Monday, December 27, 2004

"Disaster struck with no warning out of a faultlessly clear blue sky," writes Michael Dobbs, a reporter whose brother owns an island in Sri Lanka. At least 22,000 are dead, according to the LA Times, from a tsunami in Indonesia.

What can we say about that? It's an unspeakable disaster.

The Labor Organization "Jobs with Justice" has elected Wal-Mart the "Grinch of the year."

From their site: "As the United States' largest retailer and largest employer, Wal-Mart is a driving force in setting wage standards wherever its stores are located. Despite nearly $9 billion in profits, its wages are so low that many employees are eligible for food stamps. Even so, local taxpayers often finance Wal-Mart's expansion through tax breaks and development incentives. Wal-Mart has created such high barriers to qualify for its health care benefits, that many workers are left dependent on publicly financed medical services, a largely hidden taxpayer subsidy. According to a research study in California, Wal-Mart workers seek $86 million a year in state aid because of inadequate wages and benefits. In effect, Wal-mart cleverly shifts a portion of its labor costs to the public. Earlier this year, Wal-Mart admitted that it routinely locked overnight workers in its stores. Wal-Mart was also sued this year in the largest sex-discrimination case in history, brought on behalf of about 1.6 million current and former employees."

Always low prices. Always low standards.

Sunday, December 26, 2004

Merry Christmakkah, everybody.

Unfortunately, there is no peace on earth this year.