Thursday, December 26, 2013

Obama, Kerry arm sales maintain permanent state of war!



A few days before Christmas while most people were paying attention to other things the Boston Globe reported about how Kerry and Obama have been "making an aggressive push to help US weapons manufacturers sell more arms overseas."

The U.S. is by far the biggest supplier of weapons around the world especially since the collapse of the Soviet Union and one time after another the weapons we sell to other countries have been turned against us. The war against Iraq was based on lies about weapons of mass destruction but before the first Gulf War Saddam Hussein did have them thanks to support from the U.S. who also supplied weapons to Iran. We supplied weapons to the mujaheddin which became Al Qauda and the Taliban and many other countries around the world that often turn against us.

John Kerry started his political career as an opponent of the Vietnam war although after taking a closer look it doesn't appear as if he opposed it until after it was clear the rest of the country opposed it and it might help his reputation at the time.

Barack Obama campaigned as an opponent of the war in Iraq and someone who promised to reel in the war machine.

Bait and switch by our elected officials is standard operating procedure; when it comes to those who won't do it they can't get coverage from the commercial media.

The mainstream media will almost certainly not provide more than a token amount of coverage of this while the coverage about soldiers surprising their relatives continues to get an enormous amount of attention.

There is little or no chance they will do a good job explaining to the public the one of the biggest reasons why we keep fighting one war after another is because we keep pushing arms around the world that are routinely turned against us in the next inevitable war, wherever it might be.

Obama, Kerry lead push for overseas sales of US weapons By Bryan Bender

Raytheon benefits from surge in US arms exports.

Secretary of State John F. Kerry has been active in efforts to help US defense contractors sell more military supplies to allies overseas as a way to bolster their role in international security.

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is making an aggressive push to help US weapons manufacturers sell more arms overseas, including lobbying foreign leaders to purchase warships, aircraft, and missiles, and relaxing some controls on the transfer of military components, according to administration and industry officials.

Since 2009, when President Obama took office, the United States has led a surge in global arms deals, accounting for nearly a third of the roughly $30 billion in weapons transfers completed last year, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Its share was up from a little more than a quarter of the global market four years ago, according to the Swedish group, which has tallied arms sales worldwide since 1966.

US arms transfers went from $6.9 billion in 2009 to $8.7 billion last year, according to the institute’s database, a 25 percent increase. The statistics for this year are not yet available, but specialists say they expect to see the steady upward trend continue.

Top administration officials credit a coordinated effort by the White House and active participation by Secretary of State John F. Kerry with helping American companies ink more weapons contracts. Officials also are lowering regulatory barriers to companies looking to export arms.



‘It is going to be a happy new year for the defense industry, which is going to make a lot of money.’ Richard Grimmett, retired government analyst 
 


The policy is driven, the administration says, by a key US foreign policy goal: helping the country’s allies shoulder more of the burden of international security. It is not about trying to boost company profits and protect jobs in the United States, they insist, though they acknowledge economic benefits are a byproduct of the policy.

“We are very keen to have allies and partners step up to the plate,” said Gregory M. Kausner, deputy assistant secretary of state for regional security and arms transfers, and a former Navy fighter pilot. He described arms sales as a “fundamental tool of foreign policy.”

Yet a number of human rights and international security experts are raising alarms that the more aggressive approach, which has received scant attention in Congress, could fuel tensions with Iran and China, and make it easier for potential adversaries to gain access to sensitive US military technologies.

They also worry that not enough consideration is being given to the possibility that some allies who are buying record amounts of high-tech arms, especially in the unstable Middle East, could end up using American weapons to stifle dissent or commit other human-rights abuses. They cite Egypt as a recent example.

“The floodgates are going to open and it is going to be a happy new year for the defense industry, which is going to make a lot of money,” said Richard Grimmett, who recently retired after more than 30 years as the leading international security analyst for the Congressional Research Service, a nonpartisan legislative branch agency. “But you didn’t have oversight hearings explaining, ‘Here is why it is a good idea, here is why it is a bad idea.’ ”

One of the biggest beneficiaries has been Waltham-based Raytheon Co., the largest employer in Massachusetts and the world’s fifth-largest defense contractor. It reported earlier this month that as much as 30 percent of its annual business will come from foreign sales — the highest it has reported. The company expects in coming weeks to complete deals in the Middle East worth $5 billion.

Raytheon can thank, in part, Kerry, who has final authority over international arms sales by US companies and in recent months has taken on a significant role as booster.

For example, earlier this year Kerry personally advocated for a $2 billion proposal from Raytheon to outfit the Persian Gulf emirate of Oman, which is adjacent to Iran, with a new air defense system. Kerry’s advocacy in effect continued the lobbying campaign he began several years earlier as a Massachusetts senator.

“I wanted to come here to be able to thank you and to celebrate with you the Raytheon initiative,” Kerry remarked in May as he met Oman’s defense minister.

Kerry declined to be interviewed for this story. A senior US official directly involved in the review process said the increase in arm sales to the Middle East and Asia is a reflection of the government’s new approach.

“In the past, there wasn’t a very coherent strategy to do advocacy,” said the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly. “Slowly over the years there’s been a recognition that there has to be a greater governmentwide thought process. This administration has focused on it.’’

The official explained that US defense company proposals are now a consideration in virtually all diplomatic dealings with foreign officials. For example, top government officials traveling to particular countries are now regularly prepared to advocate for US firms who are seeking to sell arms there.

“Who, at what level, is going where and when?” the official described the approach, saying the advocacy effort is aimed at “how to get the biggest bang for the buck.”

US defense companies have two primary avenues to sell weapons internationally. There are foreign military sales, which are government-to-government deals and managed by the Pentagon, and direct commercial sales to foreign governments. Those are overseen by the Department of State, which grants export licenses.

Administration officials insist that security, not economics, is what drives the push to sell more US arms. Providing key allies with American hardware, they say, will ensure the United States has partners in containing Iran and North Korea, as well as deterring China from taking a more aggressive posture toward US allies Japan and South Korea.

“We don’t make these decisions as a jobs program,” said the State Department’s Kausner.

In a sign of the growing global competition, China’s volume of arms exports climbed a whopping 162 percent in 2008 to 2012, compared with 2003 to 2007, according to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute tally. For the first time China placed in the top five of global arms providers, behind the United States, Russia, Germany, and France, and displacing the United Kingdom.

But numerous experts see financial considerations — not security strategy — as the key factor in the surging US arms trade. They point out that the Pentagon’s buying power is shrinking substantially with budget cuts.

“The most important thing is the US down trend,” said Richard Aboulafia, vice president for analysis at the Teal Group, a defense and aerospace consulting firm in Fairfax, Va. “To keep production lines alive, you have to focus on the international market.”

For instance, he noted that a number of key weapons systems that are being purchased in fewer numbers by the US military are now major offerings overseas, including F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets and C-17 military transport planes.

Another factor is that the US military presence in both Iraq and Afghanistan is drawing to a close, said Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher at the Stockholm Institute.

“Business was up during the wars, which gave US companies quite a lot of possibilities to sell equipment and services and spare parts,” he said. “That, of course, will be gone.”

The Obama administration also is shifting approval power for the sale of some military components from the State Department to the Commerce Department, which requires less oversight.

The new arrangement will streamline the export of thousands of components that officials say would not provide a significant military edge, such as aircraft parts and satellite technologies that are available on the commercial market. The list also will include “military vehicles, vessels, submarines, and auxiliary military equipment,’’ the White House announced this fall.

Leading industry advocates say the Obama administration could go even further to coordinate overseas sales.

“We just want to start a process where it is done even more, and make it as much of a machine as possible,” Remy Nathan, vice president for international affairs at the Aerospace Industries Association, a defense trade group, said of industry-government coordination.

Among the critics of this trend is the American Bar Association’s Center for Human Rights, which has raised concerns that the United States will be introducing a flood of small arms and ammunition into areas ripe for conflict.

“I have not seen any meaningful analysis of the human rights component,” said Brittany Benowitz, the center’s chief counsel, who noted worries about “people who obtain arms from the US and then go out and do horrible things with them.”

Even some of the architects of the Obama administration’s approach acknowledge there are potential consequences.

“There are downside risks,” said Michele Flournoy, who served as undersecretary of defense for policy in the president’s first term. “You can have governments change, or governments misuse US weaponry.”

She also said that by transferring some military components to the Commerce Department’s export licensing process, there will be less tracking of where those parts go and how they are ultimately used.

“There is certainly less reporting after the fact,” Flournoy said, though she maintains the benefits outweigh the risks for US foreign policy.

A few members of Congress are calling for restoration of stronger export controls.

Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said she believes more oversight is needed “to ensure that our military equipment and technology are not transferred to a third party without our knowledge, and that they cannot be used to threaten our interests.”

Longtime observers said they are surprised by how little attention has been paid to the arms sales bonanza.

“There have been times when there has been a surge in US arms sales and the issue has been debated,” said William Hartung, a researcher at the Center for International Policy, a Washington think tank. “This time it doesn’t seem to be the case.’’

Grimmett, who has watched the process for nearly four decades, said few seem to care about the potential risks.

“There is no opposition anymore,” he said.

Bryan Bender can be reached at bender@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeBender. Original article



Thursday, December 19, 2013

Censorship and smear campaign against Legal Schnauzer



Roger Shuler has been reporting on the abuses of power in Alabama and the surrounding states for years on his blog, "Legal Schnauzer." This has often involved reporting of abuses of power in personal or sex related affairs, which I normally try not to pay too much attention to although when it includes abuse of power it should be reported. However contrary to what some people seem to be reporting this isn't all that Roger Shuler reports on.

He was arrested last October outside of his home for failure to stop posting any material about an alleged affair between Robert Riley Jr, a lawyer linked to the Republican Party, and lobbyist Liberty Duke. This was reported in numerous, relatively low profile news reports including, United States - Blogger held after ignoring prior censorship order in libel case. 11/14/2013 A more extensive story was reported by "Who What Why," In Jailhouse Interview, Alabama Blogger Says He Won’t Budge By David J. Krajicek; 11/25/2013 and there are more listed below including some of his opponents for those of you who might be interested.

Roger Shuler has also reported on a nude photo allegedly of Judge William Pryor and numerous stories about Ted Rollins a prominent business man from the area who has been involved in numerous activities including child abuse and abuse of power in a previous divorce as well as environmental related stories that involve his families company, Rollins Environmental Services, which disposes of hazardous waste and has been involved in numerous lawsuits including one in Alsen, Louisiana.

