Kosher Industry Flack Wants A "Time Out" In Postville

Give new owners 6 months to settle in before making demands, Menachem Lubinsky tells Postville citizens and outside Jewish groups.

From this week's Kosher Today:

Time Out in Postville - September 14, 2009 

The Forward reported recently that “the new owners of the beleaguered kosher meat company Agriprocessor are quickly facing criticism over their early management of the 

company.” Hershey Friedman, the Canadian businessman who acquired Agrioprocessor (now called Agri Star) is already facing pressure from a number of groups to meet and detail their plans for the company, the city, the workers and so forth. “I’m quickly starting to become impatient with the company’s lax attitude toward civic responsibilities,” said Jeff Reinhardt, a member of Postville’s City Council. Several people who have their pulse on developments in Postville say that the company needs time to put the house in order before it concentrates on establishing relationships with various groups.

I can understand that some of the groups are becoming impatient and looking for signs of change. But this isn’t an easy acquisition for the Canadian businessman and the last thing they need now is any kind of pressure that does not allow them to take firm control of the company. It would make sense that the new owners be given a period of grace, “a honeymoon” that even new presidents are given. I would suggest a “time-out” of at least 6 months to allow the owners to develop their plan, step up production of the poultry and perhaps begin the slaughter of beef. Steve Brackett, the pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville told the Forward: “I think they are very busy, but I also think it would go far to calming tensions if they would at least host a community meeting.” Whose tensions would it calm? Certainly not the new owners who are trying to revitalize a company with such a checkered history.

Postville Jewish Community Blocks Community Benefits Agreement Between Postville and Agri Star. 

As New Owners Take Over Agriprocessors, Postville Worries.

[Hat Tip: The Other DK.]

Comments

[The sane one]

Yep, give them time to dig in or sink they're claws in , if you will. They will own all the properties and rent them at ridiculous prices(except for they're own). By the time they are willing to talk, it will be too late. Rubishclan all over again.

[state of Disgust]

Let me see if I understand this line of reasoning correctly:
Hershey Friedman shells out $8.5 Million for a business he knows nothing about, after having spent considerable time contemplating the purchase (months in fact) and negotiating the price down with the Court appointed Trustee. But now needs six more months to figure out how to run the company and bring it back into full production.
Either Hershey Friedman is an idiot - which I seriously doubt - or he has been conned by the Rubashkin's into thinking there was more there than meets the eye - or he is planning on selling the plant to someone else at a loss (guess who) - or he is trying to get the State of Iowa to put serious bucks into the operation, OR this is all an attempt to stall for time. Come on Menachem, you can do better than this - A meeting with towns people would take all of 24 hours to organize and would at least give folks SOME idea of the company's plans and the town's future. Not that its important or anything - its just their lives Hershey's playing with.

[sage]

It isn't time for a "Time Out."

But it is time for the plant to be closed down permanently, liquidated and sold for scap and for the Chabad Community to move back to Crown Heights.

How HF got involved with this, who knows and who really cares. He, the RCF and the Chabad Community don't give a sh-t about Postville nor it's Citizens. Never have and never will.

As CPA has so eloquently said on many occasions: "Pack it up and move it on."

[Pablo Faird]

I agree that a meeting should be scheduled sooner rather than later if only just so that a line of communication is opened and nurtured between the new owners and the Council. Obviously no concrete measures will take place before the house is in order and that will need to be self understood.
On the flip side the 8.5 million was for the line of credit only (I believe), there was still the properties, the equipment, the legal fees and the current accumilation of losses on the day to day operations. In reality at the very minimum you are looking at anywhere between the 12-15 million number. So if I were in Friedman`s shoes and just invested so much money, my first priority would be to reorganize. Keep in mind that although he had months to plan, he did not take over day to day operations until August, and like every newly elected President says, I inherited a bigger mess than I thought.
So the real question is, Is it so unreasonable to ask for a 6 months honeymoon? It might not be such a bad idea, in fact it might give both sides more information to come to the table with.

