Ford Shareholders say no to discrimination

[pepperbear]

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/5/112006b.asp

95%-5%?

Well, uh, my next car might be a Ford. :)

[arcane1]

1. I'm on the American Family Association's mailing-list...

and they are OBSESSED with Ford these days! Apparently the ONLY issue affecting American families is whether or not Ford buys ad space in gay magazines :crazy:

[POAS]

2. I'm glad I own two Fords.

[NastyDiaper]

8. Three fords in a row for me.

And I <3 love <3 my 2006 Escape Hybrid.
Go Green, Go union, Go diversity.

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. MUSTANG!

Get one. I did. Awesome. Beautiful! I can highly recommend Cars Direct for that purchase!



Educate A Freeper - Flaunt Your Opinions!
http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[bluestateguy]

4. This is why progressives should get into the stock market

All you Lexus liberals out there should be putting your money to good use by investing in major corporations and demanding social change.

[meow2u3]

7. Lexus liberals will hardly make a dent in major corporations

That's because most controlling stock owners are Hummer conservatives, who don't give a rat's ass about anyone but themselves.

But it doesn't hurt to try.

[SIU_Blue]

5. read this quote from the article

"The mere fact that five percent voted (against the non-discrimination policy) came as a shock. I think it sends a loud message," says the AFA leader.

5 percent sends a loud message?

Yes. Yes it does. The message is that 5% of Ford Stockholders are bigoted and homophobic.

Thanks for the message.
:sarcasm:

[saigon68]

12. Lots more than 5% of US is bigoted and homophobic.

Most Christian Churches are all bigoted and homophobic.

The Catholic Church is almost all bigoted and homophobic.

[Bushies gotta go]

6. "However, conservatives still say it was a victory."

Jesus (no pun), even in a resounding defeat, they think they were successful.

[high density]

9. Wow, so 5% sends a "loud message?"

I guess that means the 49-50% of us that voted for Kerry sent a super duper loud deafening message Nov 2004?

[sweetheart]

10. And calpers lost its investment chief to london

the rats who can are leaving the ship.

[Charlie Brown]

11. I don't believe this guy

Dr. Don Wildmon, founder and chairman of the American Family Association (AFA), says he is extremely pleased with the Ford shareholder vote. "The mere fact that five percent voted for this proposal came as a shock. I think it sends a loud message," says the AFA leader. "And we're very grateful that we got that five percent and that this issue can come back up again next year. We have a lot of time to work on it."


Yeah, that's a big victory, if you're Ralph Nader.

[CAG]

14. Yeah, why don't they put all their resources into griping about Ford

advertising in gay mags, instead of foolishly selfish things like serving the poor, the downtrodden, the persecuted, the sick. That's all wussy stuff, Jesus Christ really thinks the biggest problem on this earth full of 6 billion people, a third of whom are hungry and impoverished, is that we encourage those gay americans drive fords
:sarcasm:

[Stevious]

13. My next car may not be a Ford...

but it will very likely be a Volvo.

:toast:

[AndyTiedye]

15. Ford Escape Hybrid (Still The Most Fuel-Efficient SUV)

[cosmicdot]

16. Proposal 9 - this is what they voted on

PROPOSAL 9

Dr. Robert E. Hurley of 5017 Foxland Court, Alton, Illinois 62002, owner of 674 shares of common stock, has informed the Company that he plans to present the following proposal at the meeting:

Whereas, it would be inappropriate, and possibly illegal to ask job applicants or employees about private matters such as their sexual interests, inclinations and activities, and

Whereas, it is likewise inappropriate and legally problematic for employees to discuss personal sexual matters on the job, and

Whereas, unlike the attributes of race, age, gender and certain physical disabilities, it would be impossible to discern a person’s sexual orientation from his appearance, and

Whereas, there is a perceived link between a specific sexual orientation non-discrimination policy and what have been termed domestic partner benefits. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization states on its website, “an inclusive non-discrimination policy (one that refers to sexual orientation) is a key facet of the rationale for extending domestic partner benefits.” The HRC adds, “Establishing a benefits policy that includes your company’s gay and lesbian employees is a logical outgrowth of your company’s own non-discrimination policy...,” and

Whereas, domestic partner benefit policies pay people who engage in homosexual acts, which have been illegal in this country for hundreds of years, and have been proscribed by the major traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Mohammedanism well over a thousand years, and

Whereas, our company does not discriminate in employment against smokers, despite the fact that they are not protected by any specific clause; however, the company does not pay them to engage in this behavior which is hazardous to themselves and others, and

Whereas, those who engage in homosexual sexual activity are at significantly higher risk for developing HIV/ AIDS and associated opportunistic infections and malignancies, and

Whereas, marriage between heterosexuals has been protected and encouraged for its societal benefits by a wide range of cultures and faiths over the ages,

Resolved: The shareholders request that Ford Motor Company amend its written equal employment opportunity policy to exclude any reference to privacy issues related to sexual interests, activities or orientation.

