BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: rich-joy
Date: 28 Oct 05 - 01:50 AM

If you wish to show some support for the valiant Communities attempting to resist the Corporate Takeovers of their towns, please consider purchasing a CD from this website :

http://www.peculiarhand.com/pages/atogm.html

For every CD sold, a proportion will go to the Community fund in Maleny :
http://www.peculiarhand.com/pages/good-reason.html

But that aside, the music is just plain good fun – and let's face it, we all need a bit of respite from the numerous negative impacts of Globalisation that bear down upon us nowadays ...


Cheers! R-J
Down Under

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: rich-joy
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 08:18 PM

just added some parodies in the "Is Our Community Losing to the Corporation" thread - (can some Mud Elf please LINK??!!) - regarding the greedy grocery giant, Woolworths, that is destroying the rare and ancient Platypus (and our Community) in Maleny, SE Queensland in Oz.


Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 06:51 PM

they can destroy my community anytime, I don't think anyone would notice - they'd like a new sainsburys though.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Cod Fiddler
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 01:37 PM

It's too late for your community. The life has already been sucked out of it. We're all doomed! Doomed I tell you!

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: dianavan
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 10:11 PM

Grow your own and start a co-op.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Kim C
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 05:28 PM

Okay, so where do I shop then? Where I live, it's either supermarkets, convenience stores, or grow your own.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Cod Fiddler
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 02:34 PM

I found out a shocking fact about supermarkets when I spoke to a producer of poultry a few weeks ago:

When you see a buy-one-get-one-free offer, it is NOT the supermarket that pays for the free item. It is the supplier! Supermarkets routinely check the account books of their suppliers to check that they will survive, though they have little right to do this. The suppliers are over a barrel - if they refuse they lose the supermarket's custom.

Agricultural producers commonly have very small profit margins - 1% is not atypical. In such a market the supermarkets are EXPLOITING their suppliers. No wonder farmers are struggling! Never mind Fair Trade in the 3rd world, it isn't fair in the UK.

Supermarkets are EVIL. Don't use them!

Richard.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: rich-joy
Date: 11 Jul 05 - 10:38 PM

refresh


see new thread : Is Our Community Loosing to the Corporation (can some Mudcat Elf please link to it??? - thanks!!!)


in our fight against being owned lock, stock and barrel by The Big Bastard Corporations : are we losing both the battle AND the war???
say it isn't so ...



Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Ron Davies
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 08:46 AM

First of all, I again appeal for everybody to forswear vulgar language, including all "four-letter words" (that includes all scatalogical language). Martin, I hope you don't have to look that up. Using such language shows a poverty of vocabulary and of intellect. If the shoe fits....

For the rest of this post ( if you have interest), see my most recent post under the Open Letter to Nader Supporters, though it should have been in this thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 12:29 AM

Aw, Ron, don't strain the poor guy's brain... if that is the proper name for it.... :-) If he had half a brain it would be lonely!

"It only takes a small amount of my brain power to get my point across to you" - but it must be such a great effort without the potty words ....

Just keeping the shit out of his mouth is enough for Our Marty (hehe - the Spell checker tried to substitute Martyr!!!).

Surely, Ron, you wouldn't want to happen to Marty what happened to the constipated German Pilot - he came down in a Messerschmidt!


"Your impact here, is nil."

As I expected Marty, teaching a pig to sing is a waste of time, it just gets the teacher annoyed and the pig upset!

"No Brain - No Gain!"

:-)

Just for you Marty as you requested - stooping to your level so you CAN understand...

"nah, nah, nah, nah, nah"
(spelling corrected!)

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Ron Davies
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 10:14 PM

--
However, Martin, the inference we have to draw, it seems, is that --how did it go?-- nah han nah nah?-- is the intellectual level of a response you would identify with. Perhaps that's not what you meant to say, but that is how it came out.

It would perhaps be slightly more useful to raise the level of discourse just a bit, hoping that doesn't strain you.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Ron Davies
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 10:06 PM

Martin--

A posting of 5 lines with no filth---you're definitely on the road to recovery. Keep it up.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Once Famous
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 08:56 PM

Not clever

You could of at least gone, nah, han, nah, nah, nah.