The people he reports on deny most of the activities that he claims they've been involved in including the affair with Robert Riley Jr, and lobbyist Liberty Duke and the nude photo allegedly of Judge William Pryor.

Just for the sake of argument, lets assume they're actually right. What would be the most reasonable and effective way of defending themselves?

Should it involve censorship intimidation and smear tactics as bad if not worse than the ones they claim are being used against them? Should the legal system order that all related material be held under seal so that the public won't know why a reporter is being held?

Or should it involve denying the stories and debunking the evidence that is allegedly being presented against them?

These aren't necessarily easy questions to answer, assuming the allegations that are being made by Roger Shuler are false; however it is hard to imagine that the way his critics have responded is rational and it seems, to me at least, that the way they, or supporters of them have responded implies that they might be acting out of desperation and doing more to harm their own cause than they are to helping it, assuming the target audience for their defense is reasonably rational.

The most prominent attempts that I can find to debunk Roger Shuler seems to be "Legal Schnauzer Exposed;" which wants to "Stop Cyber Bullying." unfortunately the web site seems to be doing more to conduct Cyber Bullying than it does to stop it. Ironically his critics seem to be doing more to support his claims than they do to refute them by doing such an incompetent job debunking them, which might imply, to some people, that the reason they use these tactics might be because they can't refute at least some of the claims that Roger Shuler has made.

Anyone that gets past the obvious bullying tactics being used by a web page that claims to be opposed to "Cyber Bullying" could easily check the facts from this site and find that they are seriously flawed raising more credibility problems.

One of the claims is that Roger Shuler is a racist based on a post that is not linked to at "Legal Schnauzer Exposed;" so if anyone wants to confirm it they would have to find it themselves or take the word this site. However Roger Shuler has written several times about possible racism defending minorities and woman including, Has White Judicial Panel Already Stacked The Deck Against Black Alabama Judge Dorothea Batiste? and How Far Will One Company Go to Avoid Hiring Blacks?, which cites participation from Ted Rollins.

"Legal Schnauzer Exposed" makes a point of defending Ted Rollins on one of their earlier posts which is, perhaps, part of the reason why Roger Shuler thinks it is run by Ted Rollins. I reviewed one of their claims that he is the CEO of an "Eco-friendly, publicly traded company," in Trade Secrecy laws provide license to commit negligent mass murder where I reviewed some of the activities of Rollins Environmental Services, which was actually run by his father at the time of many of the complaints that have involved law suits that I cited, but they were very reluctant to settle more than they had to. This was based partially on research from Robert Bullard, author of "Dumping in Dixie" who has done extensive research into environmental damage and how it is often much more common where low income people especially minorities live. This raises doubts about both Rollins environmental record and the possibility that he might be the one that is acting racist.

Another obvious attempt to smear Roger Shuler is 'Roger Shuler "Satan's Earthly Emmissary"' which is an incredibly obvious fake, but it means that someone went to the trouble to buy up a domain name. This isn't expensive but it is more than most people would be inclined to do, although it isn't much for someone with financial backing.

It is hard to imagine any rational person wouldn't see right through this web site and recognize it for what it seems to be, a smear on Roger Shuler; but it is so bad that it would only convince the most insecure people and perhaps least stable, if it is believed by anyone at all. What could the person running this site possibly be trying to accomplish? And who could they expect to fall for this?

Unfortunately even though any rational person should easily see right through these tactics similar ones have been used throughout history, including in the south which has a long history of racial problems, and they may often seem to help maintain control of the public although it comes at a high price. There is actually a significant amount of research into why some people might think these tactics might work and in some cases they might intimidate people enough to benefit the bullies using it.

This involves the way people are taught at an early age. the behavior of the people writing these smears isn't any better than foolish things that you might expect out of teenagers in junior high schools that don't know any better but I doubt if this is being done by teenagers. However they still act like them and use the same tactics. It is as if their emotional growth might be impaired and there is a strong possibility that is what happened. As I have indicated in previous blogs including Does child abuse and bullying lead to more violence? and Child abuse and bullying link in study long over due I believe there is an enormous amount of evidence to indicate that early child upbringing and often abuse is a leading contributing cause to crime and authoritarian behavior.

A study by John Guthrow in December 2002, Correlation Between High Rates of Corporal Punishment in Public Schools and Social Pathologies, might also provide some supporting evidence to this belief. A couple of the relatively simple statistical findings that this study show is: Of the states with the ten highest murder rates in the United States, educators paddle children in eight of them, including Alabama which has the fifth highest murder rate tied with New Mexico and is 3rd by percentage of students struck by educators; Of the states with the ten lowest murder rates in the nation, educators paddle children in one of them; Of the ten states with the highest percentage of the population in prison, educators paddle children in nine of them, including Alabama, which has the 6th highest incarceration rate and is 3rd by percentage of students hit; and Of the ten states with the lowest percentage of the population in prison, educators do not paddle children in any of them.

Additional supporting research includes Corporal Punishment Makes Children Dumb By Dr. Shaun Whittaker and Corporal Punishment and Political Missions By Alice Miller. Dysfunctional political environments almost certainly begin when the people participating in them, especially those with the most political power develop dysfunctional attitudes and this almost always begins early in life and escalates from their unless something is done to correct it. By starting out with authoritarian, violent and intimidating child rearing tactics many people teach children that using violence and intimidation to get a point across is more effective than using reason or checking the facts to find what is more rational.

This probably isn't the typical review of a situation like this.

Why not?

In all fairness, in the short run it isn't the most important thing especially to Roger Shuler who remains in jail as Christmas approaches and is now having problems with theft as well according to his latest posts. The defenses from the ACLU, Justice Integrity Project and other activists will almost certainly have much more impact on his immediate situation. However in addition to solving the immediate problem additional efforts should be made to understand why some areas have more dysfunctional political environments than others and address these causes as well for the long run. If this had been done better twenty years ago then he would be much less likely to be having this problem now and if both the long term and short term contributing causes to this problem were addressed then in twenty years other people will be much less likely to have this problem.

The dysfunctional political system is also partially responsible for the environmental problems and other social inequalities that are greater in some areas than others. I haven't done a thorough check like the report from John Guthrow but I suspect that the states that rely most on corporal punishment have some of the biggest economic inequalities, environmental problems and lowest education rates. a glance at some of the states cited by John Guthrow and a rough review of the research into environmental damage by Robert Bullard seems to at least partially support this.

Regardless of whether you agree with that it is hard to believe that the best work from Roger Shuler's critics seems to have much credibility. Some questions about his credibility seem to be because he doesn't represent a major institution, however many of the biggest institutions fail to report many of the most important news due to the fact that they're all funded by the same economic political establishment. the best news outlets now seem to be some of the lowest profile ones operating with limited funds and no access to the traditional media. If this is the case the best way to judge their credibility or lack of it would involve reviewing their work. Roger Shuler is certainly not perfect of course but the biggest problems, assuming you don't agree with his views will almost certainly be much more credible if they come from his own work than his critics. One possible concern is why he didn't show up in court or check to see if the alleged law suit actually has been filed. His response to this according to his blogs seems to be that he felt intimidated by the legal system and the local enforcement agencies. If anything the foolish behavior of his critics might support this claim.

Additional information, both pro and con, is available on the following sites for those that are interested.

Alabama Kangaroo Court Parades Blogger in Chains, Continues Indefinite Jailing By Andrew Kreig

Huffington Post: Censorship at Issue in Alabama Blogger's Case 11/14/2013

Alabama journalist beaten and jailed 10/28/2013

What’s the matter with Alabama? Roger Shuler kept in jail indefinitely, paraded into court IN CHAINS

Alabama Deputies Beat, Arrest Corruption-Fighting Reporter

Kook Update: Roger Shuler 

Did Roger Shuler Commit Unauthorized Practice of Law? 

Accusations of Bias in 11th Cir. Judge Pryor's Nude Photo Scandal 09/20/2013

Alabama Blogger Arrested, Jailed For Writing About Former Governor’s Son

We must dare to defend Roger Shuler's rights, too (Our view)

Truth-teller or bomb-thrower? Legal Schnauzer blogger jailed after violating court order

Legal Schnauzer: Nude Photographs Of Federal Judge Bill Pryor Appeared In The 1990s On A Gay Pornography Site 09/27/2013

Legal Schnauzer: As Reports Mount About His '90s Ties To Gay Porn, Judge Bill Pryor Rides The Luther Strange Love Train 09/23/2013

Legal Schnauzer: Alan Colmes And His Liberaland Web Site Pick Up On Reports About Gay-Porn Photos Of Judge Bill Pryor 09/20/2013

Legal Schnauzer: Concerns About Blackmail Prompted Investigative Action On Tip About Gay Porn Photographs of Bill Pryor In '90s 10/02/2013

Legal Schnauzer: Bill Pryor

Legal Schnauzer: Bullying Continues Even When You Become an Adult

NOW: The Truth About William H. Pryor 


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

The tragedy of gambling politics in United States



Organized gambling is a scam and it is incredibly easy to confirm this; however the political and media establishments won't tell the majority of the public about it.

Instead they provide an enormous amount of legislation and gambling propaganda to promote it as much as possible, often trying to imply that it is good for society.This is routinely repeated much more often than the problems since those that promote gambling use a portion of the proceeds from the scams for advertising or friendly media; while those that oppose it don't have the funds to get their views across.

In order for organized gambling institution to make a profit they have to cover their expenses and pull in additional money for their profits; therefore in order to succeed they have to rig the game in their favor one way or another.

I once guessed that the average percentage that organized gambling institutions return to the players couldn't be much if any more than 75% of the money they pull in. After I made that guess, in the 1990's, the Boston Globe did a series on the lottery which claimed that the Massachusetts lottery only returned 60% to the players at the time but that others might return a higher percentage especially casinos which rely more on volume. They generally have to make it complicated which only adds to the overhead because if they come out and tell people how little they return the players would be much more likely to recognize it is a scam.

That should be all it takes to back up the claim that organized gambling is a scam. No matter how you spin it you can't change those simple facts.

Two of the most common arguments that might seem to justify it are that they provide jobs, helping the economy, and that they provide revenue for a worthy cause, like schools. Neither of these hold up if you consider a few simple principles that are routinely ignored by the media and the political establishment.

The constant call for jobs, gambling or anything else, routinely ignores the purpose of these jobs; they're supposed to provide a benefit for the consumer and payment for the worker. What benefit does the consumer get? As I said the odds are rigged so they don't have a significant chance of winning and even when they win they often waste it surprisingly fast, as the "Curse of the Lottery" clearly indicates.

