iB::Topic::Curves Gym and the Anti-Choice Movement.

[http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert (Robert)]

I just realized that Juno doesn't accept attachments.  Below is the text.

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----------------------------------------------------------------------- I got 
this off of one of my Yahoo! groups:
 "Please forgive any cross-posts, but this is important, and evidently, not 
 many people are aware of it.  And if this is old news, please forgive me 
 sounding an alarm you've already heard.
 If you, or anyone you know, are planning to join one of the incredibly popular 
 'Curves' fitness centers, there is something very important you need to be 
 aware of.  
 Gary Heavin, CEO and founder of "Curves," is a *major* supporter of 
 anti-choice organizations. In fact, he is deliberately focusing his millions 
 on shutting down women's health centers that offer abortion.  An article in
 Christianity Today states that he and his wife
 '..gave away $10 million, 10 percent of their company's gross revenues and 80  
 percent of Gary's net income to charities. Heavin matches the first $1,000 
 that each franchise raises for community causes such as walkathons to benefit 
 pro-life pregnancy-care centers. Such controversial stances have
 led to criticism, but Heavin is unfazed. 'There's nothing healthy about 
 abortion,' he says. 'I'm not afraid to tell the truth.' '
 That 'truth' apparently includes his belief that abortion causes breast cancer,
  which is why he is using his power and money to muscle the Komen Foundation 
 and other organizations that care about women's health issues.
 For a chilling, but important discussion about his agenda, go to:
 www.operationsaveamerica.org/articles/articles/decline-pp-central-tx.htm
 Other places to learn more include:
 www.curvesforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1716
 http://pe.ag.org/pentecostal-evangel/conversations2003/4659_curves.cfm ,
 http://pe.ag.org/pentecostal-evangel/conversations2003/4659_curves.cfm
 ,
 www.christianitytoday.com/cr/2004/001/3.30.html"
 ---------------------------
 Me again.   ':wave:'  My personal opinion is that it is quite improper to mix 
 one's political agenda into one's business, UNLESS one is very upfront about 
 where the money is going.  If one puts right out there that "the money I raise 
 with this business will go to suppport X," then that's OK, but if it's done 
 covertly, I find that disgusting and unethical, because then the business 
 operator is taking away the customer's right to choose where to spend their 
 money.
 In this case, if this man is open with the public about where the money goes, 
 then I guess I can't fault him, but EEEEEEW!  He won't be getting MY money, 
 and I thought that those of us here on the board who feel the same way might 
 appreciate a heads-up.  I will  not be joining this gym.  
 I also do not do business with Domino's Pizza, because their money goes to the 
 same kind of crap.
 Have a great day!
 Jen M.
 Edited by Bittercat on April 21 2004,9:24 am
 --------------
 "...For I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is 
 attained at the end of Desire."
                      --from a Wiccan prayer
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ugh.  
What makes me angry about things like this is that often times we buy products 
or use services and have no idea that our money is going to fund something we 
don't believe in.  But you know that the company wouldn't dare make it common 
knowledge that they're donating money to fund anti-choice groups because they'd 
lose many customers and they know better. ':grumpy:'
 --------------
 "Music is heard with the ears but understood with the heart." ':heartbeat:'
----------------------------------------------------------------------- I am 
very glad to know this as I was considering joining curves.  What a jerk.  Too 
bad more people don't know about this.  Would love to make up brochures and put 
them on Curves windows.
 --------------
 [IMAGE] ,http://www.boomspeed.com/dukedogsmom/eastersigcf.jpg,
----------------------------------------------------------------------- I think 
we should have a thread listing businesses and some of the "causes" they 
support.  I knew about Curves, but I had no idea about Domino's Pizza.  It 
wouldn't have to be a thread that included how we felt about the causes, but we 
could list the business and the organization supported and our members could 
make their own decisions.  Anyone else interested?
----------------------------------------------------------------------- While 
it's true that the founder of Domino's Pizza is a raging, uber-Catholic, 
right-to-lifer (name of Monaghan, I think), he sold the chain quite a few years 
ago, at a hefty profit I might add, to a business consortium whose only 
interest is profit.
 So you can safely buy Domino's now without fear of money going to these sort 
 of "charities".
 Edited to add:  The founder of Wendy's was also a raging right-to-lifer (Dave 
 Thomas), but before he died, sold his interest in the company to a business 
 consortium, as well.
