Why did the author visit Plauen, Germany?
The author states the Plauen "ha been alternately punished, rewarded, devastated, and transformed by the greater unifying systems of the twentieth century..." (P 226). The first McDonald's built in East Germany was built on an abandoned lot in Plauen. This McDonald's was the first new building after the coming of new Germany.
What did London Greenpeace do to protest McDonald's and what was McDonald's response?
London Greenpeace spread the word that McDonald's was bad. They handed out pamphlets entitled "What's Wrong with McDonald's? Everything they don't want you to know." These panphlets accused McDonald's of such things as promoting Third World hunger and destroying the Amazon rain forest. McDonad's responded by suing five members of the group. They claimed that eveything the pamphlet stated was false.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Chapter 1 "The Founding Fathers"
What restaurant chain did Carl Karcher start?
Carl Karcher started the restaurant chain Carl's Jr. He was born and raised in California. He was a farmer when he was a kid. He started several stands in Los Angeles, California. He opened up one lone restaurant, and business boomed from there.
Why did General Motors want to buy trolley systems throughout the U.S.?
GM wanted to buy all the trolley systems, and then tear them down. They wanted to rip up the tracks and start a bus system. They had many other companies help them with this. They were finally banned from doing so.
What were some of the other fast food restaurants that were inspired by McDonald's approach to food service?
Many entepreneurs ate at McDonald's and came back to start their own fast food chain. Some of the founding fathers of the biggest fast food chains in the world copied McDonald's idea. For example, Glen W. Bell ate at McDonald's. He twisted the idea to Mexican food and started the Taco Bell chain. The founder of Burger King also did the same.
Carl Karcher started the restaurant chain Carl's Jr. He was born and raised in California. He was a farmer when he was a kid. He started several stands in Los Angeles, California. He opened up one lone restaurant, and business boomed from there.
Why did General Motors want to buy trolley systems throughout the U.S.?
GM wanted to buy all the trolley systems, and then tear them down. They wanted to rip up the tracks and start a bus system. They had many other companies help them with this. They were finally banned from doing so.
What were some of the other fast food restaurants that were inspired by McDonald's approach to food service?
Many entepreneurs ate at McDonald's and came back to start their own fast food chain. Some of the founding fathers of the biggest fast food chains in the world copied McDonald's idea. For example, Glen W. Bell ate at McDonald's. He twisted the idea to Mexican food and started the Taco Bell chain. The founder of Burger King also did the same.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Chapter 9 "What's in the Meat"
What of the effects of E. coli O517:H7 on the human body?
Although E. coli is a very serious illness, not all people infected with E. coli become ill. Other only suffer mild diarrhea. However, some people get severe abdominal cramps followed by watery, then bloody, diarrhea. This subsides within a week or so. In some cases, the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting and a mild fever.
What kind of meat is selected for consumption in public schools?
Meat shipped to public schools in the '80's and '90's was horrible. Almost every time the beef failed the Salmonella tests. Many kids were sicked by E. coli in the beef sold to these schools. Nowadays, there are strict rules set by the USDA, almost ensuring that the meat the we eat is safe. However, the meat packing industry immediatly opposed these rules.
Although E. coli is a very serious illness, not all people infected with E. coli become ill. Other only suffer mild diarrhea. However, some people get severe abdominal cramps followed by watery, then bloody, diarrhea. This subsides within a week or so. In some cases, the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting and a mild fever.
What kind of meat is selected for consumption in public schools?
Meat shipped to public schools in the '80's and '90's was horrible. Almost every time the beef failed the Salmonella tests. Many kids were sicked by E. coli in the beef sold to these schools. Nowadays, there are strict rules set by the USDA, almost ensuring that the meat the we eat is safe. However, the meat packing industry immediatly opposed these rules.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Chapter 8 "The Most Dangerous Job"
How does the injury rate in meat packing compare with the injury rate in other occupations?
"The injury rate in a slaughterhouse is about three times higher than the rate in a typical American factory." (P. 172) This job is very dangerous, hence the title of this chapter. One out of four workers in slaughterhouses get injured every year. That's about 40,000 people, let alone the injuries that go unreported.
What kinds of injuries do workers in meat packing plants typically suffer?
"Lacerations are the most common injuries suffered by meatpackers, who often stab themselves or stab someone working nearby." (P. 173) Workers also suffer tendinitis and cumulative trauma disorders. They also endure back problems, shoulder problems, and carpal tunnel syndrom. This job is so dangerous. These injuries are very common and very serious.
How has the authority of OSHA changed over time?
During the beginning of Clinton's administration, OSHA was a powerful agency. However, Republicans seem to dislike this organization. When the Republicans came into office, they tried to strip OSHA of their authority. The Republicans tried to cut their budget, which reduced inspections. There have been Acts passed to forbid OSHA from workplace inspections or imposing any fines.