They often argue that it is good for entertainment. This might seem good to those that want to believe in it; but I find it hard to believe that most people are entertained after they lose all their money and wind up with nothing. It is no better than cheep thrills with a hooker who steals all your money when you fall asleep.

The claim that it is good for revenue also falls apart quickly since it is a highly inefficient way of collecting revenue and it causes society much more than it benefits them as indicated in the following excerpt.

Is There a Cure for America's Gambling Addiction?

For years, lawmakers forgot why gambling was considered a "vice." In fairness to them, there weren't a lot of objective studies available on the consequences of legalized gambling. The many new gambling outlets sparked opportunities for social and economic research. By 1994, a considerable body of evidence showed that the expansion of legalized gambling destroys individuals, wrecks families, increases crime, and ultimately costs society far more than the government makes. Complete article


This was reported close to twenty years ago; the problem that stories like these are reported in a relatively low profile manner; and are quickly forgotten by most people. The people most likely to be gambling addicts probably don't even watch them at all. Those that aren't might not think it applies to them so they might be much less likely to vote on this issue or let it carry much if any weight.

Politicians seem to know this.

They practically never discuss gambling problems or attempt to inform the public about the problems that it brings. If they did there is a very good chance that the media wouldn't give them the coverage they need to make them viable or they might not be able to collect the campaign contributions they need to by propaganda political ads to control the information the voters use to make their decisions.

In many political campaigns when they do discuss gambling they often all seem to support one form or another, although, perhaps depending on who they collect their campaign contributions from they might support different forms of gambling. In 2010 all three Massachusetts candidates for governor, Tim Cahill, Charles Baker and Deval Patrick supported one form of gambling or another and they all portrayed it as a legitimate and good form of revenue for the state; but none of them adequately acknowledged the problems with it or the fact that it actually costs the state more money then it pulls in if they take into considerations the social problems including additional crime and welfare expenses.

The same pattern is repeating itself in many other political races. Gov. Maggie Hassan (se also here and here.) supports expanded gambling while taking money from gambling lobbyists; Ed Rendell called Leslie Stahl and other critics "simpletons" or "idiots" on one of the rare occasions that it was discussed in a relatively high profile manner and he took at least $5,000 in campaign contributions from gambling institutions and met with gambling company officials while on a fund-raising trip to Las Vegas. On top of that many of the donors that want tax breaks and want to raise money from other sources may also support gambling since it would involve collecting the revenue the government need from those without political power.

Don Siegelman is one of the extremely rare examples where a politician is actually prosecuted for activities that seem to involve bribery or implied bribery, in this case in an attempt to raise money for education through the lottery. George Will is concerned that it could "criminalize politics;" however this isn't the type of politics that the vast majority of us participate in. This is the type of politics that gives overwhelming advantages to those with an enormous amount of money. there are people from both political parties involved in the selling of influence and even if this was done for political purposes it sets a precedent that those in power would consider very dangerous since it could be used against them at a future date. Karl Rove and many of his allies are selling influence as much if not more than Don Siegelman and they probably could and should be prosecuted for the same reasons.

This case has often been cited as an example where politics were used as part of the decision to prosecute someone, by Karl Rove, in this case, but this discussion doesn't seem to attempt to prevent people from using influence unfairly. Don Siegelman appointed a gambling supporter to a post who donated to his campaign; but it is hard to imagine a gambling opponent being appointed to a similar post that might discuss the problems with gambling.

The constant tying of gambling income to education funds also creates another major conflict of interests since if educators are dependent on gambling interests to fund their activities they might hesitate to educate children about the problems that accompany gambling. There should be no doubt that we need to find a reliable way to fund education but it shouldn't involves activities that cost society more than they benefit it. This seems to be accompanied by many other efforts to undermine the education system like advertising in schools and the privatization of education through charter schools or other means.

A better educated public would almost certainly understand how bad gambling is; but unfortunately the politicians that make decisions about the education system cater to the same campaign contributors while doing this and decline to encourage them to teach people about the damage done by gambling.

The question from the article above, "Is There a Cure for America's Gambling Addiction?" almost certainly should be yes, or at least their is a partial cure for it; and if we focused more on it then a more thorough cure would almost certainly turn up.

For one thing if they spent much more time informing the public about how the odds are rigged then people would be much less likely to fall for this scam. Propaganda works best when it isn't challenged much if at all. In this case people would be much less likely to gamble if they were constantly reminded that they only return 60% to 75% of the proceeds to the players.

Furthermore if they did research into the social background of gambling addicts they would almost certainly find out more about the contributing cause; in fact this research has probably already been done although the media doesn't attempt to inform the public about this or any other important things they research properly. Instead the research is generally reserved for the few that seek it out; and ironically it is conceivable that those that promote gambling might do this for their purposes.

This is typical of how our political media and economic institutions treat social problems; instead of trying to find solutions for them they try to find out how to profit from them in the most effective way possible regardless of how much long term damage it does to society. When they do psychological research into gambling for the purposes of increasing profits this is proprietary trade secrets just like research into marketing manipulation of children and adults. Instead of passing laws requiring disclosure of this type of research even though it involves studying how to manipulate people, often children, they pass trade secrecy laws that benefit campaign contributors.

The gambling industry uses a portion of their proceeds to lobby, donate to campaigns, and buy advertising from the media; so the people in the best position to address these problems all have a conflict of interest.

This isn't limited to gambling of course; the health care industry uses a portion of the money they take from policy holders to buy ads and lobby against Single Payer Health Care; oil companies and retail outlets routinely use a portion of the proceeds they get from their customers to lobby against the best interest of their customers as well.

Advertisers are also trying to study how to manipulate people for profit in many other industries and the political establishment and media help them with that as well. Instead of educating the public about how they use psychology to convince children that Air Jordans are worth hundreds of dollars even though they're made in sweat shops and don't magically make them sports superstars. It is now a semi-regular occurrence for kids to kill each other some where in the country for these hyped up sneakers but no high profile effort is made to find out if advertising hype is a contributing factor.

Just like gambling profits are more important than understanding social problems and solving them.

The irrational equation of money with speech enables those that control large institutions to control the vast majority of information the public gets from the political establishment and the commercial media and pass on the expenses of their political activities to their customers, who also turn out to be their victims in many cases.

As I said previously the "Curse of the Lottery" clearly indicates that even the "winners" often turn out to be looser after they splurge and, in many cases fight over their new wealth. This may seem hard to believe but most gamblers are simply not good with their money. Just because a miniscule percentage of them really do beat the odds doesn't change the fact that they aren't good with their money so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that they have a lot of problems after "winning," as indicated in some of the articles about the "Curse of the Lottery" below.

Most people that don't see the problems with gambling \right off the bat are often more susceptible to appeals to emotions, like perhaps the following children that died as a result of their fathers gambling addiction.

They died forgotten: how gambling and alcohol shut the door on twins' lives



The twins who had been dead a week when their bodies were discovered in their cot at their home in Sunnybank, Brisbane, in 2008. Source: TheAustralian

E! Investigates Curse of the Lottery Part 1 of 3 12/0/2013

E! Investigates Curse of the Lottery transcripts

The curse of winning the lottery and becoming a millionaire

Mom, daughter killed by husband in murder-suicide months after winning $2M lottery 08/10/2021

Biggest Loser? Gambler Dropped $127M in a Year

Google "Curse of the Lottery"

How Gambling Influences Politics and the Economy

National Gambling Studies


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Wal-Mart Crime report November 2013 Black Friday Madness



Video shows violent melee at Albuquerque NM Walmart 11/20/2013


Wal-Mart has had plenty of time to anticipate the madness that typically comes with Black Friday; however they did little or nothing to prevent the problems that have become typical. They made some claims to prepare for it but as far as I can tell they don’t involve addressing some of the most important issues including the way they market Black Friday and hype things up about how sales are only available for a short time. To make things worse there have been several problems with items not being available once again and in one case they even sent the police instead of managers to inform customers they couldn't get their deals.

This isn't the only time they relied on police for what should have been their responsibility and it almost certainly should raise questions about conflicts of interests. In many cases they have a beefed up police presence, either because they hire off duty police officers or because the town pays for it. This should raise questions about who the police represent; if they work for Wal-Mart and they’re required to mediate a dispute that a customer might have it should be considered a conflict of interest and some acknowledgement of this potential problem should be made. Even when they work for the town they often answer to politicians who take campaign contributions from Wal-Mart. This would be through their police chief presumably but they’re hired by politicians.

Occupy Wal-Mart has called to Nationalize the Walton Family Wealth on Black Friday. By any reasonable standards this should be considered outrageous, assuming that the Walton Family earned their wealth fairly; however they haven’t even come close to this and there is an enormous amount of evidence to support this conclusion including hundreds of articles and at least a half dozen, if not dozens, of good books that have been written about how Wal-Mart gained market superiority, not by being competitive but by shopping for tax payer subsidies through their political connections and suppressing wages, also with the help of political connections; and they have used their market share to pressure factories to reduce the quality of their merchandise so that customers have to replace them more often.

This means that they gained their wealth by fraud.

On top of that they’re getting much more subsidies with their practices that cost the tax payer much more money to deal with the enormous amount of crime on their premises especially in the holiday season. This isn’t just Black Friday; incidents have been happening before Black Friday including one shooting that scared a lot of customers in California and they typically stay high through the holidays.

They have had their usual number of incidents including a brawl in New Mexico, a man who hit a complete stranger in the back of the head for no apparent reason and a couple of arsons which is apparently a semi regular thing at Wal-Marts across the country although they aren't as common as bomb threats. This month they had an unusually dramatic bomb threat that involved a man that appeared suicidal with a simulated bomb that looked like the real thing and combustible materials that could have been dangerous any way; but it received little national news as usual. They also had a couple of unusual incidents including a man in a dress that was accused of urinating on merchandise and another that allegedly released mice into the cheese coolers.

They also had another incident reported nationally about how they made a big issue about an employee who drank a soda without paying for it although there was reason to believe it was a misunderstanding and when they attracted publicity for this intimidation tacit they offered to hire him back. They have also been exposed for financing a smear campaign instead of paying their workers. They refused to pay a fine from a trampling that was much less than their legal fees, which is highly foolish for a company that claims to be frugal and efficient.

The number of incidents surrounding Black Friday might actually be going down but it doesn't seem to be a result of Wal-Mart correcting their policies; in response to lowering sales they increased their promotions and adverrtisings which almost certainly contribute to the crowd problem. If the number of incidents is going down I suspect it is more likely that it is because a growing number of people are learning about these tactics.