It only takes a small amount of my brain power to get my point across to you, Fooly troop.

Small minds like yours are only big in their own mind.

Your impact here, is nil.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 08:12 PM

"Small things amuse small minds"

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Once Famous
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 06:12 PM

You are both girlie men.

You Ron Davies and fool troupe, are about as intellectual as roadkill. You both wouldn't last in a high school debate or on a mean city street.

As for my musical ability, you both prove to be completely ignorant as this is just a typical example of making your pompous assumptions on not knowing all of the facts.

ie. You have not heard me play or sing over the last 40 or so years.

You fools troupe display all of the maturity of a sad, bitter old man, set in your ways. You are so removed from your youthfulness, that you can only think inside your own very small box. It's the type of maturity that allows me to use shit language on you full knowing that it DOES yank your chain and will get to show how easily it is that you offend in all of your political correctness.

It's pretty entertaining.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Ron Davies
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 01:09 PM

Robin--

We don't need to use foul language or any "four-letter words" on "Martin". He's vulnerable enough without it.   And, after all, he has proven himself the master of filth. Let him continue to live in the gutter by himself. If we are considered snobs for not using vulgar language, I think we can live with it, don't you?

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 12:26 AM

I'm with Ron.

You're no phony liar Martin.

or should that be
You're no phony, liar Martin...

Still hooked on the abusive insults, though I see Marty - if they aren't phony, maybe your alleged music ability is.

I have discovered that only the second raters in any field need to put down others - they do this because they have no real ability and are afraid that others will find this out if they don't intimidate them by spraying foul mouth abuse around.

I have always found that those with the most natural talent and ability have no need to masturbate their weeny-ego by trying to dump shit on others - they have no fear that others are better than them, and enjoy the challenge of meeting others who just may be better than them - they always enjoy the stimulation of a challenge.

To paraphrase an old song..

"Only the Phony"...

Martin, you display all the intellectual maturity of a teenager, so that's what I think you really are - just pretending to be a great musician. You have been called on some of your 'spouted facts' before.


In your Dreams, Sunshine!

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Ron Davies
Date: 27 Aug 04 - 11:16 PM

It's true," Martin", some of the people around here are phony liars. That's one thing I just can't stand. I insist on only reading posts from real liars, and I think we should take a stand on this vital issue of our time. Don't you agree?

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Once Famous
Date: 27 Aug 04 - 11:24 AM

Guest, Your identity is not available on-line except under:

iamacocksucker.com

There you will find out who you really are and why I laugh at how you are obviously one of about 3 people who are the phoniest liars here.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Aug 04 - 01:02 AM

Marty!

Your medications are available online!

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: mg
Date: 27 Aug 04 - 12:11 AM

One thing that can be done even retroactively is encouraging through tax reductions or whatever existing ugly malls to plant strips of greens or trees in their ugly parking lots..even 10% trees can make a huge difference..some parking lots, such as Shoreline city hall (near Seattle) are like parks...I think Northgate Mall is one of the worst abominations on the face of the earth...for new construction it could be easily made into part of the building code process..such and such a percentage of trees. Not everything is irreversible...a few jackhammers and a few urban foresters and change is made...mg

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Once Famous
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 10:57 PM

I'm hardly in the gutter, douchie.

I'm laughing at you from my million dollar house.

You are a girlie man, Ronnie baby. Have some quiche.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Ron Davies
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 10:45 PM

Ah, "Martin", back to the gutter again. Well at least you'll be more comfortable there. Goodnight.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Once Famous
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 10:38 PM

Ron Davies

What staggers my imagination is how you think good taste is a used rubber in your mouth. Gutter? Just wait. Get me started, Mr Douche Bag. You don't have a clue what it means to be staggered. any one who says "methinks" like you do sounds kind of like how Popeye the Sailor talks.

Your in the big leagues all right, Daivies. Big league shitheads.

You are a pompous snob whose writing really sucks.

Your posting was complete bullshit and really very self serving on your part.

