Anonymous Iran

Unregistered

Okay, I'd like to open discussion on the boycott of Iranian companies/products or companies/counties that do business with Iran.

Perhaps it's time for the people of the world to really flex their muscles as consumers. I'd be willing to support this type of thing but do not know which products or companies to target. Can anyone help here?

And I'm not talking Nokia-Siemens, that's a whole other thread. I'm talking about targeting something that will realy make those supporting khamenei & ahmadinejad stand up & take notice, make them think again about the path they are on. Targeting the companies/products from countries that are showing support and/or doing business with khamenei & ahmadinejad will make them think twice about what they are doing, maybe encourage them to apply pressure.

What can we do? Who are the players? Which companies deserve to be targeted?

Here is a report from Mark Dubowitz, Special To The National Post:
Standing up to Iran: Turn off Tehran's gas - Standing up to Iran: Turn off Tehran's gas
(apply pressure on Iran where it hurts: at the gas pump).

So what do you say? What do you know? How can we help??!

annajukebox

this should be easy for americans, considering the trade embargo

Bugs Bunny

I am looking forward to hearing suggestions from people. This can be a good discussion.

First of all, I have some concerns. It is the Revolutionary Guard who is running the economy, not the administration. They bring in $12B/yr in black market income. Sanctions/boycotts are not going to stem that tide.

Boycotts of legitimate Iranian businesses are likely to worsen the terrible economic conditions already in place; more people will starve and die from exposure this winter. I don't think we want to harm the people.

But I hear your desire to help the people. And I am with ya there. Just how?

One way is to figure out how to get humanitarian aid into the country. And I think this is urgent; it has to be done before winter comes. One poster said that a really good way is through the Red Crescent who apparently enjoy some special legal status. I still have concerns because who among the Guard respects the law? Will the RC workers not be endangered?

Another way is to create an alternative black market. Don't ask me how to do that. I am a dweeb at business. But maybe some other folks can help.

Unregistered

I agree. When I started this thread I did have concerns as to whether it was the right action to take as the last thing we want to do is harm the people we're trying to support. I'm hoping by putting it out there we'll find the best way to go about this. It may be that we need to look at companies that do business with the Iranian Gov rather than directly with companies/products from Iran.

There must be someone out there in the know who can point us in the right direction.

Unregistered

The best way to hit these muvva's is gotta be in their pockets. Shocked how much cash some of these clerics 'n wot not got. Wot's goin' on? Is it Religion=Power=Money?? Keep the people oppressed/ignorant so they don't know wot g'won? F#k dat Sh*t, the ppl need their freedom! Man it scares me, they can do that crap to their own ppl, wot they gonna do with a nuke?!!

What I gotta do then? You tell me who do business wiv these muvva's 'n they aint gettin' no monies outta me!

Unregistered

Target the European Union - Iran does more trade with them than any other entity .

Unregistered

Most of Iranian black market trade goes through Dubai. - boycott UAE?
Which banks are doing business with Iran? Why not try to boycott these banks? Probably they would be mainly European banks but there might be some in US or Canada.

Bugs Bunny

Yes, this sounds promising. Boycott Dubai, China, and India. They can afford to be boycotted. China is really cosy with the Guard. It is the Guard btw which is running Iran today, not the Ahyertoolahlah and not Almonddinnerjacket.

As for boycotting the EU: they have been exerting pressure on Iran. We don't want to hurt them. We only want to hurt those who have been helping the regime.

Moreover, boycotting Iranian business is going to really harm the people. They are already in terrible economic shape. If this regime continues its nonsense we could see deaths this winter from hunger and exposure. So we gotta also get some fundraising going for the Red Crescent and lobby them to go into Iran.

Hhhhmmm... let's remember that most of the world is trying to climb out of a bad recession. Most of the Guard's money comes from black market racketeering. Boycotting banks isn't going to impact the Guard. But it too is going to harm a lot of innocent people.

Unregistered

So from what I've read so far it sounds like the IRG are the key here(?). If we can some how hurt the IRG financially they may reconsider what side to be on(?). So are the questions that need answering: Where do the IRG's financial interests lay?? Who is it that does business with the IRG?? Can companies be identified?

Anybody know something out there?

Bugs Bunny

Yeah, here is a good article:

Hard-Line Force Extends Grip Over a Splintered Iran

I'm just exerpting the parts about economic activity, but the whole article is well worth reading. It is horrifying to see how far this group of privileged overlords reaches into the heart and soul of Iranian society.

Since the Guard is cosy with China, Russia, India, and Dubai -- a boycott of those countries would be far more productive than a boycott of Iranian businesses themselves.