There was also a consumer report about a tablet which had serious problems at the beginning of the month. This might be important since they are stampeding over these “great deals.” I don’t know if it is the same one they have been fighting over but many of their products have the same problems. I wouldn’t be surprised if these people that lined up and fought over these items might find that they may have to do it again to return them. The people fighting over great deals" at Wal-Mart just might be fighting over disposable garbage, which is typical of the quality of Wal-Mart merchandise since they're constantly cutting manufacturing expenses.

Strange things happen at Wal-Mart!



In 2006 Wake Up Wal-Mart did a study, "Is Wal-Mart Safe?" based on incidents in 2004, (PDF) about crime at Wal-Mart which showed that it increased when Wal-Marts opened up and that crime was higher at Wal-Mart than at other retailers. Since then Wal-Mart Shootings began compliling a list of gun related incidents at Wal-Mart and demonstrated that they have a large number of them, including on average more than one shooting per week somewhere in the country. I also added my own review about why I think that Wal-Mart policies have been contributing to higher crime in a blog, Wal-Mart high crime rate continues uninvestigaterd and have provided additional information under the author tag Walmart Crime Watch. Stacy Mitchell has also compiled a list of other studies about Wal-Mart and how they impact society, Key Studies on Big-Box Retail & Independent Business. To the best of my knowledge Wal-Mart has done as little as they seem to get away with, often relying on rhetoric that isn't backed up with action, when it comes to addressing any of their critics concerns, including crime. The following are a list of incidents that occurred in November 2013. According to the "Is Wal-Mart Safe?" the average store in their sampling had 250 incidents per year, indicating that these are only a fraction of the crime reports at Wal-Mart, and presumably, the ones most likely to make the news on the internet nationwide. To minimize redundancy most gun related incidents will only be one lines, since they have been highlighted by Wal-Mart Shootings; some of the other more relevant incidents may have additional summations.



Accidental shooting at Glendora Ca. Sam’s Club leads to arrest of husband, wife 10/20/2013

Shooting in Walmart parking lot in Victorville, California 10/22/2013

Shot fired from Texas Walmart parking lot hits a home 10/22/2013

Man with gun robs Tumwater Wash. Walmart Thursday night 10/31/2013

Woman charged with attempted murder after Kenai, Alaska Walmart shooting incident 11/01/2013

Man steals items from California Walmart and threatens employees with realistic pellet gun 11/01/2013

N.C. man charged in Craigslist armed robbery in Georgetown SC Wal-Mart parking lot 11/01/2013

Fla. Wal-Mart theft suspect flees, dies in crash 11/01/2013

Orangevale Cal. man arrested over rape, kidnap from Walmart parking lot 11/01/2013 11/08/2013

A 34-year-old man suspected of kidnapping a woman from the parking lot of an Orangevale Walmart and then raping her might have harassed other women the night of the attack, according to authorities.

Orangevale resident Joseph Lee Bonderer was booked Thursday at the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of rape, sodomy, penetration by a foreign object and kidnapping – all felonies – in connection with the Wednesday night assault, according to jail booking records. He is being held in lieu of $1.5million bail. Complete article


Chesterfield Police tracking accused Wal-Mart laptop bandits 11/01/2013

Wanted man chased across Bradenton Fla. Walmart parking lot 11/02/2013

Man unintentionally shot with shotgun by toddler son in Russellville Arkansas Walmart parking lot 11/02/2013

Hickory police investigating intentional fire at a Wal-Mart 11/02/2013

Crowd of onlookers witness fatal shooting of armed Covington, Tenn woman by police 11/0/2013

Woman threatens employees with BB gun at Missouri Walmart 11/03/2013

Follow up: Man Wanted for Setting Jeans on Fire in N.C. Walmart 11/05/2013

Police: Armed suspect takes giftcards from Spartanburg SC Walmart 11/04/2013

Jacksonville man arrested for groping woman at two area East Texas Walmart 11/04/2013

3 Suspected Gun-Wielding Teens Arrested Following Alleged Ca. Walmart Heist 11/03/2013

Woman arrested after disturbance at Ca. Walmart 11/02/2013

Police: Man stole 3 razor scooters, chainsaw from Walmart 11/04/2013

PD: Woman altered Va. Wal-Mart price tags 11/01/2013

Man steals $600 TV from Mt. Juliet Tenn. Walmart 11/04/2013

Three Batavia NY men arrested in WalMart thefts 11/04/2013

Tulsa Ok Police: Man Caught Leaving Walmart With Shopping Cart Of Stolen Goods 11/05/2013

TULSA, Oklahoma - Police arrested a 20-year-old man after he was reportedly caught trying to leave through the back door of a Walmart with a shopping cart of stolen merchandise.

Ryan Alyn Ward was caught with 32 stolen items including the shoes on his feet, an arrest report states.

The arresting officer says employees stopped Ward as he tried to leave the 81st and Lewis Walmart at 4:20 a.m. with about $500 in goods.

Ward, who is homeless, resisted arrest as officers tried to cuff him, police say.

"Suspect repeatedly threatened to hunt officers down, harm their family and kill the officers," the report states. He also reportedly spit all over the patrol car on his way to jail and threatened to have his "home boys" find and kill officers. Complete article


Suspect arrested, accused of attacking man with hammer at Oklahoma City Walmart 11/05/2013

OKLAHOMA CITY – One man is recovering and another has been arrested after a man said he was attacked with a hammer at the Belle Isle Walmart.

Officials arrested 28-year-old William Raymond Allen, III who is accused of hitting another man in the head with a hammer Monday.

According to the police report, the victim said he didn’t know the man who ran up and hit him in the back of the head leaving a gash. Complete article


Man Wanted In Brazen TV Theft At Mt. Juliet Tenn. Walmart 11/05/2013

Sacramento Ca. Police Searching For Alleged Walmart Masturbator 11/05/2013

Felon caught in possession of realistic BB gun in Bristol Conn. Walmart 11/05/2013

Salem Or. teen dies after falling off moving car in Wal-Mart parking lot 11/05/2013

A 17-year-old girl died Monday at OHSU Hospital from injuries sustained when she fell from a moving car last Saturday, Salem Police said.

Marisol Quesada had been a student at North Salem High School.

Quesada was one of two teens who were riding on the trunk of a car driven by a 16-year-old girl around the Wal-Mart parking lot at 5250 Commercial St. SE around 12:15 a.m. Saturday. As the car turned, both girls fell off the trunk, police said. Quesada sustained life-threatening injuries while the other girl, 16, sustained less serious injuries. Complete article


Belmont NH teen allegedly makes prank bomb threat to Walmart in Maine 11/05/2013

Meth-ingredient sales plunge at Southridge WV Walmart 11/05/2013

Shoplifter arrested at NH Wal-Mart 11/05/2013

Men banned from Wi. Walmart following incident 11/05/2013

Man accused of urinating on products in Wash. Walmart 11/06/2013

WOODLAND, WA (KPTV) - A Longview man in women's clothing was arrested on Saturday after police say he urinated on products at the Woodland Walmart.

Police say the man, Rick Jeffers, told them he had to use the restroom, but he didn't want to use the men's room because he was dressed like a woman. They say he also tried to steal a bra and a woman's belt. Complete article


Police need help ID'ing 2 women shoppers at West Manchester Pa. Walmart 11/06/2013

Ga. Walmart Employee Faces Theft Charge 11/06/2013

Staunton Va. Walmart evacuated again 11/05/2013

WV Walmart aids in Meth Lab bust 11/05/2013

Conway SC police seek help in identifying suspect in Wal-Mart theft 11/06/2013

Wanted man chased across Bradenton Fla. Walmart parking lot 11/03/2013

Springfield, Mo. woman's wheelchair stolen from Walmart 11/05/2013

Police: Man Arrested After Huffing in Salem Ma. Walmart 11/05/2013

Police: Men drove from Jacksonville Fla. to steal from area Walmarts 11/06/2013

Guilty Plea From NC Walmart Predator 11/06/2013

Walmart Larceny Suspects Sought by Niagara County NY Sheriff's Office 11/06/2013

Woman attacked in Ok. Wal-Mart parking lot over phone 11/06/2013

OKLAHOMA CITY – A woman is attacked for her phone in a local parking lot and authorities say she is not alone.

Sarah Smith says she was walking into the Wal-Mart at Belle Isle a few weeks ago.

She admits that she was texting a friend when she noticed something strange as she headed toward the doors.

Smith said, “I noticed two feet go past me pretty quickly and I thought that was kind of weird.”

She says she should have listened to her gut instinct because of what happened next.

She said, “The next thing I knew, one of them came back around and grabbed me.”

Smith added, “We struggled for my phone and I wasn’t going to let go. He took me further out into the parking lot where the other guy pulled up the vehicle.”

She was halfway in the car when she decided to let go of her phone.

Last month, a young mother also had her phone taken while she was in the parking lot of Gordman’s, located at N.W. 59th St. and May. Complete article


Person Collapses Outside Of Walmart In Greensboro, NC, Dies 11/07/2013

Bystander, dog chase down thief at Pa. Walmart 11/07/2013

Police charge man accused of stealing TVs from Tenn. Walmart 11/07/2013

Lubbock Tx. police arrest 2 men in Thursday morning Wal-Mart robbery 11/07/2013

Athens Al. police arrest 1 of 2 men involved in Walmart theft 11/07/2013

“They have blood on their hands”: Meet Wal-Mart’s worst nightmare 11/07/2013

Fired while trying to unionize her sweatshop as a teenager and then jailed while mobilizing other workers to resist, Kalpona Akter is now a key leader in the Bangladesh labor movement – a cause cast into an intermittent spotlight by horrific disasters and mass strikes. Over the past year, Akter — now executive director of the Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity — has salvaged and exposed U.S. brands’ garments from the site of a deadly factory fire, challenged Wal-Mart from the floor of its shareholder meeting, and sought to transform the fashion industry by organizing in concert with U.S. fashion models. (Wal-Mart has blamed production of Wal-Mart apparel in factories where disasters later took place on rogue suppliers, and said in July that the industry-backed safety plan it helped instigate “will move quickly and decisively to create uniform safety standards.”)

I sat down with Akter last week in New York, where she had addressed a conference. In an hour-long conversation, we discussed the alleged murder of her activist colleague, what role Western companies and customers play in shaping Bangladesh working conditions, and what connects Bangladesh garment sweatshops and U.S. fashion photo shoots. What follows is an edited and condensed version of our conversation.

