From Our Readers: A CEO Responds

By Nick Nichols; Nichols-Dezenhall

Michael Elliott's column "How To Talk To Protesters" (Aug. 13) focuses on the pluses of corporations seeking accommodation with protest groups but neglects the minuses. Many radical protest groups don't want accommodation. They are driven by intense hatred of corporations, free enterprise and technology, and by a need to keep collecting money from corporations to fund more protests. Corporations should reject the idea of surrender to these extremists. Instead, they should tell the world some basic truths. Free enterprise and trade help millions get jobs. Animal research saves human lives. Chemicals eradicate pests that spread diseases. Biotechnology increases crop yields and prevents starvation.

--By Nick Nichols, Nichols-Dezenhall