When Home Depot CEO Frank Blake was explaining a housing market metric to shareholders during the company's annual meeting last week, hecklers interrupted. Their issue? A dam project in Chile.

Blake handled it smoothly. "So before we get to the rivers of Chile, we'll go back to the U.S. housing market," he said. The protestors succeeded in bringing the subject to light, but Home Depot was quick to respond with a statement and a video. Here are what readers -- including Home Depot's sustainability lead Ron Jarvis -- told us:

“The facts are that we would have to study hydro dams to see if they are a bad thing. If we determine that they are and do what the non-government organizations (NGOs) want, then we would set a precedent that we will not deal with any company with ties to the building and ownership of the companies that build the dams. There are over 2,000 hydro dams in the United States alone. I would assume that there is a tremendous amount of overlap in interest.

“If the wood from the dam was being cut for the Home Depot, or if the energy generated was coming to an HD store, we would at least be at the table to listen to the issues. But our wood purchases are endorsed form the Chilean NGO’s and are 1,000 miles away from this project.”

— Ron Jarvis
Senior VP pro business, tool rental & environmental innovation
Home Depot

“I believe that Home Depot has opened themselves up for this anti-capitalist assault by trying to mollify environmentalists in the past. Accepting these organizations at face value and failing to understand their anti-human, anti-capitalism, anti-globalization agendas makes the Depot a hostage to their insatiable demands.

“This is why our industry should be unified in refusing to buy into the entire Green agenda. Why should any wood product need to be ‘certified’?  Is it my job to make sure that the loggers have day care or disability insurance? We need to stand up to these demagogues.”

— Seth N. Arluck
New Hampton Lumber
New Hampton, N.Y.

“The Home Depot is no different than the other big-box stores in that there are always people trying to make these companies into more socially responsible companies.

“The truth of the matter is that these companies provide excellent benefits and provide jobs for a lot of people. It reminds me of the small yappy dogs barking and antagonizing the large dogs to show they can be tough. In reality, the large dog usually ignores these little dogs to keep from getting in a fight and hurting them.

“These large companies also work a lot with charities and are responsible corporate entities that are looking for more cost-efficient opportunities to improve the environment. They also have a responsibility to both the consumers seeking products and the investors that drive their expansion and growth. If they do not supply the customers with the products they desire, they will lose valuable market share and see lower earnings.”

— Richard

“We should leave questions involving the welfare of Chilean citizens, including their power supplies, to them and to their government to resolve. Period.”

— Anonymous