this part of Brooklyn for other reasons. We don't feel like the neighborhood around the Co-op is very welcoming to people like us. Lots of old-fogey hippies who've sold out and gotten jobs earning them six figures that allow them to buy brownstones and drive VW Rabbits. BLURG. "

hahah

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at February 20, 2009 3:16 PM

bxgrl
"I think most of the commentary was about the 10 people who seem to want to have the co-op take a position that would overall have a very negative impact"

What is the "very negative impact"?

Posted by: wpg at February 20, 2009 3:33 PM

DIBS, this is the NYU 'occupation' groups list of demands:

http://takebacknyu.com/take-back-nyu-has-taken-back-nyu/

poorly thought out action on every possible level.

Narayana - the idea that the culture of the co-op is that every idea deserves time and attention no matter how many loons want to voice it is absurd. I want to request bottled albino-pygmy farts to be placed in the corners to increase our positive energy....lets discuss for an hour at the next general meeting.

Posted by: goldie at February 20, 2009 3:35 PM

A lot of co-op members being upset and offended with each other- how is that helpful?

goldie- do you have a supplier? :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 3:44 PM

oops- my first response was to you, wpg.

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 3:45 PM

hey bxgrl, I'm going to keep this civil. you are jumping to conclusions, I'm guessing the next thing you'll be saying is that I'm anti-Semitic, right?? You're one of those kinds of people. Qucik to judge and quick to slam those who don't agree with you.

Posted by: tiptoe at February 20, 2009 3:45 PM

goldie....they should have been arrested and thrown out.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 20, 2009 3:51 PM

I'm not here to vilify the coop, but I am very comfortable mocking it. Is it wrong if I want a professional manager to make management decisions? Democracy isnt always the answer.

Posted by: slick at February 20, 2009 3:52 PM

tiptoe - the annoyance here is that this is a bias wrapped under the guise of general concern for human rights. yet nothing is being said about the products from china, syria, lebanon, venezuela, etc.

Posted by: goldie at February 20, 2009 3:52 PM

well, goldie, i guess gaza is fresh in those 10 people's minds. I'm quite certain that the Co-op does not carry anything from China though, perhaps for other reasons than human rights reasons, and maybe this was put to a vote. But, how would we know unless we are members of the co-op and attended a general meeting?

Posted by: tiptoe at February 20, 2009 3:56 PM

i know it is tiptoe, then they should just be honest and boil it down to "we hate israel. we dont want to discuss the thousands of rockets launched, suicide bombings, and kidnapped/murdered soldiers on the palestinian's part"

Posted by: goldie at February 20, 2009 4:04 PM

Goldie, if you were just trying to simmer things down, I think you've achieved the exact opposite. Good thing it's near the end of the day.

Posted by: tiptoe at February 20, 2009 4:13 PM

I could give two craps about this issue, but if it'll help thin the crowds at the co-op, I say "ban the schnitzel."

Posted by: dannyhellman at February 20, 2009 4:27 PM

tiptoe- you're really beginning to sound like an ass. I haven't accused you of anything except complaining that people are talking about what's happening at the co-op. You say the 10 people there have the right to say what they want and my argument is so do we posters on brownstoner. How that becomes me calling you an anti-semite or slamming anything is really more about your paranoia, and nothing else.

If you need to foam at the mouth, please do so-its your right of freedom of speech. And my free speech right is to tell you the only one lacking in reasonableness and reading comprehension is you. Maybe you should re-read what I said before you go off half-cocked again.

Posted by: bxgrl at February 20, 2009 4:41 PM

And 100. That's a wrap.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at February 20, 2009 4:49 PM

i know having to actually think about both sides hurts the brain tiptoe, sorry.

sorry snark, 100 was too round and even of a number. i like prime numbers. :)

Posted by: goldie at February 20, 2009 5:17 PM

bxgrl - did you or did you not accuse me of being one of the 10 that was interested in banning Israeli products? And somewhere in your earlier diatribes you mocked and denigrated those very people. So, if anything, you are the asswipe here. Whatever. At this point, your statements will have no effect since no one at the Co-op will take into consideration your stance since you're not a member, right? For what it's worth, there isn't anything you can do if they do end up approving the suggestion as banning the Co-op is not an option.

