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COSTCO GIVES AMERICAN MILITARY PERSONNEL THE BOOT - FReeper ALERT!!!
Eyewitness | 29 Sep 2004 | Robert Drobot

Posted on 09/29/2004 8:06:55 PM PDT by Robert Drobot

Note: I’m copping with some difficult medical issues, and had a disastrous crash of my hard drive twice in succession (worm). This is the reason I’ve didn’t have the opportunity to address this serious issue on FR.

It remains an issue today, because the San Jose Army National Guard will be conducting another 'Open House' in November. I think we are obliged to get behind an effort to show our men and women in uniform our gratitude for their service, without their getting a glove across the face for ‘trespassing’ on private ( COSTCO ) property.

On Saturday, September 11, 2004, I was returning home after participating in a Pro-America 9-11 Remembrance at Stevens Creek Road and Winchester Boulevard, when I decided to stop at COSTCO, Santa Clara to run an errand.

As I approached the entrance, I noticed three smartly dressed uniformed members of Company C, 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry representing the San Jose Army National Guard. They were assigned to distribute a flyer addressing an 'Open House' at the Hedding St Armory being held that weekend. I thanked them for their service to our country, took a flyer and planned to visit them the following day.

As I entered the COSTCO facility, four or five of the COSTCO staff walked past me, surrounded our men in uniform. One of them told the Guard they must stop distributing their flyer. He said this was COSTCO policy, and further told the Guard that they were trespassing on private property.

The Guard members, wisely rejected a public confrontation, withdrawing quietly befuddled.

The following day my son and I went to the Armory. I asked those present if they were aware of the shameful action by COSTCO. They somberly responded they were aware of it, but chose to put an optimistic face on the incident by relating the positive response and welcome they received at the Great Mall in Milpitas, California.

The bottom line is San Jose Army National Guard was given the boot by COSTCO!

I’m asking you to help change this cock-eyed Un-American COSTCO policy ( if one actually exist ), and demand:

A) A letter of apology be sent to the Guard’s 185th Infantry in San Jose from the founder and chairman of COSTCO Jeffrey Brotman.

B) Take a minute to let the local print media - The San Jose Mercury News know how you feel toward the action COSTCO Santa Clara took against the men of our armed forces.

John Swartley, Editorial pages letters editor: jswartley@mercurynews.com

....and drop a word or two of support to:

Company C, 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry
San Jose Army National Guard

251 W. Hedding Street Telephone: 408 295 0952
E-mail: eric.barocio@ca.ngb.army.mil

C) Call and or write to:

COSTCO Santa Clara
1601 Coleman Ave.
Santa Clara, California 95050
Telephone 408 961 3900

COSTCO’s Corporate mailing address is: Head Office:
Jeffrey H. Brotman, Founder and Chairman COSTCO Wholesale Corp.
999 Lake Drive
Issaquah WA USA 98027
Phone: 425 313-8100
Toll Free:
Fax: 425 313-6593
Email: investor@COSTCO.com

Community Relations / Charitable Donations
Kim Cross
Community Relations & Administration
Phone: (425) 313-6182
Email: kcross@COSTCO.com

Annual Sales:

For the 52-week fiscal year ended August 29, 2004, the Company reported net sales of $47.15 billion, an increase of 13 percent from $41.69 billion during the prior fiscal year. By comparison, COSTCO's 1999 sales reached $27 billion 13% from the previous fiscal year.

COSTCO currently operates 288 warehouses, including 218 in the United States, 58 in Canada, seven in the United Kingdom, three in Korea, one in Taiwan, and a recently opened warehouse in Hisayama, Japan; and 16 additional warehouses in Mexico with a joint venture partner. The Company also operates COSTCO Online, an electronic commerce web site, at www.COSTCO.com.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Canada; Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Front Page News; Government; Japan; Mexico; US: California
KEYWORDS: antiwar; businees; costco; customers; dumb; military; onthehomefront; policy; stupid; unamerican; unpatriotic
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To: Robert Drobot

Don't shop at Costco! Sam's Club has everything Costco does and they're not anti-American.


