Well, Give 'em a B for Effort/Planning, if Nothing Else

Whole Foods + Oakland protesters = performance art:

That'll learn John Mackey about writing in the "Washington Journal"!

Reason on Mackey's health care op-ed and related fallout here. Link via TeamBarstool.

Comments

[Old Mexican]

It seems that the supposedly closed-knit family that was the Left is unraveling before our very eyes . . .

Indeed, if businessmen simply stopped this silly hobby of pandering to morons, and simply concentrate on making money, things like this would not happen.

[Jaybird]

Even when they go out of their way to make it not be a drum circle, it still ends up being a drum circle.

[Oakland Resident]

OK, I'm looking at this post and going "what tha?"

Too bad I have to wait 'til I get home to watch this, because the audio on my work computer ain't workin'.

For the record, I've never been happier to shop at Whole Foods than I have been since his editorial. I just checked out that new Oakland location a couple weeks ago. It's huge! Parking is tricky though.

[Old Mexican]

Also, as with the people that expected their FEMA homes to be delivered by helicopter in Louisiana, these imbeciles think that health care is a right.

Sooo . . . you have a right to something you don't possess? Isn't that, like, stealing?

[jtuf]

I noticed how many of the protestors wore ear rings or necklaces. Their message? "No American should have to choose between health care and jewelry."

[jtuf]

I never stepped food into a Whole Food stores until these protests. Now, I shop there whenever I can afford a treat.

[Deidre]

Uh...I thought it was the Wall Street Journal. Of course, I would know that because I actually read the piece and agree with most of it.

I have an HSA/High-Deductible plan now and have had them in the past. Unfortunately, my employer has decided on a one-size fits all insurer that doesn't fit me. Can I take the money that my employer pays for my policy and buy one that fits my needs? Nope. Thank you Uncle Sam.

I don't want the government nor my HR department picking my health insurance for me. I want equal tax treatment. I want choice.

Regarding this stunt, I don't even know what to say. I wish I had been in the store at the time of this. I would have challenged them with logic and reason...something I reckon they "don't understand."

[Untermensch]

What I find amusing about these protestors is that none of them ever seem to have actually read what he wrote or bothered to try to understand his argument. By and large none of my lefty friends has bothered to try to respond to his argument and instead curse him or (as in this case) call him names. It's much easier to turn him into a heartless capitalist rather than try to understand that he is proposing a radically different solution to the same problem they want to address.

[Untermensch]

Even when they go out of their way to make it not be a drum circle, it still ends up being a drum circle jerk.

[Dagny T.]

Dubious politics aside, chubby white people with no rhythm (but, I repeat myself) should not dance in public. Just make it stop.

I mean, seriously, how do you get spare tires like those if you're eating at Whole Foods and shakin' it to clumsily-reworked 80's classics?

[zoltan]

They work for one of the most employee-friendly companies in the world and they're still complaining.

[John C. Randolph]

What I find amusing about these protestors is that none of them ever seem to have actually read what he wrote or bothered to try to understand his argument.

I'm not sure "amusing" is the term I'd use. More like "disgusting".

-jcr

[ClubMedSux]

Dumb-ass crackers...

[Oakland Resident]

Well, the subtitles helped a lot!

For those who might be interested, at karaoke the other night, someone did "Mickey" and I was reminded that the Toni Basil version is actually a reworked cover of a song by hit songwriters Mike Chapman and Nikki Chin (The guys behind The Sweet. The original was called "Kitty," and was recorded in 1979 by some band called Racey. I've never heard it.

[OR]

Oops. Make that "Nicky Chinn."

[Solana]

Upper-middle class white twenty-somethings with average IQs and loud mouths annoy me. Especially when they pretend they're poor.

Also, I prefer that one from the Sound of Music in Belgium.

[Untermensch]

jcr, I try to stay optimistic since I'm a natural misanthrope. If I give in I'll hit bottom...

[Mister DNA]

Oakland Resident:

Kitty by Racey.

By 1979, Sweet had broken away from Chinn & Chapman - but it sounds like it was written for them.

Kinda makes one proud to be a Rightwing American don't it?

