Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

There is talk of a boycott of British goods over the questionable release of the Lockerbie bomber Megrahi.   Since Dysons are at least designed in Britain, I wonder if it will have any effect on them.   Dyson might want to increase the size of the "made in Malaysia" stickers on their vacuums.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2603158/Americans-call-for-boycott-over-Lockerbie-bomber-Megrahi.html

Personally, I don't believe in punishing an entire nation for the stupidity of their government officials.  We've certainly had our share of stupid politicians in the US. 

*** Note that I am not implying that Dyson should be boycotted.  I am only saying that a call to boycott British goods could have an effect on Dyson sales in the US.     **

It comes across like a news story hyping up something that is unlikley to happen in practice. As mentioned, with Dyson it would be a touch misguided as they have a business legally registered in England and Wales, with Scotland having it's own separate administration for businesses and indeed political matters.

S'pose you could boycott exported Scottish goods.. like Whisky, Haggis, Tartan clothing and um, whatever else they make up there. But sounds a bit crazy if you ask me.

M00seUK wrote:
I haven't got the legs for kilts, the haggis is a turn-off but I am NOT giving up whiskey.

Venson

The reason the UK is threatened with boycott is that it lobbied Scotland [and has been for several years] for the release of the Lockerbie bomber.  Why?  The Wall Street Journal was the first, I believe, to break the story this week end that the UK is interested in reaching an arms for oil agreement with Gadafi/Libya and this [lobbying Scotland] was a stipulation for the deal.  Of course, Gadafi and his son, implicated in the clandestine arrangement, disavow all knowledge of the ulterior motives.  As of yesterday [Sunday] morning there were 97 on-line comments on the WSJ story.  I haven't checked yet today but I will.  On Thursday of this past week after news of the Lockerbie bomber release broke I sided in favor with the compassionate release by Scotland based on religious beliefs and teachings.  After the WSJ article this weekend, I've changed my mind. 

In fact, I'd say boycott is way too lenient for the guilty parties involved, if there is truth in the WSJ article. 

Carmine D.

M00seUK wrote:

     I agree.....kinda like some people i know wont buy  BEN&JERRYS  ice cream because they support the democrats.....crazy.  Now ENGLAND/dyson .....sounds like far too many people with far too much time on there hands......if anything boycott  WAY OVERPRICED DYSONS.........especially  the $200- 6min handvac.

turtle1

M00seUK wrote:

I agree with you completely.  Again, I don't want to encourage anyone to boycott Dysons or any other British product.  I saw the headline, and immediately thought of Dyson as being one of the most prominent British products in the US due to the prime time advertising.    

Today's Wall Street Journal [Monday August 24] in an OP-ED article states that powers to be at the highest levels of the UK government have been in constant talks [even written] over recent months with Libya's Colonel Gadhafi and his son about commercial oil and gas contracts.  To include the UK Queen, Prince, Prime Minister and Foreign Office Minister.  Seems they and Colonel Gadhafi are on first name bases.  To date the UK has been called out to come clean with regard to its influence peddling in the Scot release of the Lockerbie bomber by Senators McCain and Lieberman, FBI Director and a US General.  As they say readers, the plot thickens.

Carmine D.

An editorial revision to my above post.  It is not a General.  It is an Admiral [same rank as General] who is also the current Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Carmine D.

There is discord in Scotland.  Safe to say global anger too.  The Scotish justice minister Kenny MacAskill is taking full responsibility for Mr. al-Megrahi's release.  While the British PM is mum.  MacAskill's testimony before a specially convened Scottish Parliament yesterday failed to mollify parliamentarians over the release.  No doubt a motion for a vote of no-confidence for MacAskill will follow putting pressure on him to resign.  Could bring the Scottish government down.

Senator Frank Lautenberg, the point man in Congress on the Lockerbie issue called Monday for the US State Department to put restrictions on the travel visa for Libya's leader Gadhafi during the September UN meetings.

Seems like the politicos in this mess failed to heed the advice of St. Louis, King of France.  Before you stand before men to ask them to follow you, you better kneel before God.

Carmine D.

Today's [Aug. 27. 2009] Wall Street Journal carries a story from Con Coughlin of the Morning Telegraph in London linking 2 UK high level officials with ties to PM Brown to a letter written to MacAskill requesting release of Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber.  That's the smoking gun.  Now pressure mounts on PM Brown to answer some questions about his statement that he had no involvement in the release.  Seems a muckety muck at BP [ "SIR" MARK ALLEN] wanted to land some contracts with Libya for the 44 BILLION barrels of oil in the country.  Gadhafi's son, heir apparent to the Colonel and a graduate of the London School of economics, brokered the deal with the stipulation that Megrahi be released to clinch the deal.

BTW, NJ Senator Corzine and other NJ officials are refusing to allow Colonel Gadhafi entrance to Englewood NJ as part of a planned visit while Colonel Gadhafi is attending the UN meetings in NY in September. 

Carmine D.