61 posted on 09/29/2004 11:44:03 PM PDT by GVnana (If I had a Buckhead moment would I know it?)
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To: Robert Drobot

COSTCO is bigtime democrat.


62 posted on 09/29/2004 11:48:00 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan (A gun owner voting for John Kerry is like a chicken voting for Col. Saunders. (bye bye .30-30))
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To: markman46

I for one would not give any money to any store for the privilige of spending my money...in their stores.. it is only profit for them, I worked for a similiar store, Base Club, and they hounded the associates to get members, pointing to the fact it was 100% profit...


63 posted on 09/29/2004 11:49:10 PM PDT by JoanneSD
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To: AGreatPer

hehe. cool thanks.


64 posted on 09/30/2004 12:01:24 AM PDT by Tempest (Click on my name for a long list of press contacts)
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To: conservativeteach; AGreatPer

Owners of Sam's Club and Wal-Mart donate heavily to conservative groups... they are very pro-life :-)


65 posted on 09/30/2004 12:58:54 AM PDT by Tamzee (Ted Koppel --- "....the media will need a stepstool to rise to the level of used car salesmen.")
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Comment #66 Removed by Moderator

To: AGreatPer

Sam's club sells Tyson, they also sell a local Amish chicken here.

They also do not kick Girl Scouts to the curb.

They have all political books equally. And at our local one in Ohio they are wearing Cpl. Matt Maupin Pins he is still listed as missing.


67 posted on 09/30/2004 1:26:19 AM PDT by Michael121 (An old soldier knows truth. Only a Dead Soldier knows peace.)
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To: McGavin999

Isn't Sam's Club owned by Sam Walton who had ties to the Clinton's? I have a difficult time going into Sam's Club or Walmart and absolutely refuse to eat Tyson chicken!


68 posted on 09/30/2004 1:29:06 AM PDT by MistyCA
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To: the Real fifi

I remember the boycott of Target because they did not support the VVA, but it really was a red herring because they gave support through other avenues.

If this is a policy, it is probably a wise one. Frankly, I do not want to be harrassed by liberals on my way into Costco or any other store. We can't have it both ways.


69 posted on 09/30/2004 1:32:39 AM PDT by MistyCA
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To: KneelBeforeZod
wait aren't we supposed to boycott walmart et al for having chinese goods?

We'd have to boycott just about everybody then. Everything is made in China it seems.
70 posted on 09/30/2004 2:05:39 AM PDT by jaykay (On the other hand, I have different fingers.)
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To: Old Sarge

BTT!!!!!!!


71 posted on 09/30/2004 3:02:35 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: Robert Drobot

Personally, I'm glad that Costco does not allow any group at all to pester customers at their stores. I'm tired of being solicited here, there, and everywhere.


72 posted on 09/30/2004 3:18:39 AM PDT by jimtorr
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To: Robert Drobot
Contributions to Political Committees

BROTMAN, JEFFREY BELLEVUE, WA 98004 COSTCO

SCHWEITZER, BRIAN DAVID VIA SCHWEITZER FOR US SENATE 03/22/2000 1000.00 20020150451

BROTMAN, JEFFREY ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 COSTCO

BAIRD, BRIAN VIA BRIAN BAIRD FOR CONGRESS 09/14/1999 1000.00 20035230495

03/13/2000 -1000.00 20035533766

03/13/2000 1000.00 20035533766

10/20/2003 2000.00 24990170895

BROTMAN, JEFFREY ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 COSTCO/CHAIRMAN

DICKS, NORMAN D VIA NORM DICKS FOR CONGRESS 07/01/2002 500.00 22991694068 05/16/2003 500.00 23991363739 03/09/2004 500.00 24990961108

BROTMAN, JEFFREY ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 COSTCO/CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

ESSER, LUKE VIA ESSER FOR CONGRESS 03/29/2004 2000.00 24990984877

BROTMAN, JEFFREY ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 COSTCO/EXECUTIVE

BAIRD, BRIAN VIA BRIAN BAIRD FOR CONGRESS 07/29/2002 1000.00 22991706498

BROTMAN, JEFFREY ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 PRICE COSTCO

