I know you're asking yourself--Is this a joke? Did Jim Cramer ever do a show where he advocated investing in companies associated with the Darfur genocide?
The rational was explicitly enunciated with Cramer's shouts and carnival sound effects-- Invest in these companies because they are associated with the Darfur genocide. This means they will do whatever it takes to make money!!
There was a sick glee to the whole thing. When I thought to myself, "This is like someone advocating investing in I.G. Farben," Cramer went further--"Let's talk about investing in companies using Nazi Technologies!" he shouted.
Summary and context below, and if you are from the Daily Show, the airdate was Friday, 12 May 2006. You really have to see it to believe it.
Context
The show appeared right as the divestment movement was gaining strength. The genocide in Darfur was clearly being aided, and perhaps caused by the rush for oil in Sudan.
Show
A summary of the show is here, but it doesn't really do justice to the sick fervor Cramer had in promoting "companies who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty."
"PetroChina will do whatever it takes to get the oil out of the ground. What does that mean for you? Mad Money!!" he shouted. He then applauded their ability to do business amid the Darfur genocide and their lack of morals. He made some tastless jokes about "blood for oil."
Then, in a bizarre free-association, he said, "What about companies that use Nazi technology? Companies in the former aparthied state of South Africa!!"
He was referring to "the Fischer-Tropsch process," which allowed oil poor but coal-rich Germany to supply its army during WWII.
Wikipedia --
IG Farben built a factory (named Buna Chemical Plant) for producing synthetic oil and rubber (from coal) in Auschwitz, which was the beginning of SS activity and camps in this location during the Holocaust. At its peak in 1944, this factory made use of 83,000 slave laborers.
As a professional trader, I can tell you these South African companies that use this "Nazi technology" are almost penny-stocks, thinnly traded and totally off the radar of 99% of investors.
The only link--"This is the show where I encourage you to invest in genocide!"
How I Responded
I emailed a summary of this show to anti-genocide organizations and the Anti-Defamation League. But, it seems he is still on air.
Still, it's disturbing that someone who expresses a manic support for companies that enable genocide can have such mainstream acceptance. It was like a Neo-Nazi stock show, except Cramer was much more ecstatically gleeful than any neo-Nazi.
Just in case you're wondering, PetroChina is about half of what it was then. If you must invest in an oil company, PetroBras (PBR), located in Brazil, is a much better company, and not involved in genocide.