[Alex]

I see nothing wrong with the request for more time. As far as the following passage:

"Agrioprocessor (now called Agri Star) is already facing pressure from a number of groups to meet and detail their plans for the company, the city, the workers and so forth"

The answer is simple, kosher meat is clearly a big business and Mr. Friedman sees this operation as an opportunity to make money.

I understand that what Rubashkin did was unethical and illegal and he is in the process of paying a price for it.

However I do believe that Mr. Friedman deserves a chance to run this business and only then be judged for his own actions and not those of Rubashkin.

As the quick growth of Empire demonstrates that quality and ethics can still win out in the kosher meat marketplace. I hope that Agri Star will take that lesson to heart and run a quality business.

[AGRI-vated Angel]

[. . . they need now is any kind of pressure that does not allow them to take firm control of the company.]

~ the company or do you mean . . . the town ? ? ? ? ?

[AGRI-vated Angel]

To whom it may concern,

The company will reap what they've sewn.

As the saying goes . . . 'Been there, done that.' (. . . endlessly, I might add)

[groisa shmeckel]

Anyone who wants to know how sage backs up his intimate
Knowledge of agri's shitskies pls say aye.
my observation says he doesn't know sh_t about
Friedman, or his intentions...just a left wing nutjob
Vegan seeking to impose his ideas on other people.
Who is sage to dictate how the business should be run?
He can't even help from touching himself when looking
At PETA models during work.
I know that G-d judges us as we judge others...sage you
Are screwed!!!!

[state of Disgust]

If you want a honeymoon, that implies you're married, and that would imply a katuba (marriage contract) and not just living together.
You can't have a contract if you're unwilling to talk to the other party.There has been no open meeting with the townspeople of Postville, where residents can hear a) Why Hershey bought the company in the first place; b) What his plans are (even if he doesn't have all the answers, he can at least enlighten people about what he's found, and; c) Allow towns people to ask questions.
Its not all that hard to do and doesn't take much time.
BTW, How much time has Hershey spent in Postville? Or is he totally dependent on what he hears from Hirsch? How much time has Hirsch spent in Postville? Has he bought a home? Is he moving to town? Who's really running the show?

[yidandahalf]

I will say it since no one else will. Fuck Agri Star, fuck Friedman, and above all FUCK LUBINSKY. The show is over, Lubinsky, cut your losses and look to your sordid future. The powers that be and their few sane minions here on earth have been writing on the wall for quite some time, you relics seem to be the only ones who cannot read.

[Pablo Faird]

SOD, Your questions are all valid, yet you can`t expect the owners of an operation of this size to give concrete answers within 4-6 of taking over. The idea is to have a time out (as your references to ketuba with contractual obligations are a bit strong) and in the long run more people will benefit.
You are only looking at it from a Postville native point of view, that is perfectly fine, however there are always two sides to a coin.

[Pablo Faird]

Yidandahalf,
Please expand on your professionally written post, I always had difficulty in poetry classes, perhaps you can explain what your point is.

[yidandahalf]

By all means give them a "six month honeymoon" and as all particpants in a real six month honeymoon would be, they will be headed for a nasty divorce. However, IMHO, the insiders are already on that track. Afterall, it's only a very short matter of time before the ties that bind Hershey and Heshy fray irreparably. Let us be realistic.

[Groisa shmeckel]

I've got to hand it to yid 1/2....
Your argument sounds logical enough.
I bet you used your education to vote for Obama before
Your brilliant expose here today.

[steve]

Lubinsky is auditioning for another PR gig. After being trashed on this blog last year by Getzel for doing a lousy PR job, he's looking for a second chance from Hershey. The shameless shill lives on! This new Agri-vation team of Hirsch, Hershey and Heshy should give him the heave-ho and while they're at it, give themselves a heave-ho. This soap opera is wearing thin already.

