However, many would argue that a new brand of mobsters have become legitimate criminals. Drive-by shootings are replaced by character assassinations in the drive-by media. A refusal of their demands will welcome impossible ones. Their wars have become deadlier and dirtier. Although wrong and offensive, they are backed by legal authority.
A nation once united by a union force is now hostage to a fierce union movement that is more of a confederacy. The land of the free has been placed in shackles with the exception of the few resistant brave. These labor unions will twist their victims' arms until they cry mercy, and finally yield. Claiming to protect workers' rights, the union offends the freedoms granted them in the Bill of Rights. It is their way or the highway, and they are eager to take the low road to suit their interests.
Op-Ed: The New Gangster
The era of the mob has come to a close. Once the fixtures of the back alley and in-your-face sudden attacks, the Capones and Gotiis have been relegated to movie screenings. The mafia still exists, but like bad Hollywood take-offs, they are generally try-hard copycats.
However, many would argue that a new brand of mobsters have become legitimate criminals. Drive-by shootings are replaced by character assassinations in the drive-by media. A refusal of their demands will welcome impossible ones. Their wars have become deadlier and dirtier. Although wrong and offensive, they are backed by legal authority.
A nation once united by a union force is now hostage to a fierce union movement that is more of a confederacy. The land of the free has been placed in shackles with the exception of the few resistant brave. These labor unions will twist their victims’ arms until they cry mercy, and finally yield. Claiming to protect workers’ rights, the union offends the freedoms granted them in the Bill of Rights. It is their way or the highway, and they are eager to take the low road to suit their interests.
Consider 16 year old Danielle Cookson, an Albertson’s clerk. She refused to become a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, even after they had made it clear that joining was compulsory. The alternative was losing her job. Danielle is no activist; she simply did not want to pay the $80 initiation fee, plus a monthly membership of $30 to an organization she didn’t want to be part of. How could her rights be protected by people who would harm her for having rights to begin with?
While we worry about terrorist sleeper cells, there are some active groups that should have triggered a wake-up call long ago. I don’t hesitate to compare some unions to terrorists. They hate our freedom and our very way of life; submit to their fundamentals or be damned.
Since May, one of this country’s largest leftist unions has been bullying victims right in America’s heartland at the Agriprocessors meat packing plant in Postville, Iowa. Through fabrications, distortions, and exaggerations, the union has dealt a powerful blow to our nation’s righteous might. Their tactics are cowardly, while their opponents are admirably courageous. Agri’s only crime has been refusing to unionize, and choosing to be governed solely by the democratic political body we the people have elected.
The union’s unbending determination has them bending the rules. The employees they sought to defend have been incarcerated for refusing their protection. The employers who provided the best for their human resources have been disparaged for allegedly doing the extreme opposite. To be sure, I am not accusing the unions of these despicable actions, I only need highlight their own statement: “It’s no longer sufficient to use a strike or other work disturbance to pressure a company to do the right thing. Increasingly, it’s necessary to pressure a company by causing a crisis of confidence among its customers, shareholders, directors or other constituents.”
Even as the bulk of the ridiculous allegations has been controverted, the media have been sparing in rebuttals or clarifications. But as the mighty union fails to bring down an upright giant, selfishly the union won’t surrender and has moved on to new tactics. A Minnesota plant under their sway is now offering Agri workers better pay, being as they are “mistreated” and “underpaid.”
I wonder why personnel would stay in a job whose package includes personal abuse and mistreatment? There is obviously a gap that could be filled by the competition. As wages are competitive, why would workers stay at an indecent Agriprocessors? If workers are so eager to leave the company, then why do they need to be bribed with a pay raise to do so?
The truth, as documented in independent video interviews by organizations such as the Five Towns Jewish Times, is that staff at Agriprocessors say that they are happy with their working environment and treatment. One employee said that she was treated better and paid more than in her previous job at Tyson chicken. If the workers have complaints, Agriprocessors has encouraged them to make suggestions. By their own testimony, workers’ concerns are properly addressed.