Go fuck yourself with a blow torch.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Ron Davies
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 09:17 PM

Robin--

I'm shocked, simply shocked to find that someone is criticizing "Martin Gibson". Don't you realize that Martin's good taste is only surpassed by his intelligence? Both, it might be said, stagger the imagination. (For more of "Martin's" strong points, see my posting of 14 May 2004 12:05 PM on this thread.)

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 01:30 AM

Martin, be careful of labelling those who you do not know, in circumstances you do not know, of spouting bullshit. Some may think you are just looking in the mirror too much.

I have been in the town of Maleny (Australia) and the surrounding countryside over the past thirty odd years. Everything the nice lady has personally said about the local situation is true. I do agree with her comments about Australian Big Retail Business destroying small localities. I have seen it happen personally many times, including the local Fruit & Veg driven out of Business in local Shopping Centres (Malls for the US - in Aus malls are open spaces BETWEEN shops), by price undercutting and then prices being put up when the competition has closed. At the same time, farmers are being paid less and retail prices are rising - the retail margins rising as profits rise.

You (and the person who revived this thread) are in a different country, so your personal comments may have nothing to do with the local situation.

Still waiting for some intelligent (non-gibbering!) contributions from you to the "Writing Challenge Threads".

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Once Famous
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 11:15 PM

I am not familiar with that chain, as we don't have them here. But we do have Jewel food stores and Walgreen drug stores (they started here in Chicago).

Fine prices and selection at Jewel and going into a Walgreen's is just such a comfortable thing to do.

Interesting to see this thread revived by someone else who counters the complete bullshit of the one who started it.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: GUEST,Smith's Lover!
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 11:00 PM

I love Smth's Food And Dug Stores! That Company is like family you feel it when you walk threw the door, they make you fel at home and with resonable prices freindly service and great deli and food items Smith's is king in the food business. Life was saddend when they left southern california it was like losing a close friend. And now all we have is some empty structures and some stores that were taken over as memories of Smith's Food And Drug Center's, Not to mention the jobs thesuper centers provided, Southern California awaits and anticipates the return of the King in food-Smith's Food And Drug Center.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 May 04 - 05:56 PM

Martin's kids ask him, "Dad, if we're so well off, why do we buy all our clothes at Walmart?"

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 14 May 04 - 12:05 PM

Sorry, everybody--our cat just posted to the thread.


First of all, "Martin", I will assume (though it may be a rash assumption), that despite your refusal to stand behind anything you ever say by giving your real name, and despite evidence on Mudcat of gigantic put-ons, that you really do exist; that utterances such as yours really can stem from the brain of a thinking individual. On the off-chance you do exist....


Your (sic) right. I am certainly impressed. You have so many strong points I can't count them all. Spelling and grammar are yet two more. I feel honored to share the same planet with you. Only your powers of logic are somewhat faulty (or perhaps nonexistent.) It's certainly too bad you can't afford an introductory subscription to the Wall St. Journal--sounds as if you could benefit if you could scrape the cash together. Of course the words sometimes are above two syllables--that might be a problem.

The Dry Branch Fire Squad has a great traditional bluegrass sound and a fantastic dry sense of humor. Ron Thomasson, lead singer (and an English teacher) once said in concert: "We believe in aggressive ignorance in bluegrass music" .   Mirabile dictu, (sorry Martin, that's Latin), there may be some people to whom that applies. I wonder if attitudes such as yours help explain why there seems to be friction between the bluegrass and old-timey communities--both being small minorities in music, you would think they would want to make common cause (how about that, I've made this a music thread).

Martin, I only hope you're as appreciated as I am in bluegrass and other circles. To ensure that you are, you might want to tone your approach down just a tad. Don't worry, I don't claim to be an expert guitarist--your fragile ego is safe with me. You may perhaps be unaware there are other instruments in bluegrass, and singing is even involved.

"Your (sic) right. I probably am a better guitarist, have a better job, a better family and home than you do" Or maybe not. Methinks he doth protest too much.

