Wal-Mart bends to demands by Catholic League (web site query now changed)

Catholic News Agency ^ | November 14, 2005

[NYer]

New York, Nov. 14, 2005 (CNA) - Wal-Mart officials have restored the theme of Christmas to their Web site and rescinded outlandish statements made by an employee about the origin of Christmas after the Catholic League filed a series of complaints of discrimination.

"This is a sweet victory for the Catholic League, Christians in general, and people of all faiths," said Catholic League president Bill Donohue, according to a report by WorldNetDaily.com.

The controversy was sparked when a woman recently complained that Wal-Mart was replacing its "Merry Christmas" greeting with "Happy Holidays."

The woman reportedly received an e-mail response from a customer-service representative, which read: "Walmart is a worldwide organization and must remain conscious of this. The majority of the world still has different practices other than "christmas" which is an ancient tradition that has its roots in Siberian shamanism. The colors associated with "christmas" red and white are actually a representation of of the aminita mascera mushroom. Santa is also borrowed from the Caucuses, mistletoe from the Celts, yule log from the Goths, the time from the Visigoth and the tree from the worship of Baal. It is a wide wide world."

Wal-Mart spokesperson Dan Fogleman confirmed the original note was written by a Wal-Mart representative named Kirby. He responded: "We at Wal-Mart believe this e-mail between a temporary associate and one of our valued customers was entirely inappropriate. Its contents in no way represent the policies, practices or views of our company. This associate, who was hired less than three weeks ago, is no longer employed by our company."

Fogleman apologized for the employee’s comments, calling them "inappropriate and inflammatory."

Donohue pointed to the company Web site for an example of discrimination against Christmas. If the word "Hanukkah" was typed in the search engine, 200 retail items were returned. The term "Kwanzaa" returned 77. But when "Christmas" was entered, the message said: "We've brought you to our 'Holiday' page based on your search."

Donohue said Wal-Mart has also adjusted its Web site so that when a customer types "Christmas" in its search engine, the customer is taken directly to a site named "Christmas."

However, Wal-Mart says it will not change its policy of encouraging employees to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," Donohue reported.

[Coleus]

Now we have to go after Martha Stewart, K-Mart, Kohls and Target.

[Coleus]

Don't forget, Christmas, is also an American Holiday, a federal holiday, so anyone living in America can celebrate the American Holiday and wish everyone a Happy Christmas or a Merry Christmas.

I have non-Christian neighbors and friends who celebrate Christmas with NO problem, they buy the Christmas tree and gifts for their children so they don't feel left out.

I think that's the problem, there are some groups who feel left out and want to spoil the season for everyone.

And let's face it, there is a demonic element involved too, the secular humanists, atheists, ACLU, etc. are behind this.

[Armando Guerra]

So as to emphasize the reason for the season to our kids, despite the secular onslaught, we include a birthday cake with "Happy Birthday Jesus" on it as the conclusion of our Christmas meal. I know it is minor and not traditional, but it has helped with our kids to maintain the focus.

[longtermmemmory]

IOW Walmart has set up a Christmas "gheto" to placate the christians. I bet they still have a "holiday" page that is uncanged.

[tob2]

Yippee!

[fight_truth_decay]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1518917/posts

More to the story ........then that. Take the time to read the truths about Wal-Mart and also not fall prey to the film out by Greewald being shown at a colleges and libraries near you by the Peace Action and Justice groups. Links within story should you have the time to read.

1.3 million employees. A city with no crime would be Utopia. Bound to get a misfit here and there and the person was fired. Happy Holidays stays as covers all the holidays when answering the phone..which even the Catholic league had no problem with when removing their boycott. But still they play the press game. There are about 800 items should you hit "Christmas" on their site. No one was ever instructed not to say "Merry Christmas". There is also a letter on Kirby who was fired for the self expression of Christmas via e-mail. Can even link to Kirby and Wal-Mart etc now. There are remarks made within the linked story when the boycott was removed by said League. Why they do another press junket is unclear.

[fight_truth_decay]

Some may wonder why the Catholic league couldn't have uncovered child abuse within the Church with as much fervor as they have committed to on Wal-Mat. (unpopular consensus)

[fight_truth_decay]

spell check on Wal-Mart :(

[ZULU]

"We at Wal-Mart believe this e-mail between a temporary associate and one of our valued customers was entirely inappropriate. Its contents in no way represent the policies, practices or views of our company. This associate, who was hired less than three weeks ago, is no longer employed by our company."


Translation: In light of the potential loss of profits at the expense of your holiday, we have revised a position which more closely approximates our personal perspectives.