Over the past year we’ve seen two of the worst disasters in the garment industry’s history: the Tazreen fire last November and the Rana Plaza building collapse in April. Are tragedies like that any less likely now in Bangladesh than they were a year ago? Complete article


Man attempts to steal $1,232 of DVDs from Wi. Walmart 11/08/2013

Louisiana food stamp abusers will lose benefits over Wal-mart free for all 11/07/2013

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and his administration took steps late Wednesday to strip food stamp benefits from those who loaded up their shopping carts knowing they had insufficient funds in their Electronic Benefits Transfer accounts during a system failure in October.

As a result of the temporary outage, over 12,000 transactions in Louisiana showed non-sufficient funds once the system got back online and retailers were able to process the purchases, according to The Advocate.

The Oct. 12 computer glitch wasn’t limited to Louisiana. At least 17 states were affected, resulting in many shoppers overflowing their carts to take advantage of the outage.

Under Jindal’s new directive, recipients will lose benefits for one year, two years or permanently, depending on how many prior violations they have on their record. Complete article


Walmart near Panama Lane Ca. cleared after evacuated for possible bomb threat 11/08/2013

Child molesting case grows against NY Walmart worker 11/07/2013

The Walmart employee accused of molesting a child in the bathroom of the Islandia store last month has been charged with sexually abusing another boy over a six-year period, according to a 24-count indictment released Thursday at his arraignment.

The case against Matthew Bulmer, 22, of Islip Terrace ballooned after he was arrested Oct. 19, the day he lured a 5-year-old boy into a toilet stall and molested him, authorities said.

He had sex with another boy from August 2007 to last August, according to the indictment. Complete article


Attempted Wednesday Chickasha Ok. Walmart theft results in 2 arrests 11/08/2013

UPDATE: Bomb squad now investigating Chickasha Ok Walmart suspicious package 11/08/2013

Suspect in possible Walmart bomb threat in custody 11/08/2013

CHICKASHA — UPDATE: Chickasha Police are now focusing search on white vehicle in Walmart parking lot. Police say one suspect is in custody.

Chickasha Police Department is responding to a possible bomb threat at the local Walmart.

Chickasha Police Chief Eddie Adamson said he does not know if the suspect has any connection to Walmart.

"Police responded to a call of a suspect in a truck acting suspiciously," said Adamson. "When we approached him, he was incoherent and refused exit the vehicle."

The suspect was bound in duct tape, but had no wires on his person. Adamson said upon the suspects removal, police noticed suspicious wiring in the truck.

Adamson said the suspect claimed he had a bomb strapped to his body.

Adamson confirmed the store is currently shutdown and all associates, and some customers have been moved to the back of the building.

"Police and fire fighters who responded to the initial threat said they saw suspicious wiring in a white truck that caused them concern," he said. "No one is going in or out of the building at the moment."

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Bomb Squad is en route, said Adamson.

Walmart associate April Bevill said all associates have been moved to the general merchandise and grocery receiving areas of the store.

Bevill said she saw police break the window of the truck in question, and pull a convulsing man out of the vehicle. She said the man was in his underwear with his pants around ankles and masking tape around each of his legs.

Bevill said the man is not a janitor who was recently let go from this location for asking a gay Chickasha couple to leave the store.

Traffic is being detoured out of Walmart parking lot.

More on this story as it develops. Complete article


UPDATE: Man arrested with legs wrapped in duct tape after Chickasha Ok. bomb scare 11/08/2013

UPDATE 1:22 p.m. Suspect in possible Chickasha Ok. Walmart bomb threat identified 11/08/2013

Metro man arrested following alleged hammer assault at Oklahoma City Wal-Mart 11/08/2013

3 suspects arrested in Pa. Walmart armed robbery 11/09/2013

Woman charged with stealing more than $700 in liquor from Ill. Walmart 11/08/2013

Gun-wielding citizens corral Ga. Walmart shoplifters 11/08/2013

Police Seek Suspect In North Fayette Pa. Wal-Mart Assault 11/09/2013

Fire Forces Evacuations At Unity Twp. Pa. Walmart 11/09/2013

Police: Boise Id. man pulled knife during argument in Walmart parking lot Sunday 11/10/2013

Palm Bay Fla. Walmart evacuated after smoke reported 11/10/2013

Police Learn of Possible Beer Heist at Tenn. Walmart 11/11/2013

$4K in items stolen from Rock Hill SC Walmart 11/11/2013

Police Say Shoplifting Parent Left Two Kids at Tx. Wal-Mart 11/12/2013

UPDATE: Police: Marshfield Wisc. man found dead in Walmart bathroom 11/12/2013

Burglar forces woman to drive him to SD Walmart 11/12/2013

Jersey City NJ man bites Walmart security officer on neck, charged with robbery: cops 11/12/2013

Laramie & Casper Wy. Wal-Marts Receives Bomb Threats; No explosives found 11/12/2013

Pair sought in computer theft at Valrico Fla. Wal-Mart 11/13/2013

Police: Tips lead to arrest in Hickory NC Walmart fire 11/13/2013

UPDATE: Identity released in Wisc. Walmart death 11/13/2013

Shots fired outside Airport Thruway Ga. Walmart 11/14/2013

Walmart scuffle leads to robbery charge for Billings Mont. man 11/13/2013

DSP: Delaware WalMart security guard threatened by shopper 11/14/2013

Police: Man pilfered PC, vacuums and clothes from Culpeper Va. Walmart 11/14/2013

Fla. Police officer attacked by 2 women in Walmart, scuffle caught on camera 11/15/2013

CLERMONT, Fla. - Clermont police say two women are facing charges after attacking an officer at a local Walmart, and the incident was caught on store surveillance video.

Police said Officer Ethan Bell had to be taken to an area hospital after being punched in the face on Nov. 7 while at the store located on Johns Lake Road. The officer was complaining of a headache and dizziness, but has since returned to work.

Tiana Harrison, 34, and Alicia McCormick, 37, are now facing charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer. Complete article


Elderly woman robbed at gunpoint in Wyoming Walmart parking lot 11/10/2013

Man issues bomb threat in Russellville Wal-Mart 11/15/2013

Newport, Pittsfield Me. school districts on alert after Walmart caller says he needs assault rifle ‘for school tomorrow’ 11/15/2013

Elizabethton Tenn. police charge two in Walmart theft from other customer 11/15/2013

Hallandale Beach Walmart Evacuated for Bomb Threat 11/15/2013

Bomb threats reported at Walmart stores in Calais, Thomaston, Palmyra Me. 11/15/2013

Police: Edmond Ok. Grandma Steals Wal-Mart Merchandise For Christmas Gifts 11/15/2013

Garden City Id. Wal-Mart evacuated after bomb threat 11/15/2013

Gates NY police called to Walmart for stabbing incident 11/15/2013

Two Maine teens charged with shoplifting at Walmart 11/15/2013

Woman charged after allegedly stealing from NY Walmart 11/16/2013

Aberdeen Id. Wal-Mart evacuated after bomb threat 11/16/2013

Officials Investigating Bomb Threat At Sandpoint Id. Walmart 11/16/2013

Woman killed while leaving work at Union Township Pa. Walmart 11/18/2013

Man Armed with Pickaxe Robs Breaks Open Jewelry Case at Ark. Walmart Store 11/18/2013

All clear given after report of bomb threat in Torrington Conn. 11/18/2013

Stapleton Co. Walmart tops Denver's, nation's shoplifting destinations 11/18/2013

In one week alone at the Walmart Supercenter in Stapleton, two men walked off with a paintball gun, another tried to steal a futon and a pair of pillows, and a fourth told a Denver police officer he had no receipt for the 97 items in his shopping cart because "Aw... Um. ... Because I didn't pay for any of this."

Walmart officials told police this year that the store at 7800 E. Smith Road loses $1.5 million each year to theft, putting it among the top 5 percent of the chain's locations nationwide for shoplifting. The store is far and away the city's leading destination for shoplifters, with 283 offenses reported in the past year — 179 more than the second-highest location, a Rite Aid on the 16th Street Mall.

Police officers, frustrated by 841 calls for service at the Stapleton Walmart in the past year, even tried parking empty squad cars in front of the doors as decoys until those, too, became crime victims.

"At the end of the day we pick up the car, and it's been spit on and kicked, and you can only cry wolf so often," said Cmdr. Les Perry of the District 5 police station, which inherited coverage of the Walmart when the police district boundary lines shifted in July. Since then, he has met regularly with store managers to strategize against shoplifters. He urges his officers to do foot patrols there when they can.

"It's too soon to measure what results I'm yielding," Perry said, adding that the start of the holiday season could bring an uptick. "I'm still seeing my numbers climbing."

The company's recent abandonment of zero-tolerance shoplifting policies, and the removal of door greeters who would look out for thieves, could be partly to blame, police said. Walmart no longer prosecutes first-time shoplifters unless they take more than $25 of merchandise and are between 18 and 65. And the chain allows its "asset-protection associates," who are trained to spot and stop thefts, to hold a shoplifter for police for only an hour. Perry said he is trying to improve response times to the store to deal with that. .....

Asset-protection associates, some in plain clothes, roam Walmart stores, eyeing shoplifters or watching them on surveillance cameras. One employee on Nov. 10 watched a woman hide $79.14 of items in her bag then pass through several registers with no attempt to pay. Police reports show she was allowed to walk outside — and into the waiting handcuffs of a Denver officer who arrested her. .... Complete article


Greensboro NC police looking for 2 men accused of stealing from Wal-Mart 11/19/2013

Bomb threat empties Ponderay Id. Walmart 11/17/2013

Anniston Ala. Police release photo of man sought in connection with Walmart TV theft 11/19/2013

2 Suspects Arrested for Benton Walmart Theft 11/19/2013

Lubbock police seeking man and woman in connection with October Wal-Mart robbery 11/19/2013

Former worker accused of stealing $7,000 from Ga. Walmart 11/19/2013

Woman found sleeping in Tenn. Walmart aisle arrested 11/19/2013

Another shoplifting arrest at Dover NH Wal-Mart 11/19/2013

Video shows violent melee at Albuquerque NM Walmart 11/20/2013

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —An explosive blowout brawl in the middle of a crowded Albuquerque store was caught on camera, and it's not the first time the store has been the scene of a violent crime.

The video shows two men trading blows in the frozen food section of a local Walmart. The video shot by a KOAT Action 7 News employee shows one of the men losing his pants during the melee.

Walmart employees separated the two, and both walked away from the scrap without their shirts.