Re: psychoanalysis--Martin, psychoanalyzing you is no challenge, I asssure you. You might want to look in the mirror sometime.


Interestingly enough, you admit my point about fear. If you can't distinguish between fear and love, this says worlds about you ( and probably about other Bushites too). Suppliers may well appreciate Walmart's info on demographics etc. (though Walmart is hardly alone in providing this sort of detail--I daresay Costco does it too). This is hardly love. Martin, you'd best watch your terms and phrasing here--you're in the big leagues.

However, Martin, congratulations on keeping your usual gutter language out of your post. See, you can do it! (Hope you don't slip back into the gutter). Could this be a new trend?

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 04 - 11:25 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: M.Ted
Date: 13 May 04 - 02:48 PM

Marty is being juvenile again? Do you mean that he stopped at some point?

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: dianavan
Date: 13 May 04 - 12:11 AM

Marty is being juvenile again.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 May 04 - 08:17 PM

And now David up the tree has made it onto the ABC National Radio news.

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Once Famous
Date: 12 May 04 - 05:21 PM

Guest, Ron Davies you have proven that you know absolutely nothing about business.

Yes, fear is a part of business. But the suppliers sure love the info Wal-Mart gives them on demographics and the size and scope of their segment competition. They give them market share data that they crave. I would never buy at Cost-co. No interested in buying a jar of applesauce that will last a year.

The world hasn't treated me badly at all you cowering blegrass wannabe. Right away your type is quick to obtain a degree in psychoanalysis when someone easily out debates you and makes you look bad.

Your right, I probably am a better guitarist, have a better job, a better family and home than you do.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 May 04 - 05:16 AM

On the Channel 7 6:30 Current Affaris slot tonight, was a short article about the guy in Maleny camping up in the Bunya Pine tree on the proposed SuperMarket site..

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: rich-joy
Date: 11 May 04 - 02:53 AM

yes, Sian, there's more than an element of truth in your last paragraph!!!

Here in rural Australia, it's often the teens who are desperate for places like Shopping Centre developments, just to be able to "hang out" (I'm trying to recall where I used to go to do that - then I remembered that I wasn't ALLOWED to go out very often!!!!!!!!!!)

Also, people are moving Northwards to sunny Queensland, from the mega-cities of Sydney and Melbourne, where real estate prices are absolutely horrendous - this is in turn pushing our prices to ridiculous levels, unaffordable now for a large percentage of the Australian population. The gap between "rich" and "poor" is ever-widening. (probably the same in the UK and Nth America, I would think ...)

Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: sian, west wales
Date: 08 May 04 - 06:17 PM

For UK information, you might look at the New Economics Foundation website (www.neweconomics.org). There are some relevant articles on 'transforming markets' under the Economics tab. They did some good work on comparing the circulation of money within the local community on food at a supermarket and the same with a local 'veggie box' scheme. It used to be on the website; you might find it if you dig around a bit. Also Paul Allen at Centre for Alternative Technology (www.cat.org.uk) has done work on "Relocalization of the Food Chain"; I don't see the paper on the website but you could email him and I bet he'd send it to you. Similarly, Prof Kevin Morgan (http://www.cf.ac.uk/cplan/staff/morgan_k.html)has done a lot of food chain research and I have one of his papers on disc here somewhere. He, also, is quite good at sending stuff if you ask nicely.

I don't know how much good academic stuff would do you, however, as county councils tend to have anyone BUT the locals in mind and aren't reknown for listening to academic research. We're fighting Tesco's here in our west Wales town, but I reckon we'll lose. It's outside the town centre, intends to sell just about everything, will leave its town centre current site with an embargo on it against any other food retailer moving in (which could work counter to the county's own agri-food policies) and will be the biggest Tesco in Wales.

I think there is somewhere in Wales that kept a multi-national out, possibly Builth Wells. Other towns failed, however; like Cardigan and Brecon. Again, probably a lot to do with the local authority's attitude. And they are quite often just trying to do anything to meet the national government's targets for GDP growth, and hang the social costs. (Which takes one into the murky world of arguments for an indicator other than GDP in Economic Development) Also, Chief Executives make 'their name' on the size of developments they can attract to the area ... so they can move up the ladder to some bigger council and leave us with the long-term effects.