[Gumdrop]

The Catholic League is an anti-defamation league. It is not a governing part of the church or of the diocesan hierarchies.

[On the Road to Serfdom]

Translation: In light of the potential loss of profits at the expense of your holiday, we have revised a position which more closely approximates our personal perspectives.

Did you read the email? If so, do you really think it represented WalMart's position? Many here thought it was a hoax email because it was so unlike anything a corporation would approve of. The idea that it was their original position which they now have revised is absurd.

[fight_truth_decay]

Could they not have stepped outside the "box"?

[ZULU]

What's the explanation for the deletionof Christmas from their catalogue and store and replacement with "Holiday" instead?

I don't trust these stores. I think they have an agenda of politically correct multi-culturalism which is selectively biased against Christians.

[fight_truth_decay]

I guess "giving" only comes during the HOLIDAY SEASON.

http://www.walmartfacts.com/community/walmart-foundation.aspx

KATRINA RELIEF: WAL-MART COMMITS ADDITIONAL $15 MILLION
WAL-MART STORES, INC. TOTAL CHARITABLE GIVING FOR 2004 EXCEEDED $170 MILLION
$2.5 MILLION TO BE GIVEN TO TSUNAMI VICTIMS
$5-MILLION PLEDGED FROM WAL-MART & SAM’S CLUB FOR NEW ALL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
A LETTER FROM JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFF HARRY LEE
FOUNDATION FUNDING PHILOSOPHY
FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIPS
FOUNDATION PROGRAMS
SALVATION ARMY ANNOUNCES A BROADENED PARTNERSHIP WITH WAL-MART THIS YEAR TO HELP THOSE IN NEED
THOUSANDS OF TOP TEACHERS HONORED THROUGH WAL-MART’S 2005 “TEACHER OF THE YEAR” PROGRAM
UPDATE: WAL-MART'S SUPPORT OF THE HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS
WAL-MART & SAM'S CLUB FOUNDATION DONATES TO YMCA
WAL-MART AND BROOKS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY CELEBRATE NATIONAL ARBOR DAY
WAL-MART AND SAM’S CLUB TO GIVE $6.9 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS
WAL-MART ANNOUNCES EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
WAL-MART ATTENDS VFW NATIONAL CONFERENCE
WAL-MART DELIVERS 68,000 BOTTLES OF WATER TO RELIEVE VIRGINIA SCOUTS
WAL-MART DONATES $8.5 MILLION TO BENEFIT POLICE, FIRE, RESCUE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TEAMS
WAL-MART DONATES BOTTLED WATER TO MILITARY PERSONNEL
WAL-MART HELPS YOUTHS GO TO COLLEGE
WAL-MART INCREASING RESOURCES TO HELP FIND MISSING CHILDREN
WAL-MART KICKS OFF 10TH ANNUAL TEACHER RECOGNITION PROGRAM WITH CALL FOR ENTRIES
WAL-MART PARTNERS WITH ABC’S “THE SCHOLAR” TO PROVIDE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
WAL-MART PROVIDES $1 MILLION TOWARD MISSISSIPPI RECOVERY
WAL-MART SURPASSES $300 MILLION RAISED FOR CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK
WAL-MART, VFW TO DONATE $50,000 TO WOUNDED TROOP SUPPORT PROGRAM
WAL-MART'S RESPONSE TO HURRICANE DENNIS

America's Armed Forces
We are loyal supporters of our men and women in the armed forces. More often than not, they are our friends, neighbors, and frequently our fellow associates. In 2004, more than 38,300 of our associates told us they had served in the military. And currently approximately 4,000 associates are on military leave. Specifically, we support our Associates who perform military service. For example, we proudly offer continuation of many benefits, including health benefits, for the duration of an Associate’s military leave. We also offer supplemental pay, for the duration of military leave, to Associates called to active duty in an area that is subject to “hostile fire” or “imminent danger,” as defined by Presidential Executive Order.

More: http://www.walmartfacts.com/doyouknow/special-programs.aspx#a216



Happy Holidays to you.... (all of them)!! ;)

[milford421]

Thanks for this information.

[nickcarraway]

Bill Donohue is not as fantastic as you think. He support homosexual civil unions.

[milford421]

Thanks for the ping Coleus.

[italianquaker]

ok

[ElkGroveDan]

Bill Donohue is not as fantastic as you think. He support homosexual civil unions.

Okeedokee then. Crossing him off my Christmas Card list, and I'll just drink that bottle of Scotch I was going to send him.

[countess]

Could they not have stepped outside the "box"?

Come on now, where are your priorities? Nothing makes me madder than a "happy holidays" greeting.