This afternoon, all hell broke loose when the Wessex Scene published an article by Feminist Chloe Green, in an attempt to ban all Nestle products from campus, including Kit-Kats, Rolos, and M&M’s. Being a publication which normally prides itself on fair, balanced, and truthful articles, it seems this time the Wessex Scene has taken a step too far.

Miss Green made outrageous and grandiose claims such as, “Would you find Nescafé so tasty if you knew that every time you provided that company with money, it was responsible for a thousand deaths?” That’s right – one thousand deaths for every cup of coffee.

Even fair trade Kit-Kats will be banned from campus if Chloe's proposal goes through

Nestle is apparently the most boycotted company in history, with boycotts going on since 1977. This has been because the company has been infant formula (milk substitute) away for children whose mothers’ have HIV, to stop the children getting the virus as well. Fundamentally a very positive thing.

However, the milk substitute needs to be mixed with water to be used, and a problem with needing this in Africa is that often contaminated water is mixed in and given to the infants. Tragically this contributes to a large number of deaths each year.

One reader on the Wessex Scene naively commented on the biased article: “I was completely ignorant of Nestlé’s involvement in the formula milk market let alone how they’re exploiting it. I can’t understand how they could be getting away with this?”

Chloe Green, the current President of the Feminist Society, made a name for herself when she heckled David Cameron during his General Election campaign in April last year.

During the conversation she claimed, “I’m not voting Labour, I want real change”, and concluded the discussion saying to Mr Cameron, “I don’t believe you”. We can only assume Miss Green voted for the Liberal Democrats.

You can see the full video here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8644380.stm

While Nestle is far from being a ‘consumer champion’, they sell the milk formula to mothers who cannot or will not breastfeed, in order to help their babies stay free from HIV. It seems that the milk formula is unfortunately the lesser of two evils in this case.

The vote on whether to put the proposal through will be taken at the next Union Council, where hopefully members will have researched the issue properly.

138 Comments »

Leave your response!

  • Benjamin Whipp
    avatar

    Hyperbole is quite a basic technique used in illustrating a point, and something that the Soton Tab should know more about than most. If you’re having difficulty in understanding Chloe’s point about the thousands of deaths caused by Nestle then you might want to learn a little about the basics of the English language and persuasive speech.

    Also, you should look a little closer at your own argument. Nestle do not ‘give’ the milk formula in order to ‘help the babies’. They sell the formula in order to make profit.

    There is a reason that Nestle is so widely boycotted, there are endless facts to back up Chloe’s claims, verified by countless organisations. I’m not sure what stance you’re attempting to take in this article other than using it to personally attack someone who is trying to make a positive change in the university.

    Frankly you’re pathetic, weak, and trivial.

    Reply

    Lauren Scott-Fraser
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    “Also, you should look a little closer at your own argument. Nestle do not ‘give’ the milk formula in order to ‘help the babies’. They sell the formula in order to make profit.”

    Touché Ben. Very well put.

    Reply

    Lauren Scott-Fraser
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    edit: I love how ‘give’ has been changed to ‘sell’ by the writer.

    Reply

    Chloe
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    Oh and also, M&Ms are Mars, not Nestle.

    Reply

    Sam
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    I’m sure Mars do something someone disagrees with, why not ban me from choosing whether to buy them as well?

    Reply

    Chris Houghton
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    Do kellogs sell things on campus. Definitely heard they’re evil once or twice before.

    Reply

    Kate Crabb
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    Why do we not just ban everything on campus that is sold at a profit?

    Profit is evil, bankers are mean people and multinational companies are lead by the devil.

    bob
    avatar

    Thats a different kellogs, subsidary of haliburton… but I’m sure the chicken is evil

    Andrew Jardine
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    Benjamin Whipp… must be gay.

    Reply

    Lauren Scott-Fraser
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    FYI, he actually has a beautiful girlfriend.

    Reply

    Sam
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    As Chloe Green would say “I don’t believe you”

    Reply

    Chloe
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    good one lol

    Reply

    Benjamin Whipp
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    And what if I was? Sorry if my sexuality isn’t rattled too much by someone who seems to have little better to do than create a number of poorly disguised aliases and run around on the internet trying his hardest to convince all the other students that he really is the biggest douche on campus.

    Reply

    Andrew Jardine
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    Yeh I thought so. Gay.

    Reply

    Benjamin Whipp
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    Your powers of trolling are inspiring.

    Reply

    Andrew Jardine
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    Thanks xx

  • Rhiannon Frame-Jones
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    This is rather funny, isn’t it? I can only assume (or hope) this excuse for ‘journalism’ is a jolly spoof/satire, because, frankly it’s little more than farce.

    also, looking at your other articles: ‘sluts in cake’?
    what IS this shit?

    Reply

    Chris Houghton
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    Don’t ask. It’s impossible to describe.

    Reply

  • Aaron Bali
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    Where has any attempt to mislead taken place? Other than by the Soton Tab, obviously.

    Southampton students are smarter than to fall for this kind of thing.

    Reply

    bob
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    You must not have seen the Cameron “interview”

    Reply

    Aaron Bali
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    You must not have seen the “point” of my question. I want to know what Chloe has done in this Nestle campaign to mislead.

    The Cameron thing is irrelevant and a really bad attempt at Ad Hominem.

    Reply

    Andrew Jardine
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    The interview shows that Southampton Students aren’t that smart

    Reply

    Aaron Bali
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    Either you’re a Southampton student and fall under that rule as well (in which case you must be commended on your beautiful logic, Columbo), or you’re not, and genuinely have nothing better to do with your life than comment homophobic, hateful stuff all over something which is probably irrelevant to you.

    Good one. Your parents must be proud.

