Don't Shop at Wal-Mart

“Can't wait to read that book, SS. I do hope they break down the categories and let us know exactly which charities recieve the most from these philanthropists. I also wonder about anonymous donations, donations as tax right offs, and street level donations? Might be a fascinating read, no?”

“There is a lot of denial going on around here from union supporters.”

“Know what you are saying Sassafras. I hear that not just non-local businesses, but non-homegrown residents don't give to the community they live in. Here in East Tennessee it's so beautiful that people can't help but want to buy a house here in the mountains. Problem is, most of the newcomers don't invest in the local community. I moved here from Ohio though and how would I feel if someone told me I wasn't allowed to buy land or move here? I love it here and I love the people and culture. I don't have any answers... just whiling away the week before Christmas... Ugh. can't focus!”

“"“hey Q and Rl, did you hear on the news last night that Kwami (sorry that's prolly spelled incorrectly) is going to focus his second term on the neighborhoods of Detroit? He said his first term was all about the superbowl. 'Bout time eh?”
Sassafras
12:10:17 PM
12/20/06"


Yes, I've heard about that. In my mom's hood, (Woodbridge), the area is perking up very nicely. She lives in an area right across from Smith (Tartar) Field (WSU). There is a bunch of people moving back to the city. It's pretty cool, actually. Areas in blight are coming alive.

Kwami is far from the best Mayor around. This plan of action focuses on 6 out of something like 20 other areas; that's how much farther we have to go. I've always have said that it took the "fair Mayor of the city of Detroit, hiz honor, Coleman A. Young", 20 years to drive the city into the ground; its going to take 20 and another 20 on top to get it to shine like it used to.”

“

”

“OK, I'm gonna say something to blow your mind and then I have to leave but we can have a great discussion about it sometime soon. Here we go...

Outsourcing is good for America!"


Not really mind blowing. I've heard this subject debated many times with many different takes on the issue, including that one. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.”

“Cheap labor is rarely quality labor.

Please don't tell me how good the Indians and Chinese are. They are NOT that good. Those that use them were willing to put up with all the crap because it's just that damn cheap. A year or two ago I could buy a developer in India for 2K a year and he will work on eastern standard time.

Toss in the missed deadlines, communication issues, stress and rework necessary to get anything done and you are rapidly approaching the cost of hiring competent American Labor.

But I think the price arguement is going to go away. The prices for Indian labor are rising and the most skilled are coming to the US to work on H1B visas. Once here, guess what? They can't get a job at home in India anymore. No one will hire them. That's good for us though. We get to keep the best ones here and then they assimilate and demand real wages.

It's a complicated dance.
last edited: 12/20/06 11:29:58 AM”

“I agree with that. However, remember with the three big Casinos going up, ironworker labor around here might be pinched. I have no ear in that work force, so I am limited in my comment.”
laqtis
12:08:19 PM


Well, according to the local paper (observer) and what the picketers signs said they aren't employed right now, that is the problem.”

“"Well, according to the local paper (observer) and what the picketers signs said they aren't employed right now, that is the problem.”
Sassafras
12:42:22 PM
12/20/06"


Ah. Thanks for the additional info.”

“If you like looking for sil or rip stock nylon in the $1 bin you better get with it. Wal Mart is doing away with its fabric dept in most of their stores.”

“The Immortalist Society is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization devoted to research and education in the areas of cryonics and life extension

Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) is a charity that aims to protect and advocate for society's investment in medical research. As a specific goal, AMP states that it promotes "public understanding of and support for the appropriate role of animals in biomedical research so that scientists are able to continue their quest for cures and improved methods of treatment for illness, injury and disease." Although in favor of moderate animal welfare measures, the AMP is often sharply critical of more radical, anti-vivisectionist groups such as PETA and the similarly-named Americans For Medical Advancement.

The Association of Professional Ballplayers of America is a United States based charity set up in 1924 to assist professional baseball players. The organisation caters to players from all leagues, including the minor leagues. The organisation was started by 12 former players in Los Angeles and now has over 11,000 members.

