unbelievable

[rivendellrose]

Spain has officially been added to my list of countries that shouldn't be allowed to manage their own cultural and historical resources.

Good going, guys. That's exactly what the world needs - more fucking parking lots. And, you know, fewer irreplaceable ancient cities that archaeologists could have learned untold amounts from.

Miniscule silver lining out of this disaster: I can totally use this in my current assignment for expository writing.

And, while I'm at it, I'll add that I'm torn as regards this article on American Apparel. Yes, they're sweatshop-free and yes, it appears that my initial commentary about the likelihood of it coming down to about the same thing if you have factories in downtown LA isn't accurate (they pay twice CA's minimum wage, it turns out). But their ads are disgusting, I'm waiting for confirmation of the sexual harassment charges brought against the founder, and, oh yeah, they're clothes are still over-priced. And fairly unattractive.

I'm willing to pay a bit more for clothes that are made under good employee conditions, but not if I don't like the clothes to begin with and just plain get an icky feeling off the store. The jury is still out on this one.

Comments

[shadawyn.livejournal.com]

Another commenter pointed out that the revenue from potential tourists could probably pay for an even nicer parking lot. But, you know, that would take forethought ;)

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

A very good point. But we all know how good governments are at forethought...

[ciara-belle.livejournal.com]

*glares in general direction of Spain*

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

You're closer to them, so I'll just let you vent my rage. ;)

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

I'm totally with you on the American Apparel company. One company that I keep meaning to tout on my LJ is Decent Exposures. (www.decentexposures.com). They offer non-sweatshop underwear, the most comfortable bras in the world, and other basics like T-shirts and leggings. You can purchase organic cotton versions as well.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

And, lo and behold, almost as soon as I'd written this entry I got home and saw the latest issue of Bitch waiting for me, in which, I kid you not, they had a little blurb on American Apparel. o_O Perfect timing. Sure enough, sexual harrassment suits by former employees against the founder, and some truly choice quotes about the objectification of women in their ad campaigns. I'm glad (if disgusted) that my instincts were correct.

I'll have to take a look at Decent Exposures, thanks for the link!

[sigelphoenix.livejournal.com]

American Apparel leaves a bad taste in my mouth, primarily because of what I read in these two posts from feminist. (There's more info in the comments, but it looks like you won't be able to read them while the comm is down.) Even though the non-sweatshop label may be justified, the over-sexed pseudo-liberation misogyny is overwhelming. And also, yeah, their clothes are pretty unimpressive.

I don't know what any real alternative non-sweatshop clothing to recommend, because I'm uninformed about that kind of thing. My best suggestion would be to keep going with used clothing stores.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Yup, that clinches it - he's a total wack-job, and disgusting to boot. Interestingly, the feminist culture magazine that I get had a little article on American apparel, which I found... oh, let's say three hours after I posted this. Such good timing. *G*

Second-hand will always be my greatest joy, I think, right alongside... well, any store that actually stocks clothes that look decent on a person as short as me. The world is not kind to short torsos, so I put up with what I can get. :P

[diea.livejournal.com]

I can't even finish the article. It's stuff like that that makes me want to kill people. Don't they realize this stuff is infinitely more important than parking lots??? My God.

I'd have to know more about American Apparel, but I will say that this whole idea of expelling illegals who work in this country is idiotic and self-destructive. Urgh. I hate this country. Can I have a new one?

Also, reading this while reading Fahrenheit 451 and just having finished Brave New World isn't good for my faith in the world.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Also, reading this while reading Fahrenheit 451 and just having finished Brave New World isn't good for my faith in the world.

Oh dear, I can imagine! I still haven't read Brave New World... must put that on my list.

And I hate this country, too. But hopefully things will get better after this fall... *Crosses fingers*