    Reply

    Andrew Jardine
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    Nah I just wanted to keep commenting, to waste your newly freed up time now that you’ve been kicked off union council

    Petr Petrovic
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    Ex-Boyfriend/ emasculated bitch of Chloe comes to the rescue

  • Rhiannon Frame-Jones
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    I’m struggling to figure out the point of this article- at some points you seem to be criticising Chloe, and at others you seem to be supporting her. Make up your mind. You might like to cast another glance at her article for guidance on journalism.

    In addition, what on earth have Chloe’s politics got to do with anything? Feels a little like an ad hominem to me.

    Reply

  • Loren
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    Chloe has not ‘spread lies’, she has provided a case for her argument as to why Nestle should be boycotted and evidence to support her endeavour. You however, have made this an article about Chloe. There is a reason as to why nestle has been boycotted since 1977.

    Personal attacks on Chloe are uneccessary and harmful to any counterargument that you could have had in this article. Her previous conversation with David Cameron and which way she voted in the general election is absolutely irrelevant and further weakens your own article.

    This seems little more than a personal attack, rather than an intelligent counterargument to Chloe’s article. Frankly, pathetic.

    Reply

  • Sophie
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    you haven’t even linked to her original article. Poor reporting.

    Reply

  • Chloe
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    “Fair, balanced and truthful articles”? What on earth is this slop, then?!

    I’m obviously biased, being the corrupting, misleading, liberal democrat voting, Cameron heckling, Nestle boycotting, feminist society presidenting woman herself, but this article is hilarious. Terribly written, poorly researched, sensationalist rubbish.

    Being a feminist/liberal has absolutely nothing to do with anything. This literally sounds as if it has come from The Daily Mail or The Sun.

    Atrocious journalism, but well worth a giggle.

    Reply

  • Sarah Jackson
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    who are you Michelle Dando, I hope you never make it to reporting, however although this article is poor the others i have seen have been fairly imformative and have at least made me laugh but not in the same way as this one! Although know one really likes a feminist, there just not needed any more, Sexuall inequality is rare at best in the civilised United kingdom we live in.

    Reply

    Rhiannon Frame-Jones
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    Um, I like feminists.
    I think they’re fab.

    Reply

    Fran
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    I concur, femisnists are supremely fab

    Reply

    Andrew Jardine
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    Feminists are just sluts in denial.

    Reply

    Loren
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    It deeply saddens me that you were allowed into this university.

    Reply

    Benjamin Whipp
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    Aw baby made his first shock statement. I’m sure misogyny is being embraced world-wide as a result of your brilliant thesis.

    Reply

    hoolio garcia
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    I agree feminists should be more equal than anyone else.

    Reply

    Mark Dean
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    Feminists are just ugly underachievers who make the excuse that they’re female for their failure.

    Sam
    avatar

    Love it

    Reply

  • John Jones
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    Ironic that when this was proposed by the Yes 2 NUS campaigners it was seen as an external organisation hijacking the campus. When Comrade and Glorious Leader Most Hallowed Chloe Green proposes it, suddenly it has the backing of the student body? Student politics, inconsistent and pointless.

    Reply

    Hannah Cutting
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    I’m fairly sure if it had ever been proposed, by anyone, in a way that was made publicly aware we would have jumped on it. However I could be mistaken. We are so easily led by Chloe and her bewitching beliefs. Maybe that’s why her hair is so big, it’s full of Feminism.

    Reply

    Sophie
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    Obviously Southampton students are smart enough to distinguish between the single issue of Nestle and the broad and complicated arguments surrounding NUS affiliation, get over it. If you think student politics are that pointless then why take your personal attacks on Chloe elsewhere.

    Reply

    John Jones
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    I believe that the internet is a public place and I am expressing my right to reply on the subject, so no I won’t go elsewhere. In fact, I take the view that if you’re so offended by what you’re reading, stop reading it. Soton Tab is quite clearly what it says on the tin, a tabloid for students (slightly tongue in cheeks methinks). Your moral outrage will have little impact here, I’m sure.

    Reply

    Sam
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    It doesn’t have the backing of the student body

    Reply

  • Lauren
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    This appears to be a personal attack. Michelle Dando (famous for such articles as “EXCLUSIVE Southampton Fitfinder Available in Southampton!” and “Sluts in Cake Returns?”) seems to have spent too much time researching Chloe and too little time looking into the issues surrounding the Nestle proposal!

    Nestle has over 8,500 products, with only KitKat and Partners Blend Coffee claiming Fairtrade status. With Fairtrade KitKat itself involving just 1% of Nestle cocoa purchase. Nestle is also criticised for failing on its promise to end child slavery in its cocoa supply chain by 2006.