 Edited by Astra on April 21 2004,10:32 am
 --------------
 Gwen
 "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"
 -- Tao Te Ching
----------------------------------------------------------------------- This 
sucks!
 I actually like the idea of a Curves gym...I always hate being ogled by guys 
 or being told "you're gonna get really big muscles if you lift weights" by 
 idiots who don't know any better.
 I would rather work out with a bunch of older ladies who are doing something 
 good for their bodies by working out in a comfortable environment!
 FUCK....gotta change plans now.
 ---------
 JDC
 --------------
 You woke up this morning
 Got yourself a gun,
 Mama always said you'd be
 The Chosen One.
 She said: You're one in a million
 You've got to burn to shine,
 But you were born under a bad sign,
 With a blue moon in your eyes.-The Sopranos Theme Song
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Quote (Astra @ April 21 2004,10:30 am)
 Edited to add:  The founder of Wendy's was also a raging right-to-lifer (Dave 
 Thomas), but before he died, sold his interest in the company to a business 
 consortium, as well.
 But Dave Thomas was also a great supporter of adoption and donated millions to 
 that. Also he adopted his daughter "Wendy."  So it's not like he's some kinda 
 fundie.
 --------------
 Well I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn't hurt.  
 And the beer I had for breakfast, wasn't bad so I had one more for dessert.  
 Then fumbled in my closet and put on my cleanest dirty shirt....
----------------------------------------------------------------------- I cross 
posted that into my own live journal as well as the Austin Politics LJ 
community.  
 I refuse to give a dime to any organization that gives any of its profits to 
 any religious organization or uses any sort of religious speech in its mission 
 statement.  For this reason I refuse to shop at Hobby Lobby ,
 http://www.hobbylobby.com/site3/company/statement.htm
 , or Chick-Fil-A ,http://www.chickfila.com/Company.asp, .  They can do 
 whatever they want with their money, but it will never be money that came out 
 of my pocket.
 --------------
 Self esteem is one of the most dangerous things taught in our schools today.  
 Do you know that baseless self confidence kills more people in America each 
 year than bathtubs?
 Vic Romano - Most Extreme Elimination Challenge
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Quote (Justincombustion @ April 21 2004,10:00 am)
 Quote (Astra @ April 21 2004,10:30 am)
 Edited to add:  The founder of Wendy's was also a raging right-to-lifer (Dave 
 Thomas), but before he died, sold his interest in the company to a business 
 consortium, as well.
 But Dave Thomas was also a great supporter of adoption and donated millions to 
 that. Also he adopted his daughter "Wendy."  So it's not like he's some kinda 
 fundie.
 Good point.  I can understand how someone who was adopted would be a 
 right-to-lifer, seeing as how his birth mother could very well have aborted 
 him instead of having him and giving him up.  It's a different perspective.
 --------------
 Self esteem is one of the most dangerous things taught in our schools today.  
 Do you know that baseless self confidence kills more people in America each 
 year than bathtubs?
 Vic Romano - Most Extreme Elimination Challenge
----------------------------------------------------------------------- I have 
been a member of Curves for over a year now and it's a well known fact Gary 
Heavin is Christian whose beliefs have permiated into his business, that's one 
reason why the franchises are supposed to be closed on Sunday's.
 No matter what company you buy from there is bound to be objectionable 
 spending, but at least Curves offers me something I need at the moment, 
 regardless of where Gary Heavin donates his money (my money.)
 Quote
 But Dave Thomas was also a great supporter of adoption and donated millions to 
 that. Also he adopted his daughter "Wendy."  So it's not like he's some kinda 
 fundie.
 Quote
 Good point.  I can understand how someone who was adopted would be a 
 right-to-lifer, seeing as how his birth mother could very well have aborted 
 him instead of having him and giving him up.  It's a different perspective.
 Maybe that's why I am ProLife...I was adopted, not aborted so I see the issue 
 from a slightly different perspective.
 Fiona ':piggy:'
 --------------
 "We are taught you must blame your father, your sister, your brother, the 
 school, the teachers--you can blame anyone...It's never your fault. But it's 
 ALWAYS your fault, because if you wanted to change, you're the one who has got 
 to change. It's as simple as that, isn't it?" - Katharine Hepburn
 "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" ~T-shirt in my drawer
----------------------------------------------------------------------- If it's 
his own money, he has the right to do with it what he pleases.  It doesn't mean 
we have to like it or even help him fund it, but that's the power of freedom.
