Posted on 12/21/2004 9:55:35 AM PST by St. Johann Tetzel
SHOP AT TARGET -- THEY SUPPORT LGBTQ FAMILIES
Rainbow Law is calling for the LGBTQ community to support and shop at Target stores this holiday season. After Target refused to allow the Salvation Army to place bell-ringers and kettles at their stores (because they discriminate against the LGBTQ community), the anti-gay equality crusaders began their usual lies and propaganda campaign.
There is no reason to let this attack go unchallenged. We have the power to counter the far right's relentless assault on our civil rights and liberties. And one of the most effective methods for defeating unfair practices is by using the power of our combined financial resources.
Why would you continue to support companies who donate millions of dollars to campaigns and politicians who are hell-bent on destroying your family?
Rainbow Law has compiled a detailed list of the companies that contributed money in support of campaigns and candidates who oppose equal marriage rights and we are calling for a general boycott of these companies. [FReepers take note: please support these companies to counteract any pressure the LGBT might bring!]
To win the election at any cost, political campaigns lied about Gay and Lesbian Families and they lied about what Equal Marriage really means. Because of those lies, eleven state constitutional amendments banning equal marriage rights passed.
And the opposition was successful in spreading the lies via the media. That is why Rainbow Law also suggests that we find an alternative to mainstream newspapers, television and radio stations. Especially Clear Channel Communications and Fox Television -- two media giants with a proven right-wing bias and agenda.
For an alternative perspective, turn the channel -- listen to and support your local public broadcasting stations. Watch your Public Broadcasting station for the news. Listen to National Public Radio and Air America Radio and read newspapers and magazines like Rainbow Law's Un-Censored E-Zine.
In addition to supporting Target Corporation for their courage to stand up to injustice, we hope you will think queer as you make any purchase.
Instead of spending money at straight-owned enterprises, purchase products from queer owned or queer friendly merchants. When you are in the market for a new home, car, insurance, etc, support people who support your family. If you need help at work or at home, hire queer people to do things.
In the past, boycotts have been used successfully to pressure corporate supporters of bigoted politicians into withdrawing their financial contributions.
Together we have the power to make a difference!
Regardless, I'm content in my position.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Just remind them to tighten all the sphincters when they're done with the sewer lines...
Target has a perfect right to decide this issue as they have. Accordingly, People have a right to reflect on target's decision and then decide whether or not they want to shop there.Its really very simple.
I hope they loose a bundle on this. Alternately, I have no hard feelings for those people who do shop there.....Its America, Darling.
Ping to self for later pingout.
I also have no hard feelings toward the idiotic, toad-licking, bug-eating, car-chasing, sodomite supporters who shop at Target.
From the email:
We asked our local Target store to be a sponsor of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall during our spring recognition event. We received back a reply from Target management that "veterans do not meet our area of giving. We only donate to the areas of arts, social actions and education."[snip]
We were not asking for thousands of dollars, not even hundreds, but simply sponsorship endorsement for a "memorial remembrance".
From the corporate response:
In March of 2002, a veteran approached one of our stores seeking a $100 donation for a display of the "moving wall" in his area. Target does support events in the communities in which our stores are located. While each store determines which events to sponsor, any contribution is limited and is made in the form of a gift card. The stores are not able to give cash contributions to any organization. Stores are also able to donate volunteer hours to community events and projects.Our corporate giving program that does incorporate cash donations is handled through a process called grants. Unfortunately, the veteran and his organization were not provided the proper information to facilitate consideration of a grant from either the store or our corporate office. The initial response of the team member at the store and the reply from our corporate office are inconsistent with the respectful manner in which we want all of our guests to be treated. We are truly sorry for this oversight and the resulting confusion that has taken place.
From the VFW:
Target has a long-held corporate policy regarding donations. And in all fairness, Target contributes more than $2 million weekly to charitable causes and is one of the corporate sponsors for the 2003 tour of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Fund's "The Wall That Heals." "The Wall That Heals" is a traveling Vietnam Veterans memorial and museum that has a strong educational component for schools and serves to honor all our veterans.
Sounds like they gave support in 2003 to make up for the refusal in 2002. Why wasn't there national sponsorhip in 2002? Hmmm? They did not do this "spontaneously". It was Cover Your Ass mode.
Then an effort is made to twist the original author's apology:
Dick Forrey, the man who started the anti-Target brouhaha, has since admitted his mistake:
Here is what they cited:
I made a mistake on this one, and I've learned a hard lesson — that's for sure. What started out as a message for the members in our organization has turned into a hate-type thing. I never wanted to start any national boycott. I just wish it would all stop.Some people have used my words and perpetuated lies. It's sad that some of these people would use veterans as a way to push their own political views. I've sent out a retraction, and no one pays any attention.
His mistake was not in lashing out at Target or calling for people to boycott, his mistake was in being short sighted and not realizing that other people would forward on his email expanding the scope of the boycott and adding to it subtle fraudulent changes.
It certainly is, and I honor people's right to decide as they have. The key word here is "reflect", as opposed to "reflex". Posts on this thread have stated to the effect "I'm not shopping at Target because they don't support the troops" or "I'm not shopping at Target because the support the homosexual agenda". They're basing their reaction on reflex, not on reflection.