    I will not regurgitate Chloe’s article, as I feel she presents the case clearly and with passion. All I ask is you read it again and look at the evidence out there yourself. I have faith that the Union Council will come to the same wise decision the following Student Unions have and at least endorse the UK Nescafe boycott, hopefully supporting a full Nestle boycott:
    ABERDEEN COLLEGE
    ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY
    BANGOR UNIVERSITY
    BATH UNIVERSITY
    BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY
    BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
    BRADFORD UNIVERSITY
    CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY
    CENTRAL LANCASHIRE, UNIVERSITY OF
    CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER COLLEGE
    CHURCHILL COLLEGE, Cambridge
    COVENTRY UNIVERSITY
    CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
    DERBY UNIVERSITY
    DE MONTFORD UNIVERSITY
    DURHAM UNIVERSITY
    EAST ANGLIA,UNIVERSITY OF
    EAST LONDON,UNIVERSITY OF
    EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY
    ESSEX UNIVERSITY
    EXETER COLLEGE
    EXETER UNIVERSITY
    GLAMORGAN UNIVERSITY
    GLASGOW UNIVERSITY
    HERTFORDSHIRE, UNIVERSITY OF HOMERTON COLLEGE, Cambridge
    HULL UNIVERSITY
    IMPERIAL COLLEGE London
    KENT INSTITUTE OF ART AND DESIGN
    KENT UNIVERSITY
    KEELE UNIVERSITY
    KINGS COLLEGE, Cambridge
    KINGS COLLEGE London
    LADY MARGARET HALL, Oxford
    LANCASTER UNIVERSITY
    LEEDS METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
    LEEDS UNIVERSITY
    LIMERICK UNIVERSITY
    LIVERPOOL, JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY
    LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY
    UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
    LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
    MAGDALEN COLLEGE, Oxford
    MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY
    NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY
    NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY
    OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY
    OXFORD UNIVERSITY
    PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY
    QUEEN MARY & WESTFIELD COLLEGE
    QUEENS UNIVERSITY, Belfast
    ST ANDREW’S UNIVERSITY
    ST ANNE’S COLLEGE, Oxford
    ST DAVID’S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
    ST. HUGH’S COLLEGE, Oxford
    ST JOHN’S COLLEGE, Oxford
    SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
    SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY
    SOMERVILLE COLLEGE, Oxford
    SOUTH DOWNS COLLEGE
    STRATHCLYDE UNIVERSITY
    SUNDERLAND UNIVERSITY
    SWANSEA UNIVERSITY
    TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY
    TRINITY & ALL SAINTS COLLEGE (Leeds)
    TRINITY COLLEGE (Carmarthen)
    UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER AT COLERAINE
    UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, London
    WADHAM COLLEGE, Oxford
    WARWICK UNIVERSITY
    WEST OF ENGLAND, UNIVERSITY OF
    WESTMINSTER INSTITUTE (Oxford)
    WOLVERHAMPTON UNIVERSITY
    YORK UNIVERSITY

    Reply

    Lucy Hughes
    avatar

    This is a bit of an aside, but there is also a lot of discussion to be had surrounding “Fair Trade” anyway, so the fact that Nestle has (a grand total of) two fair trade products should not necessarily be seen as a redeeming feature. The fact is that in a world that is largely corporate-controlled, many “fair” policies have been formulated in the financial interests of a powerful minority rather than those of the vulnerable majority.
    There is no doubt that Nestle has publicised the positive aspects of its formula – and it does have some – but it is naive to think that a multinational corporation is acting soley “in order to help babies” rather than to make a substantial profit. They clearly have a talented publicity team.
    I also want to add that I went to a public school whose sports teams were sponsored by Nestle, and we were forced to wear clothing with their brand plastered all over it. It is worrying to see massive corporations gaining such widespread presence in non-corporate sectors, and there is a clear need for people to question how slippery the slope might become.

    Reply

  • Just loves his Kit-Kats…
    avatar

    I love this debate.

    The reason why Miss Dando’s article is so poor is that it was rushed – written in a few hours since the publication of Miss Green’s. I’m sure “fair, balanced, and truthful articles” require more time to construct a serious argument than this. And when has journalism ever been ‘fair’, ‘balanced’, or indeed, ‘truthful’? Perhaps the Daily Mail should take some time to inform it’s devoted readers on why not all Muslims spend their time planning car bombs.

    Ultimately, this ‘article’ is a damning indictment of the current generation of student’s laziness and insular imaginations. Beginning essays on the day of the deadline is irresponsible and daft. I can imagine Miss Dando studies English (Hur-Hur).

    Now let’s all have a cup of (unbleached) Green Tea and a Kit-Kat.

    Reply

    Andrew Iain Jardine
    avatar

    I know for a fact that Michelle Dando studies Aero engineering actually………

    Reply

  • Daniel Webb
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    The Wessex Scene does indeed pride itself on fair and balanced journalism, but as a student news source has admittedly made mistakes in the past and will do in the future.

    The publication of this article, in my view, is in no way a mistake. It was published as a feature and is a great example of the kind of article I was hoping to see more of this year once I had started my role as Editor.

    Earlier this year we initiated the ‘pledge to publish’ which aims to give students the opportunity to communicate their messages through our site, and we actively encourage discussion. Whether or not someone agrees with the Chloe’s views and/ or argument is for them to decide.

    Because the article mentioned above was opinionated it was published as a ‘feature’ and not news. We try our utmost to make sure all news articles are factual and balanced, this article was in fact intended to be a news article, but after reading it, it was classified as a features article.

    Saying that even some of our news articles are balanced, and as a student site we often employ tongue of cheek, see the following article:http://www.wessexscene.co.uk/news/top-news/2011/01/05/sobar-stops-selling-quadvods/

    I fully support the publication of the article, and any future articles of a similar nature. I simply hope that this site will try and stop riding of our most popular articles in order to promote itself. If that is not the case, oh well, but I guarentee you will not see us writing about ‘sluts in cake’ any time soon!

    Reply

    Chloe
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    Thanks Dan! Honestly, what a laugh.

    Reply

    Sam
    avatar

    I can only find this article that’s “ridden” I wanna see more?

    Reply

    Chris Houghton
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    Don’t you forget who it was who created your Wessex Scene website Daniel Webb…. 😉

    Reply

    emily
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    you want a medal chris?

    Reply

    Petr Petrovic
    avatar

    Webb was a shit editor, (from someone who wrote for him) I can also attest to the endemic censorship at the beautiful WS, especially by Sam Ling and our New pres, who dont like any views opposing theirs, just as Chloe seems to never understand an opposing view. Swivel eyed loon.

    Reply

  • Ray
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    The points I was going to make have been made over and over again – Over all D- must try harder next time.

    Reply

  • Chris Houghton
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    Genuinely don’t understand what everyone here is talking about. I think this is a fantastically written article.

    Michelle Dando will go onto great things, such as working for the fantastic publication that is the Daily Mail.

