$6.75 Million: Wal-Mart Coughs Up For Coughlin

According to a news article earlier today from the Benton County Gazette,(I’m paraphrasing here),on Wednesday, Circuit Judge Jay Finch said he would later rule on whether to allow attorneys for Wal-Mart to introduce DVDs and aviation records to be used during Coughlin’s trial.
One of Coughlin’s attorneys, argued during the hearing that Wal-Mart waited until the eve of the trial to turn over the materials to them.

One of Wal-Mart’s attorneys, said DVDs and aviation records will be used to impeach Coughlin when he testifies during the trial.
WalMart’s attorney said Coughlin claimed to have been funding an anti-union program, but the aviation records,had they been introduced, would allegedly have shown that Coughlin was in China for an extended period of time when he claimed to have made a payment to a union informant.

Judge Finch had reserved issuance of a ruling, stating it was unlikely the items would be used as exhibits, however,could be used as impeachment material,and,he was scheduled to meet with attorneys at 10 a.m. today, with jury selection on tap for the afternoon.------------Note: And now, as they say in the parlance of jurisprudence,the issue is rendered moot.

Obviously “Hush” Money.
Wal*Mart’s got to go. They’ve done WAY more damage than Enron.

Here’s something that put a smile on my face. Now if Bill would just get rid of his Wal*Mart wife…

(CNN)—While the political world held its breath awaiting the two presumptive presidential candidates’ vice presidential picks, I slipped out of Washington and paid a visit to the real world.

OK, not the real world. Las Vegas, actually. But I didn’t go to gamble and didn’t see a show. Instead I joined a convention hall full of energy engineers, policy wonks, labor organizers and business leaders to talk about the biggest issue facing the world.

Not that it doesn’t matter who Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain choose as running mates, but before you know it our bated breath over the “veepstakes” will turn to a yawn, and America will still be importing 70 percent of its oil.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, along with the Center for American Progress Action Fund and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, brought together the most amazing, eclectic collection of political and policy types I’ve ever seen.

Only Reid could bring former President Bill Clinton and right-wing Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens together to find common ground. Clinton spoke first. He arrived Monday, direct from Little Rock, where he’d helped eulogize his friend, Arkansas Democratic Party Chairman Bill Gwatney. The heartache was still etched in his face, but nothing was going to make him break his commitment to Reid.

With few notes and no prepared speech, the former president outlined a comprehensive strategy to spur economic growth and create millions of new jobs while moving America away from fossil fuels and toward saving the planet.

It was a tour de force: so deep in the details that the propeller-heads were swooning, yet simple and compelling enough that I could follow it. On the day before his 62nd birthday, I couldn’t help cursing the 22nd Amendment, which limited Clinton to two terms. Heck, he’s still 10 years younger than McCain.

Tuesday it was Pickens’ turn. The 80-year old strode up to the stage like he was walking up to the OK Corral. And as one of the few Republicans in the room—and a major backer of the much-hated “Swift Boat” attacks on Sen. John Kerry—Ol’ Boone must have felt like the only fireplug at the dog show.

But, like Clinton, he rose to the occasion. He outlined his plan to move trucks and cars to natural gas, while producing 20 percent of our electricity from wind. He was self-deprecating, clear-eyed and disarmingly candid. Through it all, he conveyed one clear message: American dependence on foreign oil must be reduced.

Obama and McCain are searching their souls as they select their running mates. My own hope is they follow the example of their Senate colleague, Reid.

Reid convinced two of the busiest people in the world to come to Las Vegas in August—to help change the world. Our next president will need the same leadership, the same ability to reach across the aisle, the same willingness to focus the world’s best minds on the world’s biggest problems.

I don’t know which ticket will win in November, but the Clinton-Pickens ticket Harry Reid assembled has definitely won August.

You Seem to Hold Bill Clinton in Too High Esteem, Bobby!

No offesnse, Bobby.  Glad to have you on our side, but let’s keep the focus on Wal-Mart here.  Obviously not all of us will share the same political views.

Yeah… Bill Clinton “rose to the occasion.” I believe Monica Lewinsky got him to “rise on occasion too!”

