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February 10, 2012
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David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
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Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
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The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
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Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
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January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Jan. 7, 2004
/ 13 Teves, 5764
Link between Syria and Spider-Man and Wal-Mart?
By
J.R. Labbe
A shopping spree turns into a geo-political awakening
http://www.jewishworldreview.com |
The Spider-Man T-shirt labels escaped close scrutiny until after the items were on the kitchen table, awaiting wrapping and bows.
It was bad enough being reduced to fighting last-minute shoppers at one of those big-box stores. But darn it all, when 4-year-old triplets have specific requests for gifts, and the only place to find them is a Wal-Mart, principle goes right down the toilet.
One hardly blinks these days at a "Made in China" or "Made in Japan" label. But "Made in Syria"? That'll draw you up short.
"Made in Syria" - as in Axis of Evil Part Two. As in political and logistical ally to Hezbollah and other armed radical groups. As in state sponsor of terrorists.
As in the target of Public Law No. 108-175, signed by President George W. Bush on Dec. 12, to "prohibit United States businesses from investing or operating in Syria."
Syria, exporter of toddlers' T-shirts with Spidey on the front.
Apparently this shopper wasn't the only one who hadn't read the label until the purchase was final. Neither had Wal-Mart.
"We were not aware that we were carrying the merchandise you mentioned with a label from Syria," said Melissa Berryhill, senior public relations manager in Wal-Mart's headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. "Thank you for bringing it to our attention."
You're welcome.
Although it is curious that Wal-Mart, which has been accused of making conscious political and moral statements through the merchandise it chooses "not" to carry no handguns, no books with questionable content or jacket art, no CDs deemed offensive, no video games that are overly violent wasn't aware that it sold products made in a country listed as a rogue nation by the State Department.
Wal-Mart didn't break any laws in buying Syrian-made T-shirts. Neither did any of the American companies along the product chain that leads from a comic book character's merchandising rights and licensing agreements to the Haddad manufacturing company.
No statutes ban Syrian products from entering the United States.
"Although the Department of State lists Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism and reports that Syria provides `safe haven and support to several terrorist groups,' fewer United States sanctions apply with respect to Syria than with respect to any other country that is listed as a state sponsor of terrorism," said the congressional findings portion of HR 1828 - the Syrian Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act.
With the act's passage, that could change. The president now has the authority to impose sanctions if Syria doesn't get right with the Western world.
Those penalties include prohibiting the export of U.S. products to Syria, prohibiting U.S. businesses from investing or operating in Syria, and banning aircraft owned or controlled by Syria from taking off from, landing in or overflying the United States a "don't even think about it" sanction, given that this is not happening now.
But Syria can still sell goods here.
It's not as if Syria is a major U.S. trading partner. It ranks somewhere around 94th on the list. U.S.-Syrian trade totaled $500 million in 2002 a pittance, although U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil Corp. has joint ventures with Syrian firms, and ConcoPhilips has gas operations there.
One Middle East expert says that the threat of economic pressure is unlikely to change hearts or minds.
"Syria, which has extensive trade ties with Europe, is set to become an EU partner in 2010," Murhaf Jouejati, adjunct professor at George Washington University and adjunct scholar at the Middle East Institute, testified to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States on July 9.
Losing a Wal-Mart contract won't exactly paralyze the nation - not as long as the Germans and the French have money to spend.
Wal-Mart's Web site lists its supplier standards for ensuring that companies with which it does business comply with labor, compensation, health, safety and environmental laws. The company has a compliance office in Dubai, which one supposes would be responsible for checking up on Middle Eastern contractors and subcontractors.
Guess the Haddad company does OK when it comes to accessible restrooms and no forced labor.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in Washington and in the media consider "must reading."
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JWR contributor Jill "J.R.'' Labbe is a senior editorial writer and columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Comment by clicking here.
© 2003, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
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