But this isn't the first time the popular Walmart has been in the news for violence. In August, two men were arrested and charged in connection to a deadly stabbing in the parking lot. In October, there was a violent purse snatching. Complete article


Shippensburg man gets up to 3 years for Silver Spring Twp. Pa. Wal-Mart robbery 11/20/2013

Indecent exposure suspect arrested at south Tulsa Ok. Walmart 11/20/2013

2 Ga. men bilked Walmart, others in nationwide gift card scheme 11/21/2013

Detectives: Robbery trio caught following Ga. Walmart purse snatching 11/21/2013

Mass. man convicted of sexually assaulting girl at Wal-Mart in Plaistow NH 11/21/2013 Beausoleil faces a second trial in January for allegedly exposing himself to another young girl at a Wal-Mart in Salem on Sept. 19, 2011.

UPDATE: Bank Robbed inside Walmart in Gallipolis, Ohio 11/22/2013

Huntsville Ala. man accused of shoplifting, charged with robbery after fleeing from Walmart 11/22/2013

New Richmond Wisc. men accused of releasing mice at McDonald's, Walmart 11/22/2013

Two New Richmond men face charges of disorderly conduct after being accused of releasing mice in local businesses. ...

He also allegedly released three mice onto the cheese in the cheese cooler at Walmart that same day. Complete article


Why Are Shoplifters Flocking to This One Walmart in Denver Co.? 11/20/2013

Racine Wisc. man accused of drunken turkey theft from Walmart 11/22/2013

Alleged counterfeit bills recovered at Ca. Walmart 11/21/2013

Officer Shot, Double-Shooting Suspect Killed In Ohio Walmart Parking Lot 11/22/2013

Conceal carry gun owner unintentionally fires gun in Iowa Walmart and continues shopping 11/17/2013

Police: Man frightens Scott Twp. Pa. Walmart employees, shoppers, saying ‘I’ll kill you’ 11/22/2013

Pa. Police searching for woman who walked out of Walmart with mixer without paying for it 11/23/2013

Robber fires shot at College Grove Ca. Walmart 11/23/2013

McClellan: Crime and punishment at the Highland Mo. Walmart 11/24/2013

Ben Woods is 20 years old. He lives just outside of Highland. During his senior year at Triad High School, he worked at a movie theater in Granite City. He worked the concession stand and did some janitorial work. He kept that job after he graduated. It wasn’t a great job, but it was something.

In April 2012, nearly a year after he graduated, he was hired at the Walmart in Highland. He worked in the deli department. He made $9.55 an hour and he generally worked about 35 hours a week. He lived at home with his parents and his sister.

After a few months, he put in for a transfer to the automotive department. His transfer was approved, and he went to the Tire and Lube Express section. He changed oil, replaced burned-out bulbs in headlights and did some basic tire work. When he became eligible for a raise, he got one. He was bounced up to $9.95 an hour. ....

On this particular day, Ben grabbed a low-carb energy drink — a Monster. It costs $1.78. Ben told me he swiped his debit card, but his card is worn, and sometimes it doesn’t swipe. He said he tried it again. It still didn’t work. He said the cashier said, “We’ll get it later.” She then buzzed him back into the automotive work area. .....

On Thursday afternoon, the woman from media relations called. “We have offered Ben his job back,” she said. “We will be happy to have him back.” I asked about the cashier. There were other issues involved with her, she said. Complete article


Fayette Co. Pa. Walmart Evacuated After Bomb Scare 11/24/2013

Mother suing Conroe Tx. officer indicted in shooting of son during shoplifting incident at Walmart 11/25/2013

West Michigan Wal-Mart manager dies after responding to fight 11/25/2013

Armed woman robs shopper outside Walmart in Wentzville Mo. 11/25/2013

Mo. Area woman gets shock time for Walmart theft 11/26/2013

A Mokane woman pleaded guilty to trying to steal more than 150 items from a Walmart in Jefferson City in June and was sentenced to 120 days of shock detention.

Court records show Jessica Harris, 26, has a lengthy criminal history involving multiple stealing arrests and drug violations. She pleaded guilty to one count of felony stealing in this case.

A Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement stated Harris was walking out of the Walmart on Supercenter Drive, pushing a cart full of items out a closed fire door and onto the parking lot. Complete article


Research has shown that this type of punishment leads to escalating violence and doesn't work, although it often seems to in the short term. Unfortunately, authoritarian researchers and politicians refuse to address many of the most important details of this research; this might be because it is also the same tactics they use to control those without political power.

Greene Me. man admits to misdemeanor after racial slurs, threatening in Walmart parking lot 11/26/2013

Cops: Weaverville woman stole from Walmart 11/26/2013

Ca. Walmart shooter caught on camera 11/25/2013

Bayonne NJ police arrest 3 local residents in Walmart, Loew's shoplifting incidents 11/26/2013

Manlius woman in Florida for Thanksgiving holiday learns thief was caught at NY Walmart with her checks 11/26/2013

Car with meth labs found in Knoxville Tenn. Walmart parking lot 11/26/2013

Driver: 'I'm so sorry' after employee killed in Walmart parking lot wreck 11/26/2013

UPDATE: Athens WV Walmart Fire Ruled Arson; Store Reopens 11/27/2013

ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The Athens Walmart is back open following a fire that closed the store Tuesday. The fire has been ruled arson.

A Walmart spokesperson tells WSAZ.com the store reopened at 6 a.m. Wednesday, after cleanup crews and associates spent most of Tuesday removing damaged items and cleaning up from the fire.

A spokesperson with Walmart tells WSAZ.com the fire started about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday in the paper towel aisle.

The Athens County Sheriff's Office says the fire was deliberately set and that the suspect used an accelerant.

The State Fire Marshal's Office says the fire has been ruled arson. They say the fire was intentionally set and caused significant damage to the building, which is now undergoing repairs and restoration. Complete article


Man Arrested in Huntington for Gallipolis Ohio Walmart Bank Robbery 11/26/2013

Money stolen from Apex NC Walmart 11/26/2013

Suspects Bought $20,000 Worth Of Gift Cards At Col. Walmart 11/26/2013

Ga. WalMart TV theft suspects sought 11/26/2013

Man charged with impersonating a police officer to cash forged checks in Kearny NJ Walmart 11/26/2013

Hurricane Ut. Wal-Mart evacuated after bomb threat 11/26/2013

Victim of purse snatching, last March, at Westmoreland Co. Pa. Walmart dies 11/26/2013

Police: Women stole four TVs, five computers from NY Wal-Mart 11/27/2013

Suspects perform 'quick change' scam at Paulding Ga. Walmart 11/27/2013

Men with guns rob Stockton, California Walmart 11/27/2013

Men with gun rob Manteca California Walmart 11/27/2013

Three arrested in connection to Boone NC Walmart thefts 11/27/2013

Women accused of NY Walmart theft 11/27/2013

Video Voyeurism: Eric Walters accused of taking upskirt pictures of woman at Brooksville Fla. Walmart 11/27/2013

Wake County Walmart robbery suspect wanted 11/27/2013

Man arrested in shopping fracas at Walmart in Garfield NJ on Thanksgiving Day 11/28/2013 Walmart had contracted with 22 police officers to help with crowd control for the early evening and late-night sales.

“It was an isolated incident that was taken care of,” Gray said.

Black Friday shoppers have 'wild' experience at Tenn. Walmart 11/28/2013 "People hitting each other. They knocked a lady down in the floor and grabbed the thing out of her hand," said shopper Niita Kenker recalling the experience.

Rialto Ca. Walmart Thanksgiving brawl sends one police officer to hospital 11/28/2013 “The fight at the Rialto store was an unfortunate and isolated incident to an otherwise very safe event,” corporate spokeswoman Betsy Harden said.

Black Friday shoppers trample woman at Clinton Ut. Wal-Mart 11/28/2013

How is Black Friday 2013 going? #Walmartfights and #Brawlmart are a thing (video) 11/28/2013 However, there have been gunshots reported in Illinois outside of a Kohl's

‘Fight’ breaks out over TVs at Walmart in Elkin NC 11/29/2013 The man who posted the video says he was kicked out of the store for recording the video.

Robbery Suspects Crash Into Parked Car In Tenn. Walmart Parking Lot 11/29/2013

Walmart Kicked Me Out For THIS NC video 11/29/2013

Black Friday Madness - Fort Worth, or Saginaw TX 11/29/2013

Huffington Post: Walmart's Black Friday Going About As Badly As You'd Expect 11/28/2013

Man Stabbed at Va. Walmart Over Parking Spot 11/29/2013

Brian Hounslow, Alleged Walmart Masturbator, Caught On Tape By Angry Beth Davis in Ok. (VIDEO) 11/25/2013 She ran out of the bathroom and repeatedly shouted "There's a naked man in the bathroom masturbating," but no one came to her aid.

Police: Man Tried to Rob Walmart in Pittston Township Pa. 11/28/2013

Bomb Threat Forces Evacuation Of Perry Ga. Walmart 11/28/2013

Walmart Supply Factory in Bangladesh Set on Fire on Rumours Worker Shot Dead by Police [VIDEO] 11/29/2013

A massive fire has destroyed one of Bangladesh's largest garment factories, which supplies major Western brands such as Gap and Walmart, after a group of angry workers torched the facility in response to rumours that a colleague died in a police shooting.

According to authorities, a number of workers set fire to their own factory, a ten-story Standard Group building at Gazipur, 40 km from the capital, Dhaka, even though police officials have dismissed the shooting claim as 'baseless'.

"We are investigating to find out the reason for this heinous act," said Mohammad Kamruzzaman, the officer in charge of the Joydevpur police station that guards the area, according to a number media reports.

The rumoured shooting reportedly occured at a road-block demonstration against the factory by workers, as police attempted to break up the crowds.

Garment manufacturing in Bangladesh results in $22bn (£13.5bn, €16.1bn) a year as the government grants subsidies and tax concessions for Western countries.

Over four million people, mostly women, work in Bangladesh's clothing sector and work for an average monthly salary of $38. Complete article


Fayette Co. Pa. Walmart Evacuated After Bomb Scare 11/24/2013

Scene cleared after bomb threat at Warren Ohio Wal-Mart 11/26/2013

Court testimony gives details of Ill.Walmart bomb threat 11/26/2013

Man steals gun from Illinois Walmart and uses it to rob other businesses that day 11/25/2013

Fights Break Out In Walmart Stores 11/29/2013

11 year old child reportedly trampled at a New Boston, OH Walmart 11/29/2013

New Boston, OH - An 11 year old child was reportedly trampled at the New Boston, OH Walmart Thanksgiving night.