When you start touting Bill Clinton around here...just follow that up with NAFTA and PNT status with China.  These are two gifts from the Clinton administrtion.

Pure and simple… not everyone in this country is “into” the Clintons.  Bill and Hillary should pull in their tails and go back to Arkansas to manage Bill’s library.

As for Tom Coughlin, I hope that fat pig feeding at the Wal-Mart trough, spends some of his 6 million on a nice big steak dinner and chokes!

Yeah, I know, Tom Coughlin is a sleasebag pig, but at one time associates loved him. I doubt there’s many tenured associates left that worked under Tom Coughlin to tell us what a good, ol’ boy he was.

He’d buy you a Coke if you approached him in a store.

What’s good for Wal-Mart is BAD for America!

A few words from the founder of Newsmax,OCS’(Onward Christian Soldiers) favorite information source.To wit:~~~~~~~~~Newsmax Media is a news organization founded by journalist Christopher W. Ruddy and based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Ruddy, who serves as editor-in-chief, describes Newsmax.com as “the leading independent online news site with a conservative perspective, specializing in lies and innuendo."~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Wikipedia

“...specializing in lies and innuendo."~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Wikipedia

Edited by you, no doubt!

Don’t you know that unless the page is locked (e.g., 2008 presidential candidtaes), anyone can say anything on Wikipedia?

FWIW, the cited reference mentions nothing about “lies and innuendo”.

Really…

<i>Edited by you, no doubt!</b>

Perhaps I was a little hasty?

According to the article’s history on Wiki, “Blaine62” did the “lies and innunedo” hack job earlier, today

So, the question begs, is everyone’s favorite femme annoyance known in other online venues as “Blaine62”?

Rep. Traficant -

Man, OCS, you do swim at the bottom of the barrel.

AP Former U.S. Rep. James Traficant, expelled from Congress in 2002 after his bribery and racketeering conviction, is now dabbling in watercolors and acrylic rather than politics.

The Ohio Democrat, who served nine terms in the House of Representatives, is serving eight years in federal prison after being convicted on a 2001 indictment. He’s passing the time by painting.

For those of you with long memories, James Traficant was a complete whack job.

Wal-Mart is the exemplar of a form of corporate colonialism, which is to say, organizations from one place going into distant places and strip-mining them culturally and economically. ~ James Howard Kunstler

You Seem to Hold Bill Clinton in Too High Esteem, Bobby!

No offesnse, Bobby.  Glad to have you on our side, but let’s keep the focus on Wal-Mart here. 
ScrewedbyWalmart in Anytown, America
Thursday, August 21 at 08:18 PM

Screwed,
I agree with you 200%!

Some of the political post on these Wal*Mart watch boards are way off topic. Mine included. I give Clinton credit for things he did right. I would give Bush credit if he did anything right… I do wonder if he has deliberately let the dollar sink to counter China’s yaun, which has been pegged to undrcut our dollars value since Mr Clinton was in office. I also think that the Clinton’s sold off our country to the Chinese. And I know Wal*Mart had a big hand in it.

So political post do have a place here. Perhaps we need to start a PAC. Like move-on or something. As long as our tax dollars are being handed out to Wal*Mart this will remain a primarily legal issue, and best handled through legislation. In the mean time I’ll vote for the most Anti-Wal*Mart candidates I can find. Remember folks! Tomorrow’s Member’s of Congress, the Senate and likely the Gvernors and President are being elected on the local level today. Wal*Mart destroys communities. Candidates for office should be made to state their oppinion on the Wal*Mart issue. I know John Edwards was anti Wal*Mart, but he has other issues to deal with. Anybody know about McCain and Obama’s possitions on Wal*Mart and Chinese trade?

