Boycott Chiquita because of their oil sands hatred

[Bill Whatcott]

I have worked in the oil sands of and on since 2010. Calling our oil sands "tar sands" and carrying on about its alleged climate changing pollution is just plain wrong. One of the reasons the oil sands are the most expensive source of oil right now is their extremely strict environmental regulations. I will say without equivocation Alberta's oil sands is the most environmentally regulated petroleum industry in the world bar none!

Then again, I don't really believe the visceral hatred coming from the so-called "environmentalists" is really over a genuine concern for the environment. If it was the Sierra Club, Greenpeace and the myriad of academics populating Alberta's Universities would at least acknowledge the BILLIONS OF DOLLARS spent over the past decade by the oil sands in land reclamation and clean technology. These groups don't acknowledge any efforts by the oil sands to be environmentally responsible, nor do these far left environmental groups and academics mention a word of complaint about China's coal plants or Sudan's almost non existent regulations for their oil industry.

The hatred of our oil sands is an ideological hatred for a phenomenally profitable energy sector. The far left and its academics hate the free west and hate our prosperous market based economy. They have to do what they can to shut down the oil sands, as the oil sands create phenomenal wealth and energy independence for a free market based society. A booming oil sands means Albertans will have little use for the socialist koolaid being peddled by our universities and pseudo environmental lobby. Hence, no amount of environmental stewardship or positive news about lives changed for the better thanks to the oil sands will ever stop the leftist inspired attacks on our nation's greatest natural resource.

Sincerely,
Bill Whatcott

Will you boycott Chiquita bananas over its oilsands stance?
December 20, 2011 8:24 AM
By Community Team
http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/20 ... tance.html

An oilsands advocacy group is launching a boycott campaign against fruit producer Chiquita after the company said it would stop using fuel from the Alberta source.

EthicalOil.org is urging a boycott against Chiquita bananas and premade salads. (Amy Sancetta/AP)"We are committed to directing our transportation providers to avoid, where possible, fuels from tarsands refineries," Chiquita vice-president Manuel Rodriguez wrote in a letter to Aaron Sanger of the environmental group ForestEthics.

The pro-oilsands group EthicalOil.org has launched a website, ChiquitaConflict.com, and taken out radio ads that urge consumers to stop buying Chiquita's fruit and premade salads.

"The Chiquita banana company says it's boycotting oil from Canada's oilsands. Apparently they like oil from OPEC dictatorships better," the radio spot's announcer says over cheery music. "While they boycott Canada's oilsands, you can boycott them. Don't buy Chiquita bananas or Fresh Express salads at your grocery store."

Two Conservative MPs - Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose - are supporting the campaign, mentioning the Chiquita boycott on Twitter.

[Bill Whatcott]

Please join this group and send a message to Chiquita, you don't like them hurting our beloved oil sands.....
http://www.facebook.com/BoycottChiquita

[Bill Whatcott]

I just went to Chiquita's website to inform them I am boycotting them until they stop partaking in unfair attacks on our oil sands. You can contact them and let them know you dislike their pandering to commie anti-oil sands ideologues here: http://www.chiquitabananas.com/About/contact-us.aspx

My Letter:

Dear Chiquita,

Effective immediately, I am boycotting your products until you cease participating in unfair attacks on Canada's oil sands industry. Canada's oil sands have some of the most stringent environmental standards of any petroleum producing industry in the world. They also have some of the safest and most humane working conditions for blue collar men and women of any industry, anywhere. I believe the attacks on our oil sands is motivated by anti-free market ideology, rather than actual legitimate environmental concerns. Therefore it is time for freedom loving Canadians to stand against the unfair demonization and misinformation attacks on our beloved oil sands industry.

Sincerely,
Bill Whatcott

[Bill Whatcott]

I got this response from Chiquita:

December 26, 2011

Dear Mr. Whatcott,

Thank you for your email and for giving us the opportunity to reply.

Chiquita has been recognized as a leader in our industry for its long record of protecting the environment and significant work to reduce its carbon footprint globally. Contrary to some press reports, Chiquita is not banning or boycotting Canadian fuel. Likewise we are not taking any action to boycott Canadian oil sands. Chiquita currently utilizes, and will continue to utilize, Canadian fuel sources.

Our goal is simple; we all want to use cleaner energy. We have encouraged our suppliers to test alternative energy sources, more fuel efficient vehicles, and to source, where possible, various fuel sources that have a lower carbon footprint and commit to a strategy of continuous improvement.

Canada is an important market for Chiquita and one that we are very proud to serve. Through our efforts to reduce the environmental impacts related to the distribution of our products, we hope to improve the environment in the markets we operate. For more information regarding Chiquita’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint across a range of activities, please visit: http://www.chiquita.com/The-Chiquita-Difference.aspx or contact our consumer line at 1-800-242-5472.


Sincerely,

Consumer Response Center