Martin Gibson--


Given your calm, measured approach to debate, I can't imagine why you don't sign your real name.


"I know for a fact all their (Walmart's) suppliers love them". --2 May 2004 12:30

Dead wrong. Your facts are as careful as your language. Love, spelled F-E-A R. All their suppliers fear them, since they are the 500-lb gorilla. This from that well-known leftist rag, the Wall St. Journal.


"The suppliers weren't forced to do this." 3 May 6:08

Wrong again-----if they want sizable contracts, Walmart is one of the few games in town, as a supplier knows, as they also know that if they don't, somebody else will, and the competitor's economies of scale will likely drive the first supplier out of business. That still does not stop the supplier that takes the Walmart contract from fearing Walmart's clout, especially since Walmart is likely to come back and demand yet more concessions to keep the contract. The suppliers realize their vulnerability.


For someone with such earthy (read needlessly foul) languge who claims to know something about the business world, you have an absurdly rosy view of Walmart's relations with its customers and suppliers. Costco, by the way ( as you may know, a competitor of Walmart), treats both its customers and its employees far better than Walmart--see earlier thread on Walmart where I posted comparisons from the Journal.


I love bluegrass, among many other kinds of music, and used to be in a band--scheduling rehearsals was a big problem. I'm sure you're a far better guitar player than I am. But I'd hate to try to discuss politics or anything else, with the possible exception of guitar technique, with you at a festival--fortunately festivals can be entirely focussed on music--and I'm a Republican (though for sure no Bushite).


I'm truly sorry the world has treated you so badly as to give you that huge chip on your shoulder, though I have to say I know people who are probably much worse off than you and not bitter in the least.