Smithfield piece unfairly maligns Nelson Johnson
Fred Burkecs op-ed column, "Smithfield welcomes a fair union vote" (Nov. 14), fails to offer the entire story, reiterates Smithfield's propaganda and unfairly maligns a respected clergyman. Perhaps as the director of a public relations firm hired by Smithfield, he is a bit biased.
His article claims that the Rev. Nelson Johnson's views are "heavily tainted by union propaganda," refers to union leaders as "bosses" and his "handlers," and high-handedly declares that "ugly implications of racial inequalities are mean-spirited." How disingenuous.
Nelson Johnson has a long history of meeting with workers, listening to their stories and fighting for their rights. His deep commitment to workers -- which is rooted in his faith -- is why he was elected president of the board of Interfaith Worker Justice, the leading national organization engaging the religious community in low-wage worker issues.
His "handlers" are God and perhaps his dear wife Joyce -- certainly not union leaders.
Burke's touting of Smithfield's defense of the "democratic principle of a secret ballot election" is ludicrous, given its past behavior.
While Smithfield seeks to take a speck out of Rev. Nelson's eye, perhaps it should remove the log from its own.
Kim Bobo
Chicago, IL
The writer is executive director, Interfaith Worker Justice.
Comments (5)
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And you would know all of what you stated is true because.....? Because you have known Johnson personally for a long time? Because you have been his neighbor for years? Because you have your thumb on the heartbeat of the Triad? Because you live in the same town, the same area, the same state?
I ask these questions for one simple reason-without "yes" answers you have little credibility (with me). Without "yes" answers you are just parroting propaganda.
Posted on November 24, 2007 7:37 AM
"The writer is executive director, Interfaith Worker Justice"
And yet, we now know it is Fred Burkecs who is "a bit biased"...
Posted on November 24, 2007 8:27 AM
"Respected" clergyman.....please give me a break. This writer obviously was not around here in '79. He's about as respected as something vile I scrape off the sole of my boot.
Posted on November 24, 2007 10:35 AM
Communist "deep cover"- disguise yourself as a religious leader, and no one can question your subversive activities. Johnson is a purveyor of the same socialist crap he championed in the 70's. Anything he is id'd with should be viewed with suspicion. The only thing missing is the protective ring of children.
God will judge his intentions, and if he is hiding behind the facade of religion, he'd better be wearing asbestos BVD's.
Posted on November 24, 2007 7:13 PM
The first 6 words of the third paragraph from the lte are:
"Nelson Johnson has a long history..."
He sure does, and this letter fails completly to represent that history.
Posted on November 24, 2007 7:59 PM