NEW DEMOCRAT NETWORK 07/31/1998 2000.00 98033470200

BROTMAN, JEFFREY MEDINA, WA 98004 COSTCO CO

MURRAY, PATTY VIA PEOPLE FOR PATTY MURRAY U S SENATE CAMPAIGN

01/05/2004 -1250.00 24020230887

01/05/2004 1250.00 24020230245

01/05/2004 1250.00 24020230887

BROTMAN, JEFFREY MEDINA, WA 98039 COSTCO

INSLEE, JAY ROBERT VIA INSLEE FOR CONGRESS 07/23/1999 1000.00 20035223800 03/27/2000 1000.00 20035482645

BROTMAN, JEFFREY MEDINA, WA 98039 COSTCO/CHAIRMAN

INSLEE, JAY ROBERT VIA INSLEE FOR CONGRESS 01/04/2002 1000.00 22990647278

03/29/2002 1000.00 22990647278

04/07/2002 -1000.00 22991288465

04/07/2002 1000.00 22991288488

07/23/2002 1000.00 22991707096

08/27/2002 -1000.00 22991707096

06/17/2003 1000.00 23991317971

11/10/2003 1000.00 24990218083 DICKS, NORMAN D VIA NORM DICKS FOR CONGRESS 04/01/2000 500.00 20035854172

BROTMAN, JEFFREY MEDINA, WA 98039 PRICE-COSTCO/CHAIRMAN

DICKS, NORMAN D VIA NORM DICKS FOR CONGRESS 05/03/2001 500.00 21990436604

BROTMAN, JEFFREY H BELLEVUE, WA 98004 COSTCO WHOLESALE

GORTON, SLADE VIA FRIENDS FOR SLADE GORTON 01/08/2000 1000.00 20020132298

BROTMAN, JEFFREY H ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 COSTCO

BAIRD, BRIAN VIA BRIAN BAIRD FOR CONGRESS 09/15/1998 1000.00 98033670837 10/23/1998 1000.00 98034094714

BROTMAN, JEFFREY H ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 COSTCO WHOLESALE

DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE 07/17/1997 5000.00 98032671671

BROTMAN, JEFFREY H ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 PRICE COSTCO

NEW DEMOCRAT NETWORK

10/10/2000 2000.00 20036402785 DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE - CONTRIBUTIONS

05/15/2001 1000.00 21990375680

BROTMAN, JEFFREY H.

ISSAQUAH, WA 98027

PRICE COSTCO/CHAIRMAN OF THE BOAR

KERRY, JOHN F

VIA JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC 06/30/2003 2000.00 23991403521

BROTMAN, JEFFREY H.

ISSAQUEH, WA 98027

COSTCO COMPANIES INC.

GORE, AL

VIA GORE/LIEBERMAN GENERAL ELECTION LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING COMPLIANCE FUND

02/18/1999 2000.00 99990061504

BROTMAN, JEFFREY MR.

BELLEVUE, WA 98004

COSTCO COMPANIES INC./CHAIRMAN

BRADLEY, BILL

VIA BILL BRADLEY FOR PRESIDENT INC 04/22/1999 1000.00 20990130158

Total Contributions: 34750.00

Joint Fundraising Contributions

These are contributions to committees who are raising funds to be distributed to other committees. The breakdown of these contributions to their final recipients may appear below

BROTMAN, JEFFREY H MR. BELLEVUE, WA 98040

COSTCO WHOLESALE/CHAIRMAN

KERRY VICTORY 2004 06/15/2004 21000.00 24981256657

BROTMAN, JEFFREY H.

ISSAQUAH, WA 98027

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP./CHAIRMAN

VICTORY CAMPAIGN 2004 12/04/2003 5000.00 24990380458

Total Joint Fundraising: 26000.00

Recipient of Joint Fundraiser Contributions

These are the Final Recipients of Joint Fundraising Contributions

BROTMAN, JEFFREY H MR.

