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May 18, 2013
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Do as I Say, Not as I PayPosted on Mar 6, 2010
Despite the fact that Washington has forcefully discouraged investment in Iran for the past decade, the federal government has given more than $107 billion in contract payments to companies that dealt with Iran or are doing business there. A New York Times analysis of federal records and other financial documents shows a cacophony of mixed messages to the corporate world, with Washington rewarding companies whose transactions conflict with U.S. foreign policy. —JCL
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By Nap, March 7, 2010 at 9:20 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Well, cutting off one’s nose in spite of one’s face is not cheap, specially if you where to factor in all the business and respect lost, 107 billion seems a bit pressed and pressured.
Report thisBy Paul_GA, March 7, 2010 at 5:54 am Link to this comment
The Future of Freedom Foundation has an article entitled “U.S. Government Confirms Sanctions Don’t Work”:
http://www.fff.org/blog/jghblog2010-03-05.asp
Since many of the companies mentioned in the Times article are in fact American, one is also reminded of the old couplet from Sir John Harrington:
“Treason doth never prosper; what’s the reason?
Report thisFor if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
By gerard, March 6, 2010 at 8:58 pm Link to this comment
PS: However, I suspect things are stirring here and there. Things are just getting too crazy even for capitalists. Somehor I can’t imagine them being happy sailing their yachts through a fog of hot fallout.
Report thisBy gerard, March 6, 2010 at 5:22 pm Link to this comment
The interlocking of more or less disparate business organizations and national governments is rapidly leading to a morass of confusion with few or no ethical guidelines. I wonder how much longer we can go without some common agreement on basic principles of restraint and compassion. Many people think that capitalistic enterprises care nothing about ethics etc., but it would seem that the pressure to preserve life on earth would push in the direction of a basic agreement. The UN would be a place to begin. Does anyone know of any such activities?
Report thisI found one reference to a “UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2010.” But no details beyond intentions.