Statement: While the legal institution of marriage should be protected for its community and generational benefits, the sexual interests, inclinations and activities of all employees should be a private matter and not a corporate concern.

The Board of Directors recommends a Vote “against” Proposal 9.

The Board of Directors opposes this proposal because it is not in the best interests of shareholders or the Company. Ford, and numerous other leading companies, believe that a diverse workforce, free of discrimination, is the most advantageous environment to attract and retain talented employees and to allow them to excel in their jobs. Implementing the proposal would adversely affect Ford’s ability to attract and retain talented employees. For example, Ford recruits potential employees at the best universities and colleges across the United States. Many of these institutions require that employers who wish to recruit on their campuses have non-discrimination policies that include non-discrimination based on sexual orientation. If the proposal were implemented, Ford would be excluded from recruiting at many of the country’s finest institutions. Such a decision would prevent Ford from recruiting the best potential employees regardless of sexual orientation.

Ford is in the business of manufacturing, selling and financing motor vehicles. The Company strongly believes that its employment policies regarding non-discrimination are extremely beneficial to its business, its employees, and its shareholders.

The Board of Directors recommends a Vote “against” Proposal 9.

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/37996/000095012406001797/x01694def14a.htm#115

[sandnsea]

17. Stock is $7

A fantastic price and Ford is NOT going to go bankrupt. So buy some shares, and vote!!

[NastyDiaper]

19. I bought @ 7.4...

... some weeks back. So far not a winner, but stocks are kinda bleh overall now. With the hybrid tax credit, and 3.00 gas, you are clearly over the savings threshold. Ford is in the best position, by far, of the US 3 to deliver hybrids. They have a good product, and loads of cash.

Product downsides as I see them can't be ignored though. Where are the F hybrid sedans? We are told they are coming. The Mariner hybrid, as cool as it is, was a web-only introduction. When I bought my Escape Hybrid in Sept 05, it was the *only* car on the lot that was not deeply discounted, and I had to buy it fully loaded (something I am grateful for now, but at the time I did not want a nav system, as I already have three female voices telling me when to turn left). I can't help getting the feeling there are supply problems.

Another product related issue: They developed their technology independently, but being second still meant paying patent royalties to toyota. Toyota though, is facing a unit sales limit for tax credits. I'm really interested to see what happens on that. Really good news though is the plug-in would allow people to not buy gas at all (home elec is a much cheaper form of energy than gas). I guess I should say news-ish, as there are no details. That one will be certain to test the oil lobby.

The real threat to Ford, and damn near all of established manufacturing America is the pension obligation. To which I believe the government is party to, not just the corporations and unions themselves. The Republicans in charge spit in the face of organized labor when it comes to securing labors future welfare. Heck in much the same way they spit on all citizen labor, and the social security safety net in general.

Republicans would have us believe the Economy is doing fantastic. They are confused in fact that polls show people worried about the economic future. "Omg what's wrong with the media? And the polls?" Credit is never a problem when you can change the limit. Meanwhile we party like its 1929.

I digress... Maybe stocks are not the best thing after all. But of them all, I like F.

[noonwitch]

18. I'm glad that I buy Fords

I have a 2005 Focus that I bought last year. I've been driving Fords since 1988, when I bought an 85 Mustang. I went from that to a new 1992 Probe. When my Probe died, I bought a used 98 Escort, which I drove until last year. Out of all of them, the Escort was actually the worst, which is not typical of that model. It must have been a bad year, or it was one of those cars they sell up here after a hurricane.

Most of why I buy Fords is family reasons-I can get an X plan for a new one.

[yellowcanine]

20. What about the families of Ford workers? Don't they count? Seems

that Focus on the Family only cares about SOME families.