    Reply

    Sam
    avatar

    I heard she’s got an internship lined up with Hustler

    Reply

  • avatar

    Well Michelle, you’ve received a mouthful from chloe and her friends so you probably realise you did rush in with good intentions but were too emotive in this.
    There naturally is an enthusiasm to reply to chloe’s article, she’s incredibly opinionated and therefore is one side of a kaleidoscopic issue, so I would actually commend you for it, and you have a convincing argument yourself in evidencing chloe’s previous and current engagements, but as i said this is a kaleidoscopic argument so what you write seems merely emotively motivated and way too in confliction to spite chloe’s article, apart from addressing the true issue of international development. I encourage you to keep writing and in the future to show some concern for these issues as well, to have a more convincing argument not in criticising her article but rather in looking at what she didn’t include in this issue, such as the interference of corporations in the developing world and how we as a university should be involved in an ultimately smart and beneficial way.

    I don’t support this boycott (i’m not a fan of nestle, but I am someone who has family in Africa and has been to South Africa several times), and I know just how carefully one must tread on the grounds of international relations and development, so I implore that you write with concern for these issues, not out of spite of this young, enthusiastic, perhaps naive student.

    Reply

    anon
    avatar

    I commend your neutrality, although I have to say I’ve approached this issue in the past with similar neutrality and concluded that a boycott is the right way forward. However since your stance seems a little more interesting, (unavoidably, this particular debate has become rather melodramatic), I’d love to hear a fuller explanation of you views? Complete with evidence and reasoning of course. It would be nice to think this debate could open a more rational and serious discussion.

    Reply

    ...
    avatar

    Unfortunately I don’t have time enough to go write on international development without becoming a part of one of these journalistic organisations, and against my interests in the subject i currently don’t have time for it, I’m sorry about that. I agree with you completely that approaching this with a neutrality is incredibly difficult, as all you’d be able to do is autonomousy acquire research, and I like that people pick up on certain organisations and corporations with which they want to probe and investigate, and I think it’s the ability to pick up a passion for caring and being a real aid to those who really need it that is most important when being look into these areas. I think your conclusion to boycott stems from this, which I don’t have a problem with at all.

    Sorry I’m not being a help in the interest of rational discussion, but I’d say definitely look up the historical evidence of developing African nations such as that of Nkrumah during the independence of Ghana and how there was a failure in nationalist discourses for independent greatness, as well as the tensions between corporate, organisational and colonialist interference so explained by Franz Fanon. It’s not much but I think you’ll really enjoy it.

    Reply

  • avatar

    i’d like to add when i mean research, you’ve researched a particular figure in chloe (not happy about that, but it’s research nonetheless) and you’ve done some on nestle, but in relation to my previous comment, research should all be on the issue, not on this student.

    Reply

  • Harriet
    avatar

    No doubt reiterating many of the comments already made, I am just glad that I have the Soton Tab to rely on for ‘fair, balanced, and truthful articles’… This article is poorly written and needlessly aggressive right from the headline that screams LIES. Whether you agree with the Nestle boycott or not, Chloe has formed an opinion and backed it up with her chosen evidence, not ‘spread lies’.

    I can only hope the writer will be found in Union Council engaging in the debate when the proposal is put forward. That would be more useful than Youtubing drunk girls I guess – the fact that ‘Sluts in cake’ etc has been published on a site that supposedly represents Southampton students is more embarassing for the writer and Soton Tab than the girls in the video itself.

    Reply

  • McG
    avatar

    A quick bit of research – something you seem to have avoided – has told me this (paraphrasing from a collection of sources at http://www.pauldonahue.net/Nestle.html) :

    Nestle is notoriously aggressive in its marketing of the baby formula throughout the developing world, and an estimated 1.5 million infants die each year because they are not breast-fed. Mixing the formula with unsafe water means that a bottle-fed child is up to 25 times more likely to die as a result of diarrhoea than a breast-fed child, yet Nestle continues its aggressive and immoral marketing of artificial baby milk (a violation of the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing Breast-Milk Substitutes) and is now the target of a boycott from some 20 countries. I’m guessing you think Chloe must be responsible for that, too? My word, she’s misleading entire governments!

    Nestle is also notorious for labour and human rights violations. Purchasing cocoa from the Ivory coast, Nestle perpetuates the forced labour of some 10,000-15,000 children, as young as 11 years old, who work as indentured servants on cocoa plantations. “The International Labor Rights Fund has sued Nestlé, Archer Daniels Midland, and Cargill in Federal District Court in Los Angeles for involvement in the trafficking, torture, and forced labor of children who cultivate and harvest cocoa beans that the companies import from Africa” (Source: International Labor Rights Fund and http://www.responsibleshopper.org). Nestle is also one of the few companies who have chosen to remain financially involved in Burma, potentially strengthening the economic position of the illegal military junta. Nestle has been involved in the aggressive union-busting activity in Columbia for 50 years, transforming factories into camps and allowing security forces to create terror in the community and target the workers. The industrial union SINALTRAINAL, formed in 1982, has had seven of its members working at Nestle assassinated. Whilst the acts themselves are carried out by paramilitary death squads, the fact that Nestle continues to do business with them is condemning.

    If you’re an animal lover, you should also be disappointed. Poor storage procedures and lax quality standards meant that in 2005 Nestle Purina sold thousands of tons of poisoned animal food in Venezuala. Like the environment? Nestle not only pumps water out of Michigan’s lakes – despite orders by Judge Lawrence Root of the Michigan Circuit Court once the devastating effects of the pumping schedule were realised – but is blamed for destroying the historical mineral healing springs of the town of São Lourenço in Brazil by over-pumping.

    Suddenly, I don’t really fancy a Kitkat.

    Reply

  • MG
    avatar

    Nestle does more than just promote the infant formula to HIV positive mothers, it has been caught out repeatedly advertising it as safer for all mothers (despite medical evidence showing otherwise), in breach of the 1981 World Health Organization code on advertising infant formula. Claiming that they only target HIV positive mothers is inaccurate, otherwise it wouldn’t be as much of an issue.

    Nestle also have plenty of other controversy surrounding it, as summarised here https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Nestl%C3%A9#Controversy_and_criticism, including using palm oil from orangutan reserves, extensive ‘greenwashing’ campaigns and breaking the embargo with zimbabwe’s stolen farms, amongst others.