The liberty granted these unions is appalling, even as they threaten the everyday American’s own. Their opposers are treated as dissidents and will have their human rights threatened. While we need to stand up against these subjugators, identifying their hand when we see it is a good start.
This Op-Ed reflects the views of its author. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CrownHeights.info nor of its Editors.
A reader that wishes to make his or her voice heard on any topic of their desire is welcome to submit his or her Op-Ed to News@CrownHeights.info.
unions workers of america
Perfect clarity as always.
True some unions are a disgrace but others represent the beauty of America. No doubt the one you write of is part of the first group.
Thank you.
flanders
Liberty and justice for all!!!!!
I.Chaim
To AA Rubashkin and Agri
Ver Nisht Nispoel fun Zei. Zei zenen Klipos und Sitra Achra. Ein Bohem Mamosh.
c.s.
huh?what in the world is this person talking bout??
unions
unions are taring this country apart.
Anon
Another Getzy masterpiece! This writer rox
Freedom Fighter
Thank you.
Finally, a voice of reason amongst the fog of lies.
curious
Why do we see getzy on chabad sites, and granted occasionally on the Veltihe Yeshivesheh sites, and occasionally in the Jewish Press. Why isnt he in the “big stuff” like Jpost. Forward etc… hes amazing
moshe
very well written!!!!
keep them coming.
postville
U left out the Reforms,
They are also against Agri & against Kashrus.
And this his an attack against every thing Frum, not just against Agri
They are using every thing in their arsenal in order to force their view on others.
They are willing to put Goim & jews in jail, the don’t care if 1000`s of people are left with out Parnoso,the only care about destroing us.
“ La Malshinim Lo tihie Tikva ”
Yahad a chasidim a la eliona
Mendel Katz
Why are we seeing Getzy’s articles continuously. His writing style is unreadable.
Chani
because he is postiung the truth,, and the drive by media has a different agenda!
Mendel Katz
Curios wrote: “Why isnt he in the “big stuff” like Jpost. Forward etc… hes amazing”
Dont worry ‘Curios’: Getzy is desperately busy posting his articles all over is the web. He even actually posted this op-ed article as a “comment” to the Rubashkin story on forward.com before it was published on crownheights.info
I am however curious to find out if our “curious” comment was posted by our own Getzy the gangster.
M Miami
Getzy well down.
Thank you for writing this most needed article in laymen’s terms so your average person can comprehend this problem we are facing.
anti - union
As long as we continue to vote Democrates into office .. we will be hostage to the unions.
The Bail out we r funding was made by Democrats in the 90’s to give low income peopme a chance to get homes.. now these people can’t pay their mortgage and there is no money in the banks.
There are so many in Lubavitch that would vote for hillary or barak …. they are drunk this vote …. you can’t convince them otherwise.
May Hashem save us from ourselves, and the democrats (unions).
Menachem Katz to Getzy And mendel
Dear Getzy,
I am a member of a union that does marvelous work for us. Without the org we wouldn’t have what we deserve.
I agree that some unions miss the plot, but not all. But you made that clear.
As for Mendel Katz, if that is your real name, get a life or join a union. I dont fully agree with Getzys position but when it comes to his writing i wish he did post comments :) so we can read him more
zak
To be truthful, when I first read the article I was temped to comment on the writing style. However I decided against it. I felt it would detract from the issue, and is not very nice to the author.
After reading a couple of the recent comments, such as the one from “curious” I have changed my mind.
I will add my two cents.
I am impressed with the author’s ability to use “fancy words”. And that’s where it stops.
When I read an article, I want to be able to easily read it. I should not have to stop in middle of a paragraph and think for a minute to try and figure out what the author is trying to say.
Take this paragraph for example
“However, many would argue that a new brand of mobsters have become legitimate criminals. Drive-by shootings are replaced by character assassinations in the drive-by media. A refusal of their demands will welcome impossible ones. Their wars have become deadlier and dirtier. Although wrong and offensive, they are backed by legal authority.”
I challenge someone to explain to me what this means “A refusal of their demands will welcome impossible ones. “
And what does the following mean “However, many would argue that a new brand of mobsters have become legitimate criminals.”