What kind of person would I be (biases and everything) if I allowed that which I know to be false to stand as truth-- especially when it adversely affects a company I actually admire (faults and all)? Yes, it eventually hits my bottom line, I suppose-- but that's not why I'm defending Target; I can see the agenda at work here (meaning the threatening organizations) and I can see Target's dilemma, and I can see perceive what are the consequences of those sets of actions, intended and otherwise.
http://target.com/target_group/community_giving/store_solicitation.jhtml
If Target had offered to make a national contribution to the Salvation Army, this would not have been as much of an issue. Target's position is that they have their charities and that local communities can ask for gift certificates if they so desire.
I can't get ANY of the diversity links to work so we cannot tell at this point just what their stance is on "queer employees/customers" (as noted by the above press release from BLTGHOLDTHEONIONS)
I didn't bring up that article, someone else pointed it out with the theory that this article (the one at the beginning of this thread) may have resulted from the additions the original vet-related e-mail picked up during its travels and evolution. As for your insight into the motivations of all involved, I congratulate you on your finely honed mind-reading abilities. I have no such powers, and therefore make no assumptions as to the reasons for the behavior of the individuals involved.
Everyone has a bias. My opinion is that the operators of snopes.com do a pretty good job of balancing their site. Your opinion may differ. So be it.
You can blather on and on about how you admire Target Corporation, but the bottom line is that if upper management is opposed to the sodomites and their pressure tactics then they should be willing to risk their jobs and say so. I'm telling you that the upper echelon within Target Corporation is occupied by self-serving, spineless whores.
I welcome the point-by-point. Don't just post it to try to change my mind, as I'll be probably be just as unlikely to change your stance. There are people on this thread, though, that don't have the benefit of either your experience or mine that need the debate.
I don't particularly like the choice that Target made-- I certainly don't like giving in to what I perceive to be an overwhelmingly evil agenda. My point is this: I recognize the dilemma that Target is in, and I really can't bring myself to blame them for the decision they've made. I'm also aware of the other good things this company has done and continues to do.
For me to stand by and read obvious falsehoods on this thread (not singling you out here-- I can't recall any that you've made) would be something I can't do.
I was defensive to your post. You implied that, without disclosing myself, I was being an apologist with an agenda for Target. To do so, by definition, impugns my honor, after a fashion-- and I'll certainly take anyone to task for that-- as I've been rightly taken to task for comments I've made.
One of the functions of this forum, however, is to discuss why we're taking the views we are, so that others can argue from a more enlightened perspective.
At any rate, I have enjoyed debating with you, and also wish a Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Well I stumbled on this while searching the Target site for a list of their other companies (vicious circle of weblinks that take you back to the same places you've already been).
http://target.com/targetcorp_group/careers/target_corporation.jhtml;jsessionid=SW2K23F5T2UENLARAAVGW4FMCEACW1IX
Diversity
You are a person with a great sense of individuality. Like us, you recognize the importance of diversity. At Target Corporation, diversity is much more than a slogan; it’s a commitment. Diversity goes beyond age, race or gender, to include sexual orientation, language, physical ability, family, religious affiliation, socio-economic circumstances, education and life experience.
It’s our team members who make Target Corporation successful. Individuals with a wide range of beliefs and backgrounds. Listening to, valuing and responding to each individual translates into innovative products and solutions, a friendly environment and future success for everyone.
Whatever your experience, you are Target Corporation.
You can look up the advertising you weren't "supposed" to see, here:
http://www.commercialcloset.org/cgi-bin/iowa/index.html
And you wife works for them.
You should recuse yourself from these threads. You cannot possibly be objective regarding Target.
Well, you've managed to include the word "sodomite" into nearly every post on this thread, but I'm still unable to conjur the image of the upper echelon, locked in their respective offices, fornicating with each other.
I tend to agree with you, in spirit; but I like to choose my battles where they'll be more effective than simply falling on my sword.
How pointless an act would it be, if the corporations are as rife with sodomy as you claim, for the lone executive to bang his fist on the conference table, tear his hair out, and scream, "I can't take anymore, I quit!"
It's the rare company, in this era, and the even rarer executive who is in a position to make a change in that fashion, even if they had the moral fiber which you obviously possess.
A business is, itself, a self-serving, spineless whore. When run correctly, it's run in an ethical, moral fashion but the bottom line is (or should always be) to increase the wealth of the stockholder. Everything else is secondary. It's this secondary crap that is getting ALL companies, including Target, in trouble.
The F-22 might be a little tougher.
http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/comics.php?topic=special-reports/mxyzptlk
How Do You Spell That Again?
The imp known as Mr. Mxyztplk first appeared in our dimension in Superman #30 (1st series, 1944) in a story by Jerry Siegel with art by John Sikela. For those who haven't seen the original story, you can find it in The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told trade paperback. The bald little fellow in the purple suit and green bowtie creates all kind of havoc -- including animating a naked statue he calls McGurk. Mxy describes himself as a "court-jester" from another dimension. The not very bright imp laughingly tells Superman that there is no way he can be tricked into saying the magic word "Klptzyxm" that will return him to his own dimension. Oops. Saying the word, Mxy vanishes (my nickname - don't expect me to keep spelling the full name!!)
A note at the end of the tale says, "If you enjoyed the antics of Mr. Mxyztplk and would like to read of his further encounters with Superman, let us know on a penny postcard." Obviously, Mxy was a big hit and returned many times.
The imp's name was later changed to Mxyzptlk (and for the consonant-challenged among you - the letters "t" and "p" are reversed). He had a long history of antagonizing Superman, supposedly every 90 days, until Superman inevitably tricked him into saying his name backwards. This restored everything back to normal and banished Mxy back to the Fifth Dimension for another 90 days. Until the Crisis On Infinite Earths series rewrote DC history.
And that's just the women!
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