[Mister DNA]

By the way... did you know that Toni Basil was in The Monkees' Head as well as Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces?

[Jimbo]

Zoltan,

Those aren't the employees dancing around calling Mackey evil. Those are dirty hippies in off the street.

From what I gather from Mackey's original op-ed, the Whole Foods employees have a pretty good plan.

For example, Whole Foods Market pays 100% of the premiums for all our team members who work 30 hours or more per week (about 89% of all team members) for our high-deductible health-insurance plan. We also provide up to $1,800 per year in additional health-care dollars through deposits into employees' Personal Wellness Accounts to spend as they choose on their own health and wellness.

The sad thing is that I think Mackey is too nice of a guy to deep-6 this plan if Obama care was to pass and throw his employees into the public option.

I think it would be pretty funny to watch the videos of the beat downs that would happen in that case. I could see the poor hippie walking in merely humming the tune to Hey Mickey and getting kicked in the nuts by some poor checkout drone.

[Sarah Palin]

And yet you mock me for my comments on "Real Americans who live in the real America".

[Tim Cavanaugh]

This production is very good. The two women shoppers who show surprise when the song starts, then track down the aisle clapping and joining in, is a beautiful effect. Good coverage, big cast, minimal angle-cheating.

I say they got tacit or active support from the management of that store.

[dbcooper]

East bay women are so f*cking cringe worthy. Horrible, horrible memories are flooding back.

[kingstu]

Another stunning example of the lefties openly embracing tolerance?unless you happen to disagree with them.

[J sub D]

For those who might be interested, at karaoke the other night, someone did "Mickey" and I was reminded that the Toni Basil version is actually a reworked cover of a song by hit songwriters Mike Chapman and Nikki Chin (The guys behind The Sweet. The original was called "Kitty," and was recorded in 1979 by some band called Racey. I've never heard it.

The best cover is here.

Commie traitors vs. Real Americans

Choose you side libertarians.

[Rich]

Is organic goat milk part of health care? Just asking.

[D-FENS]

@ Untermensch,
I hear ya... A few weeks ago, a lefty acquaintance of my girlfriend asked, "You guys are boycotting Whole Foods, right?"

"How come?"

"Something he wrote about health care, I don't know..."

At lest she knew that Mackey wrote something.

[Brandybuck]

Hey Mackay you're so fine you sell me veggies all the time hey Mackay!

[Old Mexican]

Re: Tim Cavanaugh,

I say they got tacit or active support from the management of that store.

If I were the District or Regional manager, I would have fired his ass on the spot. The store is not a venue for public protests; it is private property, owned by the company and the stockholders.

But I am not the manager. I simply shop at Walmart and avoid a confrontation with leftist halfwits.

[MWG]

So this is what happens when you put spoiled, white, chubby leftists together in a Whole Foods Supermarket...

[Oakland Resident]

Mister DNA:

"By 1979, Sweet had broken away from Chinn & Chapman"

Yeah, I'm aware of that. Thanks for the link to Racey - will check it out tonight.

"By the way... did you know that Toni Basil was in The Monkees' Head as well as Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces?"

I knew about Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces, but not Head. I didn't know who she was when I saw Easy Rider. In Five Easy Pieces, she doesn't have much to say.

dbcooper - Hey! I'm an East Bay woman. But I know what you mean.

J sub D - Ha! I remember that one.

[John Thacker]

See, John Mackey thought that President Obama was serious about having a conversation about health care reform. These protesters sure aren't, though. It is sad and pathetic that they haven't even bothered to read the op-ed. They just know that he's not for them, so he must be against them.

I'm not sure "amusing" is the term I'd use. More like "disgusting".

Gotta laugh to stay sane. Note that John Mackey's reasoned op-ed offering alternatives achieved absolutely nothing. Whereas yelling "You Lie!" or exaggerating about "death panels" gets results.

We[1] get the politicians we deserve.

1. Using "we" in a collective sense to mean all Americans, apologies to libertarians offended at being collectivized.

[Tman]

They work for one of the most employee-friendly companies in the world and they're still complaining.

Seriously, I don't understand why the hippies want to attack Whole Foods. Not only is it the most employee-friendly company in the grocery business, but it is easily one of the greenest and most organic friendly store out there.

