Consumers Flock to Weekend Shopping Boycott(Target Boycott and Lowe's sells "Holiday" Trees)

American Family Association ^ | November 22, 2005 | Jody Brown and Allie Martin

[avant_garde]

AgapePress) - An official with a pro-family group reports that a boycott campaign aimed at Target Stores nationwide has succeeded in attracting hundreds of thousands of consumers who say they intend to shop elsewhere during what is traditionally the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

On Friday (Nov. 18) the American Family Association (AFA) launched on online boycott campaign against Target, citing the retailer's decision to ban Salvation Army kettles from their store entrances as well as the use of "Merry Christmas" in their in-store promotions and retail advertising. By the following Monday, almost 300,000 individuals had "signed" an online petition indicating they planned to express their disapproval of that decision by avoiding Target Stores during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. At press time, that number had jumped to more than 340,000

[FarmerW]

I don't know about Lowe's signs but I went to their website and found Christmas trees.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=0&Ntk=i_indoors&Ntt=artificial+tree&category=Holidays&lks=hpb24c

GE
9 Ft. Heritage Frasier Fir Artificial Christmas Tree - Clear Lights

Item #: 209344 Model: 11998LO

[Maelstrom]

It's a lie.

Target has done no such thing. I checked.

[Maelstrom]

They probably lied about Loews as well.

[bulldozer]

It's a lie. Target has done no such thing. I checked.

Target is going to allow the SA bellringers this year to collect donations in front of their stores?

[FarmerW]

They do use the word Holiday on their website also.

"No Place like Lowe's for the Holidays"

"Holiday Living"

"Take the guesswork out of decorating with Lowe's themed holiday trees."

But then they have a web page titled:

"Choosing and Caring for a Christmas Tree "

Seems like they are mixing in both terms. I really don't see a problem with that. Perhaps I am just too burned out with more blatant insults toward Christians and Conservatives to get whacked out about the duel billing between "Holiday" and "Christmas".

Who ever thought as a Christian the world would welcome us?

[7thson]

I disagree. By allowing it to be swept under the rug is giving the left a victory. I compare this to the 2000 elections. I think the left was extremely shocked and rocked on their heels when Freepers and other conservatives protested in Florida and outside the VPs house. They did that sort of crap for years and nobody said boo. Now, when fighting back, the left does not know how to handle it. A boycott is an effective way of fighting back and lets the left know we are not taking this anymore.

[GonzoGOP]

"Yule power tools", LOL, do it! Thats right cut down your own Holiday tree with the new Craftsman Yule Chain Saw. On sale now at Lowes. Merry ChristmaChanaQuanzaDon from all of the PC People at Lowes

[Maelstrom]

Nobody is allowed to collect donations in front of their stores.

Locally, some stores ignore this national policy. You may very well have a bellringer collecting donations.

The employees are perfectly allowed to welcome and send off customers with "Merry Christmas".

[Maelstrom]

Just check the facts before being crassly manipulated for some other company's fraudulently earned profits.

That's all I'm suggesting.

[Maelstrom]

Happy Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year...

Aw screw it.

Happy Holidays.

[BibChr]

I can't boycott Target since I never go there anyway.

Then what you need to do is go there, pick up some expensive items, get to the register, and when they ask you whether you found everything all right, you say, "Where are the Christmas trees and the Salvation Army volunteers?"

When they say they don't allow either, you say, "Oh. Never mind!"

And leave with a smile.

Dan
(c;

[EBH]

"You know Hazel, I would like to have a tree in the living room this year but it says it's a Christmas tree...and you know we are athiests..."

I am working at a local nursery this holiday season. They are well known in the area for beautiful Christmas Displays, unique tree ornaments, and overall Christmas cheer. No one works on commission etc., so all the staff can just be our friendly ole 'elves.

BUT....

The other night while a tended my 3 Christmas decorated trees on display, but what should appear in my rooms and draw near? A man and his wife in hajib dress and three little children all decked in their best. It was near closing and hurry they did to tour all the Christmas displays. Not a word was spoken and barely a glance, but clearly the children were delighted at this chance.

