Ezliving_Jim

Heinz Calls on Venezuela to Give Back Seized Ketchup Plant

Sept. 6 (Bloomberg) -- H.J. Heinz Co., the world's largest ketchup maker, called on Venezuelan authorities to give back a plant seized yesterday by a state governor.

Heinz bought the ketchup plant in eastern Monagas state in 1996 and shut down operations for the last few years because of a dispute with local tomato suppliers, the company's Venezuelan unit, Alimentos Heinz, said in a statement. Pittsburg-based Heinz was trying to sell the plant when Monagas Governor Jose Briceno seized it, the company said.

``We're concerned at the actions of the authorities to seize the property,'' the company said. ``We hope this situation will be cleared up shortly and the property will be returned.''

President Hugo Chavez signed executive orders in January that established the legal framework for the government to seize private properties it considers unused, and to distribute them to poor farmers and workers.

Briceno seized the plant in order to reopen it, the government's Bolivarian News Agency said on its Web site. Briceno did not immediately return a message left at his office.

Source

howardtheduck

I think they should seize these properties as long as they are actually going to serve the purpose they say it is serving. Nothing wrong with turning unused property into jobs and social equity.

Dustin

You know Bush is a better president in the long run though

howardtheduck

History will tell the tale.

Tanzenite

Quote:
On 2005-09-08 12:19:00, Dustin wrote:
You know Bush is a better president in the long run though


I second that!

mr belvedere

Quote:
On 2005-09-08 07:48:00, howardtheduck wrote:
I think they should seize these properties as long as they are actually going to serve the purpose they say it is serving. Nothing wrong with turning unused property into jobs and social equity.
So, does this mean that you're backing the Supreme Court ruling that allows governments to seize private property in the name of commerce and taxes? I'm shocked, Howard. I thought you were "true blue", "died in the wool" "all bout the people". What gives?

wonderwoman6

Quote:
On 2005-09-08 12:19:00, Dustin wrote:
You know Bush is a better president in the long run though


cmon lets not get started. look whats happening to america right now, that should say it all.

howardtheduck

Not at all Mr. B. if it is a property in default or disowned, by all means do something with it. That is what I meant. If it benefits the public, especcially those out of work, then it is for the greater good. I like it when an official signs an act like this and then has his property siezed because he didn't read the fine print.

Neon Beach

Kerry would have had train loads of Hollywoods whites sent out by now!!

mr belvedere

Quote:
On 2005-09-09 11:07:00, howardtheduck wrote:
Not at all Mr. B. if it is a property in default or disowned, by all means do something with it. That is what I meant. If it benefits the public, especcially those out of work, then it is for the greater good. I like it when an official signs an act like this and then has his property siezed because he didn't read the fine print.
Instant karma baby! I love it. And I'm with you on this one, in principle. That's the way it oughta be. Our government's primary duty to the people it governs, among other things, is to amend and enforce the Constitution, for the benefit of the citizens without consideration of self or prejudicice. Looks good on paper, anyway.