Willravel

Saddam didn't use McDonalds hamburgers to kill people or committ the violations, he only used them to eat. It's not about selling countries good, it's about selling them goods that are used to violate human rights. It's not illegal to sell them machinery for building and such, but it is wrong to sell them machinery used to destroy homes of innocent people.


Edit: Picture it like this: You make and distribute guns. Your intent is to make a good that can 1) protect someone who is being attacked, and 2) provide hunters with the tools of their trade or hobby. Now when you are ready to distribute, you sell to several hunting companies and a few self defence shops. You do well. A man from Nigeria approaces you and offers you a good deal for your guns. You go home and google the person's name and find out that he is a warlord who is responsible for genicide.

Option A) You decide that selling him the weapons is simply business, and that what he does with his legally purchased guns is his business. Condem what he does, but it's certianally not my responsibility.

Option B) You don't want blood on your hands, or on the hands of your customers. You make the decision to deny the money, and the problems.

Caterpillar chose option A.