On a moderating note, however, it always pays not to make sweeping statements. For instance, Tesco is (as Super Market Chains go) the most open of those in UK to accepting local or regional produce and are also very good at paying the small producer within a reasonable billing period.

Of course, there's a whole other tangent we could follow (I think someone touched on it already). R-J, you talk about 'those of us' who move to rural areas to get away from urban rat race. Long-term rural residents aren't trying to 'get away' from it and may have different values. (and would probably be happy to spend more of their income on good food if their housing prices weren't so apalling, having been driven up by people selling up in the cities). There's been a lot of work done on this, as well; Bill Reimer's work at Concordia University in Montreal comes to mind.

sian
(who, until recently, worked in rural development)

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 07 May 04 - 11:11 PM

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.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: M.Ted
Date: 06 May 04 - 09:28 PM

Surprisingly, it often costs more to grow your own vegatables than it would to buy them. My dad, who is a compulsive gardener, pointed out that the vegatables in the supermarkets are at their cheapest just about the same time the garden veggies are harvested, so you are not saving the $2.39 per pound that the good tomatoes cost most of the year, you are saving the $.59 per pound that they cost the week yours are ready.

When you average out the cost of seeds and seedlings, fertilizer and pest treatments, the wire, the string, and the various things you need to keep the rabbits and woodchucks out, against what you actually used or gave away(no fair counting the stuff that rots on the vine, doesn't ripen before the frost, or is eaten by creatures), you pay about the same as you would if you ordered the food in a good quality restaurant--No problem, though, it is the home grown taste that we do it for, and the spiritual connection with ancient farmers--

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Kim C
Date: 06 May 04 - 02:08 PM

Of course Target has some things Wal-Mart doesn't have, and vice-versa. Just like Publix has some things Kroger doesn't have, and so on and so on and so on. Once when I bemoaned the fact that I couldn't get 100% of my grocery list in one store, Mister reminded me about something called Competition. If all the stores had Absolutely Everything in One Place, they wouldn't need to compete with one another, which means they wouldn't have to keep their prices at a decent level.

As it stands, Mister and I will spend an average of $70 on a week's worth of groceries no matter where we shop. Believe it or not, the Wal-Marts in our area have a much better produce selection than most other grocery stores, and they have a few exotic fruits that are hard to find at other places. Wal-Mart also is the exclusive distributor of Rimmel cosmetics, at least around here. I happen to like Rimmel, so if I want something of theirs, guess where I have to go?

I have to say, though, that Mister says he feels like he's on an episode of The Simpsons everytime he steps into a Wal-Mart.

In a perfect world, we'd all be able to grow our own food and not have to patronize supermarkets so often. Sadly, it doesn't work that way anymore.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: M.Ted
Date: 06 May 04 - 01:14 AM

Martin generally is being deliberately cranky, with the intent of being amusing---except for the anti-semitism part--he is serious about that--

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: rich-joy
Date: 06 May 04 - 12:36 AM

Sadly, AlexiVirleo, I must agree.

Martin posts :
" ... the flapper girls also, who were the first real independent women ..."
Wow! SUCH an interesting "knowledge" of history he has ...

and

"Their ... American zeal for being sanitarily appealing and sleek .."
Well, I don't even want to open that can of worms!! (hopefully, Martin's analyst is already working on it ...)

and

" .. anti-semitic undertones ..."
- in Dianavan's post????????

Yes, AlexiVirleo, you're absolutely right - a real Richard Cranium ...


I didn't start this thread to get bogged down in reactive name-calling, but that's what Martin's big corporations do, isn't it? : Lead us up the garden path, into the mire, so that we lose our way until it's too late to be able to stop them from drowning us. Trouble is, some of us continually refuse to see the patterns ...