    Without these balancing facts (which are easily available online), this article is nothing more than sensationalism and a personal attack on someone (what has maybe voting lib dem and being a feminist got to do with it?). Being a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ tabloid doesn’t excuse sloppy journalism, even if national equivalents get away with it.

    Reply

  • Sam
    avatar

    NSPB Soc?
    Not-So-Perfect-Brand Soc

    Reply

  • John
    avatar

    Why are people dissing Sluts in Cake? That was brilliant. It gave light to the fact that Sophie is a dirty slut.

    Reply

    Matt Quinn
    avatar

    Sophie who?

    Reply

  • Holly
    avatar

    I don’t understand the relevance of Chloe Green being a feminist. You refer to her as ‘feminist Chloe Green’ as if this is some large statement on her personality or a defining characteristic. Her argument has nothing to do with feminism. Why write under the name ‘Michelle Dando’ when it’s clear to anyone unfortunate enough to read your article that you’re a sexist man.

    Reply

    anon
    avatar

    You a feminist by any chance?

    Reply

    Holly
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    I’m sure that’s supposed to be funny but you’re missing my point, it’s completely irrelevant. And yes, of course I am. I don’t care what the negative connotations of being a feminist are, if you believe in equality between the sexes then you are. How could any woman not be?

    Reply

    anon
    avatar

    Slight massive generalisation but whatever. Clearly you have a grudge and we’re unlikely to change that. Shame.

    Reply

    Anon
    avatar

    Oh Paul, look at you, so intelligent. You, clearly being such a fan of feminism, must know SO much about it. Obviously that’s why you’ve provided us with such a accurate account of what being a feminist is. Bravo. No ignorant or uneducated generalising there at all.

    I think the only person here with a bee in their bonnet is you. Perhaps you should educate yourself on what ‘feminism in today’s United Kingfom’ is really about. Then maybe you wouldn’t look like such an idiot.

    Reply

    Andrew Jardine
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    No you are.

    Reply

    your making it worse
    avatar

    I do agree that the fact that Chloe is a feminist is irrelevant and perhaps shouldn’t of been used in this article. But personally not a fan of the preaching of the feminists here, the misogyny of people like Andrew Jardine in this debate is laughable and women shouldn’t rise to his stupid comments. Haven’t we reached a situation in the UK today where women can find more intelligent ways to be empowered than to rant and rave in a way that only serves to give men something to ridicule women for. As a woman I would not like to be associated with any of the feminists here, it’s a little embarrassing.

    Reply

    Loren
    avatar

    Sorry I seem to have missed the ‘preaching’ from the feminists. I thought it was just individuals reiterating the point that it was irrelevant to include Chloe’s attachment to feminism or the feminist society. The issue the article should be addressing is the boycott of nestle.

    Just because someone has happened to inform Andrew Jardine (and his other ridiculous aliases) that he is ignorant does not mean it is a ‘rant and rave’ or rising to his comments. Women ARE finding intelligent ways to become empowered, using their voices is one of those ways. That’s why women are allowed to leave comments on here, in whatever manner they see fit.

    Reply

    your making it worse
    avatar

    By retaliating to such comments, you are lowering yourself to their level. I’m all for women using their voices to stand up for themselves, just as equally as men do, isn’t that now a given? But in this case I don’t feel it’s been done intelligently. Using sarcasm and personal insults is pathetic and simply making us out to be the stroppy, moaning women that men our age like to ‘banter’ about.

    Reply

    Loren
    avatar

    No it’s not a given. That’s the problem. There are plenty of women (and men for that matter) who don’t or can’t use their voices to stand up for themselves.

    And who is this ‘us’ you’re talking about? One person’s comment is not a reflective of yourself, or women as a collective group. That’s the problem here, one person leaves a comment and suddenly all women are tarred as ‘stroppy’ and ‘moaning’.

    The fact that you seem to have more of a problem with sarcasm being directed towards someone who has referred to feminists as ‘sluts’, told one girl she needs a ‘good nobbing’ and spoken about feminism being created to keep women busy in between having babies is baffling to me. Yet you find the feminists on here embarassing?

    As far as I’m concerned, calling that man ignorant, undecuated and telling him he is making himself look an idiot is completely justified considering his ridiculous behaviour.

    Reply

    your making it worse
    avatar

    ‘That’s the problem here, one person leaves a comment and suddenly all women are tarred as ‘stroppy’ and ‘moaning’.’
    Exactly my point. She is enforcing the ‘negative connotations of being a feminist’.
    Basically, I do not believe these are an intelligent method of empowerment. They are ineffectual and even make me cringe. I know his comments are abhorrent, and simply believe they do not warrant retaliation.

    Reply

    Andrew Iain Jardine
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    I think you will find I dont have any aliases as a writer for the Tab my real (full) name automatically comes up as I’m always logged into the website.

    you may wish to speak to a number of my boyfriends about the comments.

    Reply

    Chris Houghton
    avatar

    We give all our writers the right to anonymity if they wish it. A quick search for Michelle Dando might reveal that she is…. less than real, you might say.

    Reply

    Sam
    avatar

    or a sexy man?

    Reply

  • Matt Quinn
    avatar

    What would your mother say Paul!

    Reply

    Andrew Jardine
    avatar

    Wasn’t the whole feminist movement just invented by men to give women something to do between having babies.

    Reply

  • ijam day
    avatar

    HAHA Michelle you are a legend.. People you all just need to relax.. Stop taking a dig at her.. I mean so what if it seems personal towards Chloe..

    All this ideas about boycotting Nestle because of selling milk substitutes and child “slavery”.. Im guessing none of you grew in a developing world.. Where everything is minimalistic and basic needs are as basic as it gets.. I lived a life where its like that.. Started working at the age 7.. Having to steal just to have a little extra..

    You all think that Nestle is doing something wrong because you had it easy.. All you ever do is criticise.. I dont see any of you willing to drop everything you have here and lived the way the people Nestle so called using for their own benefit..