 Imagine if it was a CF person running Curves and he gave all of his money to 
 the CF cause.  I'm sure mothers all over the world would do the same thing 
 that some of you are doing - boycotting the business.
 We all have a right to do what we want with our money.
 It's also true that we have no idea who/where our money goes when we buy 
 certain products.  In fact according to Kalle Lasn founder of Adbuters 
 Magazine and author of "Culture Jam; how to reverse American's suicidal 
 consumer binge - and why we must" says that if you purchase the following 
 products, you are supporting Phillip Morris - the world's largest tobacco 
 company.
 Kraft Minute Rice
 Maxwell House coffee
 Post Shreddies
 Kraft cheez Whiz
 Sanka coffee
 Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese
 Post Raisin Bran
 Miller Genuine Draft beer
 Kraft Miracle Whip
 FYI*
 --------------
 "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!"
 Mr. Carlson - WKRP
 ':nobaby:'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Quote (Astra @ April 21 2004,10:30 am)
 While it's true that the founder of Domino's Pizza is a raging, uber-Catholic, 
 right-to-lifer (name of Monaghan, I think), he sold the chain quite a few 
 years ago, at a hefty profit I might add, to a business consortium whose only 
 interest is profit.
 Thanks, Astra.  I was going to correct myself, but you beat me to it.  I did 
 not know Domino's had been sold.  A friend on LJ set me straight.
 Jen M.
 --------------
 "...For I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is 
 attained at the end of Desire."
                      --from a Wiccan prayer
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiona 
and NK,
 My posting the article here was just to pass on info.  The "GRRRR" in my title 
 was just me expressing my opinion.  
 I feel we should ALL choose where our money goes, but I am NOT about TELLING 
 people what to do and what not to do.
 The info I share is for people to use as they see fit.  Or not.  
 Jen M.
 --------------
 "...For I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is 
 attained at the end of Desire."
                      --from a Wiccan prayer
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Philip 
Morris is a subsidiary of Altria Group, which group also holds Kraft, etc.  You 
can just as easily say that buying tobacco supports cheese (gasp!) and coffee (
faint!).
----------------------------------------------------------------------- No 
offense taken Bittercat!  I didn't mean to imply that I was not in favour of 
your post.  
 I totally agree with your anger.  I was merely pointing out that it is his 
 money to do with what he wishes.
 I wasn't trying to be argumentative.
 ':doh:'
 --------------
 "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!"
 Mr. Carlson - WKRP
 ':nobaby:'
----------------------------------------------------------------------- I was 
in a Curves once and didn't really care for the way it was set up.  It was just 
too different from a regular gym for me.
 And Domino's pizza is gross!   ':crazy:'
 It's hard to tell what causes you're supporting when you buy a certain company'
 s products because a lot of them don't advertise what they support.  If I had 
 to research every company before I bought something, I wouldn't have time to 
 have a life.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- I've 
been boycotting Dominos for almost 20 years - thanks for the update!!
 I would be very interested in a thread that lists legitimately researched 
 companies who support the Anti-Choice movement.  Recent reading has me more 
 than highly suspicious that "Carls Jr" (I believe they are the same as "
 Hardees" in the midwest) are also supporters of the Anti-Choice movement.  
 Whenever I can avoid putting money into the pockets of anyone who is a rabid 
 supporter of telling others what to do with their bodies, I'll do it.
 Thanks again for spreading this important information!
 --------------
 Sally T
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Quote (Bittercat @ April 21 2004,12:27 pm)
 Fiona and NK,
 My posting the article here was just to pass on info.  The "GRRRR" in my title 
 was just me expressing my opinion.  
 I feel we should ALL choose where our money goes, but I am NOT about TELLING 
 people what to do and what not to do.
 The info I share is for people to use as they see fit.  Or not.  
 Jen M.
 As with NK, I was in no way trying to argue your point(s).  I just wanted to 
 point out Curves itself is not a bad place, as it helps those of us who are 
 grossly overweight and either can't or won't attend a "regular" gym.  Heavin's 
 personal/political/social choices aside.
 Fiona ':piggy:'
 --------------
 "We are taught you must blame your father, your sister, your brother, the 
 school, the teachers--you can blame anyone...It's never your fault. But it's 
 ALWAYS your fault, because if you wanted to change, you're the one who has got 
 to change. It's as simple as that, isn't it?" - Katharine Hepburn
 "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" ~T-shirt in my drawer