But I guess I am asking socialists to act all logical and sensible, and that's just silly.

[dbcooper]

dbcooper - Hey! I'm an East Bay woman. But I know what you mean.

Apologies Oakland Resident, didn't mean to tar the good readers of hit&run with the same brush.

Ah Racey, still doing Weston-super-Mare proud.

[Paul]

I dunno 'bout you guys, but if I saw that in a Whole Foods here in Seattle, I'd probably assume: Situation Normal. I mean they look like Whole Foods customers. Smug organic lefty's who love nature but look like they wouldn't survive in it for ten minutes.

[Tman]

if I saw that in a Whole Foods here in Seattle, I'd probably assume: Situation Normal

Ten bucks says if you filmed the aftermath of the video you'd see the same Dbags lined up at the register buying their lunch.

[I, Kahn O\'Clast]

Yes I was accosted by friends to boycott Whole Foods on this and I responded that 1) Did you read his article? 2) his proposals are worth considering 3) I actually support most of what he said and 4) did you know that he provides generous health benefits for his employees?

I got mostly silence. Although one arch-lib friend did post something about why private health market does not work and when I responded with many points explaining how the free market is certainly not what we have now, along with some obvious problems that public health care will face he responded with a "Wow you make some excellent points".

Although an arch-lib, he is 1) very well educated, and 2) a former science dude who went off the reservation for the love of a woman.

[sage]

Hey Mackey, you stinkin' swine, where'd you find this awesome wine? Hey Mackey!

[Paul]

former science dude who went off the reservation for the love of a woman.

So, his girlfriend is a vegetarian, so that pretty much makes him a vegetarian?

[John C. Randolph]

While I understand why Whole Foods doesn't do so, if anyone were to enter a store I owned and start haranguing my staff and customers with a bullhorn, he would depart on a stretcher with said bullhorn lodged in his sigmoid colon.

-jcr

[sage]

So they're looking for health care? If it was up their ass with a gourmet black river ham sandwich they'd know right where it was.

[MWG]

"Hey Mackey, you stinkin' swine, where'd you find this awesome wine? Hey Mackey!"

Sorry Brandybuck, point goes to sage.

[John C. Randolph]

The first time I heard the phrase "politically correct" was sometime in the mid-1980s. I was ordering a pizza, and some woman I know told me that the vendor in question wasn't PC because its owner contributed money to anti-abortion groups. I ordered the pizza (of course), and I didn't let her have any.

-jcr

[JB]

Looks like some of them cows need to hit the low-fat aisle.

[Some Random Hippie]

But I guess I am asking socialists to act all logical and sensible, and that's just silly.

You're a racist with your fixation on dead white guys' "logic" and "sense". How would you know the pain and suffering of people in a neighborhood I've never visited because they'd mug my stupid white ass in a heartbeat if I showed up there?

You just don't care about the people, man.

[zoltan]

Zoltan,

Those aren't the employees dancing around calling Mackey evil. Those are dirty hippies in off the street.

That's good to know, Jimbo. I thought it was employees at first, which was why I was aghast since they have one of the best health-care plans (especially considering it's a fucking grocery store).

[Jonas]

All I can think of is the Principal's insult near the end of "Billy Madison" :

Mr. Madison, what you have just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Somebody needs to say this (more or less) to the fucktards who apparently can't afford healthcare because they're too busy choreographing protest dances to work.

[Stating the Obvious]

"former science dude who went off the reservation for the love of a woman.

So, his girlfriend is a vegetarian, so that pretty much makes him a vegetarian?"

His girlfriend is a vegetarian so that pretty much makes him a vegetable...especially if he wants to get eaten.

[WWJGD]

Hey! Washington Journal is C-SPAN's morning show. Brian Lamb, attack!

[I AM A YUPPIE WHO CAN ONLY DIG]

It makes perfect sense you see

That mackey guy is making me look in the mirror, and I dont like it

[YUPPIE WHO CANT SPELL]

@#)*$@ bourgeois

[juris imprudent]

So, his girlfriend is a vegetarian, so that pretty much makes him a vegetarian?