There is a reason why newspapers are written the way they are. As in, simple easy to comprehend English.
In my opinion, the author is more concerned with his “status” and “writing ability” then with us, the reader. If he cared about his audience, he would not torture us so.
(Oh and I am aware, that there will be posts saying how it is “normal English” and how your just not “educated” you went to OT. Do yourself a favor, open a newspaper, and get back to me.)
Pro Union Forever
To anti-union
I don’t know where you get your information, but you should keep reading.
Try a few history books for starters, and you might learn the history of the union movement in this country, and in particular what it did to protect Jews; not to mention Jewish involvement in it’s origins.
Secondly, if you’ve picked up a paper in the last year you should know who is to blame for the mortgage crisis, and the subsiquent bank crisis which is far from over. I’ll give you a hint, it isn’t the Dems and it isn’t the subprime mortgage holders, but you sure are parroting exactly what those truely responsible want you to believe. The Bush government let the banks run wild, and profit from driving poor people into bankruptcy as a matter of national policy “go spend money to defeat the terrorists”, while we went from a national surplus to the biggest deficit in history.
But go ahead and vote for someone who’s religious leader said that what’s happening is because “the Isrealites run the banks..”, and “what we need is for Christians to run the banks..”.
The government is meant to protect it’s citizens; this one preys on them.
Orginizations like unions are sometimes the only protection a worker has against
abuse both by the owner and the government. You want to go back to a system with no protection for workers, pick up a book about factories in this country before the turn of the century, or England, or rural Russia, oh yea, that’s what drove most of the Jews in this country here isn’t it.
Good Shabbos
Good Yom Tov
See you on November 4th when you and I will have the right, the privilage, the duty to cast a vote of self detrmination in these UNITED States of America.
Anti Getzy Comment
Getzy:
Your love for the union does great work for you …. but drives work out of the USA. Who can afford stuff made by unions? But who cares .. the semocrats are your gods! Tax the rich so they take their jobs to Thailand!
May G-d bless you forever .. while the rest buy from china!
To angry MENDEL KATZ
Mendel, what do who have against the Rubashkins? your smart enough to decipher that getzy posted those comments there not bc of his ‘desperation’ but bc of the desperation of the situation revolving our brethren. He didn’t post it anon, he wrote his name. Simply bc the essay in the forward is false and he saw this as a response that could shed light.
In fact he did the same two weeks ago on Yeshiva World after they wouldn’t publish his piece that was critical of the OU. So, he found a way.
It is people like getzy that get things done. No, i am not being dramatic. He keeps writing about the rubashkins bc he cant stand what they are being put through. He has told me this himself. And I believe him bc you can sense the emotion in his writing.
You on the other hand may have an issue with him getting attention or sounding good. You seem angry with his popularity. People like you destroyed the Bees Hamikdash and prevent it’s rebuilding.
I dont say this all bc you dont like his writing style
(which i dont believe. I think he cant stand that he has style) bc thats your taste. I rebuke you bc u act so blind and cant understand why getzy himself would post his essay.
Ever since i know him he has stood up for people. He always is willing to do a favor and never willing to back down from someone else’s fight when he knows its the right thing.
mendel: Grow up
Getzy: keep them coming
impressed but saddened by the truth
Getzy – wow. You have shed light on an unclear matter in a brilliant way yet again. Well done. Perhaps you could start a blog of your thoughts on current affairs – I’m sure it would prove insightful.
anon
binyomin take those comments off from mendel katz he is obviously a jealous moran why would youi post them they are hurtful, untrue, and obnoxious!
Sal Stronzone, Union Rep
BS”D
Getzy, you forgot one very important point.
Follow the union trail and you will get to the modern day successors of Al Capone – today’s Cosa Nostra families who invade legit business like your family’s enterprise through union organizing extortion of the type your family has to suffer.
straight to the point
I find this style of writing very difficult to follow as the author continuously stops and starts sentences.He also writes for dramatic effect instead of just getting to the point of matter(which I am sure he has a good one).
shana tova
Chatzkel
a voice of reason!
write about all unfair stuff going on. seriously.
heres a person who has guts and morales
sorry :(
I feel so sorry for the Rubashkin’s. Such nice people.
your wrong
To Getzy:
Your writing is great, and your ideas are interesting, but your wrong here. Unions are a good thing. maybe not the one against rubashkins, but bchlal
yabadabadoo
I love that ch info has been carrying his stuff.