Ken V in Texas
Friday, August 22 at 02:03 PM

Wal-Mart is the exemplar of a form of corporate colonialism, which is to say, organizations from one place going into distant places and strip-mining them culturally and economically. ~ James Howard Kunstler

James Howard Kunstler,
Now this guy has it totally Nailed!!!
THANKS!!!!

bb: Once again,are you REQUIRED to remark on every post I make? To borrow YOUR phrase,who gives a rip about YOUR opinion? However,for the benefit of others here whose opinion I do respect,A.)I’m not “blaine”.B.) ANYONE can go to Wikipedia,type in Newsmax and get the citation source for the quotation that I used. C.) This is not the first time I have posted regarding Newsmax. It has its roots in the ‘VAST Right Wing conspiracy” snakepit and cesspool of Richard Mellon Scaife- the billionaire bankroller of the “Arkansas Project “that for years dogged the Clintons and spawned Joseph Farah and Jerome Corsi,who recently poison penned the smear job book on Obama on newsstands and booksellers now.(BTW,YOUR inital starts with “b”......)

Once again,are you REQUIRED to remark on every post I make?

But it’s great fun to rip on you every time you do the “ol’ foot in the mouth trick"…

A.)I’m not “blaine”.

If you say so.

B.) ANYONE can go to Wikipedia,type in Newsmax and get the citation source for the quotation that I used.

Yup, and they will get what you re-posted, which is a classic Wiki hack job, the likes of which has been pretty well-known in ‘net circles since the John Seigenthaler incident, a few years ago.

C.) This is not the first time I have posted regarding Newsmax...blah...blah...blah...

Yeah, it’s one of many political websites—guess your side doesn’t have any such things, huh?

(BTW,YOUR inital starts with “b”......)

Yes, it does—and it has another “b”, an “r”, and a “d”—damn, you’re smart!

For anyone wanting to seperate fact from fiction, I invite you to click on my name (which starts with the letter “b”, as so noted by everyone’s favorite cyber-sleuth)…

bb: But are you REQUIRED to remark on my posts?

Bobby: You mentioned on earlier occasions about the need to enforce anti-trust law and “break up” WalMart. Also, the need to attack legislative policy. There is a SUPERB article by Barry Lynn,addressing at length the very issues you mention. You can download the entire article at Alternet. IT IS WORTH A COMPLETE READ! Here’s a few words from the article’s conclusion:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Case for Breaking Up Wal-Mart

By Barry C. Lynn, Harper’s. Posted July 24, 2006.

Wal-Mart’s massive growth has begun to disrupt America’s entire retail economy, forcing companies large and small to adapt to its ruthless practices if they want to do business. Is it time to bring in the government to break up the mega chain?:

“As we make our case, we should be sure to call one expert witness in particular. Last year, Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott called on the British government to take antitrust action against the U.K. grocery chain Tesco. Whenever a firm nears a 30 percent share of any market, Scott said, “there is a point where government is compelled to intervene.” Now, Wal-Mart has never been shy about using antitrust for its own purposes. In addition to the Toys R Us case, the firm was also the instigator of a Sherman Act suit against Visa and MasterCard. And so such a statement, by the CEO of a firm that already controls upward of 30 percent of many markets and has announced plans to more than double its sales, sets a new standard for hubris. It also sets a simple goal for us—elect representatives who will take Citizen Scott at his word.” Barry Lynn

This article has been reprinted with permission from Harper’s magazine Copyright 2006 by Harper’s Magazine.(Alternet)

ddrb, You’ll Have to Excuse bbrd!

Let me clarify what ddrb is trying to say to you bbrd.

I’m one of the few here who remember you arrival on this blog.  At first you were just another Wal-Mart loving pipsqueak looking for “permission” to speak.  Now you’re just another Wal-mart loving pipsqueak!

My, my, how bold you’ve become!  Don’t take yourself so serious.  Most of us couldn’t care less what you have to say about anything!

ddrb:  Look at it this way… If bbrd wasn’t constantly ripping on you, he’d have nothing to say at all!

Hi ddrb,
I don’t think I’ve ever used the phrase “Break Up Wal*Wart”. That might leave us with a bunch of little Wal*Marts Scurrying About causing Mischief! Nope, Let me make this clear. I believe Wal*Mart is a Criminal Enterprize and I want them to go the way of ENRON. If the Anti-Trust laws need to be revamped so be it. Wal*Mart Is now and has been a devastating Parasite on our Nations Economy (no not that fake economy where everybody charges themselves into oblivian). In the interest of growth the government has been putting out BS number’s for years. When the stocks take a hit its the unconnected middle class that takes it on the chin. Wal-Mart could have never gotten to its size without the help of the Clinton White House. This is a scandal. Break up Wal*Mart? I say Grind up Wal*Mart. Once a scorpion, always a scorpion.