The Cryonics Institute (CI) is a member-owned-and-operated not-for-profit corporation which provides cryonics services. CI is located in Clinton Township, Michigan. As of 1-September-2006 CI had 614 Members, 266 of whom had funding and contracts in place to be cryopreserved upon legal death. Seven of those funded Members had contracts with Suspended Animation, Inc. for standby and transport. Also as of 1-September-2006 CI had 74 human patients, 44 pets and 107 tissue/DNA samples in liquid nitrogen storage.

The Harvard Musical Association is a private charitable organization founded by Harvard University graduates in 1837 for the purposes of advancing musical culture and literacy, both at the University and in the city of Boston. Though initially a spin-off of the Pierian Sodality, the Association broke its ties with Harvard soon after its founding.[1] The Association's most important notable accomplishments include the creation of the country’s finest music library of the time,[2] the sponsorship of the first professional and public chamber music series in the United States,[3] the erection of the Boston Music Hall, and the formation of the orchestra which ultimately gave rise to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The Association's library catalog may be searched on OCLC with the initials HVDMA.

The Kelton Foundation (sometimes the Richard Kelton Foundation) of Santa Monica, California was founded in 1983 as a private non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The foundation’s primary activities involve ethnographic, scientific and artistic investigations of humankind and the sea.

The Mockingbird Foundation is a charitable organization founded by fans of the band Phish in 1996 (legally incorporated the following year) to support music education for children. Unconventional in structure, it exists almost entirely online, allowing a higher percentage of income to be distributed directly to deserving organizations. Projects include the publication of The Phish Companion and the production of the Phish tribute album Sharin' in the Groove.[1] As of November 13, 2006, the foundation had provided over 150 disbursements (through grants and other awards) totalling over $500,000; sold nearly 50,000 copies of The Phish Companion; and sold over 25,000 copies of Sharin' in the Groove.[2]

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) is an American organization founded in 1982, whose mission is stated to be: "To save Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse and slaughter."”

“My issue has squat to do with the union, it can pucker up. My beef is the promise Walmart made when they argued to move the store 2 miles, into a residential area (24hr store, loads of crazy truck traffic in a res area). They promised loads of good jobs for the fine citizens of my town. They extoled their virtue as a benefit to our folks. It was a sham. They lied, the city zoning board and council should be fired for not holding them to task.

FWIW there are maybe 10 protesters on a busy day. They are being ignored as a whole.”

“Gojo, here.

I'm writing from Griffin, GA.
The Old Townis a succession of vacant textile mills and sagging saltbox houses. The loss of the cotton/textile economy to overseas production devastated this town and all the regional hubs throughout the state.

Yet Griffin prospers today. Neon and "Onyx
Black" rooftops are a testament to our state's resiliency. Griffin is mostly a bedroom community for the counties to the north that string along I-75's bountiful riverbanks. Griffin is now a suburb of Atlanta.

Further north, the Ford plant in Hapeville will be crawling with weeds come summer. The GM plant a few miles beyond has been razed for several years now. I suspect the GM plant on Atlantas northeast side will follow suit in due course.

I've witnessed the squabbling between rank and file UAW workers and management to the point of discust.

"GM thought we were gonna shoot ourselves in the foot. Instead, we shot them between the eyes". Those were the words of a UAW representative on the local news some years back. He was referencing their latest walkout.

How on God's green earth can a person stand before the nation and spew such hatred about the source of his paycheck? I was appalled. I drive a Toyota (see: "The Mighty Mighty Tacoma Turns A Quarter Million" - or something like that, lol!).

I'm a Delta brat. I watched with amusement as Easter Air Lines imploded in the 80's due to it's piss-poor worker/manager relationship.

I saw a highschool chum for the first time in years a while back. He's IBEW.
"Just got back from a job in Chicago - playing 'hide and seek for a grand a week'" he says. It's gonna be a hoot watching those slack-asses tumble!”

“Those bassturds!!!!”

“GO WAL-MART!”

“I drove to Walmart today to drop off some film for processing. The lot was mostly filled and no Disable Parking spots were available. Rather than walk the length of the lot, I drove back home, somewhat disgusted.”

“This really isn't mean rude Slimmer, but that is kinda confusing to me. Do you hike? Is this some recent injury?”

“meangreen - That's a good question. It appears that you have missed a lot of my strings. The current answer is either yes and no or I don't know.