I had a vegetarian girlfriend once. I told her I wouldn't eat her either if I couldn't eat any other animal.

[Jimbo]

I disagree with those who say that the hippies should have been bounced on their ass right out of the store.

1) It would make the hippies day. They would prattle on for months about how The Man oppressed them for daring to tell truth to power. You should never do anything to make them feel good about themselves.

2) I don't care if your oratorical skills are better than even Obama's, nothing you can say will move more people to your point of view than that video. Watching those smug assholes sing their song is sowing the seeds of the next generation of right wingers. I'm not sure what the right answer is, but I know those chuckle heads aren't associated in any way with it.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

John Mackie for President!

[SusanM]

Whatever happened to rioting hippies? This is the best they can do these days? This has to be some sort of false-flag action by Whole Foods to make their opposition look like total idiots. I simply cannot believe that they thought that the pathetic display could be effective.

[Tman]

nothing you can say will move more people to your point of view than that video.

Agreed. How would you feel if you were finishing up a double shift in produce and Great American Bandstand showed up? I know how I would and it would not be pleasant.

I'm not sure what the right answer is, but I know those chuckle heads aren't associated in any way with it.

But they had TWO bullhorns! Talk about organized!

This has to be some sort of false-flag action by Whole Foods to make their opposition look like total idiots.

Hmmmmmmmmmm...........very sneaky...and effective, I might add.

[JW]

Nope, not gonna watch the video. Life's too short for that kind of self-abuse.

I'm removing the leftists from my life, when possible, one or two at a time. I'm a much happier person for it.

But hey, lefties, party on. You're not helping your cause with your behavior these past few months. But, you are helping mine.

[SOFL Hockey Fan]

Paul
"So, his girlfriend is a vegetarian, so that pretty much makes him a vegetarian?"

Excellent Pulp Fiction reference.

[K.T.]

man, if that happened in my Whole Foods, i'd grab a container of their "well worth a second mortgage" gazpacho, dump it on their heads, and beg, "keep your complete lack of vocal talent off my body."

how much money do you think Whole Foods subsequently made off those backwater rednecks as they picked up a few "essentials" (a.k.a., arugula) on their way out?

[Oakland Resident]

SusanM:

"I simply cannot believe that they thought that the pathetic display could be effective."

I'm not sure how much they thought it would be effective. I'd guess that first, they were having a good time; second, they were loving the attention; and third, they were feeling the satisfaction that comes with genuinely believing oneself to have superior views. Whether they thought it would have an impact on anyone's thinking is much more speculative.

[The Mythical Canadian Libertar]

Wait a minute.

They wrote one verse. The "blow my mind" line was left completely intact from the original, and the rest had only one rhyme, which was just the word "care" repeated. In spite of this, the video was over five eye-stabbingly terrible, explosionless minutes long.

As if anyone needed another reason to doubt the capacity of "public option" supporters to evaluate efficiency.

[TeamBarstool]

I still don't get it.He provides healthcare.

But a hat tip on my B=day from Matt Welch is priceless

[B]

"and third, they were feeling the satisfaction that comes with genuinely believing oneself to have superior views."

Christ, that describes Whole Foods' entire customer base, so I doubt there could have been much satisfaction, as they were not really standing out from the rest of the people in the store.

[SusanM]

@Oakland Resident

Yeah, funny I didn't think of that, but I try to lock that sort of person out of my mind - we all know people like that yanno?

[Anonymous]

I still don't get it.He provides healthcare.

And he does that voluntarily because people voluntarily patronize his business and the business can afford it and it makes good business sense to protect employees.

These people don't want voluntary. They want compulsory. They want people to work for them without having a choice. They want money from you. They want services from you. The governmnet will define all terms of interaction.

That is compulsory collectivism.
That is corporatism.
That is facism.

[g4m3th30ry]

I second the, "can't watch it"... though...

JW - I'd say know thy enemy. Not only does knowing them help your understanding to defeat their ideals, but having to defend yours makes you stronger in that defense over the long run.

Not saying you should watch this, but at least read the other side every now an again. Argue fruitlessly with them as well - maybe you turn one person - if you do and I do and they turn one... I'm stuck in some Wayne's World movie montage...