According to Judy Boggs of the Portsmouth Ambulance service, the call came in shortly before 8 p.m. to the 911 center in New Boston. When she and a second paramedic arrived on scene, they were told the female child had been pushed down and then stepped on by shoppers inside the store. Boggs said the child was transported to an area hospital and later released.

A second incident involving an elderly woman was also reported to the 911 center around the same time. Boggs said she believed the elderly woman was also the victim of a similar incident. It is unclear the extent of the elderly woman's injuries, according to Boggs. Complete article


Man pepper sprays armored vehicle employee at Tenn. Walmart store 11/29/2013

Black Friday shopping turns violent at Clinton Ut. Walmart 11/29/2013

West Palm woman charged with stealing perfume, light bulb from Lake Park Fla. Walmart 11/29/2013

3 women flee after employees at Dearborn Mich. Wal-Mart pepper-sprayed 11/29/2013

Detroit Lakes Minn. Walmart evacuated for bomb threat 11/29/2013

Black Friday videos show fights, chaos at Walmarts across US 11/29/2013

Three people arrested for theft at NC Walmart 11/30/2013

Man injured at Saginaw Tx. Walmart says scene was 'complete chaos' 11/30/2013 "When they said go, I started to approach the pallet where the products were at, and as I was grabbing some of the products, the display gave way," he said. "I fell on top of the display and I had probably 10 or 15 people on top of me. The next thing I know, my wife is pulling people off, my brother's trying to get to me, the cops were pulling people off. After that it was just a blur."

Cloquet Minn. cops find TV theft suspect in dumpster near Walmart 11/30/2013

Video shows Black Friday chaos at local Johnson City Tenn. Walmart 11/2/2013

Bomb Scare Prompts Evacuation Of White Plains NY Walmart On Black Friday 11/29/2013

Bomb threat disrupts Phoenix Ar. Walmart’s Black Friday 11/29/2013

Gawker: The Best Walmart Thanksgiving Day Fight Videos 11/28/2013

Walmart Black Friday Shopping Battles in Tennessee, Puerto Rico (Video) 11/29/2013

Newport, Arkansas Walmart employee injured during Black Friday sales 11/29/2013

Police: Old Forge man tried to rob Walmart employee on Gray Thursday 11/30/2013

Woman Recounts Black Friday Fight at Meridian, Miss. Walmart 11/29/2013

Black Friday Madness Breaks Out at Local Odessa Tx, Wal-Mart 11/29/2013

Elkin police respond to YouTube Walmart incident 11/30/2013 Elkin police said they had two off duty police officers working security at the Walmart at the time. ....

Kayla Whaling, a Walmart spokeswoman, said the company is investigating the scuffle, which she described as an isolated incident.

Woman Threatened Shopper With Stun Gun at NJ Walmart: Cops 11/30/2013

Cops: Asheville NC woman stole from Walmart 11/30/2013

Shoppers pepper sprayed at Odessa Tx. Walmart 11/2/2013 Walmart says it was an isolated incident that doesn’t represent the Black Friday experience at it’s stores.

Tardy Black Friday shopper telephones threat to "blow up" Town of Lockport NY Walmart 11/30/2013

People Beat Each Other Up Over Towels At Walmart On Black Friday 11/30/2013

Video: Police Injured And Two Arrested In Ca. Walmart Black Friday Fight 11/30/2013

Audio track questions surface in Elkin NC Walmart video 12/01/2013

Black Friday Actions Empower Wal-Mart Workers 11/30/2013

The Hunger Games at Walmart 11/3/2013

Why Costco Will Continue Outgrowing Wal-Mart and Target 11/30/2013

4 Shocking Facts About Wal-Mart 11/30/2013

WAL-MART EXECS: Thanksgiving Brawls Were Isolated, Customers Were 'Calm' 11/29/2013

Fox News Helps Walmart Argue Against Raising Wages 12/01/2013

Ten Arrested at Chicago Il. Wal-Mart in Black Friday Civil Disobedience 12/01/2013

Police called to labor protest at Sterling Heights Walmart 11/29/2013

Wal-Mart’s bizarre self-defense: Retailer defends activists’ firings to Salon 11/29/2013

Area politicians join Black Friday protest at Hadley NH Wal-Mart 11/29/2013

A Walmart Thanksgiving -- poverty wages and worker intimidation 11/27/2013

'We don't want them here': Protesters picket Boulder Co.'s Walmart on Black Friday 11/29/2013

At Least 116 Arrested in Planned Civil Disobedience at Walmart Stores on Black Friday By: Kevin Gosztola 11/29/2013

Protests planned by current and former Walmart Associates and a coalition anchored by the United Food & Commercial Workers (UCFW) were held at various Walmart locations across the United States. Over 110 arrested were arrested while engaging in civil disobedience.

UFCW, which consists of “small business owners, religious leaders, community organizations, women’s advocacy groups, multi-ethnic coalitions, elected officials and ordinary citizens,” helped mobilize people through a campaign called Making Change at Walmart. It was designed to call attention to the hundreds of thousands of employees at Walmart living in poverty, including those who work full time. Complete article


Debunking Wal-Mart’s latest lie: “Unions paid $50 to anyone who protested” 11/29/2013

A list of deals Wal-Mart won't let customers keep after Web site pricing error 11/29/2013

Wal-Mart Protestor Turns to President Obama for Help 11/30/2013

On Black Friday, Strikes and Counterstrikes at Wal-Mart's Stores 11/29/2013

Customers say Walmart sent cops to announce an out-of-stock Black Friday sale item in Lutz, Fla. 11/29/2013

LUTZ, Fla. - "It was handled very poorly," said Cheri Schabel.

She says she was trying to get what the Walmart Black Friday ad promised.

"This is the $98, 32 inch LED TV that we were interested in purchasing with the one hour in stock guarantee," Schabel pointed out.

But Schabel said within ten minutes, all of the $98 TVs at the Lutz store were gone and so were the vouchers for the guaranteed price.

"People were very unhappy about the situation and many people just did not want to leave," Schabel recalled.

When customers asked for an explanation, Schabel said instead of sending a manager, cops came. Complete article


Walmart workers’ Black Friday protest in Ontario leads to arrests, including man in Santa suit 11/29/2013

15 Protesters Arrested At Walmart In Roseville Ca. 11/29/2013

Amid nationwide Black Friday protests, Sen. Ed Markey joins Democrats calling for Walmart to increase employee pay 11/29/2013

Protestors Arrested Outside Alexandria Walmart 11/29/2013

Bloomberg: Wal-Mart Steps Up Security as Fights Break Out Over TVs 11/29/2013 Taubman Centers Inc.’s Dolphin Mall in Miami is upping to 24 from 22 the number of uniformed off-duty cops he is hiring to manage the crowd outside and at the entrances, said Pete Marrero, the general manager.

Judge bars protesters from Md. Walmart 11/26/2013

Walmart Now Possesses Info On An Estimated 145 Million Americans: Analysis 11/26/2013

Walmart has amassed a trove of personal data on 60 percent of adult Americans -- possibly over 145 million people -- according to estimates from a report released Tuesday.

The retailing giant collects information on what shoppers buy, where they live and what they like via in-store Wi-Fi, Walmart.com and other company apps, according to the report. The analysis was prepared by three pro-worker advocacy groups, The Center for Media Justice, ColorofChange.org and SumOfUs. Information on shoppers allows Walmart and more than 50 third-party sites to profile customers and infer things like relative age, income, gender and race in order to target people for specific products and deals, according to the report.

“This is part of a growing trend that leaves American consumers -- particularly consumers of color and poor consumers -- really vulnerable to violations of their online privacy,” said Malkia Cyril, the head of the Center for Media Justice, a left-leaning media rights advocacy group. In order to compile its figure, the report's authors used a Walmart statement in which the company's CEO said that 60 percent of Americans shop at the store each month. The authors then used U.S. adult population estimates, and assumed the company had information on all shoppers based on statements about Walmart data collection. Complete article


The Nation: Former Walmart Exec Leads Shadowy Smear Campaign Against Black Friday Activists (Video) 11/26/2013

As activists continue to organize demonstrations at McDonalds, Walmart and other low-wage firms, big protests are planned against retailers for mistreating their workers this Black Friday. In response, union-busting consultants are ramping up efforts to marginalize them.

Last night—Worker Center Watch, a new website dedicated to attacking labor-affiliated activist groups like OUR Walmart, Restaurant Opportunities Center, and Fast Food Forward—began sponsoring advertisements on Twitter to promote smears against the protests planned for Black Friday. In one video sponsored by the group, activists demanding a living wage and better working conditions for workers are portrayed as lazy “professional protesters” who “haven’t bothered to get jobs themselves.”

“This Black Friday, just buy your gifts, not their lies,” instructs the Worker Center Watch narrator.

Worker Center Watch has no information its website about its sponsors. Yet the group attacks labor activists and community labor groups for lacking transparency. “Hiding behind these non-profits, unions mask their true motivations, circumvent operational requirements and skirt reporting and disclosure obligations,” says Worker Center Watch, referring to labor-supported worker centers like OUR Walmart.

TheNation.com has discovered that Worker Center Watch was registered by the former head lobbyist for Walmart. Parquet Public Affairs, a Florida-based government relations and crisis management firm for retailers and fast food companies, registered the Worker Center Watch website. Complete article


Forbes: Walmart On PR Offensive As Thanksgiving Fights Go Public, With Protests Scheduled For Black Friday 11/29/2013

Walmart and Downton Abbey: rampant inequality and detachment from reality 11/29/2013

Michigan labor leaders set to join rally at Wal-Mart 11/29/2013

Wal-Mart gives out wristbands to prevent shopping rush 11/28/2013

Walmart settles suit over construction worker’s death in Ma. 11/27/2013

Group plans Black Friday protest at Homewood Wal-Mart focusing on wages, hours 11/27/2013

Black Friday 2013: 71 percent of Walmart employees will work on Thanksgiving 11/27/2013

Activists to picket in front of Walmarts across Maine 11/27/2013

Wisc. Businesses opposed to Walmart want say in On Broadway's leadership 11/27/2013

Cullman Ala. Walmart reopens after gas leak forces evacuation, according to report 11/26/2013

Black Friday protests expected at Walmarts in Sacramento Ca. area, nationwide 11/26/2013

Outgoing Walmart CEO, tied to bribery scandal, to remain with company as advisor 11/26/2013

Upper Mich. Peninsula family finds black widow spider in grape bag bought from Wal-Mart 11/26/2013

CHATHAM, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan family found a black widow spider inside a bag of grapes bought at a Wal-Mart store.

