Comments on: Still time to get KPERS out of Sudan

By: hannah

hannah — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:37:44 +0000

Hi. I was looking at the comments and it seems as though there is some confusion as to what divestment is. First of all, in response to writerdog, Sudan has a lot of oil, but most of that is located in Southern Sudan. There is a tiny bit in Darfur, but that is not why fighting has broken out there. (Actually, fighting in Darfur is largely because of water scarcity and the desertification of the region, as well as political marginalization. Also, Econ101, you go right ahead and boycott China. There is not really a big movement to do so, but it is something that individuals have taken up on their own. I don’t think that a few American activists boycotting China will do much, but it is a moral statement. However, we have to keep in mind that China does a lot of good things in Sudan, like engineering projects and building infrastructure. Good luck with divestment!

By: ken

ken — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:24:16 +0000

Kelly

LTNS

Long Time No See

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 22:30:39 +0000

Paul raises a valid point. However, I think there might be another way for KPERS (or better ALL of the PERS’s) to pressure Sudan. As major shareholders in corporations they can exert pressure on Boards and Corporate management. Press the corporations for divestiture. THAT might lead to results.

In effect; private-sector sanctions.

By: Econ101

Econ101 — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 16:52:54 +0000

Sudan is largely the fault of Communist China. That is where China gets its oil.Anyone want to boycott China?This is insignificant chest thumping.If I own a share of stock in any company, that company doesnt much care if i sell that stock to someone else.Only in an IPO or Initial Public Offering, does the company in question get ANY cash from the purchase of a stock.From that point on, ownership of stock only indicates who has the rights to corporate profits.Selling the stock does not elimate the stock.To sell the stock, Kansas must find buyers less “morrally superior” than us to buy that stock.This dosnt really solve anything, does it?

By: Bertrrand Russell

Bertrrand Russell — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 16:23:32 +0000

The world is ignoring Sudan. Big Bad Bushy is no Christian. He is an oilman. Any person who claims to lead through Christianity would not discriminate about whom he helps. Sudanese people are still being slaughtered. Bush is a sissy.

By: kelly

kelly — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 15:29:05 +0000

No we don’t have such a provision in Kansas, though I’m not certain that that is the solution. California’s experience with referendum and initiative has not been eagerly imitated in other states.

Could you tell this ignorant blogger what LTNS means? Or maybe I don’t want to know?

By: ken

ken — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 15:18:04 +0000

Hi Kelly

LTNS –

……… another fine (??) example of “… freedom to be greedy …. “” no matter the cost impact

Does Kansas have a provision where citizens can generate propositions that will tell the legislature to do these type of things – pull KPERS funding etc ?

By: kelly

kelly — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 15:11:29 +0000

How can the Kansas House sit back and do nothing? Simple . . . Melvin Neufeld is the Speaker, and people like Brenda Landwehr still occupy positions of authority.

By: ken

ken — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 14:54:35 +0000

I would think there could be some way for Congress to ask for or require investments into countries such as Sudan be eliminated, curtailed or taxed at a higher rate to discourage investment there ….

By: writerdog

writerdog — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 12:30:58 +0000

I guess I should do some research, but what exactly is there in the Sudan that is a worthwhile investment to begin with? Oil, minerals, what?