[Concerned for the Postville Area]

yidandahalf, state of Disgust, AGRI-vated Angel, The sane one and sage said it all! Good posts!
This town is already bankrupted due to the last assholes and frankly this town doesn't have 6 months to play their games once more! Already homeless people have come into town looking for handouts of money for rent, gas and food from the churches. Do they go to Agri-Star for support? Heck no, its the town once again! Sure seems interesting that they all have means to get to Postville but can't figure it out once they hit town! So much for employing area residents!! What a scream!! What really would have made sense is if the new owners would have had a meeting 6 months prior to taking over the company! We really couldn't care less what their next lies will be. It will take alot more than a litte PR to bring this company around. It should have been locked up a year ago, end of story. Nobody cares!! Like Sage said TEAR IT DOWN, LOAD IT UP AND MOVE IT ON!!!!!!!!!!

[concerned citizen]

This question is off topic but does anybody out there know if there is a Kosher/Jewish packing plant in Colorado?

[state of the Jews]

There are I believe several kosher packing plants. Rubashkin regularly used the Swift plant to slaughter lamb. They'd send a few guys, kasher the plant, slaughter, and ship back sides to P'ville for cut-up. He may also have sent sides up to Gordon.
The plant you are looking for though is probably Auerbach.

[state of Disgust]

"you can`t expect the owners of an operation of this size to give concrete answers within 4-6 of taking over."

Yes, you can. They've had months to plan this take-over, not 4-6 weeks. If you plan to take over a company, you start with a plan, before you take it over. BTW, Agri is not exactly a giant company. It is a complicated business, part raw material, part processing and part sales, but it is not Perdue, Swift,or other large producer.

As for looking at it only from the point of view of Postville natives, that is the only point of view that matters. This failure to communicate with local community leaders (no I don't mean the idiot who holds the title of Mayor)has created animosity beyond believe. The situation is still however salvageable if Hershey acts like a mentsh, but if past performance is any indication of future prospects the chances are pretty slim.

[sage]

It seems to me, that HF, indeed, had a plan from the very beginning, simply to run Agri-Star on the RCF Model.

This would explain, why he has refused to meet with Postville Citizens groups or publish his plans in writing, say that the Rubashkins were basically nice people and term the Federal and Iowa legal activities as a "Witch Hunt."

It would not surprise me at all, if the Feds have one or more moles inside Agri-Star right now, gathering evidence for future indictments.

[nachos]

Concerned citizen:

There is a company that is buying in your area for slaughter in Colorado. They get people to custom kill for them. I believe it is EKB beef. The buyer is reputable, but I don't know much about the company.

[nachos]

Concerned citizen:

There is a mail order meat company that is based out of Colorado. The meat is not kosher, but I know the individual that owns it and he is very particular about quality. I believe their web site is no bull.net. The company is called Ranch foods direct.

[TheTruthAsItIs]

State of Disgust, Sage, Alex, The Sane One, Agri Vated Angel, Concerned for Postville:

You have all pretty much hit on the sentiment that is out there at the moment..

If you are a citizen of Postville and watched your town spiral into the abyss of plummeting property values, a trashed reputation, and a lowered standard of living you have been through hell....

If you are a citizen of Postville, and an employee of the plant and have lost some of your wages, health insurance, child support, been supbeoned, targeted or indicted/ plead guilty to a crime becasue you were following one of teh Rubashkisn orders then I suspect that you have been through hell and back and then some.....

My rather long winded point being is that the citizens of Postville have EARNED the right to be cynical, distrustful, and downright bitter.

No one, I mean NO ONE has looked out for the citizens of the town in this whole thing. Not the Trustees, not the Town Government, definitely not the Rubashkins, and to date not the New Owners.

It doesnt help, as Sage has pointed out, when HF states the Rubashkins have been a victim of a witch hunt - but makes no comment about the town itself( or at least none that I am aware of.)

It also doesnt help when the new owners seem to embrace all that is Rubashkin. Case in point, one line of reasoning the new owners use to keep some of the old management form the Rubashkin era around is because they need their expertise ( the Trustees also used this excuse)

Expertise in what? Running a plant into the ground?

