BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: dianavan
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 04:07 AM

I never get tired of Main Street. It has been a great experience being a part of this community. The business owners are unique. They prefer to co-operate rather than compete. What a concept! Its an entirely friendly place and its in full bloom.

Another odd but wonderful part of this community is that the "down and outers" are more than just tolerated. Every neighborhood has their "street guy". The "street guy(s)" do odd jobs, pick up your empty cans and bottles, and remove anything you leave in the lane (they seem to find a use for everything). They offer a form of protection because they are very territorial. They don't like strangers prowling about and if anything goes missing from the yard, they will find it for you. I often provide lunch for our street guy if he's around. The old lady across the street let him sleep in her carport when he was temporarily homeless.

It is a community of mixed ages, incomes and many languages but everyone is accepted if not embraced. We have something very special here and its contagious. I hope you visit again and thanks - fighting Wal Mart was worth the effort.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 12:53 AM

Hey, Dianavan, I didn't know about Wal-Mart and Marine Drive. I do know that I love going over to Vancouver and shopping in that area (I'm from Victoria). Two hands clapping to you all for keeping Wal-Mart out of your terrific, funky neighbourhood!

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: dianavan
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 12:34 AM

Wal Mart was stopped from building on Marine Drive in Vancouver.

It was alot of work stopping them. Petitions and more petitions but it was done. We knew that it would be the death of the small communities north of them.

As a result of stopping Wal Mart, we have thriving, innovative businesses owned mostly by young people. It is so much fun to shop here that it has actually become a destination point. Why give your money to the already rich? Why not spend a few pennies more to support small business entrepeneurs? Property values in our neighborhood have skyrocketed. Everyone wants to live here because we have a small town in a big city.

It all boils down to you get what you pay for. If you think Wal Mart is going to save you money, think again. Its another form of false economy. The cost to the quality of life is enormous.

Wal Marty - We have lots of water in Canada and I use it freely. I use soap, too, but not Ivory, Dial, or Irish Spring. I prefer homemade soap with vegetable oils and oatmeal. But for a real treat, I like good old Dr. Bonners. Its minty and tingly and nice.

It must be hard for you to live in this world when your mind is tightly constrained by only that which is familiar and branded. It seems so safe, doesn't it. What will you do if the shit hits the fan? Your dependency is frightening. I guess you're not a risk taker and certainly have not attained any level of critical thinking skills. You are a living example of the functionally literate. Literate   enough to become a good little consumer, dumb enough to believe the ads. I'll bet you even believe that if it wasn't good for you, the government wouldn't let them sell it.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 07:04 PM

Brucie, et al, Wal-Mart has been in Canada for quite a while. There was a big scandal about 15(?) years ago, when they were opening a store in Vancouver, and wanted to have a gun department. They apparently weren't aware of the laws in the country in which they planned to operate!

Just as in the States, Wal-Mart has been putting merchants out of business, particularly in smaller towns and cities. They build a strip mall just outside the town (cheaper taxes), plant themselves as the anchor business, and suddenly everyone in the town is shopping at the mall.

I've been in a Wal-Mart store once -- there's one in my town. It's a funny, funny story -- I have a Mexican daughter-in-law whose parents are multi-millionaires. A few years ago when the parents were here for Christmas, we exchanged gifts with them. Mine was a cheap, tacky, shapeless shirt from Wal-Mart, which I returned after Christmas as it was too big and I didn't like it. The clerk started to ring up a refund of $10, but a supervisor said it had been on sale before Christmas, and was only worth $7.50. I washed the money, then gave it to charity!

No, I don't like Wal-Mart. I wish people didn't focus only on money. If people are poor, I guess Wal-Mart is a good thing, but boy are they ever greedy and ruthless in their business dealings.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Greg F.
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 06:49 PM

Bruce:

Take my advice. Arm yourselves & meet 'em at the border.

They've ripped the guts out of the economy of the small community where I live; only folks making out are in the corporate HQ. The local MalWart boosters who worked to bring the store in have now figured out they made a mistake & say so- but its too damn late.

There used to be a bumper sticker out there:

WalMart: Your Source for Cheap, Plastic Junk

Get yours today.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Don Firth
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 06:42 PM

Well, Marty old buddy, at least I have my mental faculties.