    Until the day you live everyday just to survive, you all should just shut up and leave all these multinational alone.. You dont like it, do something about it.. Not just talk.. And what does boycotting achieves anyway.. Nothing! Its just so it gets easier on your conscience..

    Dont be naive people…

    Reply

    Sam
    avatar

    Clearly a Kit-Kat fan

    Reply

    Lucy Hughes
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    You, sir, are a fucking moron.

    Reply

    Andrew Jardine
    avatar

    Jardine!

    Reply

    ijam day
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    haha im the moron.. see this is exactly.. when someone shove reality in your face, the response is “you’re a moron”.. what happened to intelligent conversation.. you probably went to africa and help teach english to some kids.. and you think u know the whole story.. i am not going to stoop down to your level and name calling.. because i know im talking about.. you, Lucy Hughes, obviously clueless about the reality of it all.. but feel free to keep calling me names.. youre just validating my point.. Somebody find me her address so i can send a thank you card.. have a nice day.. :)

    Reply

    Lucy Hughes
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    My field of interest is in Latin America, where I have done extensive research into the devastating effects of neoliberal policies and corporate globalisation.
    Multinational corporations have been granted an all-access pass to the global market, with devastating effects. As one example, the American company BECHTEL bought Bolivia’s water supply in 1999 and increased the rates by 200%, leaving people without the most basic of human rights. Is it right that corporations are allowed control of essential resources such as food and water through privatisation?
    A lot of key figures who hold chairman positions both in institutions such as the World Bank or the IMF AND in corporations such as Goldman Sachs. You’d have to be a real moron to think that those people don’t have vested interests in the exploitation of third world countries.
    The most important thing about my degree is that it allows people who do not have first hand experience of the negative impacts of corporate globalisation to gain in depth knowledge about those areas. I will not apologise for not being born in a third world country: it is a ridiculous argument to suggest that the geographical location of our birthplaces should give either one of us authority on this matter. We have two different perspectives, but my concern is with human development and welfare, whereas you seem to think that the fact that you were born in an underdeveloped country makes you exempt from being concerned about people who continue to be exploited by neoliberal regimes. You have allowed yourself to become naive by assuming that people who care are foolish.

    Reply

    Lucy Hughes
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    To clarify, that is supposed to read “A lot of key figures who work for global institutions such as the world bank and the IMF also hold chairman positions in multinational corporations such as Goldman Sachs.”

    Reply

    Sam
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    Lucy, Caveat Emtor baby.

    Reply

  • Pete
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    Why do you use the word “feminist” like it is some kind of slur? It has no relevance to the article in question, which was written from a humanist perspective? You seem to suggest that Chloe being a feminist tells us something about her, could you clarify what this is? Although, for a site famous only for an article called “sluts in cake”, maybe it isn’t too surprising that you aren’t keen on feminism.
    You say Chloe has spread “lies” through the wessex scene, but you don’t contradict her points, except to say “they sell the milk formula to mothers who cannot or will not breastfeed”. Yes and how many of those who ‘cannot or will not’ are in that position because nestle funded campaigns to promote their own brand breast milk, or introduced it to their babies too young? In fact you even admit that “Tragically this contributes to a large number of deaths each year”. Guess that would make Chloe’s article true then?

    Oh and by the way, it was possible to vote in May without going for Labour, Lib Dem or Conservative. There were hundreds of parties standing.
    All this article serves to do is expose the soton tab for the ridiculous publication it is.

    Reply

    ijam day
    avatar

    Why does everyone keeps banging on the word “feminist”.. Its just a simple description of her.. Is it not true that she is a feminist..? If its not then yeah keep going on about it.. Since it is, drop it..
    And just incase you havent notice the timing in sluts in cake? It was during the times when the governments are to vote for the increase of tuition fees.. That video is just to illustrate why not everyone should go into higher education.. Nothing to do with being against feminism..

    I dont think Michelle is disagreeing to Chole’s article.. Its more criticising of the she portrays her views.. Its just too much.. There are better ways to express your opinion..

    And about the voting.. Im stressing the word “assume”.. The was no accusation of any sort..

    The point you make regarding soton tab just makes YOU look ridiculous.. Its the writer’s perception.. Not soton tab’s..

    Reply

    Sam
    avatar

    Pete’s right you know, UKIP, The socialist party and the Pirate Party all ran

    Reply

  • Monster Mash
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    Sick of all this inaccurate reporting?

    For real news:
    http://wessexmash.wordpress.com/

    Reply

  • Stephen
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    The accusations against Nestle are that they promote formula as better than breast milk. Nestle has been the most boycotted company in history with boycotts going back to 1977.
    Here is an extract from the wiki article on it:
    Advocacy groups and charities have accused Nestlé of unethical methods of promoting infant formula over breast-milk to poor mothers in developing countries. For example, IBFAN claim that Nestlé supports the distribution of free powdered formula samples to hospitals and maternity wards; after leaving the hospital, the formula is no longer free, but because the supplementation has interfered with lactation the family must continue to buy the formula. IBFAN also allege that Nestlé uses “humanitarian aid” to create markets, does not label its products in a language appropriate to the country where they are sold, and offers gifts and sponsorship to influence health workers to promote its products.[16] Nestlé denies these allegations
    How is Chloe Green being a feminist (assuming she is) relevant to the article?

    Reply

  • J
    avatar

    Slightly over-serious commenters at work here, nothing wrong with a lively debate, but this is more like a bitch-fight.That aside, whether or not I agree with the slant of this particular article, it’s extremely short sighted to decide it makes the entire sotontab a ridiculous publication. Sotontab has numerous writers who all write on different subjects and are informative, lighthearted and student-life related. You won’t agree with everything you read, but there’s a lot more respect due to someone who wrote an article than someone who left a scathing comment underneath it.