Gloria Johnson says the spider crawled out of the bag after her mother washed the grapes in the sink.

The 11-year-old from the Upper Peninsula community of Chatham tells WLUC-TV she saw the red hourglass shape on the bottom of the spider, then put it in a jar of alcohol and killed it.

Gloria says her 3-year-old sister already had eaten some of the black seedless grapes before they noticed the spider. She wasn't hurt. Complete article


Wal-Mart goes for youth with new CEO Doug McMillon 11/26/2013

WCSO Presents Walmart With Check For Nv. Charity Event 11/25/2013

Walmart Workers In Brooklyn Center Minn. Walk Out, Protest Low Wages 11/25/2013

Bangladesh factory owners dispute Walmart claim 11/24/2013

The world’s biggest retailer couldn't solve the problems of the garment sector in Bangladesh on its own, but it figured $50 million worth of low-cost loans was a good start.

After 1,129 garment workers were killed in the Rana Plaza factory collapse, Walmart announced a $50-million fund for factory owners during an August conference call with investors. Walmart said owners could draw low-interest loans from the fund and use the money to improve structural, electrical and fire safety systems in their factories.

But even as Walmart won public goodwill with its announcement, four garment suppliers in Bangladesh who provide clothing to Walmart told the Star that the retailer never mentioned any such loan offering.

“Walmart has not offered any loan, but certainly it would be a welcome step,” said Itemad Ud-Daulah, managing director of Dird Garments, which makes blue jeans for Walmart in two factories near Dhaka and employs 10,000 workers. “Low-cost loans would create a lot of goodwill.” Complete article


Walmart, NY State Senate Republicans under fire for campaign donations 11/24/2013

WalMart program ends; food pantry hit hard 11/24/2013

Small marts stand up to Walmart 11/22/2013

Wal-Mart Doesn't Just Employ Poor People, It Makes Fun of Them 11/22/2013

Forbes: Demos On WalMart, Let's Make Capitalism Better By Abolishing Capitalism 11/21/2013

Here's How Wal-Mart Is Preparing For The Chaos Of Black Friday 11/19/2013

Consumerist: Walmart Hasn't Paid $7,000 Fine For 2008 Black Friday Trampling Death 11/21/2013

We mentioned the other day that it’s been five years since the tragic Black Friday trampling death of a Walmart employee. In the years since, Walmart has spent millions of dollars trying to avoid the meager $7,000 fine from OSHA, and still has yet to pay it.

Back in 2010, the company said it was fighting the $7,000 penalty because it felt that an employee being trampled by a crowd of shoppers at an annual sales event heavily marketed and advertised by your company doesn't count as an occupational hazard and that assessing the fine “has far-reaching implications for the retail industry that could subject retailers to unfairly harsh penalties and restrictions on future sales promotions.”

The case is currently stuck in appeal, and one former OSHA analyst tells Huffington Post that this is a case of Walmart flexing its muscles to prove it’s the biggest bruiser in the room.

“It’s not about the penalty,” said the former OSHA staffer. “It’s this interest in seeing how far Walmart can push back against the decision.” Complete article


Alleged Animal Abuse At Former Walmart Oklahoma Pork Supplier Caught On Camera (GRAPHIC VIDEO) 11/21/2013

Wal-Mart’s outstanding death fine: Retailer still hasn't paid up for failing to protect employee killed in Black Friday crush five years ago 11/21/2013

Mother Jones: Here's How Walmart Could Pay Workers a Decent Wage Without Raising Prices 11/20/2013

Marissa Mayer Pokes Fun At Walmart Protestors 11/20/2013

Wal-Mart workers question Thanksgiving pay 11/22/2013 The problem is that Gertz and other Wal-Mart workers say their hours are cut prior to the holidays, so their average daily wage also goes down.

Southington Conn. Walmart Closed Due to Electrical Odor 11/21/2013

Seabrook NH upset with delay of Rt. 1 widening near Walmart Supercenter 11/21/2013

Ashton Kutcher's Anti-Walmart Twitter War 11/21/2013

Yahoo's Marissa Mayer interrupted by Walmart protesters at Salesforce.com conference 11/19/2013

Forbes: Walmart Will Win Black Friday Despite Worker Strikes, Labor Violations And Food Bank Woes 11/19/2013

After viral photo, Walmart defends having donation bins for needy workers 11/19/2013

Nationwide Walmart boycott to start Black Friday 11/18/2013

Sherwood Police Chief Jeff Groth downplays crime fears related to possible 24-hour Walmart 07/30/2013

SHERWOOD--The 145,000-square-foot elephant in city hall came into full view as Police Chief Jeff Groth addressed resident concerns about the Walmart scheduled to open in 2014.

Last night, Groth told Sherwood's special committee on business regulation that the police force needs more officers, but not just because of Walmart. The committee was mulling limits on overnight hours of operation at retail businesses, overnight parking and camping.

One of the common complaints voiced in the backlash to Walmart was that it would attract crime and disturbances if it allowed overnight parking in its lot. Councilors considered regulations addressing those concerns, before punting to a special 7-person committee that would refer ordinances to council to send to voters this fall. Complete article


Garbage bills rising, camping ban with anti-Walmart roots: Sherwood Or. council preview 11/18/2013

Charges set to be filed against Wal-Mart for labour violations 11/18/2013

Evendale Walmart strike for better wages and employment practices 11/18/2013

Walmart Ohio Store Accepts Thanksgiving Donations for Its Workers 11/18/2013

One in six Walmart factories in Bangladesh fail safety review 11/18/2013

Walmart to host multi-city Black Friday town hall meeting with employees 11/18/2013

Report: Wal-Mart has safety problems in Bangladesh 11/16/2013

Judge rejects one Ringling Fla. Walmart lawsuit 11/16/2013

Wal-Mart's pre-holiday sales disappoint: Bad omen for the economy? 11/14/2013 And same-store sales — sales at stores open more than a year — slid 0.3 percent at Wal-Mart locations in the U.S. The slide was the third in as many quarters.

Wal-mart’s big green con: Environmentalists blast megastore, as workers strike 11/13/2013

Bloomberg: How McDonald's and Wal-Mart Became Welfare Queens 11/13/2013

BREAKING: Wal-Mart workers strike, Target workers threaten to join Black Friday walkout 11/12/2013

Walmart Worker Strikes Over Low Wages Reach Chicago 11/13/2013

Walmart earnings report fails to wow Wall Street 11/14/2013

Forbes: The Workers Respond To The WalMart Results 11/14/2013

Forbes: Apologies, But Welfare Payments To Employees Are Not Subsidies To WalMart And McDonalds 11/13/2013

Protest at Federal Way Wa. Walmart calls for better wages, end of 'bullying' 11/12/2013

Walmart Makes it Official: Thanksgiving Is Dead 11/12/2013

Why Wal-Mart can afford to give its workers a 50% raise 11/12/2013

Urban Planner Debunks The Myth That Wal-Mart Is Good For Local Economies 11/11/2013

Letter: Why is Walmart giving Palin a platform? 11/09/2013

Cleveland Heights Ohio woman demands Walmart fill canceled PlayStation 4 Christmas pre-order 11/11/2013

Salon: Anonymous Wal-Mart workers unload and urge protests on new website 11/07/2013

Wal-Mart: An economic cancer on our cities 11/10/2013

Dozens arrested in Los Angeles Ca. Walmart protest as anger against retail chain escalates 11/08/2013

CNN: Five Wal-Mart workers arrested while protesting in Los Angeles Ca. 11/08/2013

Family wants Walmart to honor low prices 11/07/2013

Python found in West Melbourne Fla. Walmart parking lot 11/08/2013

Walmart worker protest ends with more than 50 arrested in Los Angeles (Photos Including one with all too common police dressed in riot gear for peaceful protesters at tax payers expense.) 11/09/2013

More than 50 people demanding better wages for Walmart workers in a protest organized by a union activists were arrested outside the retailer’s store in the Chinatown section of Los Angeles on Thursday night.

The protesters were taken into custody without incident after refusing an order by officers to disperse, and would be held overnight unless they posted $500 bail, said Detective Gus Villanueva, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman. Complete article


54 Arrests Made During Walmart Protest In Chinatown Los Angeles, Ca. 11/0/2013

Wal-Mart responds after gay couple told to leave in Chickasha Ok. 11/07/2013

Consumer Reports: Wal-Mart tablet comes up short 11/07/2013

MEMPHIS, TN - (CONSUMER REPORTS) - Tablets are on many gift-giving lists this year, but Consumer Reports has identified one tablet that comes up short.

The Monster M7 is sold exclusively at Walmart for 150 dollars. But in Consumer Reports' labs, testers found a problem. The tablet locked up regularly during use.

To show what happened, testers set up a camera over the tablet. An app ran a slideshow of news headlines.

In a time-lapse video, viewers can see the slideshow stopped suddenly and the screen went blank.

"We tested three Monster 7 tablets and the screen froze or went blank on each of them. Sometimes it happened in less than an hour, other times it took several hours for the screen to freeze," said Dean Gallea, Consumer Reports. Complete article


Ill. Wal-Mart protestor turns to President Obama for help 11/07/2013

Walmart Defends Canceling Mispriced Website Orders 11/07/2013

Walmart employees protest in Paramount Ca. 11/06/2013

Wal-Mart blames technical glitch for price errors 11/06/2013

Walmart accused of not providing baskets in ADA lawsuit (WV) 11/06/2013

Wal-Mart Error Prices Computer Monitors at Steep Discount 11/06/2013

California Wal-Mart workers strike today, following stunning Florida victory 11/06/2013

EDF sells green cred to Walmart for the low, low price of $66 million By Stacy Mitchell 11/06/2013

Reser's Fine Foods recall expands to items sold at Safeway, Walmart, King Soopers, Krogers, more 11/05/2013

Neighbors band together to protest construction on new SC Walmart 11/04/2013

Wal-Mart “borders on the ludicrous,” Rep. Conyers tells Salon 11/01/2013

Forbes: A New Wal-Mart Mandate Goes Into Effect 11/04/2013

Mother Jones: Walmart Is Trying to Block Workers' Disability Benefits 11/04/2013

Wal-Mart Is Losing Its Hold on Retail 11/02/2013

Activists Accuse Walmart of Condoning Torture of Pigs by Pork Suppliers 11/01/2013

Wal-Mart says it wants to bring jobs back to the U.S. This time, it might mean it. 11/01/2013

Wal-Mart to Widows Will Feel U.S. Food Stamp Cuts 11/01/2013

Wal-Mart announces plans for Georgia shoe plant 11/01/2013