[jk]

Hmm. Bunch of statist idiots.

[MJ]

"I still don't get it.He provides healthcare."

Wholefoods provides healthcare for its employees because Mackey thinks it's good business to do so, not because the employees have an inherent right for it to be given to them. That's whats offends these people, that Mackey thinks that no one must provide them with healthcare.

Anuone else think the guy with the bullhorn looks like Al Franken in Stuart Smalley mode?

[WWJGD]

"Anuone else think the guy with the bullhorn looks like Al Franken in Stuart Smalley mode?"

The epitome of punchable.

[JW]

JW - I'd say know thy enemy. Not only does knowing them help your understanding to defeat their ideals, but having to defend yours makes you stronger in that defense over the long run.

No thanks. Been there, done that. For about 25 years. I can educate myself with their ideas without dealing with them personally.

I choose to associate with people other than yammering, shreiking fools, who just can't grok the concept of voluntary association and a non-compulsory society.

They're like the politcal equivilent of dobermans: they cock their heads at these strange words out fo your mouth and then viciously attack you in their panicked confusion, always going for the throat.

[James Ard]

Does the word care really rhyme with healthcare?

[Oakland Resident]

@SusanM - I know, but I also live here. I encounter these folks on a daily basis.

New Whole Foods opening in Noe Valley, SF; Controversy is anticipated.

**We don't know how eventful today's opening of a new Whole Foods Market in San Francisco's Noe Valley will be. There have been calls by Boycott Whole Foods supporters on Facebook to "raise a ruckus." Although the boycott movement, sparked by CEO John Mackey's opinion piece dissing health care reform, has faded, a "flash mob" entertained customers at an Oakland Whole Foods last week with megaphoned rants, jigs and a singsong that included the lyrics "Hey Mackey, you're a swine."**

Link to article by Andrew S. Ross:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/30/BU3019SUVF.DTL&tsp=1

[Mad Max]

Oh Mackey, you have a spine
Free-market medicine's on your mind, hey Mackey, hey Mackey

Hey Mackey
You've run Whole Foods for years and that's a little long
You want to speak your mind but I think you've got it wrong
Why can't you just shut up? Or else I'll shop at Wal-Mart, Mackey

Cause when you say free market, it always means fascism
Your op-ed gives me the chills, it kills my buzz
I dare not even read it, Mackey

Oh Mackey, what a pity, you don't understand
You try appealing to my mind, but I'm telling you you can't
Oh Mackey, I'm so stupid, I can't understand
Guys like you, Mackey
You got me confused, Mackey, ooh Mackey
Don't overload my brain, Mackey

Hey Mackey
Now when you appeal to my reason I simply answer 'no,'
I think I'm very smart but I'm really kind of slow
My wit is something I don't use, I told you so, Mackey

So come on and sell me any food you can
Anyway you want to do it, I'll take it like a man
But please baby, please don't reason with me Mackey

[Highmesa]

"Looks like some of them cows need to hit the low-fat aisle."

No American should have to choose between Cherry Garcia and healthcare.

[bubba]

Even in Oakland, Whole Foods is lilly white.

I take it this is really the faux Berkeley part of Oakland.

[Oakland Resident]

bubba - Not exactly, but it is close to the allegedly "prestigious" Adam's Point and Lake Merritt parts of Oakland. But they're not really all that. Temescal is the faux Berkeley part of Oakland.

After the OPD instituted a major crackdown on drug dealing and property crimes in my neighborhood a few years ago, a curious thing happened: the criminals moved their base of operations to Adam's Point/Lake Merritt. There was a rash of armed robberies and home break-ins. Not so much drug dealing as I guess that requires too much loitering. In areas where people aren't beaten down, they might actually call the cops on drug dealers.

[Bruce]

Of course, these pudgy unwashed little sows are the ones who greedily want to destroy my healthcare to pay for the "free" but limited veterinary care their hog farmer overlords will give them in their pens until he is ready for their slaughter.

[Joe M]

I know it's way after the fact, but I finally watched the vid from home. What a bunch of ignorant fucking morons.

[Kevin]

Still amazes me that Mackey got that kind of flack for offering an opinion and debate - I thought that was patriotic!