My knees have needed replacements for about 10 or more years. But I have still managed. Each year, and prior to 10 years ago, I would go to GSMNP one to four times. During the past 10 years or so, I would start off real slow, sometimes with short day hikes. Then easy trails for short overnights w/o food. In after supper and back out for breakfast. I would gradually increase the distances, carry food and more gear. Before two months I could usually hike the AT within the park, covering the 5-8 miles between the shelters each day. In the fall of the year this sometimes required hiking from dark to dark. My objective was always the same: To lose weight and to strengthen my leg muscles to hold me up, since my knees cannot do it. It always worked and it was like a miracle, when I returned home and went up and down stairs easily, as compared to the problems that I experienced prior to the trip.

But a year ago at the end of October I returned home(in Florida) from a second trip in reasonably good condition. A few days later in the first week of November I caught a bad cold and my knees went out, too. It became too painful to walk unaided and I took to crutches for about two months. I figured it was a change in body fluids and I should recover. But I have not done so. But I still have hopes. I returned to GSMNP, but failed to really do much. So, last year was the first year that my program did not succeed. I will be returning this Spring to try again.

I experienced some other medical problems during this period, too, but most things have been handled. One remaining problem I hope to get some help with later this month. I have an appointment. During this period I have reduced my martial arts training to mostly providing assistance and coaching to other classmates. With a brown belt this is expected from me. One of these days I hope to test for my first black belt. In our class of aikijutsu(defensive combat), I do not have to do everything. I just have to learn it, so that I am capable of teaching it to others. I hope to return to more active participation as a student soon.

Also, I am making plans to try and hike the Finger Lakes Trail in New York this year. Taking my time I think I can manage it. It is around 563 miles, somewhat like a miniature AT. And in September I hope to swim up at Cape Cod in the 20th Swim For Life Chariety Swim across Provincetown Harbor, 1.4 miles. My cardiologist said OK as long as I wear a wet suit. BTW, I have had a cardiac arrest and received five heart bypasses.

GSMNP has 103 or 104 backcountry camping sites and shelters. Only six have I not stayed at for at least one overnight. Last year I was unable to reduce this number. It's a goal set only to irritate others who are trying to hike all the trails within the Park. There are around 850 miles of trails there. Most of them do not see or experience much. I am happy to go slow and enjoy everything possible. I feel that it is imposssible to really know a trail. It can be hiked at different times of the day and night, in each direction, in different seasons and in good and bad weather. So, at some sites I have spent 50 to 60 nights in total.

So am I a hiker? I'm not sure, but I'm expecting a box from Campmor with some new gear. You can be your own judge.”

“I've hiked with ns several times, meangreen.”

“Swim4Life

I can't quit aikijutsu


It's Official, I'm Disabled.


Me. Scroll down
last edited: 2/03/07 10:12:10 PM”

“Wal-Mart Loses Bid to Block Group Bias Suit
Appeals Court Allows 2 Million Women to Seek Compensation Over Discrimination in Pay, Promotions

By Amy Joyce
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 7, 2007; D01

A federal appeals court ruled yesterday that the largest sex discrimination lawsuit in U.S. history could proceed as a class action against Wal-Mart, which is accused of paying female workers less than men and giving them fewer promotions.

The ruling will allow about 2 million women who have worked for Wal-Mart since 1998 to seek compensation for discrimination as a group.

Wal-Mart said it will ask the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco to reconsider its decision. Barring that, the company will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the certification. A lower court originally said the case could proceed as a class action in June 2004, and the company first appealed the decision in August 2005.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/06/AR2007020600733_pf.html


BTW - don't assume someone who can jump out of a vehicle with no problem is not disabled and doesn't "deserve" that handicap designation. Many disorders can create intense "issues" in short time spats. I believe MS is a good example.”

“I have never understood this theory ...if women can be paid 75% of what men can be paid, why not fire all the men and cut your losses by 25%”

“Sometimes you make my head hurt.”

““Sometimes you make my head hurt.”
bearmagnet
2:07:11 PM
2/07/07

That made me laugh, bear. ;-)”

“Shop WalMart,

Support Communism.”

