Wal-Mart Joins the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

My hometown newspaper has a "Sound Off" line where locals (yokels?) can call in and state their opinions on anything and everything. Anonymously. It's low class journalism, and just a bad idea. However, it's there. I'd love to link to it, but my hometown paper has instituted a registration system where only those who subscribe to the paper edition can actually read the online edition. Explain that to me, because I don't understand it. I use my parent's account to keep abreast of the happenings of my small, rural hometown.

Now, ya'll know I hate Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is evil. It may be no more evil than other stores out there, but I know about the evils of Wal-Mart, so I have to act on my knowledge. Haven't spent money in a Wal-Mart in 4 years and counting. However, I think Wal-Mart is evil because of their labor practices, exploitation of its workers, taking out local business, etc. etc. etc. Click on that big banner at the top of my blog if you want to know more about that.

But, what are all the people in my hometown upset about this week? Well, Wal-Mart Joined the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Which, I don't give a rat's aspirin about. It does make me a little giddy, because with the informed yuppie and hippie populations of my generation not using Wal-Mart, they have suffered a bit. Now, Wal-Mart is ostracizing their very conservative shoppers from all across the rural America that keep them in business. Wal-Mart is self destructing. (*Gleeful smile.*) Oh, and Wal-Mart got rid of lay away. That's the final nail in the coffin for some, as well.

Below are the excerpts from this week's Sound Off Line. Now, no making fun of my folk. My folk are rural, but they are smart. They are informed. They are good folk. And the people below, are not my folk. But, reading the comments below will help you understand why I get a little anxious about heading back down South. My favorite comment is in bold.

Wal-Mart was not only in the news in recent days, the retailer also was on the minds of “Sound Off” readers, many of who were critical of two corporaate decisions. First, Wal-Mart announced it was ending its longstanding practice of offering layaway service and then, secondly, that it has joined the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Many religious leaders then called for a boycott of Wal-Mart, which also generated comments from readers.

Below are the opinions registered this past week:

Not everyone can get the Wal-mart credit card. Why are they punishing all their patrons? It is not fair, that they want everyone to use a credit card and have to pay their interest rates. They will lose a lot of business.

I think it is a shame Wal-Mart eliminated the layaway plan. Since they are promoting more use of their credit card, they are promoting debt. As if they didn't make enough money already, they want people to pay interest rates so their already fat wallet can grow fatter.

The first thing that caught my eye in Friday's DPA was Wal-Mart joining the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. I believe Wal-Mart should treat each shopper as an equal individual, but that's a long way from joining their club. It sounds as though the Devil has taken over what a good man once put together, Mr. Sam Walton. My Bible says what is not of God is of the Devil, and the gay movement is not of God. Wal-Mart should go back and read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

I just read in the paper where the Baptists are boycotting Wal-Mart. That's good. Now maybe I can find a parking place.

If the Southern Baptists boycotted everyone or everything on its wish list, we all would be sitting at home chained to our bedpost. Please, get off the cross, someone needs the wood! I believe that I can choose where I want to shop or go on vacation. So dry it up, clean off your own porch before up you trash up someone else's.

I would like to know how these churches can get tax breaks when they talk about boycotting Wal-Mart. They are clearly stating a political opinion that should not be part of the church's responsibility. If some of them would have their way, all stores and restaurants would have to be boycotted. Let's see, sale of alcohol, sale of movies R-rated, sale of books that may not contain what they want, etc. So, I suppose people will need to put on burkas and hide behind them to be able to trade anywhere without these people thinking they have the right to cost people their jobs, etc. I believe homosexuality is mentioned several times in the Bible, since the beginning and no one has been able to change it. These are social issues that need to be handled by individuals and the church needs to preach the Bible and let people make the choice from what they hear in the pulpit... It is time to get back to separation of church and state. See the mess the pope has now.

About Wal-Mart helping the gay and lesbian people, giving them money to help pass this thing, I think everyone should boycott Wal-Mart and go elsewhere because they're not for everybody, just the gays and lesbians.

Reading the article about the local Baptists boycotting Wal-Mart shows once again how ignorance persistently rears its head over and over again with these religious groups which claim to not be “gay bashers.” Then what are you? I think the word is bigot. Isn't it? Isn't that what denying people their civil rights due to prejudice is, Baptist leaders? You can timidly call yourselves anything, but it comes down to being full of malice and hate. Jesus would not advocate such behavior. He never mentioned being gay, lesbian or transgendered. This is just personal fear and bias translated by using passages in the Old Testament to do your dirty work. Shame on you all. Your money and you time would be best served elsewhere.