CNN just reported that Obama has selected Joe Biden as VP pick!

ddrb in
Good Choice, Good Man, Very Qualified. It will be interesting to see who Mr. McCain comes up with. of course no matter who wins the Election, Lee Scott and his cronies have little to worry about. Do you think its wierd that McCain is not the McCain who ran against Bush? He’s turned into a “Stepford” McCain. The Republicans must have a reprograming center where thy send their candidates. I still like McCain, but his noticable change reminds me of when Bush Sr. went from calling Reagans economic policies “Voo-Doo Economics to thr greatest thing ever… Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.

Hey Bobby....I’m NOT Picking on You...I’m Just Asking!

For the most part, I think you “get it” when it comes to Wal-Mart and other broader issues.

Your comment, “I still like McCain...” is disturbing.  How can anyone in good conscience consider McCain when you look at what we’ve had in the White House for 8 years?

I’m not so naive as to believe that if Barack Obama gets elected that dealing with Wal-Mart will be on his agenda.  There are other urgent issues in the world and in our economy that need attention.

But have you been reading how Wal-Mart has been “encouraging” its employees NOT to vote Democrat?  Have you noticed how all of those conservative, right-wing nut, flag on the lapel types tend to work in Wal-Mart’s war room or for companies like Edelman?

I don’t picture you as part of that crowd, Bobby!

ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Saturday, August 23 at 08:22 AM

I just don’t want to put certain cards on the table. What I’m willing to say is that I am not a “ Republican” or a “Democrat” That is a distinction that has to be earned by the candidates. I also don’t work for a union nor am I a union member but absolutly see the need for such organizations today more than ever. Americans have left themselves Defenseless. With 401 K’s etc. They really have given up control of their investments. From what I’ve seen that’s about like getting on an airliner with a Drunk Pilot (been there, doe that ; ). I can be quoted as saying that I believe that Wal*Mart is a Criminal Enterprize that has Caused Our Economy More Damage Than Enron, etc. Telling their employees how to vote is just one more example adding to the validity of what I’ve been daying since about 1996. I don’t want to get pegged as some pissed off Unionist, Democrat or Republican. I have good friends involved in both parties. They are waiting to see what the American people are willing to put up with and so far it’s been a lot! That leaves Wal*Mart and the other Anti-American Busineses with most of the say. I don’t want to sound too redundant but when Sam Walton and now Lee Scott tell people to “Vote with their Wallets” I don’t think the people expected to reach for them and find out that they’ve been pick pocketed. $90Billion to Haliburton? Give me a F*CKING BREAK! American First and No Way should we expect to survive 4-8 years more of the same.

“The idea that Wal-Mart’s power actually subverts the functioning of the” free market “will seem shocking to some. But the issue before us is not how Wal-Mart grew to scale but how Wal-Mart uses its power today and will use it tomorrow.
By the time Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890, engineered mainly by the progressive wing of the Republican Party, the Sherman Act came to be seen not as a license to destroy all big firms simply because they were big but as a very big stick with which to convince the average firm not to overreach. Most big firms were allowed to remain big as long as they avoided outright collusion with competitors, or extreme abuse of their consumers, or overly rapid predation against smaller property holders.

Thus did antitrust power come to serve as a sort of constitutional law within America’s political economy. The goal was to enforce a balance of power among economic actors of all sizes, to maintain some degree of liberty at all levels within the economy. But the fact that Congress intended these laws also to preserve both competition per se and to shelter entire classes of entrepreneurs (among whom is the individual worker) was clear at the beginning and has been made clearer many times since. Three years later, Congress greatly strengthened the rules against inter-firm price discrimination, in the Clayton Antitrust Act. Then in 1936, Congress did so again, even more resoundingly, by passing the Robinson-Patman Act. Wright Patman, the Texas Democrat who was the main force behind the bill, made sure everyone understood Congress’s intent. “The expressed purpose of the Act is to protect the independent merchant,” he wrote on the first page of a book he published to explain the law, “and the manufacturer from whom he buys."(Continued)