You're telling me to eat shit? You're recommending it then? Well, what can I say but "Congratulations!" I thought you were still having trouble differentiating it from Shinola.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Kim C
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 06:28 PM

Piggly, what the HELL are you talking about?

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Peace
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 06:19 PM

I understand that Wal-mart will be coming to Canada soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,PigglyWiggly
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 05:45 PM

We told you so!

Now you saved 25 cents, had to take back the cereal&chickenshit plus the watery milk, it cost you the gasoline, your time and your pride as well, not to mention higher taxes to subsidise the underpaid welfare drawing employees of the unmentionable entity across town.

You can still come back, we love you even more now. C'mon back to real food, happy faces and lots o good Country Ham!

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Kim C
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 05:08 PM

Is it really necessary to be hateful?

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 04:39 PM

Woohoo! Somebody needs to have his meds dosage upped!

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,Martin gibson
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 04:13 PM

Don firth

You are the one who should worry about bodily functions as you are so old and decrepit that you are lucky that you still have any. by the way, American spell it as "shit." As in, eat shit.

dianavan,
well aren't you Miss natural? You just don't go for all of life's modern conveniences do you? I'll bet you don't bathe, either. Why waste water, huh?

guest, pdc
Your hero is obviously a copy machine.

guest,boring old fart:
Everyone who knows you agrees with your self description I'm sure.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Kim C
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 03:41 PM

I understand the Why about Wal Mart - I was speaking a little more generally. Even if we took Wal Mart out of the picture, people would still be bitching about the Chain Stores, whether it's Kroger or Target or McDonald's or Starbucks.

I have a friend who works at Wal Mart, and has for several years. I don't know how much she makes, but she isn't broke.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Don Firth
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 01:46 PM

In short, the Georgia taxpayers are, in effect, subsidizing Wal-Mart. You wind up paying them money whether you shop there or not.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Greg F.
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 01:32 PM

Apparently not, Kim, so one more time:

a state survey of Georgia's public health insurance program for children, released just last month, found that more than 10,000 of the children enrolled in the program had a parent working at Wal-Mart.

Though Wal-Mart is the largest employer in Georgia, the number of its workers' children enrolled in the program was far more, per employee, than other large employers in the state, the survey found.

"This is a company that has grown exponentially by not paying a living wage and not providing their employees with benefits," Maikels said."

get it now?

Best, Greg

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Kim C
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 11:26 AM

The Land of Opportunity is a funny place. We want to protect Mom & Pop, but only as long as they stay Mom & Pop. When Mom & Pop work hard, run a tight ship, make a pile of money, and turn their enterprise into a chain, then they're the enemy. I don't get it.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,in agony - too funny
Date: 10 Mar 04 - 05:58 PM

Yeah but if they park the horse in the shed? would the horseshit be packed in with the chicken litter for later use,? or do they sell that as fertilizer? Oh no they couldn't, since it is company policy to salt everything with crap in case they might actualy give the customer what they asked for.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 10 Mar 04 - 05:30 PM

I'm going to add some humor here, but what the heck no one will read it. Our local Wal-Mart, which I don't go to, has a big open three sided shed in the parking lot. Reason? We are in Amish counrty and the horses and buggies need protection!

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 10 Mar 04 - 12:01 AM

Right on, dianavan -- you said it all very well!

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: dianavan
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 11:20 PM

Marty,

Not everyone needs to consume as much as you.

I do not buy gas. Sold my car.
Electricity? yes. From the grid? occasionally.
Heat? Wood, hot water and solar for water.
Tampons. Never - they cause PID's

Purpose? Conscience and future generations.

Whats your purpose? You don't have to answer that. I know you are perfectly content to feed on chicken litter soaked in watered-down milk. Eat it up big boy!

Why would I want to bash men? I only bash those that try to push me around. My daddy always told me not to start a fight but... he said, if anyone starts a fight with you, remember there are no rules.

So, if you think I have bashed you, its probably because you deserve it.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Peace
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 07:35 PM

Would it be off topic to say I hope everyone has a nice day?

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Bobert
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 07:02 PM

Boycott SatanMart!

I wouldn't give these bullies/cheats/exploiters a penny of my money.

