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Yep, the entire left-wing activist industry is little more than a corporate protection racket. This hippy image-mongering and left-conformity keep the food police and eco-wackies off B&J's back when they should rightfully be a prime target. It also scores them big points with the segment of the consumer population that is most influenced by image, a segment which also has sizable discretionary income.

Ever notice that the producers of consumer products are almost never targeted by lefty anti-corporate activists? Their ire is reserved for supply-side businesses that have little contact with individual consumers, like Halliburton, the aerospace industry, and the nuclear power industry; or high-profile retailers like Wal-Mart. Even SUV manufacturers get the kid-gove treatment compared to the dealer network or individual owners.

I think this pattern has a lot to do with which industries and businesses are most dependent on high-intensity advertising. Wal-Mart, of course, is a large volume advertiser, but they are also the subject of much complaint and whining from the ad-intensive manufacturers whose feet they hold to the fire on costs and quality. They are also a threat to those retailers who cannot compete on price or quality, but who do benefit from a strong media image and its fabrication.