“The idea that Wal-Mart’s power actually subverts the functioning of the” free market “will seem shocking to some. But the issue before us is not how Wal-Mart grew to scale but how Wal-Mart uses its power today and will use it tomorrow.
By the time Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890, engineered mainly by the progressive wing of the Republican Party, the Sherman Act came to be seen not as a license to destroy all big firms simply because they were big but as a very big stick with which to convince the average firm not to overreach. Most big firms were allowed to remain big as long as they avoided outright collusion with competitors, or extreme abuse of their consumers, or overly rapid predation against smaller property holders.

Thus did antitrust power come to serve as a sort of constitutional law within America’s political economy. The goal was to enforce a balance of power among economic actors of all sizes, to maintain some degree of liberty at all levels within the economy. But the fact that Congress intended these laws also to preserve both competition per se and to shelter entire classes of entrepreneurs (among whom is the individual worker) was clear at the beginning and has been made clearer many times since. Three years later, Congress greatly strengthened the rules against inter-firm price discrimination, in the Clayton Antitrust Act. Then in 1936, Congress did so again, even more resoundingly, by passing the Robinson-Patman Act. Wright Patman, the Texas Democrat who was the main force behind the bill, made sure everyone understood Congress’s intent. “The expressed purpose of the Act is to protect the independent merchant,” he wrote on the first page of a book he published to explain the law, “and the manufacturer from whom he buys."(Continued)

When Ronald Reagan took power in 1981, one of his first targets was antitrust law. The new administration put forth a variety of arguments—not least that international competition, especially with Japan, had rendered moot the old fears of monopoly. Yet the driving motive clearly was the philosophical antipathy of the Reaganites to the idea that the American people, acting through their representatives, had ANY business whatsoever telling business what to do. And the practical effect was to harness the institution of the corporation to that administration’s larger project of shifting power and profit AWAY from the working, middle, and entrepreneurial classes TO the powerful and rich. The radical nature of Reagan’s attack on antitrust law is, in retrospect, astounding.Although it has become commonplace to trace the phenomenon of “outsourcing” to the emergence of new technologies and changes in the global “marketplace,” it is much more accurate to trace it back to the disappearance of antitrust enforcement.~~~~~~~~~~The Case for Breaking Up WalMart

Well ddrb,
I wish I could vote for you! As usual you have posted some great information and let it speak for itself. Blogs have a tendency to be places to rant. (I’m here). You are correct in your assertian that Reagan and his administration went after anti-trust. They also went after the law that insured equal time for political views and helped give us FOX news. The problem with the anti trust laws as they are now written is that they lean most heavily toward price fixing and collusion between companies to artificially keep prices inflated and thus ripping off the consumer. Wal*Mart has slimed its way through every crack and crevis in the law as it is written. AND they have managed to generate a public opinion that they have all been “ripped off” by other small businesses and the mom and pops. Who else but Wal*Mart could take a warm and fuzzy term referring to the American Family our Mothers and Fathers. their small businesses and turn it into a shamefull or even scornfull term? This is how perverted Wal*Mart is.
I would love to see Wal*Mart watch and other consumer groups combine efforts, get some really good Lawyers and go over the Anti Trust Laws, Right to Work Laws, etc. and see if there isn’t a sollution that protects American Consumers (who are also the workers) and Businesses. I don’t think that we should have to write laws that protect us from other laws. While we are waiting, divest all walmart stock don’t shop there, and keep up the great work!

Wal-Mart to Give Coughlin $6.75 Million
By Robin Mero, The Morning News
August 21st, 2008
BENTONVILLE - Tom Coughlin settled with Wal-Mart for $6.75 million Thursday, minutes before jury selection was to begin in a lawsuit the retailer filed to void a 2005 retirement agreement worth more than $17 million to the former executive.

Terms of the settlement won’t be released for 20 days, by court order, but the retailer filed a report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday afternoon disclosing the payout amount.

“Mr. Coughlin will forego all outstanding rights and claims under the Retirement Agreement, as well as any additional unpaid or withheld benefits ... estimated at a value of approximately $17 million, not including health benefits,” the filing stated.

