Wal-Mart CEO's million dollar photo-op

[KvHagedorn]

Yep, I suppose I'm whining somewhat, but it gets pretty frustrating when you know you have a point but others refuse to see it..

[Jessterw]

How odd then that I was part of a small startup that got funding from the SBA and a local bank in order to create a software product that, in many ways, would compete with areas that Microsoft now finds themselves in. But that's beside the point.

I'm not saying it's inevitable, I'm saying that when such things happen you need to realize that whining about it gets you no where. As a business owner you can't bank on there always being a demand for your product or service, or that another company won't come in and steal away your customers. Yes, Walmart is a behemoth, but I live in a small town where there are a large number of small businesses that directly compete with that giant, and they do so by providing a higher level of value to their customers.

Your fifty cents is worth nothing because you have no intention of donating it.

[Sasq]

Well, now that was cute. The one thing I have found that I can be sure of.. when I start to upset a lot of people, I am probably on the right track.

or that your an egotistical self serving pratt, that has so little concept of reality we are forced to try to beat you over the head with it.

Get off you high horse about Wallmart, your just pissy that they are eating into your workpalces overpriced sound equipment sales.

evolve or cope, stop with the god damn whining.

This world is a really pathetic place, and unless those who live in it wake up and understand that it needs some major structural changes, my fifty cents to flood victims is worth nothing.

It damn well matters to the person it helps, your more self-rightous, self serving and more of an ignorant pig then the people you constantly biatch about.

[Jessterw]

Yep, I suppose I'm whining somewhat, but it gets pretty frustrating when you know you have a point but others refuse to see it..

Which point? That Walmart is bad or that it's horrid how they donated money to the relief and wanted to get some good publicity while doing it?

The former is all well and good, but the latter just makes you sound like someone who can never appreciate even the good things that otherwise not so good people/groups/corporations can do.

[Marshmallowman]

There is a time and a place for corporate bashing(and I'll join in)....BUT I don't think now is the right time, I would think getting resource there fast is what is important and whom ever so happens to donate them is not worth arguing about.

You can pick over the results and intent of Walmart in 6 months time...for now just leave it be and get some perspective

[Delany]

You know what, I've been a part of this community for quite a number of years now, and i have watched quite a number of people here bitch and complain about stuff that a lot of others think is irrelevant or not important. All the while i've thought to myself, "You don't need to comment as you don't know their circumstances".

Well today i've had enough. This is such a bunch of crap. Who gives a flying **** why people donate money to things like this, the important thing is that people do. People have lost all they have, including their loved ones, do you really think that they care where the assistance comes from providing that it comes.

Yes i know that corporations do this sort of thing for publicity, I don't necessarily agree with their motives, but once again, who gives a shit, they're doing something.

KvH, if you have such a problem with Walmart, then take it up with them, here and now is not an appropriate time/place for your ongoing crusade against them. Get over yourself.

This world is a really pathetic place, and unless those who live in it wake up and understand that it needs some major structural changes, my fifty cents to flood victims is worth nothing.

If things are really that bad for you, do something about it instead of complaining.

I've begining to think more and more that Gurm was right previously when he referred to you as an A$$hat

[Dr Mordrid]

While some rant and rave about Wal-Mart (mostly union or anti-globalization types) I actually think they provide a valuable service:

LOW PRICED MERCHANDISE, which helps low income people. Not to mention jobs for people in depressed areas very few other companies/stores will even build within 20 miles of.

If they can make a buck while doing this then good for them.

I couldn't give a whit where they get their stuff or if they discourage uniions or not.

Personally, and as a former union official myself (steward, local offcial & negotiator), I think unions often do more harm than good. This is why so many observant people are not voting unions in even when offered the chance.

Just look at what exhorbadent union demands did for GM: they're payroll now consists of just 12% active workers and 88% retirees at such high levels of income and benefits that the company is having trouble keeping its head above water. Ford is in a similar, but not as severe, condition.

I'm so sure that Wal-Mart, and their stockholders who tend to be retirement accounts and 401k hodlers, are anxious to go union and end up in a similar bind in 20 years

Dr. Mordrid

[KvHagedorn]

Who says I'm not giving anything?

I don't get why you say I am egotistical and self-serving. I'm simply sickened by the calculating manner used by these guys to gain the positive feelings of the public with one hand while the other profiteers. And there are lots of reasons to despise the way Wal-Mart behaves, but at the moment stealing sales from our store is not one of them. The damage they do to us is peripheral, not direct, and it is much the same as the general damage they do to the macroeconomical structure of the US.

By the way, I think it's wonderful that Cisco's giving to the relief.. didn't hear about that on CNN. Wonder why... maybe they have some decency on the upper floors there. Even corporate "persons" should give for the sake of giving, not to exploit a tragedy for their own gain.

[KvHagedorn]

While some rant and rave about Wal-Mart (mostly union or anti-globalization types) I actually think they provide a valuable service:

LOW PRICED MERCHANDISE, which helps low income people. Not to mention jobs for people in depressed areas very few other companies/stores will even build within 20 miles of.

If they can make a buck while doing this then good for them.

I couldn't give a whit where they get their stuff or if they discourage uniions or not.

Personally, and as a former union official myself (steward, local offcial & negotiator), I think unions often do more harm than good. This is why so many observant people are not voting unions in even when offered the chance.

Just look at what exhorbadent union demands did for GM: they're payroll now consists of just 12% active workers and 88% retirees at such high levels of income and benefits that the company is having trouble keeping its head above water. Ford is in a similar, but not as severe, condition.

I'm so sure that Wal-Mart, and their stockholders who tend to be retirement accounts and 401k hodlers, are anxious to go union and end up in a similar bind in 20 years

Dr. Mordrid

As with anything, it all depends upon the way in which something is implemented. The best intentioned ideas can be implemented with complete foolhardiness, and unions are certainly not above that. As for globalization.. free trade is not always a good thing. America would not have seen the rapid industrialization they experienced in the 1800s without tariffs on imports from Great Britain.

[Fat Tone]

Who says I'm not giving anything?

You did, or at least you very heavily implied it, and thats half the reason this thread is so long - you keep ignoring that.

[Fat Tone]

Example:

Talk to somebody with the means to do so.

[Fat Tone]

Example:

And what about you? Assuming I had about $6000 in disposable income over the past year (which is an amusing thought) Okay, I will give 54 cents to the relief effort...

[schmosef]

Assuming I had about $6000 in disposable income over the past year (which is an amusing thought)

Dude, you're not stupid. Learn a marketable skill or trade. You know, I've been hearing great things about this new fangled computer industry. Take a programming course!

I made more that $6000 in disposable income last month. I have customers waiting in line to give me money.

I'm not telling you that to show off. I'm saying that there's money to be made out there if you're brave enough to go after it.

[Tjalfe]

Dude, you're not stupid. Learn a marketable skill or trade. You know, I've been hearing great things about this new fangled computer industry. Take a programming course!

I made more that $6000 in disposable income last month. I have customers waiting in line to give me money.

I'm not telling you that to show off. I'm saying that there's money to be made out there if you're brave enough to go after it.

.. I think I should brush up on my programming skills and come work for you

[Tjalfe]

and KVH.. you live in Texas.. have you offered to take in refugees?.. have you taken your big pick up filled with bottled water and ice to the disaster area?