They are the enemy.

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 06:21 PM

interesting statistics in Forbes latest list of the world's billionares.
It seems that 5 of the top 10 richest people ib the world are WalMart heirs! "If Sam Walton were alive today, he'd have twice as much money as Bill Gates."

Make of that what you will....the $$$$ sure didn't go to high salaries for the workers.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,Sell Maul Wart Buy Gold
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 06:19 PM

"Cracklin Dried ChickenShit and Bran at Wal Mart: $2.39"
Naw they still put in chickenlitter into the boxed products to make up for the weigh of brand product removed....

for the novice to wholesailin - har har - chicken litter is chicken feed and chicken shit which is dried and reprocessed to make it tasteless then added - heretofore - to animal feeds. Nowadays the senior Maul Wart
folks and their OSU friends have expensive tastes, sooo they have to pass the hat around the customers to see how stupid they are.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,Guest, Judah
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 06:07 PM

Hey Trollfingers, you hoo started this thread.

You've at least made your position clear, but in saying that Walmart has watered the milk and induced colon cancer I believe you are simply lying.

The big boxes ain't pretty, but they are one way in a free-market society to supply a lot of product to a burgeoning population who are having their jobs 'took' oversees.

I have been to Arkansas and the caliber of people I found there were sufficiently higher than your implications. Many of them own Walmart stock.

I'm sure you are happy with your K-Mart stock and your Martha Stewart kitchen towels!

Paul Harvey says if you don't live near a Walmart, move!

Good day!

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Kim C
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 05:56 PM

Cracklin Oat Bran at Publix Grocery: $4.49
Cracklin Oat Bran at Wal Mart: $2.39

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,Boring Old Fart
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 05:52 PM

(Loudly applauds Mr Don Firth) - well said Sir

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Don Firth
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 04:59 PM

(Oh shite! It's back!)

Really hung up on bodily functions there, Marty? I would suggest that you get a clue, but you couldn't get a clue during the clue mating season in a field full of horny clues if you smeared your body with clue musk and did the clue mating dance.

Do not despair, however. If you can't be a shining example of the human race, at least you can function as a horrible warning.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 04:48 PM

Who was that masked man?

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 04:34 PM

dianavan

No, none of what you mentioned. Wow, are you ever a name calling weirdo and accusatory because someone spends money at a big, box store and feels he is getting value. yeah, you are a snob, and a rebel with a stupid, foolish purpose. Go support the local stores if you want. Waste your money, not mine. So you don't buy Tide, Pledge, or a brand name toothpaste. Fuck those name brands, right? I'll bet you don't buy brand name tampons either. Old newspaper works just as good, right? Or buy a box of Tampax from the local store so they can gossip about when you have your period, or don't any longer. That makes you a better person of course.    My, my are you rightous. Don't buy electricity or gas from the big conglomerate utility company either. Burn your own wood for electricity and eat beans to make your own gas.

Uh Oh, here it comes. Start the man-bashing, woman-abusing thing.
Wahhhhhhh!

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Greg F.
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 12:11 PM

County rolls back Wal-Mart gift
Albany, NY-- In rebuke of retail giant's policies, lawmakers reject immunization grant

By CATHY WOODRUFF, Staff writer, Times-Union
First published: Tuesday, March 9, 2004

The Albany County Legislature threw back a $1,000 health care grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation on Monday, citing the discount retailer's widely criticized treatment of its workers.
                
"We should send that $1,000 back to Wal-Mart, back to Arkansas, and tell them to give it to their employees for health insurance," said Legislator Gary Domalewicz, D-Albany. "We shouldn't help them enhance their corporate image."

Several legislators echoed those sentiments, noting that the county already may be picking up the health care costs for Wal-Mart employees and their families during extended waiting periods for benefits, for families unable to afford health insurance, and for worker families receiving treatments not covered by the company's plan.

"We'd wind up using the $1,000 to immunize the children of their employees who don't have benefits," said Legislator Alexander Gordon, D-Berne.

Legislator Allen Maikels, D-Guilderland, said a state survey of Georgia's public health insurance program for children, released just last month, found that more than 10,000 of the children enrolled in the program had a parent working at Wal-Mart.