The name - Agri Star. After the dismal reputation left by the old Agriprocessors throughout the entire meat industry why would you give yourself a new name with Agri anywhere in it??!?! Why not give it an entirely new name? Its like getting sprayed with a skunk and then just washing half of your body with tomato juice.....

These small, yet very real things, only make citizens of the town think they are in for the same old same old.

I would think the new owners would fall all over themselves to prove they are their own people, that they are going to be the saviors of this small town, that they are cut from a different mold.

But that doesnt seem to be the case. Not so far anyway.

And until they do, people will rightfully have their suspicions. That is the truth...

As it is.

[nachos]

Sage:

You are so off base, it isn't funny. Sage, seriously what line of work do you do?

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

Its hard to tell for whose consumption the Kosher Today article was written for. Does anybody outside the Agri Star community in Postville read it?

Just typical drivel that is printed in the business press.

[Concerned for the Postville Area]

Posted by: TheTruthAsItIs | September 14, 2009 at 06:34 PM

What a wonderfully said blog!! Thank you for summing the "fears" up so many of us.
Very well put.
I would love to put your comment in the surrounding papers as an editorial.

[sage]

I second CPA's comment, but does this make me "off base" again?

[Concerned for the Postville Area]

Sage,
I think they get mad because so many folks on here are totally "on base" and are not taking their bull no more! As they say the truth hurts!!
Keep up the good work Sage!

[nachos]

Sage:

I would be more than happy to have an email exchange with you on this and to explain why you are "off base."

[agent emes]

Truthasitis and fan club:
Let's go thru your points one at a time.
1) Town spiralling into the abyss: this is post immigration raid and has nothing to do with new owners.
2) Employees of the plant losing out: again this has nothing to do with the new owners.
3) Postville citizens having earned the right to be cynical: again nothing to do with the new owners.
4) Saying the word "witch hunt": I am not condoning what they allegedly did, however to a certain extent the way things went down with peta, the union and the feds, there are some elements who were out to get them and make sure they lose everything. Also Friedman did mention that the natives were wary of the jewish community and that trust needed to be rebuilt.
5) Embracing all that is Rubashkin: the last time I checked, SMR and pop were not around anymore, and Heshy was not in upper managment, and I cannot recall the last time where a total house cleaning was done in a company resructuring.
6) Agristar: any which way you look at it no matter what they would have called it, it would always be known as the former Agriprocessers. For your same line of reasoning, should GM have completely changed its name, or should half the airline industry change their name, and I bet their investors feel just as robbed as the Postville citizens.
You see what I'm getting at is that it's time to move on and stop bickering about the past which has nothing to do with the new ownership. What has Friedman done out of the ordinary that warrants this childish behavior towards him, give him a chance to prove that he is capable of turning this mess back into a profitable company. He has only been in control since mid August, that's 4 weeks for crying out loud, and all the planning is useless if you find new surprises everyday since taking over. Give him the time he needs it's not asking too much. If Agristar is profitable then Postville wins. Apparently the status quo is not acceptable, let the healing begin instead of rubbing salt on the wounds.

[The sane one]

Sorry, I have to disagree with #5. Rubish boys are not legally in upper management, but who is? The ones that are in "upper management" are listening to the same hacks that started the whole debacle. So what is the difference? I'll tell you. The title. Same power, different title. That is the only difference between now and a year ago!!! I do give a little credit to the RCF. They truly don't know right from wrong.

[sage]

+++ Sage:

I would be more than happy to have an email exchange with you on this and to explain why you are "off base."

Posted by: nachos | September 14, 2009 at 08:05 PM +++

Counter Offer:

When the plant and the Chabad Community are gone, my wife and I will be visiting Postville.

Then, we can have a very friendly face to face conversation.

[nachos]

Counter Offer:

When the plant and the Chabad Community are gone, my wife and I will be visiting Postville.

Then, we can have a very friendly face to face conversation.

Posted by: sage | September 15, 2009 at 05:21 AM
Sage:

My offer stands also. I think I would enjoy a civil confidential email exchange with you.

In honor of your future visit to Postville, I will start fattening a calf that we can enjoy when you arrive. I would raid the garden, but I don't want to cause my broccoli any pain.

