August 15, 2005

The Chutzpah of Wal-Mart's Critics
by Sheldon Richman

When critics attack a big, successful corporation no matter what it does, maybe it’s the critics who have the problem. Wal-Mart pleases tens of millions of customers every day and provides desirable jobs to thousands of workers. The company is a blessing particularly to the “working families” whom the politicians and social activists love to champion with words. Yet these same politicians and activists have a bottomless bag of charges against Wal-Mart. In their eyes nothing the corporation does is right.

Consider this: Wal-Mart is the biggest corporate donor in the country. The Foundation Center says the Wal-Mart Foundation is second to none in contributing money to charitable causes, with annual donations totaling $120 million. If for no other reason, you’d think this would win some plaudits from Wal-Mart’s critics — and you’d be wrong.

According to the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), Wal-Mart’s efforts hardly qualify as charity at all. “Unfortunately, their philanthropy is more about corporate advertising than it is about helping nonprofits or communities.” That’s how NCRP deputy director Jeffrey Krehely sees it. Anyone surprised? (Read the rest here)

The Job Market - Is It Really Getting Better?
By Ed Henry

While our government continues with its go-for-broke extension of Empire and American manufacturers continue to leave the country for their own survival, the news spinners are telling us that jobs are becoming more plentiful. Just last month we added 207 thousand jobs.

Of course, few mention the fact that it takes about 150 thousand new jobs per month to keep up with youngsters entering the job market and replacing those who live to retirement age, or the fact that many are accepting work in different and less rewarding work than they once enjoyed because their former employers left the country. With families to support and unemployment benefits that have run out, what choice do former factory workers have besides changing professions? Should they all run out and become lawyers, athletes, or television personalities? (Read the rest here)

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Libertarian Commentary on The News
By Nathan A. Barton © 2005

We start out looking overseas, as more pressure builds in several different places almost sure to draw in the US. But there is much more "stupid people tricks" and "stupid government tricks" to read, farther on!!

Mideast Tarbabies and Related Problems

Gaza Pullout the Beginning of the End?
BBC News
Thousands of Palestinians have held a fishing boat rally in the harbour of Gaza City to celebrate the imminent withdrawal of Israeli settlers. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas told the crowds that the moment marked a step towards an independent state. All 8,000 Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip, and hundreds in the West Bank, are preparing for evacuation. "Today, our march to freedom begins. Tomorrow, it will be Jenin's turn and after that Jerusalem," Mr. Abbas said. Residents are due to start moving out of their homes in the Gaza Strip on Monday.

Well, Abbas had made it clear that trading land in Gaza for peace (after Israel steals it back from the settlers) is NOT his plan: he will stop for nothing less than the "liberation" of Jerusalem - and undoubtedly the complete destruction of the Jewish state.

Mama's Note: It is obvious that there is no hope for real peace there. They have only themselves to blame, of course, and their mutual hate will only lead them all to destruction. What a shame. (Read the rest here)

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