    Reply

    Anon
    avatar

    So if I wrote an article which just repeated the word ‘balls’ over and over, and threw in some attempts at personal slander, I’d still deserve more respect than the person that stated how stupid it was? This article does did not deserve publication, and the writer deserves whatever criticisms may follow. Publication should have standards.

    Reply

    Quality argument Anon, nothing like retreating to the furthest extreme to get your point across.
    PS
    balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls Anon fellates cows balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls

    Reply

    hoolio garcia
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    its libel if its written not slander

    Reply

  • Tim Dutton
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    Regardless of the quality of this piece it’s pretty cowardly to attack Chloe’s article, political leaning and feminism from the safety of anonymity, at least she’s willing to stand by her beliefs. Or is ‘Michelle Dando’ being intentionally antagonistic to get more clicks for the Tab?

    Of course you’re entitled to your opinion, but grow a pair.

    Reply

    Sam
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    Tim Dutton is a feminist everyone!

    Reply

  • Anon
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    For people that are so sure that no one listens to feminists, you sure are obsessed with them.

    Reply

  • Michelle Dando
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    Guys why are you all being so harsh about this? Why wouldn’t I mention the David Cameron event? Chloe Green made national headlines all over the country from that video.

    My aspirations are to be a journalist at the Daily Mail or The Sun, so of course I’m going to write something like this.

    We didn’t get any facts wrong either by the way – I see no one’s mentioned that.

    Reply

    McG
    avatar

    Good news: I guess you’re well on track to achieving your aspirations.

    Better news: we can be certain you won’t be writing for any of the more level-headed and even-handed publications.

    Oh, and good luck continuing to write articles like this without being able to accept the worthy criticism that must follow. Chloe’s political preferences and feminist beliefs have NOTHING to do with the Nestle issue (you merely used them to garner attention), and yet you said little on the actual topic. If you want to oppose the boycott, write about that and not about Chloe.

    Reply

    Ijam Day
    avatar

    Would you marry me Michelle Abigail Dando? Your writing inspire me to spread love to the world..

    Reply

  • Tamer Sonay
    avatar

    Look, Ladies and Gentlemen,
    Where I am from in Cyprus people kill eachother with spoons over smaller things.

    We all stressed about our exams so lets just take a pill and listen to some cool music.

    If this doesn’t stop we need to pass motion to not let certain trouble making women use the internet

    Reply

  • James macnamara
    avatar

    equal rights is a myth. accept it and move on. Not just for genders but all other aspects of a person’s being such as their race, religion, sexuality, background, history etc whatever.

    I don’t want to sound mean or anything but i think it’s time we just all took some time out to grow up. Lets go solve a real issue shall we?

    Reply

    Andrew Iain Jardine
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    OMG THAT IS TOO FAR this comment was not by me.

    Reply

  • James macnamara
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    Now that i have actually read the article, i am prepared to make a better formulated opinion. Instead of moaning to the who doesn’t really care about africa, how about chloe green goes to africa to help out?

    She decides ooooooooh lets ban chocolate, that will save africa? are you serious? a little ethiopian child somewhere out there is screaming ” Chloe, are you going to eat that? can i have it.please!!”. come on people!!!

    to all you feminists, please just go out right now to your nearest newsagents and pick up some tampons. you lot have the longest running periods known to man, i swear down.

    Reply

    SotonTab reader
    avatar

    Both rascist and sexist, well done. I love you, you’re saying what we’re all thinking.

    Reply

    Name
    avatar

    grow up macnamara

    Reply

  • Dave
    avatar

    james macnamara you are now my favourite person!!

    Reply

    Andrew Jardine
    avatar

    I think I have just developed a man crush for James macnamara

    Reply

  • Abigail Oliver
    avatar

    Excuse me
    What Solent kid writes this shit?

    If this is supposed to be a tabloid spin off of the wessex scene, it is a complete and utter disgrace.

    I have had articles taken off this site because of inaccuracy and slander.

    A personal assault against someone’s opinion. REALLY?

    If this is actually affiliated with the university they should be disgusted.

    Reply

    Petr Petrovic
    avatar

    ‘Dando’ is the ‘Pause’ of the tab, called satire

    Reply

  • E.
    avatar

    If you’re so proud of this sexist, ridiculous pile of nonsense you call “writing” then why did you write it under a pseudonym? Southampton isn’t that big, and word does get around about this sort of thing, so must of us know that “Michelle Dando” isn’t a real person. Also, it probably would have been more believable if you hadn’t written it in the style of a 13 year old boy. But anyway, if you pride yourself on your “balanced and fair” journalism then why do you feel the need to hide?

    Reply

    Andrew Jardine
    avatar

    Good point…..E?

    Reply

    E.
    avatar

    I have no need to reveal my identity, I’m just anonymously enjoying trolling your pathetic attempts at journalism :)

    Reply

    Andrew Jardine
    avatar

    You’re an ugly troll?

    Reply

    E.
    avatar

    Ahh, irrelevant personal attacks, my favourite! Yeah, you probably would call me ugly but then you are small minded and misogynistic so excuse me if I don’t cry myself to sleep over your lack of approval.

    Reply

    Matt Quinn
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    Brilliant cheers guys

    Reply

    E.
    avatar

    oh go suck a fuck

    Reply

  • Miranda H
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    I think this article should be called ‘Read my bigoted and unfounded attack on someone who’s trying for change’

    The Nestle issue aside, I don’t understand why you need to brand Miss Green as ‘Feminist Chloe Green’ – what on earth has that got to do with anything? By including it in a grossly negative article you’re implying distinctly negative connotations on the whole concept of feminism which I find particularly ill-informed.

    I agree it’s important to research this issue properly before forming an opinion but it seems like you’ve barely bothered to do that yourself in favour of forming a personal attack on the writer. It reminds me of the campaigns to muddy Gordon Brown himself as opposed to the Labour party before the elections; since you don’t have enough genuine information or research to pad out your article you’ve instead gone on to dig into a completely unrelated issue. What does it matter that she’d had brief words with David Cameron? This is entirely beside the point and just proves you don’t have enough to say about the issue; you have to revert to something totally irrelevant to put a fellow journalist’s name in a bad light.

