Let's move the discussion of corporations right out front.

Doogy and TP: We can argue the merits of wikipedia at an off-line. However, numerous sources support the assertion that the Chinese use prison labor in manufacturing. Heck, even the Chinese government admits it and calls it an important part of rehabilitation. Don't forget that the great state of Texas practices the same form of rehabilitation on a much smaller scale.
Sources:
Congressional Executive Committee on China http://www.cecc.gov/
Sociology research from Wright State http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=624601
U.S.-China Economic Security Commission http://www.uscc.gov/pressreleases/2002/pr02_5_10.php
As you can see, the data above is not self-proclaimed expert punditry but comes from a variety of government and academic sources.

As for Wal-Mart's involvement, Chinese dissidents such as Harry Wu report on how the Chinese government "protects Wal-Mart" and other American buyers from seeing the labor source. That way their hands are clean. The same assertions are made by U.S. and international labor unions. That one is sourced more loosely, I admit, but Wal-Mart has been caught using exploited labor way too many times for me to give a pass to them.

I do appreciate the thoughtfulness of the links, and will take a look at them later. Thanks much.

And T.P., you still have the best avatar on the board.

David might i suggest that you look in the mirror and look at your posts about bashing....Seems that YOU are the one that statrts them not me....take a look and you will see...You really still need to talk to someone about your anger and bitterness....

I wish you'd all cut it out, frankly. The horse is dead and the audience is snoring.

And T.P., you still have the best avatar on the board.

You're too kind!

God bless both of you...remember HE died for all of us...Life is too short to be always bitter and angry....Hope you both have a Happy Easter....

And i hope that all of you have a Happy Easter...Don't eat too much....

:D And i hope that all of you have a Happy Easter...Don't eat too much....

I will and I will. Same to you and thanks.

I'm really tired of scrolling through these juvenile, tit-for-tat exchanges that have taken over too many threads.

Guys, you are not representing yourselves well, and you are spoiling this forum. We all know that you have better to offer than provocations and insults, so let's hear that instead.

[Robin Garr]

There really is no Tit....It is all of the TATING that happens afterwords.....Check the previous posts for you self....It will make it perfectly clear to anyone that want to take the time to look....

Robert, frankly, you've highjacked this thread with a large number of posts that have absolutely nothing to do with its topic. Roger's GNAT analogy is right on, and I'm just about in a mood to shut the door on you again if you can't participate here in a positive way.

Sorry to have started a thread that ran off the tracks. I thought it was pretty interesting for awhile!

[Robin Garr]

Sorry to have started a thread that ran off the tracks. I thought it was pretty interesting for awhile!

The fault is not yours, TP, and please don't let this deter you from starting other interesting threads. Or for that matter from continuing this one.

Really TP, I also thought this was good thread until it degenerated into the "yeah? - oh yeah! level of interchange. Maybe the spirit of Easter will suddenly creep into the board.


Naaah, probably not.

[Robin Garr]

Naaah, probably not.

It's being forcibly applied, even as we speak ...

Robin,
Thank you.

Well then I suggest that you DO IT AGAIN Robin....Seems like every time I comment about a good meal I had at a chain...One of the trwo always come back with smart ass remarks about it...and when this thread first started it was noted abour The large corporation and giving back...I gave you the fact for Wal-Mart and once again the smart ass remarks followed....I will not stop posting and replying on this forum...If you want to Ban me that is the only way that I will not post my feelings and reply to smart ass comments from the two across the river....I am sure they are just laughing today saying we did it...hes gone.....So once again do what you have to do Robin....