Though Wal-Mart is the largest employer in Georgia, the number of its workers' children enrolled in the program was far more, per employee, than other large employers in the state, the survey found.

"This is a company that has grown exponentially by not paying a living wage and not providing their employees with benefits," Maikels said.
---
Rest of article here:
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=226765&category=ALBANY&BCCode=&newsdate=3/9/2004

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: dianavan
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 03:52 AM

guest MG: I never thought of myself as a "snob" but according to your criteria, maybe I am. I don't buy Tide, Pledge or brand name toothpaste. I support the local business people because I believe that healthy communities need small business and I enjoy shopping in an area where I meet my neighbors on the street.

I find that big box stores and Malls give me a headache and low back pain. I also dread meeting people like you in the parking lot. I could never figure out where you were coming from. Maybe a teen-aged troll? Perhaps a tyrannical husband and father? Surely a biggot but for sure now I know your just another mall rat. A faceless creature hoping to find a bargain to sustain your need for instant gratification.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 11:05 PM

Damn Good place in my opinion....they can make a profit...while saving the populace the membership-fees of the rich-kids stores.

There must be VERY few people "making a living" from Wal-Mart.

<3>HOWVER<Most appear to be supplimenting their SocialSecurity StateRetiremnt, or ServicePension others are 22 hour a weekers adding to their husband's full-time trucker pay.

No Problem.....Chinese prices and Chinese wage.....we all win in the end.

Sincerely
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 09:32 PM

Guest, PDC

You absolutely are wrong. Yep, I bought GE light bulbs, Tide detergent, some Pledge furniture polish, a brand name toothpaste, plus other similiar brand name products like Stanley tools and other brand name hardware and houseware products found in many stores.

That's tacky?

Are you such a snob that these products are not good enough for you, or a moron who goes out and buys the same identical quality and brand names and pays more for them? Check both, please.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Feb 04 - 11:19 PM

??? well, now THAT sure has me convinced, tar heel. I never heard it explained so clearly before...

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: tar_heel
Date: 08 Feb 04 - 01:26 PM

WALLY WORLD IS THE GREATEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Feb 04 - 10:55 AM

Bill, thanks for the link. I think the "registration" you mention is already in place--for many months now there has been a cookie in my computer so I don't have to go through the quick registration page there. It's free. When I clean out my cookies then I have to reset it. It's like I have with a couple of other papers I read every so often (New York Times, Chicago Sun-Times).

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Feb 04 - 10:15 AM

more today on the practices basic to the way Wal-Mart works-

Washington Post
(I hope the link still works..WashPost is planning to require registrations soon..)

here are a couple relevant paragraphs to give the flavor:
"SHENZHEN, China -- Inside the factory, amid clattering machinery and clouds of sawdust, men without earplugs or protective goggles feed wood into screaming electric saws, making cabinets for stereo speakers. Women hunch over worktables, many hands bandaged and few covered by gloves, pressing transistors into circuit boards... A sign on the wall reminds them of their expendability in a nation with hundreds of millions of surplus workers: "If you don't work hard today, tomorrow you'll have to try hard to look for a job."

""The profit is really small," said Surely Huang, a factory engineer, speaking of the 350,000 stereos that Fenda agreed in March to supply to the retailer for $30 to $40 each. Huang said they sell for $50 in the United States. "We have to constantly cut costs to satisfy Wal-Mart."
"Wal-Mart pressures the factory to cut its price, and the factory responds with longer hours or lower pay," said a Chinese labor official, who declined to be named for fear of punishment. "And the workers have no options."

lots more...............There's your low prices, Martin and Clinton...

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 08 Feb 04 - 02:23 AM

Martin Gibson mentioned shopping at Wal Mart and having a really terrific experience. He then said:

"Stilly River sage and Don Firth, why don't you learn something about life instead of calling someone a fool who might just have more of a handle on life than a narrow minded folksinger and his stooge."

Sorry, MG. Shopping at Wal Mart does not mean you have a handle on life. It means you went out and bought ordinary (if not downright tacky) goods at the lowest possible price, and received the lowest possible quality in return.

