More on my blog but read this before you vote on Chris' poll!

Paul Andrews

Paul Andrews, editorial director, GreenForGood.com

He said nothing especially new, but he said it rather more succinctly.  Regarding Whole Foods, he said he thought his exchange with the founder/boss there (what's his name, Mackey?) was good and fruitful.  He said he appreciates their resolution to do more to buy local, and especially their creation of a fund (did I get this right?) to benefit local farmers (sounds good, but details are unclear).  And he seems to believe they have taken him seriously when he criticized them for not investigating the "free range" claim of their suppliers.  And he seems to trust them that they will continue to insist on a high standard for the designation "organic."

Wal-Mart, on the other hand, he mistrusts.  In fact, he seems to believe that Wal-Mart's lobbyists are already working for the legislative weakening of "organic" standards.

As for Al Gore, I have no idea what that man is up to now.  I really really want to trust him, but he is not making it easy.  Does he honestly think that Wal-Mart can qualify as "green," while still maintaining their business pattern of huge buildings built in the center of immense parking lots?  That might work in rural counties, but hardly anywhere else.

And what about the notoriously low salaries and poor benefits afforded to the "associates"?  Did Al compromise himself there too?  Or did his visitation aboard the mother-ship in Arkansas come only at the cost to Wal-Mart of giving everybody a big raise, plus medical benefits for them and their families, plus the freedom to join a union?

And did Al have anything to say to all those owners of small stores across the country, whom competition with Wal-Mart drove out of business?

I remain grateful, that I still have Michael Pollan to trust, and Amanda Griscom Little.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

I trust them to try to maximize profits, and to  burnish their image through public relations rather than reality - simply because it makes more economic sense.

On the other hand, corporations will often respond to legal and public pressures if they see it is in their own interest.  

So dealing with Wal-mart is like any political process:

• Understand one's own goals
• Understand what makes the other party tick
• Develop a strategy so you get what you want