California: Retaliation Alleged on Opposition to Recall [anti-recall businesses get an earful]

Los Angeles Times ^ | June 14, 2003 | Nancy Vogel

[John Jorsett]

SACRAMENTO — Californians seeking the ouster of Gov. Gray Davis barraged some of the state's biggest corporations this week with hundreds of e-mails to protest the companies' involvement in a group that opposes the recall campaign.

Hundreds of e-mails and phone calls have been sent to Bechtel, ChevronTexaco, Safeway and Southern California Edison, among others, to protest their association with the California Business Roundtable.

"I've gotten besieged with e-mails," said Doug Kline, spokesman for Sempra Energy in San Diego, who estimated he had received 100 electronic messages since Wednesday. "Most of them say something like we can't believe you've opposed the recall of Gray Davis. He's hurting small businesses."

The Roundtable has been one of the few business groups to take a position on efforts to replace Davis, a Democrat. Its members — who are the chief executives of approximately 60 large corporations — voted unanimously in a June 3 board meeting to oppose the recall campaign.

[John Jorsett]

ping

[Servant of the Nine]

The California recall is so chaotic that they could end up with Ozzie Osbourne for Governor, or worse, Dianne Feinstein.

So9

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

They need more e-mail!

calgov2002:

calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. 

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register

[Tailback]

The businesses had no choice but to oppose the recall. Davis, in the great tradition of RICO organizations, gave them an offer they couldn't refuse.

[Grampa Dave]

So where/what is the problem?

[alloysteel]

Oh, who KNEW there would be such a reaction?

Practically everybody in California except those who think Gray Davis is still the best alternative for guvna.

But who would want to be a piñata, anyway?

[ditto h]

I vote that Carville works on getting Grey Davis named to lead the Palistinians. ( Hey, he worked his magic in Israel ) Is there such a thing as a " rock tax "?

[ElkGroveDan]

I think this would be a great week to take the recall clipboards to a Safeway near you. Maybe a couple of other protesters mingle with signs saying Safeway opposes the recall - boycott Safeway.

[dpwiener]

Maybe a couple of other protesters mingle with signs saying Safeway opposes the recall - boycott Safeway.

According to a later email (yesterday) from the Recall Gray Davis Committee, Safeway has issued a statement that they do not agree with the California Business Roundtable and that Safeway is taking no position on the Davis recall. So the Recall Gray Davis Committee says not to boycott Safeway.

Similarly, the Charles Schwab Corporation has replied that they are inaccurately listed as a member of the Business Roundtable and are not opposed to the Davis recall effort. Charles Schwab dropped their Roundtable membership in back January. So don't boycott them either.

British Petroleum / ARCO is also no longer a member of the Roundtable and is not opposing the recall. So you can keep buying gas at ARCO.

On the other hand, companies like California Bank & Trust and Bank of America and Union Bank of California and Wells Fargo Bank are Roundtable members, and therefore deserve appropriate action.

[TheAngryClam]

Peter Miguel Camejo?

[dalereed]

"Union Bank of California "

Don't know about the other 3 but Union Bank of California is foreign owned.

[goldstategop]

I am in favor of hiking taxes on liberal big businesses. If they love Gray Davis so much, let THEM pay the costs of hauling California out of bankruptcy.

[Impeach98]

Come on people! Where's the FReeper spirit?

Not one person asked where to get a list of people to contact or pasted in contact information!!

Here we have Big Business on the run when they sell out the to the Democrats, the media covering the great work of the Recall Gray Davis Committee and what not.

So let's get busy!!! Here's a link to contact businesses: CLICK HERE for Part II of List of Stations to Contact

[Impeach98]

Bumpin' for people to notice and take action!!! PLEASEEEEE :)

[SierraWasp]

"The California recall is so chaotic..."

FanFReepinTastic!!!

I don't know about the rest of you Californians, but I'm for using and abusing the recall repeatedly and as frequently as needed to remove stupid pandering spendthrifts from that office, till the candidates finally get the message that the will of the people is what matters most!!!

Not name recognition, nor celebrity, nor coalition building, nor fundraising ability, nor fickle business backing, nor powerful special interest backing, nor even backing from Washington "King Makers," just a majority of voting Californians... Period!!!

It's way past time we spend the money to get these politicians off balance so they'll stop taking the people for granted. We did it once with Prop 13 and a quarter century respite for these dorks is long enough.

Since Prop 13, the intiative process has been so chaotic that it's practically outlived its usefulness so I see no problem with utilizing the recall and the referendum to such an extreme that people will finally get a faceful of this "direct democrazy" crappola that's gone to the point of diminishing returns!

It's no wonder people don't vote. We elect representatives who won't take ANY responsiblity and vote for what the majority want and then we get a ballot full of B.S., most of which was put on there by the stupid chicken "electeds," afraid to stick their pencil necks out, one bit!!!

Recall Davis, then start on his Party, then vote against this stupid Business Roundtable with you wallets... BIGTIME!!! As a businessman, this is the most disgraceful behavior I've witnessed by people who are supposed to be acting in their own enlightened self interest! It's frightening!!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Way to go!

Good Rant!

Right on target!!!

See my tagline!

[Impeach98]

Ditto :)