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103 comments

  • Is it a boycott if I was never going to buy that piece of crap in the first place?

  • Related, BDS is illegal in the US meaning that you are legally obligated to purchase things from Israel. It's unenforceable on an individual level, but it's used to come after people who promote or organize the boycott. If Trump and the Republicans wanted to make it illegal to boycott Tesla, they would have legal precedent because of that absolute lunacy.

    • BDS is illegal in the US meaning that you are legally obligated to purchase things from Israel

      It is illegal to openly, publicly boycott Israel if you are a government contractor. That's pissing in the face of the First Amendment, but that's about all. You are not obligated to buy anything, though you have to follow "level playing field" procurement guidelines, same as any other government contractor. But anyone who knows the game can craft a set of requirements and a procurement scoring system that will steer the result to any vendor you want to be awarded the contract. And if you're on a government contract and refuse to be a supplier to an Israeli firm, you might have some complications, but those can probably be worked around as well.

      It's a bit like jury nullification. If you're ever put on a jury where a miscarriage of justice is taking place, don't use the word "nullification." Just repeat that the evidence does not support the charge. You are not obligated to explain your reasoning. Just show every sign of complying with the process, while refusing to stifle your conscience.

      This kind of bureaucratic bullying has been around a long time and is probably going to get worse. The Red Scare was full of even worse bullshit. But realistically, this current Trump brainfart will only potentially affect government contractors trying to acquire vehicles. And adding a requirement for reliability, and including it in the ROI calculation that's part of the business case, will ensure that you're never forced to buy a Tesla.

      • It's not limited to government contractors. They push it into anything they think they can get away with it, and into things they know they can't just for show. For example, in Dickinson, Texas, hurricane victims were required to sign a pledge that they wouldn't boycott Israel in order to receive funds. Companies also face retaliatory legal action if they make moves in that direction, like how AirBNB had to reverse it's decision to shut down operations in the illegal settlements.

        The idea of "it's fine because you can do it anyway, just don't say that you are" is still a problem. Boycotts should not have to operate on "don't ask, don't tell." Like, you're "allowed" to participate in a boycott in the same way gay people in the 50's were "allowed" to be gay.

        Regardless, as I said, there is legal precedent to ban Tesla boycotts in the same way, such a ban would obviously be unenforceable on the general population, but for example if you're a teacher, they could make you sign a contract saying you won't boycott Tesla and you could be fired if you post otherwise on social media.

  • Trump just has the strategy to give media 3 topics which make good headlines every day. Then he can do the "important" stuff unbothered. Soo, this ist the kind of stuff we hear about. But, what about the rest?

    • Exactly, it's all just smoke and mirrors.

      "Hey, look over there while I do something under the table“

  • what does that even mean? everyone who does not buy a Tesla within a month is a criminal and will be imprisoned?

103 comments