Sage, do you have good health insurance? I am worried that if Rubashgkin gets acquited, your head will explode or you will have a stroke. :(

On another note, I think the Lubavitch community will start to thin out very soon. The new owner is not supporting the community and for other reasons.

[state of disgust]

Agent emes:
Point by point response:
1) The town is on the abyss not because of the raid, but because of the policies of the previous owners. The financial problems of the plant for example began almost a year before the raid. Trying to divert the public's attention by blame others for Rubashkin's errors is a fallacious argument. The townspeople have every right to demand that the new owners meet and discuss how they will be different from the previous owners who did so much damage to the local economy, given the statements of support the new owners have made about Rubashkin being railroaded.
2)Again, if there are no real changes in the plants operation because the same people who used to run the plant are still making decisions then employees have every right to worry about their futures.
3)Once burned, twice shy.
4)Again, trying to blame others just won't fly. The way to build trust is not by doing the same thing the previous owner did. Lunacy is doing the same thing that failed over again, and expecting different results. Friedman seems to want to follow in Rubashkin's footsteps which foolhardy.
5) A total house cleaning is done all the time, if you know the industry. If you don't know the industry, you clean house and hire away top talent from other industry firms and let them run the place. You don't give that job to your son-in-law.
6) Agri-Star is not GM. It never produced a Cadillac and had a century of goodwill to justify keeping the name. But you are correct in saying that any poultry coming out of Postville into the kosher market will be suspect and have to surmount a terrible reputation. Better they should turn the place into a Hallal slaughterhouse and concentrate on a new market.
Finally, "the past is prologue," and the townspeople have every right to demand a clean break from past performance at this company.

[sage]

Hi Nachos,

My previous offer stands, as is.

No need to slaughter and prepare a meat meal for my wife and I, as we are vegetarians.

A wholesome vegetable salad and bean soup will do.

As for SMR, given that there are 3 Trials pending and 2 Federal and State Labor Law indictments are in preparation, his chances in being aquited are very slim.

But, if this happens, it will have no effect on me, as the juries have spoken and we must respect their verdicts.

[fair is fair]

Sage,
we don't want your comments anymore. The plant does need to operate. Poultry, Deli and hopefully beef soon. You are a hatred person.

[AGRI-vated Angel]

I have one simple observation that I feel a need to express. Why should Postville citizens heed the 'expert advice' from Menachem Lubinsky? Is he not also a busy man, much the same or possibly even more so than Hershey Friedman? I would deduce from this observation that meeting with your 'future' must not be as much of a priority for Mr. Friedman as it is to Mr. Lubinsky.

[sage]

LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sage]

LOL is in response to FIF.

[AGRI-vated Angel]

[Finally, "the past is prologue," and the townspeople have every right to demand a clean break from past performance at this company.]

This consideration/mindset is (& will continue to be) shared by many responsible, respectable Postville citizens, suppliers, sale barns, church leaders, employees of the facility & includes those, the citizens of neighboring communities, who were effected by the [past performance at this company].

[AGRI-vated Angel]

A note to Sage ~

Thank you.

I tend to appreciate all comments when tactfully/sensibly scripted. Yours 'fit' my criteria, always.

[sage]

Many thanks, AA !!!!!!!

Those who post here disrespectfully, use this blog to offer personal and inapproriate attacks on others, simply don't understand that they are only hurting themselves.

Over the past 40 years, I have been involved in Synagogue Politics and have been called every name in the book and some that have, yet, to make it into the book, simply, because I always speak my mind and kiss no one's ass.

So, nothing on this blog, frankly, surprises me.

[Pablo Faird]

SOD, Agri vated etc..
For all the yea`s and nay`s postings, there is not one that denies the Postville`s community right to know what the plans are. The point of contention is, is it in the best interest of both Agristar and the community to give a bit of time before a meeting to discuss the future. What good would it do to outline plans and not follow thru in a proper time frame (due to unforseen expenses cropping up), and it is well known that there are certain individuals who would like nothing less than complete failure, so they will pounce on any bit of information which will reflect negatively on the new ownership, therefore no promises are currently in the works. 6 months is a practical time frame for them to get the place in order, not 4 weeks (and please lets not go back to the well they has several months to plan ahead, because unfortunately you only get a fraction of the facts before taking over the day to day operations).