    I’m sure it’s already been said that Labour, Lib Dem and Conservatives are not the only three options for voting but it just proves how closed-minded this piece is, and takes away any final credibility your article may have. I hope your next article is more focused on facts and less on character assassination.

    Reply

    Petr Petrovic
    avatar

    Although this is a satire, you clearly dont view it in this way.
    1. Chloe is a feminist (maybe not the same as me or you, but a self professed and ardent feminist) Calling her a feminist is not slander because that is inseparable from her identity.
    2. The satire brings to attention the ludicrous and POLITICALLY motivated embargo from someone who should hold respect and neutrality (paid by us)
    3. The WS has removed the article, does that say something?
    4. The Dave thing is ridiculous, have you seen it? And that argument is beside the point.
    5. The Tab gets thousands more hits a day than the WS which is seen by most students as a mouth piece for SUSU- which in itself is seen mostly with ambivalence. From the NUS to ‘nightlife’ the Sabbs have continually failed our Union- what is worse, Chloe embodies this SUSU who simply does not admit it is wrong, sees its opponents as idiots and is failing to enfranchise students.
    6. Character assassination? (i have worked in susu and have been part of the WS and other clubs) Chloe has called my closest friends by the worst names, spreading rumours and generally being an arsehole, but i guess given how shit SUSU is run, its not like they would ever be brought to account would they?
    7, Finally miss hopkinson, would you not have any agenda here yourself?

    Reply

  • Jake Watson
    avatar

    Argument aside, this was just about the worst written piece of ‘journalism’ I have ever read.

    Reply

    Matt Quinn
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    HAHA Jake LOVE that you read this.

    Reply

  • James
    avatar

    Dear Michelle,
    I really enjoyed your article, sluts in cake, and the follow up, sluts in cake returns. It is therefore with great anticipation I await the opportunity to read sluts in cake forever, and sluts in cake and robin, whenever you should choose to publish them.
    I think those articles display the full range of your journalistic ability. The comment on the Chelsea v Sunderland score was inspiring.
    And so, as an avid fan of your writing, it pains me to read this particular article. I feel it is my duty, as a fan, to point out some simple flaws in your work on this one occasion, in an attempt to restore you to the glory days of sluts in cake.
    Firstly the title, “Feminist misleads students spreading Nestle LIES with help of the Wessex Scene” its not very catchy, not a scratch on “pity me: im a student”…now that was something. I would have suggested going with something like “I want African children to contract HIV: im a Feminist.” Also, initially I was confused, as by choosing not to place an accent on the last e of Nestlé, i thought the article was about snuggling. I must say however that I like your emphasis on Feminism, its a classic Dandoism, like when you used to talk about the Irish economy in articles about half dressed girls rolling around in cake. Some readers might consider that an irrelevant waste of words, but your disregard for journalistic convention is exactly what I enjoy about your work.
    Now, the first two paragraphs. BRILLIANT! The audacity to use a phrase like “all hell broke loose” before discussing exagerated claims…stroke of genius.
    However after this, you do sort of, a little bit, undermine the whole argument you are trying to make. Paragraph 4 essentially reads “the milk subsititute…contributes to a large number of deaths each year.” This is so un-Dando. I hate to see this in your writing Michelle. There was a time when you would not let facts deter you from pushing your agenda. That is the Michelle Dando we all loved. Luckily she returns with the lib dem assumption. Now I havnt cross referenced this, as I am not sure precisely where Miss Green resides or votes, however, here is a link to a list of political parties that contested last years general election.
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/parties_and_issues/default.stm

    I dont know what I think about Nestlé. I enjoy freedom of choice, but I would be willing to sacrifice that choice in attempt to secure the same freedom for a wider number. I really just wish that you had written another sluts in cake, maybe sluts in cake begins? a story on the origins of sluts in cake, instead of wasting your talent for the trivial on such a complex and challenging subject.

    Thanks Michelle,

    Yours Adoringly,

    James
    p.s. Chelsea lost 1-0 to Wolves this week. Please tell everyone how weird it is.

    Reply

  • Joe
    avatar

    I think the major point in this argument has been missed. If a boycott by Southampton University is supported, I’ll have to walk all the way to the co-op for a tasty Kit-Kat! Outrageous!

    Reply

  • James Dodd
    avatar

    bikky

    Reply

  • Dude
    avatar

    As an aside Chloe Green is pretty fit

    Reply

  • Name
    avatar

    Guys you all need to chill out, just ‘Have a Break’.

    Reply

  • Rob McWhirter
    avatar

    This newspaper is a farce.

    Reply

    dan ashcroft
    avatar

    I think that is the idea.

    Reply

  • Will Jameson
    avatar

    Seems very naive to me to assume that Nestle encourage mothers in Africa to use their formula to “help” them.

    For an article that started by complaining about impartiality in the Wessex Scene, this might be one of the most biased pieces of journalistic writing I’ve seen – full of baseless conjecture.

    Reply

  • Danny
    avatar

    Student mongs! Nestle has been poisoning babies for decades and being paid for by IMF Loans via Aid, so we are giving aid to countries by paying well over the odds for tainte and poor quality baby milk, and then forcing those countries to pay it back via the loan and selling off resources to the western nations! Just surprises me that none of you can pick a book up in between watching lady gaga on telly!

    Reply

    eddy
    avatar

    you are full of shit.

    Reply

  • avatar

    That would mean no POLOs :(

    Reply

  • Joseph Madden
    avatar

    This article must be a spoof. Michelle Dando: “My aspirations are to be a journalist at the Daily Mail or The Sun, so of course I’m going to write something like this.”

    I don’t understand how anyone can aspire to be that kind of person? I’m already better than that every day of my life without making any conscious effort.

    Reply