Target last Christmas and before that would not allow the Salvation Army to have a bell ringer outside their stores. The straw that broke the camels back for me was that Target apologized to gay and lesbian groups that were picketing their stores for donating to a conservative politician.
The following onky cements my decision to not shop at Target stores.
This is from Dick Forrey of the Vietnam Veteran Association.
"Recently we asked the local TARGET store to be a proud sponsor of the Vitetnam Veterans Memorial Wall during our spring recognition event.
We received the following reply from the local TARGET management: 'Veterans do not meet our are of giving. We only donate to the arts, social action groups, gay & lesbian causes, and education.'
So I'm thinking, if the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and veterans in general, do not meet their donation criteria, then something is really wrong at this TARGET store. We were not asking for thousands of dollars, not even hundreds, just a small sponsorship for a memorial remembrance.
As a follow-up, I, E-mailed the TARGET U.S. Corporate Headquarters and their response was the same...
That's their national policy!!!
Then I looked into the company further. They will not allow the Marines to collect for 'Toys for Tots' at any of their stores. And during the recent Iraq deployment, they would not allow families of employees who were called up for active duty to continue their insurance coverage while they were on military service. Then as I dig further, TARGET is a French-owned corporation.
Now, I'm thinking again. If TARGET cannot support America (or Canadian) Veterans, then why should my family and I support their stores by spending our hard earned American (or Canadian) dollars in their stores??? And have their profits sent to France.
Without the American(and Canadian) Vets, where would France be today?
They, most likely would be speaking German and trading in Deutsch Marks.
Sincerely,
Dick Forrey
Veterans Helping Veterans"
As I said, I will never set foot in a Target store again. Not because they donate to gay and lesbian causes. I have no problem with gays, which by the way is also used to describe lesbians. I have a problem with Target NOT contributing to conservatives, The Salvation Army, The Marines 'Toys for Tots, etc. Walmart has no problem giving to veterans, the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and any other legitimate organization.
I worked for Walmart for four years before I retired. I can't count the number of organizations that Walmart allowed to be outside their store and collect donations and the many charites Walmart donates to. Twice a year, just before Veterans Day and Memorial Day, the store I worked at held a luncheon for veterans with drawings for prizes. I have an American Flag sitting on my desk that I won as a prize. I'll continue to shop at Walmart and K=Mart, but never again a Targert.
Puss, I wouldn't imagine that today's Targets would carry any "outtasight", super-duper pantie/lingerie inventory, anyhow. I've visited them from time to time, over the years, and you can easily get their rather pedestrian Hanes Her Way, and Ladies' FOTL's elsewhere, if that's your cuppa tea. I've not been too impressed with their selection of other kinds of merchandise, nor their marketing, nor their floor layout/organization. If this company ever goes down, I don't think that I'll miss 'em.
I suppose they do allow CAIR, PETA, Code Pink, NAMBLA, Greenpeace, Pro-Pot, assorted porno advocacy, enviro-nazi green meanie, etc., solicitors at their entrances. I don't suppose they cooperate with local LEO's/LEA's, to roust gangstas, nor aggressive winos, either. And they probably 86 Mennonites, other plain-dressing Christians, traditionally garbed orthodox Jews, Christian monks, nuns, clerically-collared Christian clergy, and, anyone wearing Crucifix, Magen David, and-or L'Chai necklaces, while encouraging Hijabs, Burkahs, Keffiyahs, towel-heads, and those wearing "dirty" robes to come on in and push everyone else around.
I wonder who's on their Board of Directors? Could it be Wahabist Saudi princelings, friends of George Soros, Red Chinese, folks like that?
-- Edited by Breeziestroke on Sunday 2nd of October 2011 03:31:03 PM
Faceless corporations are difficult to be angry at, unless you want to devote your time and energy to organize a community boycott. If that's your cup of tea, I fully support you! Personally, I don't have time or energy to devote to revolutionary politics owing to my interest in other venues of expression. Michel Foucault wrote extensively about the structure of society and capitalistic enterprise; it is a complex issue for sure. I appreciate the data you supplied Pusspuss; it is an interesting bit of information. But part of being free is being able to allow whoever we want, to solicit at our doorstep. On a deeper level, you may be touching on a Supreme Court issue of free speech. Perhaps the owners of a store, in a free market system, have every right to allow whoever the hell they want to advertise and stand outside their doors. Interseting issue for sure.
Of course they have the right to do as they please, legally of course. Just as I have the right not to enter their stores.
This story was in an e-mail to me and to others. I passed it on to others. If each person that received it passes the story on to four others etc. It can and will make an impact.
There are a lot of veterans out there who won't tolerate Target.