Coughlin is satisfied with the outcome, although he was looking forward to his day in court, attorney Tim Brooks said shortly after the mid-day settlement announcement.

Wal-Mart attorneys wouldn’t speak to reporters, but a spokeswoman issued a brief comment Thursday afternoon. “We are satisfied the settlement is fair to both parties and we are ready to put this one behind us,” said Daphne Moore.

Carl Tobias, a civil litigation specialist at the Richmond School of Law, said Thursday he wasn’t surprised the case settled, as neither side would gain from trial publicity. He called the payout amount reasonable.

“When you go to trial, it’s always risky. I’m sure the Wal-Mart lawyers would have been good, and aggressive, and may have new information,” Tobias said. “That sounds like a lot of money in the abstract but, if I were he, I’d feel pretty fortunate - given that he pled to the criminal charges.”

Questions that remain include whether Coughlin will receive health benefits, and who will pay two years’ worth of attorney fees. Coughlin’s reported poor health led a federal judge to sentence him to home confinement, rather than prison.

Wal-Mart filed the fraud, misconduct and breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit in 2005 in Benton County Circuit Court, attempting to void the retirement agreement made with Coughlin, now 59, when he ended his 28-year employment in January 2005.

An internal investigation uncovered years of fake invoices and expense accounts for items ranging from all-terrain vehicles and hunting club memberships to a taxidermy bill for stuffing a wild boar for Coughlin.

Results of that internal investigation were forwarded to federal authorities and led to a criminal conviction in U.S. District Court.

Coughlin is serving a 27-month sentence of home confinement and was ordered to pay $411,218 in restitution to the company and a $50,000 fine.

As executive vice president, Coughlin was earning more than $4 million annually in salary and bonuses. He was vice chairman of the board of directors and reported to Lee Scott, president and chief executive officer.

The retirement deal promised medical care until age 65, millions of dollars in transition payments, and 186,407 shares of restricted stock Coughlin otherwise would have forfeited, according to the suit.

Coughlin maintained rights to the retirement deal, which was drafted by Wal-Mart attorneys and released both parties from liability for claims related to Coughlin’s employment, “whether known or unknown.”

Jury selection in the civil trial was to begin at 1 p.m. Thursday. The settlement was announced minutes before, and prospective jurors were turned away from the courthouse steps.

For three hours Thursday morning, Coughlin sat at a courtroom conference table with attorneys Steve Vowell and Tim Brooks. Coughlin’s wife, Cynthia, and daughter were also in the courtroom, which was otherwise empty. His other two attorneys, Bill Putman and W.H. Taylor, went in and out of the courtroom throughout the morning.

Coughlin and his family left the courthouse about 12:30 p.m. He moved slowly, which Taylor attributed to recent surgery to have both knees replaced. ~~~~~~~~Wake Up WalMart~Note: They forgot to add in the $2500 dog house.

KMS in
Until the very end of your post I thought that you were mixed up and thought you were on eHarmony looking for a new boyfriend…

First of All, KMS...

You’re confused on more than one issue!  This site is about Wal-Mart.  Take your tripe to NRA.com

Secondly, you meant “Anxious White Men” not Angry White Men, didn’t you?  I’d like to see the study that correlates a man’s anatomy between his legs with gun ownership.  I’m sure there would be a significant percentage who feel that gun ownership makes up for what God didn’t bless them with at birth!

I don’t think anyone has ever challenged anyone’s right to own a hunting gun or two.  But there’s no good reason for any other type of gun ownership...handguns, semi-automatic assault rifles etc.

There are many different things fueling gun violence in society today.  It’s a complex issue.  People have pointed to Hollywood’s role for glorifying guns, there’s the role that poverty, unemployment, and drugs play.  Some say gun violence is an outward manifestation of an inner “spiritual” or “moral” crisis in this country.  Whatever!

So....go play with yourself and your gun, KMS.  This site is for people opposed to Wal-Mart.

By the way ddrb, if you read this, my first reaction was....

RDS, OCS, KMS.  Could it be?  Nah!