(sad)Cheers!
R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: GUEST,alexivirleo
Date: 05 May 04 - 10:05 PM

I've been trying so hard to feel compassion for Martin, I personally think he is a bit of a lost soul behind that sarcastic facade (flugelhorn - oh wow!) but; unfortunately, I must now allow my own reactive name-calling child loose! Down here in Orstraylia, we have a kind of all-purpose term, "wanker". It fits Martin admirably!

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: M.Ted
Date: 05 May 04 - 08:37 PM

Sorry Martin--believe it or not, they have things at Target that they don't have at Walmart--You can insist all you want, but you'll still be wrong. Better clothes, for one thing.

DougR--read my posts above--I hate Walmart because the stores are dirty, the lines are long, and they don't treat their employees very well--Don't shop there because there are other places that have merchandise that is more to my taste--I like big stores, and have been known to spend time in Outlet Malls--

In the interest of full disclosure,, I once worked in the advertising department of Macy's,San Francisco--as far as Dayton-Hudson goes, I also worked in the marketing department for a very large specialty retailer(now defunct), where my boss was a marketing exec from Daytons--Of the twenty odd folks in our office, about half were musicians--

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: dianavan
Date: 05 May 04 - 06:53 PM

My comment was not anti-semitic it was anti-Martinic. Do you always take comments out of context? Read the last line of that post for further clarification.

You have called me and many others a variety of names but somehow you seem to be able to justify that. Whats the difference if I decide to call you a name or label you based on your system of beliefs? I refrain from doing that, Martin, because you will just hide behind your religion and point at me and cry foul. Poor baby!

Whats good for the goose is good for the gander. Be careful Martin, in the future you may be the object of some pretty nasty name-calling yourself. Maybe thats why you feel so smug when you are able to do that on the internet. Would you dare to be so vile in person? I doubt it. You might think it but you are too much of a coward to ever let anyone know your opinions, face to face. The reason your capacity to care about others is so limited is that you are so needy yourself. Your mother must have been a real nightmare. If you were a child, I would have some pity but since you are just another greedy, self-serving, adult, I only despise you.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Once Famous
Date: 05 May 04 - 05:04 PM

dianavan, I do not work for Wal-Mart. I do not work in the retail industry, but I do work in a large American NYSE corporation for 20 years which is good to it's employees and pays me a nice living. I just happily shop there to save money.

Kim C. is absolutely right in her post above on who shops there. You might find that your wages just might go farther if you considered spending your money in a wiser fashion and get off of your high horse.

And Kim C. is right about the flapper girls also, who were the first real independent women in the 1920s. Their groundbreaking skirt length and American zeal for being sanitarily appealing and sleek predated that Nazi bitch. I think your Eva Braun/Hitler reference just smacked of anti-semitic undertones.

I don't hold it against you that you are Candaian, as my friend Brucie is also and he is a fine guy. Whether you were American or canadian, you still come across as a wench.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: Kim C
Date: 05 May 04 - 03:44 PM

I'm no marketing genius, but I'll take a stab. Considering that I've seen all types of cars from beat-up hoopties to brand new Escalades in the Wal-Mart parking lot, I'm going to guess their target market is anyone who wants to buy all their stuff in one place and spend less money on it. That's pretty broad. I see all kinds of people when I go there, including people who could easily afford to shop somewhere else but choose not to. And believe me, in the Nashville/Franklin/Brentwood/Murfreesboro quadrangle, there is absolutely no shortage of places to shop. (At one time, Murfreesboro, TN had the largest Wal-Mart Superstore in the country. That's probably changed since then.)

Diana, I am given to understand that the shaving fashion began in the 1920s with the flapper girls, since they were pretty much the first women to show their bare legs and arms (and armpits) in public. I could be wrong about that.

As far as the election is concerned, I imagine the undecided could go either way.

(Thanks Martin.) :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: dianavan
Date: 05 May 04 - 03:17 PM

I meant to say target market.

Subject: RE: BS: Supermarkets destroying Communities
From: dianavan
Date: 05 May 04 - 02:24 PM

Martin - Since you are the marketing genius. Maybe you can tell us exactly who WalMart's target audience might be. Maybe then we can begin to understand the American consumer more accurately. This, of course, will help us to predict who will win the election.