BELLEVUE, WA 98040

COSTCO WHOLESALE/CHAIRMAN

DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE 06/15/2004 21000.00 24962018201

Recipient Total: 21000.00

TRY A: NEW QUERY RETURN TO: FEC HOME PAGE

73 posted on 09/30/2004 4:19:57 AM PDT by marty60
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To: Robert Drobot

KNEE-JERK reactions on OUR part are just as bad as when democraps do it.

It is not like they threw military people out of the store just for being there, ...they stopped people from distributing a flyer in the parking lot. If they stop ALL people from doing that then there is not a problem here.

The store can't allow one group and not others


74 posted on 09/30/2004 4:24:58 AM PDT by Mr. K
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To: jimtorr
I think you've lost sight of the issue here, unless you, like COSTCO have a loathing as did the rapist president against anything military.

It was our military inviting Americans to an 'Open House' to see what our tax dollars are buying. It wasn't a fast hustle to support the local needle exchange program, or a scam to fund midnight basketball.

COSTCO is out in left field on this one, and from what's being written on this thread, that's their home turf.

COSTCO did not have to do a public confrontation with our boys in uniform. They could have called the Armory and told them about their private property policy, and allowed their superior officer to withdraw them. COSTCO chose to stage a public humiliation of our military in the presence of American civilians. THAT WAS WRONG. THAT WAS INSULTING. THAT WAS UNAMERICAN.

Anyone who supports the manner in which COSTCO forced the National Guard to leave their private property is no better than the anti-American scum who got a kick out of giving the boot to the very men who are putting their lives on the line to defend the rights of those ingrates to live in a country where they can tell the military to shove off.

Ungrateful American nincompoops -- the greatest threat to the shredding of the American Constitution.

International socialism in America has brainwashed an entire generation of Americans to look upon anything American as repugnant and vile. This is the reason young Americans are more than willing to carry out the will of a corporate board room, over any allegiance they hold to the country of their birth.

75 posted on 09/30/2004 4:27:20 AM PDT by Robert Drobot (God, family, country. All else is meaningless.)
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To: boycottliberalhollywood.com
I'd bet money that the Salvation Army folks will fall victim to the ACLU within a decade. We'll be telling our grandchildren about how once upon a time, there would be these dudes ringing a bell by a little red pot at the front entrance of the mall or the grocery store.

I heard on the radio recently that Target will indeed no longer allow the Salvation Army to collect on their premises.

76 posted on 09/30/2004 4:27:32 AM PDT by snowsislander
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To: Mr. K
Read Post # 75 patriot.
77 posted on 09/30/2004 4:35:43 AM PDT by Robert Drobot (God, family, country. All else is meaningless.)
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To: Robert Drobot

What is Costco's policy toward anyone handing out flyers or soliciting donations?

It may be that they prohibit all such activity by anyone near their entrance.

I believe the one in the next town won't let you within a certain distance of the entrance if you don't have a COSTCO card.

My position is that if this is their policy with EVERYONE, then they have a right as a business to do this, to disallow nonmember loitering or solicitation.

Wal*Mart here is the opposite and very generous. They have a smiley circle in front which any group or person can sign up for and use to pass out information or ask for donations. You just have to stay in the circle and not intrude on the ingress and egress of their customers.

I've signed up for this privilege at least a dozen times over the last 4 years, and they never required you tell which campaign you're working for, although they were relieved when they saw me set up my Arnold signs last year as Gray Davis had just made a statement labeling Wal*Mart as abusing their workers.


78 posted on 09/30/2004 4:37:32 AM PDT by patriciaruth (They are all Mike Spanns)
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To: Old Sarge

Thanks for the ping Old Sarge. We quit using costco when we discovered they were in the hip pocket of the RAT party.


79 posted on 09/30/2004 4:38:41 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (skerry's plan for oil independence - turn heinz tomatoes into oil????)
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To: HAL9000


The company can give permission to any group they wish on their own private property. The do not wish to support the National Guard that is fighting to keep this country free and that would be called out to help their sorry butts in time of a disaster. They are unpatriotic and should not expect patriots to spend money in their stores. Is that simple enough for everyone?


80 posted on 09/30/2004 4:45:23 AM PDT by kittymyrib
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