Posted by: tiptoe at February 20, 2009 8:47 PM

oh, and goldie, your take on things going on the Middle East are pretty one-sided don't you think? Sort of like these 10 people speaking up at the Co-op. And no, I don't think you're right either.

Posted by: tiptoe at February 20, 2009 8:48 PM

love these threads where the the stereotypes of "dumb, ignorant guy from brooklyn" are so evident. Congrats idiots!

Posted by: cornerbodega at February 20, 2009 9:32 PM

I'd be willing to put up with almost any crap to get fresh Alaska salmon at $10 a pound, but there is no way to get there from where I live.

Posted by: mopar at February 20, 2009 11:05 PM

"hey bxgrl, I'm going to keep this civil. you are jumping to conclusions, I'm guessing the next thing you'll be saying is that I'm anti-Semitic, right?? You're one of those kinds of people. Qucik to judge and quick to slam those who don't agree with you.

Well, I'm not anti-Semitic. But, these 10 people have a right to have an opinion, as much as it might not comport with your opinion. That's what I'm saying. Loudly and slowly. I believe others have said the SAME EXACT THING. You obviously did not get this with your poor reading comprehension."
-------
Why yes- i see by your post you are a very model of rationality and civility. If I may do a little character analysis of my own, you seem like a guy who can't bear different points of view or that the depth and brilliance of your posts goes unappreciated.

You have a habit of writing scenarios based on misinterpretation and ignorance, while patting yourself on the back for being a great judge of character. And once you make your malformed judgement, you take great offense when that judgement is disputed.
------------------------------------------

No one, certainly not I- expects to influence what happens in the co-op simply by discussing it here. It was put up as a topic for discussion. If you don't understand this basic concept of blogging, than you have no business being here.

Posted by: bxgrl at February 21, 2009 3:01 AM

Since the boycott advocates all but certainly likewise condemn as evil everything the United States does in the world -- it follows that they should ban themselves and other US citizens from doing business at the Co-OP.

Posted by: Rudolph at February 22, 2009 3:02 PM

Folks, since nobody else is stating this let me say it loud and clear: There is no ban. There is no proposal. There is no agenda item. There is 100% of nothing.

The whole piece in the Jewish Daily Forward is factually incorrect and I—and others—have contacted the editors of the Jewish Daily Forward to set the record straight.

The reality is every few years someone mentions a ban of Israeli products at a meeting. Past this, 100% nothing ever happens.

As far as Dov Hikind goes, as a Jew I cannot think of a bigger advocate of Jewish paranoia/fear than that guy. There is real anti-Semitism out there. Real issues. Real victims. He constantly fans the flames of paranoia with calls of anti-Semitism to the point you wonder if he's a parrot or a robot.

The Jewish Daily Forward and Lana Gersten (who wrote the horribly non-researched piece) should be ashamed of themselves because they are actually feeding the stereotype that Jews will cry anti-Semitism at any little thing.

This is just horrid and a waste of time for all involved.

Posted by: Jack at February 23, 2009 11:50 PM

So in order to show Israel that they did something wrong, were not selling their produce. The government of Israel, since its formation has been strictly favoring Jewish citizens. Now, I would have no problem with that if they at least called themselves just a Jewish nation. That's not what they say in their constitution they refer to the State of Israel as both a Jewish nation and democratic state. Seems like they forgot the democratic part. My family has been documented for more then 600 years in Nazareth. Yet my family and hundred of others that still reside there have certain disadvantages as citizens. This of course is a non issue in the news. What I don't get, is how a big bad Christian nation like America, would fully and sometimes blindly support Israel while they discriminate against Christians. That is just one of the problems. So yeah, ban the Israeli food. I'm sure it will make all the difference in the world.

Posted by: arabchristanpalestin at February 24, 2009 3:56 AM

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February 20, 2009

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