Jews never had had a dominant role in the North American slave trade, probably under 5% in total volume/profits. But thank you for yet another urban legend.Quote from d08:
He pretty much had the same role as other Jews before him did during the North American slave trade, not responsible if looking at ownership but responsible for transportation and profiting.
I think there is a big difference between buying oil from Iran in the 80s and trafficking in sex slaves. While I don't admire the guy, there is nothing especially morally wrong about trading with the "enemy". Soviet Union was The Enemy at the time too and I can assure you that it was not the Evil Empire that American's were led to believe.Quote from atticus:
The guy bought embargoed oil from despots at $12 and sold it at $25 to US corps. He did this for >13 years. Obviously we're not talking about free-market economics or capitalism here.
Quote from Maverick74:
The oil was NOT banned.
Quote from atticus:
The guy bought embargoed oil from despots

Quote from sle:
Jews never had had a dominant role in the North American slave trade, probably under 5% in total volume/profits. But thank you for yet another urban legend.
I think there is a big difference between buying oil from Iran in the 80s and trafficking in sex slaves. While I don't admire the guy, there is nothing especially morally wrong about trading with the "enemy". Soviet Union was The Enemy at the time too and I can assure you that it was not the Evil Empire that American's were led to believe.
So, to revert to Maverick74s argument, in my world there are moral variables and there are moral constants.
Quote from Maverick74:
blood diamonds
Quote from Pekelo:
Let me counter offer a similar example. Any Apple product. Are you aware that most of them are basicly made by slaves and/or political prisoners? In factories where they have a suicide net on the buildings, because the workers would rather jump out of the windows than work there anymore.
So throw your Ipod, Ipad, IApple away, if you don't like blood diamonds!
If you doubt me, here is a letter from a Chinese worker (political prisoner), found in a Kmart product recently by a costumer:
"Sir:
If you occasionally buy this product, please kindly resend this letter to the World Human Right Organization. Thousands people here who are under the persicution [sic] of the Chinese Communist Party Government will thank and remember you forever.
This product produced by Unit 8, Department 2, Mashanjla Labour Camp, Shen Young, Liaoning, China.
People who work here have to work 15 hours a day without Saturday (or) Sunday break and any holidays, otherwise they will suffer torturement [sic], beat and rude remark, nearly no payment (10 Yuan/one month).
People who work here suffer punishment 1-3 years averagelly [sic], but without court sentence. Many of them are Falun Gong practitioners who are totally innocent people. Only because they have different believe [sic] to the CCPG, they often suffer more punishment than others."
http://au.businessinsider.com/author-of-kmart-factory-letter-found-2013-6
Quote from Pekelo:
Trading with the enemy was...
Remind me of Napoleon. He banned trading with England for the whole Europe, this was called the Continental System. But just because he didn't like the British, that doesn't mean other countries agreed with his ban, thus little Portugal got attacked for not behaving according to Napi's wishes. Who do you think was right, the Corsican or Portugal?
Why, the US right now doesn't buy oil from despots??? And speaking of embargos, what do you think of sharing a good Cuban cigar?![]()