Doesn't sound like much of a "handle on life" to me -- it sounds distinctly low-class and second-rate. Some people don't mind that.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Nerd
Date: 08 Feb 04 - 01:05 AM

Ah, sorefingers ol' buddy. Bloviating as always.

It may seem to you that Dr. Dean has never done a hard day's work, but did you get through Medical School? Internship? Residency? Your own medical practice? These things take more work in a year than GW has done in his life. Dean talks incessantly about the issues, but the News media rarely reports it. I have seen him live on more than one occasion, and also many times on C-Span. Rarely does he talk about anything other than issues.

And as to your feeling that Dean did not behave well, are you referring perhaps to the scream video? If so, it might interest you to know that ABC actually ran a whole story apologizing for distorting that video so badly; in it, people from NBC and CNN also said the clip was distorted and overplayed. Too little, too late? Perhaps.

Now, to anyone who cares about how this political stuff connects to Wal-Mart, here's how Dean handled the Wal-Mart issue:

When it became inevitable that WalMart would move into Vermont, and they had planned their usual crush of giant suburban stores, Governor Dean flew to their headquarters in Arkansas to negotiate. He told them if they built their usual suburban megastores he and most Vermont communities would fight them tooth and nail. But if they built small stores in downtown areas, he would make it much easier for them.

Now, rather than sucking business out of the town of Rutland, Wal-Mart was actually incorporated into the town's downtown revitalization plan.

This is the kind of negotiation Dean kicks ass at. He would rather not have had WalMart at all, mainly because of their union-busting ways. But he also knew that negotiating in this case would be better for the people of Vermont than fighting and eventually losing. He played his cards while he still had a strong hand, and got people in Vermont low prices without a lot of the woes that WalMart usually brings.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 11:01 PM

Stuff it, GuitarGuitar. Your strings are wound a little too tight.

Eminent domain has been used in theory for "the greater good," and that was how the county justified taking 10 acres of prime lakefront property from a friend many years ago. Then they found they didn't have the money to develop the land, so they worked out an arrangement that she could continue to live there and pay them a nominal rent. It benefited the park department a lot because she mowed much of the property and kept it all looking good, as she always had. Then a neighbor up the road decided this must be a sweetheart deal and made a big fuss at county meetings. My friend didn't need that grief, moved out, and the place went to seed. And it still looks like shit 25 years later. That land is off of the tax rolls, but it would have brought some nice income to the county for all of these years if they'd left it alone.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 09:46 PM

I went to Wal-Mart today, bought a bunch of things for the house and family, had decent friendly help from the clerk, exchanged pleasantries with the cashier and saved a lot of money.

Stilly River sage and Don Firth, why don't you learn something about life instead of calling someone a fool who might just have more of a handle on life than a narrow minded folksinger and his stooge.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Metchosin
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 05:25 PM

o,r as has been said before "The meek shall inherit earth.....but they'll never gain title to it."

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Metchosin
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 05:23 PM

Well now that Paul's come into power, I wouldn't give it anymore than 20 minutes before it kicks in in this country too.

His excuse for using offshore tax haven loopholes, was something along the line of "that's how its done in a global economy in order to keep competitive with the big boys." He personally had a hand in conveniently failing to close those loopholes, when he was in charge of Finance. Its a matter of record also, that he registered his ships in foreign countries, to avoid Canadian labour regulations, safety standards and all those other restrictive barriers to an honest and principaled approach to commerce in this day and age.

A foolish thief simply steals . An intelligent thief enshrines his right to do so in the laws of the land.......humming........This land is my land, this land is my land, this land belongs to me and me. *BG*

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 04:42 PM

Metchosin, "eminent domain" is a big scandal in the US, especially at the municipal level. City governments use an increased tax base as their excuse for expropriating private property and turning it over to developers or whatever. If you want to curl your hair, Google "eminent domain" +US, and see the heartbreaking and unbelievable stories you get.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Metchosin
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 04:27 PM

Well after I read the article, without further details, I'm still in the dark regarding Costco's part in it. Seems more to me like the City, or whatever, has been up to some questionable practices that border on fraud, but then I am only going by what little I understand of Canadian law regarding Right of Domain, not American.