[AGRI-vated Angel]

If the facility fails, it will be-

1 . . . the direct result of a lax attitude toward the citizens of Postville, suppliers, sale barns, church leaders, employees of the facility & includes countless citizens of neighboring communities as well.

2 . . . a repercussion of the overall perception, regarding those listed above, as to 'who' the 'new' owner (s) actually is/are.

3 . . . a firm conclusion of #2 by those seeking a truly Kosher product.

4 . . . whether the 'new' owner (s) are foolish/smug enough to expect a 'clean slate'.

5 . . . whether/or not the 'new' owner (s) 'display' their 'good intentions' in a public forum.

6 . . . whether the 'new' owner (s) expect any 'incentives' from the city.

I stated before . . . [we 'held the door open' for them]. At this point in time, this 'show of support' should suffice.

Please note ~

The 'new owner (s)' response seems to be to stonewall' us. . . . ALL of us.

[sage]

+++ ...you only get a fraction of the facts before taking over the day to day operations).

Posted by: Pablo Faird | September 15, 2009 at 09:11 AM +++

I don't agree.

HF was entitled to get ALL of the pertinent facts about the Plant, etc. before deciding to purchase it.

Today, all of the trucks owned by Best Value Trucking (A Rubashkin Operation in Bankruptcy) are being auctioned off. [See FM Post]

Was this hidden from HF and, perhaps, many other things?

IMHO, HF should cut his losses, close down Agri-Star and sell the place for scrap.

[AGRI-vated Angel]

[...you only get a fraction of the facts before taking over the day to day operations).]

This would NEVER be the case in connection with someone who is THOUGHT TO BE a SUCCESSFUL business owner, not amongst those of whom Hershey Friedman is intermingled.

[Pablo Faird]

(you only get a fraction of the facts before taking over the day to day operations)
My apologies, it should have stated you don`t get ALL the facts before taking over. This is the case in most bankruptcy take overs, no matter how much DD is done.

[state of disgust]

I'm sure HF feels that his lock on the Lubav market is secure which is why he thinks he can be silent in the face of demands by the Postville community to open dialogue about the future of the plant. I also believe the Postville community would be willing to give HF 6 months IF he satisfied their demand for info on the companies plans and willingness to be open and above aboard even if those plans change. But don't be surprised if people in Postville oppose state aide to Agri-Star because of the poor to non-existent relationship between the company and the town. Instead of turning this situation to his advantage, HF has created a community relations nightmare which will not be soon forgotten by the people of Postville. This is not Kiryas Joel and it is not Montreal. It might be hard for Agri-Star to raise funds from the State if the townspeople (and I don't mean the yidden) are vocal in their opposition to public money going to such a company.

A word about today's truck auction:
HF may or may not buy the Best Value fleet of trailers. As I remember they were in pretty bad shape and not worth purchasing. But HF doesn't really need to. A good transportation man and can arrange for common carrier refrigerated truck transport to any city in the US. An old friend used to stand between truckers and companies and made a good living arranging logistic support for companies. Then again, Postville is out of the way and truckers may not want to dead-head into or out of the area. Bottom line: trying to own all aspects of a vertically integrated system - from farm to slaughterhouse to delivery and sales, is a good way to burn through a lot of money.

[concerned citizen]

I had asked a question yesterday about a Kosher plant in Colorado. Have heard that they have a cattle buyer in the area. Anyway, was told that the plant stiffed the sale barn and a trucking company in the area. Sound familiar!!!!!!!!!

[yidandahalf]

This is a very revealing thread; the Agri Star abomination is shwitzing for real. One need only read their lackies' spam to realize this. Things are not going at all as they had expected, nothing at all like the Rubbishclan and their pimps at the OU led them to believe. Their dreams of a profitmaking shitpile are rapidly turning into a big nightmare. This will be a good autumn for us Agri detractors, lots of sturm and drang for us to comment on and gloat over.