Screwed: Could it be PMS?

“ABC News reported Tuesday that the campaign of Sen. John McCain “sought to distance itself” from NRA lobbyist James Jay Baker because of his connection to the NRA spy scandal.

Baker was the former executive director at NRA-ILA when his deputy allegedly managed a spy who infiltrated the gun control movement.

Baker was also reported by the New York Times to be in McCain’s “kitchen cabinet,” contributed over $3,000 to McCain since 2006, and billed the NRA over $2 million in lobbying fees since 2002.

Mother Jones pointed out yesterday, however, that Baker remains listed as a co-Chair of the Sportsmen for McCain National Steering Committee:

... It stands to reason why the [McCain] campaign would want to draw a wide berth around Baker. Until 2002, Baker was the executive director of the NRA’s lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action. During his tenure, the ILA engaged the services of a now defunct private security firm, Beckett Brown, which specialized in spying on activist groups. Beckett Brown’s point of contact at ILA was Baker’s deputy, Patrick O’Malley. O’Malley also served as an NRA contact for Mary Lou Sapone, who, as Mother Jones reported in July, is a freelance spy who infiltrated the gun control movement from more than a decade on behalf of the gun lobby. When we contacted Baker seeking comment on Sapone’s work for the NRA, he said, “I don’t have anything to say about any vendors at the NRA.” And while maintaining that he had no knowledge of any efforts to penetrate the gun control movement while he was at the NRA, he added: “We got information from whatever sources we can.” The NRA has refused to comment on the Sapone story, declining to explain any possible relationship between the ILA and Sapone.

But if McCain intends on throwing Baker overboard, he has a strange way of showing it. On Thursday his campaign issued a press release announcing the leadership of the National Steering Committee of the Sportsmen for McCain coalition. And, along with Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty and former Oklahoma governor Frank Keating, Baker is one of its co-chairs.

Will Senator McCain demand an accounting from Baker - a “high level volunteer” and co-Chair of a major McCain campaign committee - on charges that he apparently oversaw a spy operation run out of the NRA lobbying shop?

Will McCain demand an explanation from Baker about his and the NRA’s role in allegedly paying a spy to infiltrate the gun control movement by befriending gun violence victims and their families?

The “Straight Talk Express” seems to be stuck . “ ~~~~NRA Lobbyist Baker Connected to NRA Spy Scandals Remain CoChair of McCain Sportsmen Committee,1:04 P.M.,8/23/08-Brady Blog~~~~~~~~NOTE: Mary Lou Sapone is from Maryland and Mother Jones had a lengthy article about her corporate spying fairly recently involving infiltrating environmental groups and going through activists garbage.

Screwed & ddrb,
If I was this guy(?) I’d be pretty Angry Too!

Mary Lou Sapone (who sometimes goes by her maiden name, “Mary McFate") is a corporate spy with a long history of infiltrating activist groups. In the 1980s, she worked with “Perceptions International, a private Wackenhut-styled security firm” . In the 1990s, she worked with the Maryland-based security firm Beckett Brown International (BBI).  In the late 1990s and early 2000s, she ran her own intelligence-gathering business, which she called Strategic Solutions Group LLC.

As Mary McFate (her maiden name), Sapone began volunteered with numerous local and regional gun control groups in the late 1990s. In 2005, she even ran (unsuccessfully) in 2005 for a board position with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

Sapone was apparently gathering intelligence for the National Rifle Association. “In a 2003 deposition, Tim Ward, who had been president of the Maryland-based security firm Beckett Brown International, said that the NRA had been ‘a client’ of Sapone’s,” reported Mother Jones magazine. “Recent emails indicate that in 2007 and 2008 Sapone was working” with Patrick O’Malley, a former NRA staffer then lobbying on behalf of his old employer. Sapone was “well-positioned for many years to provide the NRA—or any other gun rights groups—the plans, secrets, and inside gossip of practically the entire gun violence prevention movement.” For example, Sapone pushed U.S. groups to take part in a United Nations meeting on gun control in Spring 2008. They did, and “McFate ended up being able to learn what the anti-gun forces were planning for the UN session—including the delegates they intended to lobby, and the arguments they would highlight.” [~~~Wikipedia