Canada has no property rights enshrined in a constitiution, in effect everything belongs to what is deemed, "the Crown" and confiscation of property occurs on a regular basis, as in the case of the failure to pay property taxes, on said property and the construction of public works, ie roads, airports, hospitals etc. I also believe that the Crown is obliged to pay "market value" (sometimes a debatable point in the minds of those forced to give up their real property) for the property confiscated for public works. Properties confiscated and sold for outstanding taxes, sometimes may go a bit cheaper, but again, they are supposed to relect fair market value, the money from said sale, which then accrues to "the Crown".

I have never heard of the Crown, in this country, confiscating private land, in order to turn it over to another private individual or corporation , in an endeavour to gain more tax revenue. That's pretty weird.

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 02:25 PM

Sorry, Mets, but you might want to take a look at this article about Costco & Eminent Domain. I found it after hearing a report on Colorado Public Radio about the city of Westminster using E.D. to take a lake in order for Costco to build on that site. The interview/report was on eminent domain, in general and they also noted the city of Boulder is taking away a blind woman's home for a retailer (can't remember which one.) There's more out there on Costco, apparently they use this kind of tactic a lot to get what they want and the tax revenues they bring in far outweigh what city coffers may glean from an individual or open space. From what I saw, they have been brought to court in several cities by folks trying to stop them. Some "megachurch" in California lost out to them, too, apparently.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 12:10 PM

Though the demise of cheapo Maul Wart has nothing to do with the election, I notice the insiders have hoisted Kerry over Dean to save G W 's hide. That makes sense if they thought Dean would be a serious contender; however, schleping Kerry in front to provide a soft target for G W may just backfire in their faces. What if the public fall for Kerry's non comital - say absolutely nothing at all of value - blarney and elect him?

I agree that Dean should have been better able to handle loosing states nomination contests, and that very behavior is why I would never vote for him. In fact, at this late stage all he has to do is talk about the ISSUES not his opponents - but OC he won't.... ego ego ego.

Is he yet another spineless fact twister? Maybe, but a hard days work is not in his spoilt upper class vocabulary. How do Doctor Dean!

G W is a man, Dr Dean is a sissy!

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 10:10 AM

As contrary as it may seem, I have shopped at Sam's Club for many years, a few times a year. They compete in a different market than Walmart (they come up against places like Costco and there was another one that died off a few years ago--and the prices aren't so low, they deal more in bulk). But Costco started building in the region about five years ago. Until recently I haven't had one close by (I pass it on my way to work when it isn't open yet, but my route home follows a different route). They even sent out a free membership card but I never got in to use it. My parents both liked Costco, so I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the reminder.

I started shopping at Sam's because it was the only place I could find big boxes of powdered milk. Back when I was using dairy I was cooking with it, making a lot of yogurt and yogurt cheese. We were trying to use our dairy in a healthy way, and powdered worked well. But I haven't eaten dairy since about when they started building Costcos, so I expect it's time to look back and take this as a sign!

Nerd, I think your reasoning is sound. I am in the unhappy position of living in Texas, where my democratic vote isn't going to make a difference in the fall, and probably won't be much of a blip on our primary, either. Gotta get rid of this damned electoral college.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Maul Wart sucks even more now
From: Nerd
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 09:19 AM

SRS,

I understand where you're coming from. Here are a couple of points to think about

(1) No one will still have momentum when the General comes around. Momentum can only determine who will win the nomination, and then only if we let it.

(2) Momentum is a media-generated effect. If we want any hope of momentum to carry into the general, we need to keep the media intersted by prolonging the Democratic horse race as long as possible. The reason Bush is on the ropes right now is that there a bunch of Democrats in the news every day lambasting him. The sooner this narrows to one candidate, the more we let the idea of "momentum" take over, the sooner the media will stop reporting it as a horse race. This accomplishes two things for Bush. It takes the Democrats out of the news early, and it allows Bush's planning people to focus on one person early.

(3) Bill Clinton did not secure the nomination until June 1992. He did not have much momentum at this stage of the race either. If we had given up at this stage in 1992 and voted in the primaries on the basis of "momentum" Clinton would not have been the nominee, and Bush I would probably have had a second term.

(4) Once again, Kerry is a Wal Mart Millionaire. Yuck! I'll vote for him in the general election if I have to, but I'm going to see if I can get Dean nominated first.