"The injury rate in a slaughterhouse is about three times higher than the rate in a typical American factory." (P. 172) This job is very dangerous, hence the title of this chapter. One out of four workers in slaughterhouses get injured every year. That's about 40,000 people, let alone the injuries that go unreported.
What kinds of injuries do workers in meat packing plants typically suffer?
"Lacerations are the most common injuries suffered by meatpackers, who often stab themselves or stab someone working nearby." (P. 173) Workers also suffer tendinitis and cumulative trauma disorders. They also endure back problems, shoulder problems, and carpal tunnel syndrom. This job is so dangerous. These injuries are very common and very serious.
How has the authority of OSHA changed over time?
During the beginning of Clinton's administration, OSHA was a powerful agency. However, Republicans seem to dislike this organization. When the Republicans came into office, they tried to strip OSHA of their authority. The Republicans tried to cut their budget, which reduced inspections. There have been Acts passed to forbid OSHA from workplace inspections or imposing any fines.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Chapter 7 "Cogs in the Great Machine"
What changes did IBP introduce to the meat packing industry?
IBP hired unskilled workers. These workers didn't get payed much and worked a lot. This influenced other meat packing industries to do the same. IBP also cut their pieces of meat up, vacuum sealed them, and sent them off to supermarkets, eliminating the need for skilled butchers. IBP used their byproducts for things such as dog food. Other companies followed in their footsteps.
What were the links between IBP and organized crime?
IBP worked with the mob in New York. They knew New York was one of the biggest buyers of beef, so they wanted to sell there. The only way the mob would let them is if they paid the mob 5 cents of every 10 pounds of beef sold in New York. Since they planned on selling millions of pounds, IBP agreed. IBP was tried and convicted, but the owner, Currier J. Holman, was never punished.
IBP hired unskilled workers. These workers didn't get payed much and worked a lot. This influenced other meat packing industries to do the same. IBP also cut their pieces of meat up, vacuum sealed them, and sent them off to supermarkets, eliminating the need for skilled butchers. IBP used their byproducts for things such as dog food. Other companies followed in their footsteps.
What were the links between IBP and organized crime?
IBP worked with the mob in New York. They knew New York was one of the biggest buyers of beef, so they wanted to sell there. The only way the mob would let them is if they paid the mob 5 cents of every 10 pounds of beef sold in New York. Since they planned on selling millions of pounds, IBP agreed. IBP was tried and convicted, but the owner, Currier J. Holman, was never punished.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Chapter 6 "On the Range"
What are some of the problems facing cattle ranchers?
Ranchers are facing many economic problems. Some include rising land prices, oversupplies of cattle, increased shipment of cattle from Canada and Mexico, and health scares about beef. These problems can ruin businesses. For example, nobody wants to buy beef from a rancher when there is health scare about beef. Also, rising land prices can crush a cattle rancher. He or she may not have enough room for their cattle. And with oversupplies of cattle, rising land prices are the last thing they need.
What are "captive supplies" of cattle?
"Captive supplies" of cattle are cattle that are "either maintained in company-owned feedlots or purchased in advance through forward contracts." (P. 138) These deals are kind of dishonest. These deals can lower the prices of cattle when they start to rise. They can also arrange private agreements so that the price is never revealed. The prices being paid for 80% of cattle are never disclosed.
How does the suicide rate for ranchers and farmers compare with the rate for U.S. citizens in general?
"The suicide rate among ranchers and farmers in the United States is now about three times higher than the national average." This statistic is heart-wrenching, yet it is basically ignored. They're beliefs are destroyed along with their land. The land they lose is worth so much for than money can buy. These farmers and ranchers figuratively and often literally lose their lives along with their land.
Ranchers are facing many economic problems. Some include rising land prices, oversupplies of cattle, increased shipment of cattle from Canada and Mexico, and health scares about beef. These problems can ruin businesses. For example, nobody wants to buy beef from a rancher when there is health scare about beef. Also, rising land prices can crush a cattle rancher. He or she may not have enough room for their cattle. And with oversupplies of cattle, rising land prices are the last thing they need.
What are "captive supplies" of cattle?
"Captive supplies" of cattle are cattle that are "either maintained in company-owned feedlots or purchased in advance through forward contracts." (P. 138) These deals are kind of dishonest. These deals can lower the prices of cattle when they start to rise. They can also arrange private agreements so that the price is never revealed. The prices being paid for 80% of cattle are never disclosed.
How does the suicide rate for ranchers and farmers compare with the rate for U.S. citizens in general?
"The suicide rate among ranchers and farmers in the United States is now about three times higher than the national average." This statistic is heart-wrenching, yet it is basically ignored. They're beliefs are destroyed along with their land. The land they lose is worth so much for than money can buy. These farmers and ranchers figuratively and often literally lose their lives along with their land.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)