[sage]

And the best part of this is, that the "Cancer in Postville" [Agri and the Chabad Community] will soon be gone, and Postville will have an 'honest to G-d' chance to rebuild.

[yidandahalf]

I believe Postville will see this crapheap and the barnacles that cling to it go once for all as well, sage. The Postville citizens are a determined lot and most everything will be shown to be on their side.

[nachos]

Concerned Citizen:

I spoke to some people and what you are saying is not true. There was an initial glitch, but everyone got paid in full. If someone, has not then bring forth a name. It is wrong in both Christianity and Judiasm to spread false rumors.

Maybe the buyer just doesn't like to buy Herefords!!

[Postville Native]

To concerned citizen
All of EKB Koshers bills are all paid and in a timely manner. We haul for them and it is funny how so many people are quick to judge a situation they are not involved in.

[Pablo Faird]

Sage and Yidandahalf:
You 2 are proof of what I posted earlier to the tune that there are certain elements that only want to see failure, and so long as there are people of you ilk on the council I see no point in any meetings. It is people like you that make the new ownership wary of meeting the council. You are in the minority yet a vocal one at that, the type that imposes their will onto others when given the opportunity.

[state of the Jews]

Yid & 1/2
I'm not much of one for gloating and rather than being seen as a detractor, I think most of us want to see this plant succeed -- but as an ethically run business that benefits the community, the owners and the Jewish consumer. Unfortunately, most of us have little confidence that this will be the case. I don't think "gloating" over the misfortunes of others is a good attitude to have before the High Holidays.

[agent emes]

Pablo:
I gotta hand it to you, in terms of logic and facts you put forth very strong arguments.
To SOD, Truthasitis and Agrivated:
So long as there are clowns similar to sage and yidandahalf on the council, there will never be hope for dialogue. It's one thing if you are like state of the jews where you have little confidence yet are hopeful that it succeeds, but to outright hope for disaster and failure excludes one from the human race.

[yidandahalf]

Give me a break, there is no difference between Agri Star and Agriprocessors; if you think there is or will be you are deluding yourself. I certainly will and do gloat over every misfortune of the Rubbishclan and their confederates. I am not going to pretend otherwise. If I did I would be a hypocrite and dishonest. I refuse to make t'shuva over my gloating because of the holidays. There is much for me to confess, but my diatribes against the Ka$hru$ and as someone called it once on this blog, their "Cow Mafia" are not among my transgressions. These mamsers will not prevail.

[yidandahalf]

OK, Faird, do you want to make a big hefty bet with me that Agri will again slaughter 500 cows a day? Well, do you have full faith in that shitpile and its demonic owners? If you do, then make a good bet with me. I am willing. We can set up a escrow, do it right.

[sage]

Hey Y&1/2,

I guess, according to Agent Emes, we'll have to dress up in Clown Suits to celebrate, each time SMR is found guilty.

Excellent suggestion to PF !!!!!

Let's see if he'll take you on.

[AGRI-vated Angel]

CC ~

I believe that the $300,000. owed to the Wisconsin sale barn was paid after an ample dose of 'playing the waiting game'. Do you happen to know if the buyer was someone who previously bought for the Agriprocessors facility?

[TheTruthAsItIs]

Wow - this article has created a thread all with a life all its own hasn't it???

Agent emes - do yourself a favor and dont presume to know what other people's motives, thoughts, or reasons are. Chances are you dont.

I would love nothing better than this plant to succeed so long as they do it in a responsible way. I would love to have a good corporate neighbor that paid equitable wages ( notice I didnt even say "livable"... just equitable) with good corporate ethics.

The problem is, whether some of you want to recognize this or not, the behavior of the new owners so far quite frankly seems to point in the opposite direction.

