Boycotts

There aren't many individuals in history whose names are taken in vain more than Capt. C.C. Boycott, the notorious Irish landlord who cut the wages of his tenant farmers and got himself ostracized -- and the English language enriched -- in return. The captain's name has seldom been out of public circulation since then. Yet every new boycott inspires vigorous discussion over whether this sort of pressure on the powerful is effective or fair. Currently on the table are two such actions: an advertisers' boycott of Fox News commentator Glenn Beck, and a shoppers' boycott of the Austin, Texas, grocery chain Whole Foods Market.

In a high-stakes battle that could affect California's share of federal funding and political representation, immigrant activists are vowing to combat efforts by a national Latino clergy group to persuade 1 million illegal immigrants to boycott the 2010 U.S. census. The Washington, D.C.

One young mother from Tillamook gathers her five children and drives two scenic miles to go beachcombing at a quaint hideaway off U.S. Highway 101. Another young Tillamook mother slips into a skimpy, form-fitting black gown and steers to the same town to dance for tips at the only exotic club on the northern Oregon coast. They, along with strip-club patrons, visiting families, longtime residents and retirees, mix it up in this quiet community.

An ordinarily staid book fair in France has become the subject of international controversy because of a boycott by several Muslim nations and organizations over a decision by organizers to honor Israeli writers and history. Iran on Saturday became the second Middle Eastern country to officially opt out of the annual Salon du Livre, the largest of the Paris book fairs. The festival draws thousands of writers and hundreds of publishers from around the world.

Masahisa Tsujitani is getting a lot of attention these days for a man who has spent much of the last 40 years bent over a lathe in a garage workshop, where amid the sharp smell of burnt oil and iron he grinds out some of the finest 16-pound shots ever tossed by Olympic athletes. But Tsujitani's cheerful face is showing up on Japanese television and in newspapers not because of what he does, but because of what he is refusing to do.

It would be a "cop-out" for countries to skip the opening ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics as a way of protesting China's crackdown in Tibet, President Bush's national security advisor said Sunday. The "quiet diplomacy" that the U.S. is practicing is a better way to send a message to China's leaders rather than "frontal confrontation," Stephen J. Hadley said. President Bush has given no indication that he will skip the Aug. 8 event.

The food fight is over. Nearly a month ago, opponents of Proposition 8 -- which would amend the state Constitution to ban gay marriage -- started a "soft boycott" of Bolthouse Farms, among the largest producers of fresh-cut carrots in the world and the maker of juices and smoothies sold in foodie haunts and upscale markets. Company patriarch William Bolthouse Jr. had donated $100,000 to help get the measure on the Nov.

A group of world powers Friday blessed the latest American effort to restart the Middle East peace process, but not before signaling that divisions remained among its members. The so-called quartet -- comprising the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia -- released a statement expressing support for a round of U.S.-led talks due to begin this month.

Exports to Muslim countries fell by more than 11% last year after a boycott of Danish goods to protest the publication of cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, the government said. Dairy products, dominated by the Scandinavian Arla Foods group, were worst hit, with exports dropping 39%, to $196 million, Statistics Denmark said. The boycott started in Saudi Arabia and spread to other Arab countries.