In shock at M Katz
Mendel, his writing is unreadable? ur comment is unconscionable. Where does such Sina come from?
food for thought
I must admit. I didn’t think he Rubashkins were innocent and now after this, i am rethinking.
californianatic
So chabad’s holywood rabbi finally includes hollywood in his writing. LOL
Good piece
usa today
I have heard of Zionist rabbis…what would this make getzy? Americanish rabbi?
hahahahahaha
HEEEEELLLO WAKE UP
FORSURE THEY ARE DOING THIS TO AGRI. NO DOUBT!!!!!!
G-D BLESS GMARKOWITZ
Rishus
The lubavitch community has got to get toether. this kehila has gotten sad. chassidim talking against innocent yidin?
lubavitch is so torn into pieces, but we seem to become a “union” when it comes to rechilus
Mendy
Suggestion: Let us fight the way they fight. Put together a nice letter detailing instances of UFCW abuse, then collect via the web a few hundred thousand names, at which point identify all companies that do business with UFCW and send them all a letter informing them do to serious moral and ethical concerns with the way the UFCW acts we will no longer buy that companies products until the issues are resolved.
to zak and co
heres the problem as I see it:
Getzy is an intellectual, anyone who knows him knows that. But people here are not. But zak what u talking about? THis essay hasn’t got fancy words like the last one!!!! there is something wrong with you.
this is an intelligent author.
Oh ZAK
Zak, oh zakele. I opened a paper, a few actully
like the NY times the Jpost and now I know he can write… what have you been reading? the Crown Heights Community news?
cher
The Rubashkins are such nice people, and it is obvious to a blind man that someone, with a very big agenda, is out to get them. Who cares about unions, democrats, republicans, politics, whatever. We must stand by our own!!!
Friedrich Engels
Thanks for bringing up this very important concern to us, whom this issue impacts and destroys our quality of life on a daily basis even though we were unaware of it. After reading this enlightening op-ed I did some research on the internet, and have found particularly disturbing the horrible and sinister conspiracy aimed at us lubavitchers, a evil web being woven about us by the Amalgamated Pretzel Bakers of the North Americas. I urge you to research about them yourself on the internet, and if you are unable to find any information, you can make a wikipedia post to let everyone be aware.
I must also marvel at the author’s keen sense of the affairs urgency, as even though we are but days from Rosh Hashana he still was practical enough to realize that this is an issue which can not be ignored any longer.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS UNITE BEFORE IT IS TO LATE!
let unite
thats a great idea mendy wrote
Freedom Fighter
Wow! The hatred out there! And, this right before Rosh Hashana!
Kudos to Getzy Markowitz.
He is speaking out instead of being silent on the greatest travesty of injustice in recent American history.
If you do not like his style, don’t read him.
Finally, someone with the talent and the guts to eloquently fulfill:
Al Taamod Al Dam Re’echa.
Al Taamod Al Dam Re’echa.
Al Taamod Al Dam Re’echa.
smarts
Getzy dont take zak or mendys comments to heart. what they are in effect saying is “getzy is too smart”
MVH
The union movement has ALWAYS been characterised by thuggery and violence. It’s sad to see even those who recognise the unions for what they are, buy in to the myth that once upon a time they were great and noble. From their very beginning they existed to extort money from people by means of violence and intimidation. In the 19th century employers had to hire armed guards to to prevent their factories from being burned down and themselves from being killed; many of those guards were themselves killed by union mobs. By comparison, nowadays the unions are much more gentle, and will only slash tires or sabotage plants, maybe beat someone up, but generally they don’t kill people any more.
Brochie
ZAK!
You’re accusing Getzy of being pathetic.
I think that your pathetic,in your attempt to challenge a writer(or blogger),hes trying to make a point,chalenge that if you will.
Getzy,you really are pathetic,for everything that zak write.