This is what makes me so mad. Agristar ( or whatever they would have called it) does have potential to be a good employer. There is a talented labor pool in this area ( and news flash to the new owners - they arent the Rubashkins or the cronies therof....) The town citizens woudl be open to a new corporate citizen if it showed even a little good will. Most residents of Postville are friendly and quite tolerable. The State of IA, more than likely, would probably eventually shell out some economic aid to an employer they felt they wouldnt have to worry about employing minors again.....

But no, just like the old owners, the new owners shut most out, play it close to the chest stirring suspicions (wheter justified or not), and portray the attitude they dont have to answer to anyone...

Its really a shame.....and thats the truth...

as it is.

[sage]

Great Post, as always !!!!

It's frankly impossible, IMHO, for HF to structure Agr-Star as a good corporate citizen. One day, the whole truth may come out. I have my theories as to why, but this is not the right time to vent them.

But beware, Agent Emes may put you in the "Clown Group", along with Y&1/2 and myself !!!!!!

[agent emes]

Truthasitis:
My presumtions behind motives will come to light with time, only then will you come to terms that I'm a bit informed about the situation. Though your posts seem sincere I do not change my stance.
To Sage and Yidandahalf:
I would like to join the bet (we can wait for Pablo perhaps later tonight or tomorrow) however let's keep it simple without getting to the exact number of cattle being slaughtered. Here are my suggestions.
1) Sage must join the bet.
2) The bet is simple, you wish that Agristar fails and closes up shop, while we wish for their success. Therefore if say in a years time or 18 months time they are still in business we win, if not then you win.
3) We each bet 100 dollars to the jewish charity of the winners choice (for example if you two win, i shell out 100 and Pablo shells out 100).
4) Escrow is not necessary, let us work with the honor system.

[sage]

I'll join in with this wager under the following conditions:

1. Any charity is fair game and needs to be indentified explicitly up front. I will not accept any charity that has anything to do with benefitting Chabad or the Rubashkins.

2. 18 months time frame for Agri-Star to succeed or go bust.

3. Let's be generous and consider increasing the bet to $500.

4. Pablo Faird must join in.

[Pablo Faird]

I am willing to join. As agent emes seems to share my opinion pertaining to Agristar, I will join him in both the sum and whatever charity he comes to terms with.
May I add that at the end of the bet, should g-d willing Agristar succeed, then Sage should be a good advocate to the new ownership and buy his Pesach 2011 poultry and meat from Agri products.

[sage]

We need two things:

1. To hear from Y&1/2 that he's in.
2. Decide on a bet amount.
3. Decide on the two charities.

BTW PF, can't take you up on your suggestion to buy any chicken. I've been a vegetarian for over 10 years.

[Pablo Faird]

Sage:
OK, but at least positive comments towards the new ownership.

[sage]

Yes, but only if the new ownership, if it survives, adopts a win-win situation relative to Postville and its Citizens.

Still waiting to hear from Y&1/2 and agreement, among all 4 bettors, regarding the bet amount and identity of the Charities.

My choice, if Y&1/2 agrees, is St. Bridget's Church Postville Relief Fund.

[agent emes]

At this point I can only commit 100 dollars. Sorry, as good a cause the Postville church might be, as jews we are obligated to first support jewish institutions, and there is no shortage of organizations in desparate need of funds so please choose a different charity. I would perhaps suggest donating to an organization or foundation that serves/supports all aspects of jewry. So my first choice is Mr. Hershey Friedman's charitable foundation his philantrophy is directed to all types of jewish causes, if you can't bring yourself to donate to his foundation, then my second choice is your local branch of Hatzalah, and if there is no Hatzalah in your area, then send the funds to the Hatzalah branch of your choice.
Now we wait for yidandahalf.

[sage]

I agree to $100, but won't back down on my choice of a Charity, notwithstanding your comment.

If SMR is found guilty, then he and others inflicted countless injustices on Christians, an almost unpardonable sin for any Jew, no less, an Orthodox Rabbi.

So helping Christians in need, is an application of the Biblical principle of "measure for measure."

As you say, we'll have to wait for Yidanhahalf to chime in.