As the store began to close and the tree lights go dim, they made their way to the exit from whence they came in. In a chance overheard a little child did ask, "Can we have a tree?" And Dad's answer was, "Maybe...at last..."

[Aquinasfan]

I saw the "Holiday Trees" banner at Lowe's last week and I sent off this e-mail.

I was in your store yesterday looking for Christmas trees, but instead all I saw were banners advertising "Holiday Trees." I don't know what "Holiday Trees" are, so I guess I will have to look for Christmas trees elsewhere.

[fight_truth_decay]

They had to stop the bell ringing years ago at many Salvation Army locations across the country because of the "noise" level. Often they have moved these charities indoors (the malls)and thus they take now take advantage of a greater footpath of shoppers.

Every year the same threat of boycotts. I never shop at Target or another name store always in the news, as I am not into Mega super stores. I tend to put my money into my local economy; but it offends me more for someone to tell me where I can or cannot shop. I also see jobs lost for Americans when groups boycott stores over the holidays.

It is the "Holidays" stretching from Thanksgiving through New Years. Store clerks are never told not to say Merry Christmas (despite the hype Wal-Mart vs Kirby etc. fact check).

The true meaning of Christmas is not about Commercialism. I say shop where you want to shop.

I boycott Boycotts!!!!

Happy Holidays! [all of them]

[Semper Paratus]

I buy my Christmas trees at a local church that knows what 'Holiday' is Happy.

[Aquinasfan]

I don't know about Lowe's signs but I went to their website and found Christmas trees.

Did you get their "Holiday" flier last weekend? "Outdoor decorations" are Christmas lights, etc. "Themed holiday trees" are Christmas trees. Etc. The word "Christmas" doesn't appear anywhere in their flyer. It's studiously avoided.

I will deny my business to those who deny and profit from the celebration of Christ's birth.

[Skooz]

I will deny my business to those who deny and profit from the celebration of Christ's birth.

Ditto. I have done so for years and will continue to do so.

I buy Christmas presents, not "holiday gifts."

[Skooz]

I say shop where you want to shop.

ummmmmmmm......... That's the idea.

[pageonetoo]

we should e-mail Wal-Mart and ask them to start saying Merry Christmas.

...should they say "Merry christmas" and "Happy Hannukah", instead?

WalMart is largely owned by a Christain family (I know it is publicly traded), and supports the Salvation Army. I have no problems with "happy holidays", since there IS more than one.

As a Christian, I have much more of a problem with all the EXCESSIVE spending on gifts for others, when celebrating His birthday! It has become a party time, not a worship time.

Jesus would be running around with a whip!

Maybe we should e-mail Wal-Mart and ask them to start saying Merry Christmas.

Maybe we should go to church and thank God for sending Jesus!

"Now, then, where did I put my Black Friday Ad from WalMart?" - ;>)

Largest Retailer Expands “Red Kettle” Campaign and Helps Launch National “Online Kettle” to Enhance Giving Opportunities In a Time of Need

BENTONVILLE, Ark, Nov. xx, 2005 – The traditional sounds of The Salvation Army bells will begin earlier this year, as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. enhances its long-term partnership with The Salvation Army by being the first organization to host their own “online red kettle” for an organization with more than 126 years of experience helping the needy. Wal-Mart has extended The Salvation Army’s 2005 “Red Kettle” fundraising efforts in front of all 3,800 Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB locations nationwide, doubling the number of days they will collect donations this holiday season. This year’s campaign will kick-off on Friday, November 18 and will continue through Christmas Eve. The online kettle campaign is scheduled to begin Nov. 18, and will be available on Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB Web sites.

Donate here.

[FarmerW]

Makes sense to me that you enjoy preparing for the feast of Christmas by spending your time and money with liked minded people. So I don't disagree with your stance or boycott.

It's just whenever I hear these debates, I started humming:
And they'll know we are Christians by our signs, by our signs, and they'll know we are Christians by our signs.

Isn't it our job to tell the world of Christ not to expect the world to reinforce our beliefs?

I picture if Christ were here now, walking among us and us running to him, "Should we shun those that don't use the right signs and banners for our feast days?" Just makes me feel like a pharisee shouting the law without the love.