“shop wal-mart, stretch your paycheck farther, be able to afford your groceries”

“Wasn't MFN for China a Super Idea? The jobs that went south after NAFTA jumped across the Pacific just as easily.

Wal-mart's business practices put fellow Americans in the unemployment line (I guess then they'll HAVE to shop there.) Hey, let's fire everybody in the U.S.! Just think of the money we'll save.

"Is Wal-Mart Good For America?"

Their latest PR blitz is fairly revolting: smiling happy low-wage workers who are so happy for the crumbs they are thrown. Personally, I think they should change their logo so that it's a RED STAR in the middle.”

“Less skilled job = less pay
DUH”

“Don't get too excited. That ruling was from the 9th Circus Court. Most overturned court in the world. Something like 75%, I hear.”

“That explains all.”

“Yes. Wal-mart will do it's best to avoid the publicity a class action suit like this would bring.”

“III. CONCLUSION
It is difficult to generalize or even find themes in the work of
any court of appeals, let alone one that consists of 26 judges with
active status and numerous senior judges. Yet, the media constantly
generalizes and portrays the Ninth Circuit as a liberal court out of the
mainstream. By any measure, this is simply wrong. Statistics show
that the Ninth Circuit is not reversed more than the national average
for Supreme Court reversal of lower courts. Moreover, in its most
high profile cases sometimes it rules in a fashion liberals would
applaud, but sometimes it decides in a way that conservatives would
favor. The only accurate generalization that can be made about the
Ninth Circuit is that its judges are ideologically diverse and the
outcome of cases often depends on the identity of the panel.

http://llr.lls.edu/volumes/v37-issue1/documents/chemerinsky.pdf”

““shop wal-mart, stretch your paycheck farther, be able to afford your groceries”

LOL! Damn I love your posts! Why do the anti-freemarket Walmart Haters seem to be so against the less than rich in America? Now in about five posts someone will start making fun of the poor people who shop there as if they are white trash...

just wait for it. It's coming.”

“Wal-Mart is the #2 grocery store in the US behind Kroger.”

“The crazy left hates the poor and middle class.”

“BM, you'd like to think that wouldn't you.”

“Now in about five posts someone will start making fun of the poor people who shop there as if they are white trash...

just wait for it. It's coming.”
Nigal
3:34:12 PM
2/08/07


Or that they're on the dole so they can have 2 cars?”

“Thanks Nowslimmer. I really wasn't trying to bust your balls, it just struck me as odd that someone looking for a handicaped parking spot was also a backpacker. That explains it all. Best of luck to you with all that.”

“meangreen - Did I mention my five heart bypasses and the fact that my heart only pumps about 85% of what it should? But, because of exercise, my cardiologist said that if I die within the next ten years, it will not be because of my heart.

BTW, hard surfaces, like parking lots, are much more difficult for me than most trails.

---

Walmart up 20 to 30%.Cost for processing the film from a throw-away camera have jumped. I was shocked by my last bill there. I'm going to have to reduce my picture taking!”

“Did I mention my five heart bypasses and the fact that my heart only pumps about 85% of what it should? But, because of exercise, my cardiologist said that if I die within the next ten years, it will not be because of my heart.

My dad has had something like 5-7 bypasses and he is something like 67? He's in great shape otherwise and cuts and splits about 12 cord of firewood a year. The guy's more active than am. LOL!”

“actually my husband HAS cardiomyopathy, (his heart works at 49%, he lost 2 ejection points recently) and IS disabled and cannot work, let alone backpack anymore. btw, we only have 1 vehicle.”

“creating a wal-mart wish list! wink wink :O)

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5280841”

“LOL @ Pamela. :-)”

“for my chuck box, i'm tired of scrubbing the non-stick

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4765255”

“i have an old green metal one that i got at a second hand store for only $15 and it still works great. but do you guys think that the plastic/foam ones are better? these ones just seem sooo cool, sooo classy, soooo retro!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4765255”

“Hey Pam...what age bracket do you want to teach...and will it HAVE to be in California?”

“Wal-mart's business practices put fellow Americans in the unemployment line.”

“will not be teaching, campus security is the intention here.

yes, we are staying in CA until Brian graduates high school. after that, who knows?”

“OH...kay...let me know if I can help.”