Last of all,I must be pretty pathetic,for writing about pathetic people.
But nu, as long as we get to vent,it all worth it :)
reader
Agri’s only crime has been refusing to unionize? What about hiring illegals, giving them very low salaries, workers getting seriously hurt on the job, underage people working? I hope the Rubashkins are declared innocent but they do need to do teshuva, especially for the chilul Hashem they have been a victim of in the media. There should be some way for workers to voice complaints -if not a union then maybe the government should be more involved in addressing workers’ complaints. There needs to be a hashgacha on unions.Hashem should please bless the Rubashkins with a good year.
everyone is just bored!
hey ZAK just stick to the kid books youve been reading…all these ridiculous comments shedlight onthe boredom of the commentors. either write something with brains or…
Anti Union
The union had its time, which was back in the 40s and 50s when immigrants (Jews included) were treated unfairly.
today however, the union serves as neo communist regime. Take for example the auto industry. One of the main reasons the auto industry couldn’t compete with over seas manufacturing, is because the union forced pension packages for employees to large for the company to handle, causing the auto industries to manufacture outside the US.
Former Kosher Meat Producer
Oy You’re going to blame the disgrace of Agriprocessors on the Union?
The union stepped in as they should in many meat processing plants to deal with perhaps the worst shining example of disregard for the law in the business. They.(Agri) employed almost 100% illegal workers,(as most others do)
employed underage workers, worked them illegaly long hours, etc. etc. we all know the charges. The union, any union is in place to protect legitimate workers and industry standards. Did the Fed and the union target Pottsville, yes, because as everyone in the business knew, they were the most blaitant example out there, operating for years despite warnings in flagrant disregard for the law.
This community would be better served by to hold those responsible to task, instead of (as always) saying “oh no, a Jew couldn’t possibly have done something wrong, we’re being unfairly targeted again” in this case by the unions, no one dares blame the Fed who in fact in the one pointing the finger, but that’s another letter.
C’mon people wake up already about this one.
Greed is not Good
Oh sure let’s talk about the auto industry. Let’s start with overseas competition.
Overseas, ie. Europe and Asia they produce a better product for less money while their workers enjoy more benefits, higher serverance and retirement packages, a shorter work week, and more vaction time. How do they do it? Well one way according to industry experts is that their top executives don’t get 2000 times the pay of the lowest paid employee, stock options worth billions, billions of $ in bonuses annually, and retirement packages equal to the annual budget of a small country.
But the main reason according to industry analists is the product itself.
Detroit after all these years of setbacks and fuel crisis still wants to sell this country “disposable” cars with poor milage capability because it’s more profitable to themselves and their partners, the energy industry.
While Japan was producing a car that had a one year waiting list and gets 50-60 mpg, Detroit was convincing people to buy a car that no one who isn’t on a battlefield needs, a Hummer; and their lobbyits in Washington even got the govt. to give you a rebate for buying it. While the rest of the world looks to the future, our official business and governmental policy is to cling to a past that no longer works, and for one reason only, greed.
It’s greed that destroyed the auto industry in this country, just like the steel industry before it.
It’s greed that created the whole housing/ mortgage crisis, and the subsequent banking crisis.
We raise a whole culture and tell them litterally, “Greed is good”
Even in our own community we say, “get the highest price you can” forget what anything is worth, if someone will pay, too bad for them, good for you!
We reward it, it’s how we measure success.
Perhaps with the New Year coming in just a couple of days we might take the time to reflect on this and where it’s gotten us as a people, as a community, and the price our children’s children will have to pay for it.
English
Getzy may be intellectual and have some valid points, but his articles could use an editor with a bachelors in English. All articles, in order to be well written and easily understood, should be written with, or looked over at least with someone with the basics in English Grammar and sentence structure.
IMHO
Getzy, you’ve got real potential to be a great writer! Suggested reading: “On Writing Well, by William K. Zinsser” and “The Elements of Style, by Strunk and White” Enjoy! (My husband is an Oholei Torah graduate who writes English for a living!)
To english
hey english: i believe getzys essays are edited by a journalist