On November 13,2003(Max’s 13th employment anniversary), Max Rafael Waller meet Mr. Thomas “Tom” M Coughlin at Walmart’s Home Office in Bentonville Arkansas with other from Division A,B,C,D,F,and Home Office.  Max was from Division A who told that Kevin Turner had to listen to the lady from Home Office. She wed in 2004.  These six had been awarded the “Member Service Award for the 3rd Quarter.” Max also met James Haworth.  Max R Waller was recognized as “Member Service Living Legend” in 2005/2006 with a letter from C. Doug McMillon.  He was terminated with a lie from Gabriel and Fidel with a video tape of what occurred on Saturday, April 21,2007.  Managers Fidel Jacobo and Esperanza Lopez refused to show any proof of the video and violated their own policy, PD-57.  According to former COS Jay(Fidel Jacobo is now at the Sam’s Club in Valencia California)

Call Sam’s Club 6625 at 1-818-365-7710, FBI-Los Angeles at 1-310-477-6565.

For more information visit http://mariaisabelescobar.vox.com and http://bentoville.bravehost.com

Walmart Global Ethics Office is a joke as they said they do NOT investigate harassment except age discrimination.

They signed the Global Ethics and Transparency only to give an image that they care,but there is no proof they have found Walmart especially Rob and Jim Walton culpable since the Rules for Board of Directors are made to shield them from personal liabilities.  Tom Coughlin was set-up with witnesses becoming scared of being whistle-blowers and became the Fall Guys.

Support Activist and especially Whistle-blowers whose protections are so weak there might as well get rid of the other.  George Walker Bush has thrashed Whistle-blower protections to the point the US Federal Government controls their safeguards.  Listen to Keith Olbermann on this or go to his site and ask him directly.

Google:Sam’s Club 6625+Tom P Noon

Thomas “Tom” P Noonan has Autism and has written here.

Even the ACLU was scared to help MR Waller.

My Homepage has some dirt on Max Rafael Waller.

A few words on BBI -Becket Brown International (mentioned in upthread story re: Mary Lou Sapone) from Raw Story:~~~~~~~~~


Taco Bell, Wal-Mart, NRA hired ‘black ops’ company - John Byrne
Published: Friday April 11, 2008

A private security firm managed by former Secret Service officers spied on myriad, thieving documents, trying to plant undercover operations and collecting phone records of members, according to a new report.

Documents obtained by James Ridgeway, a Mother Jones correspondent formerly with the Village Voice, reveals the contractor collected confidential internal records—donor lists, financial statements—even Social Security numbers, for public relations outfits and “corporations involved in environmental controversies.”

Beckett Brown International also offered “intelligence” services to the Carlyle Group, the controversial DC-based investment company; “protective services” for the National Rifle Association; “crisis management” for the Gallo wine company and for Pirelli; “information collection” for Wal-Mart.

“Also listed as clients in BBI records,” Ridgeway reveals: “Halliburton and Monsanto.”
For its rubbish-rifling operations, BBI employed a police officer in the District of Columbia and a former member of the Maryland state police.
Technically, the firm has dissolved. But they’re not down and out.

“As for BBI’s principals,” Ridgeway writes, “they are still operating through another security firm which bills itself as ‘a multinational security and investigative firm comprised of professionals with extensive security experience.’

Screwedby,

“Secondly, you meant “Anxious White Men” not Angry White Men, didn’t you?”

Don’t worry, nothing in KMS’s post pertains to YOU, that’s why you fail to understand what KMS was talking about and only got something about gun ownership out of it!!  To you, the people KMS was talking about, are only a few idiots, who don’t think like you do!!  Guess that is why Ken posted that 59 million people must be stupid, because neither you nor him know what the AVERAGE person really thinks, you know only what the so-called ‘victims’ mentality is!!

“Tom Coughlin settled with Wal-Mart for $6.75 million Thursday”

Used to be, they said “Crime doesn’t pay”, but, these days, CRIME seems to pay quite well!!

Screwedby,

“This site is about Wal-Mart.”

Angry White Men shop at Wal-Mart!!

...because neither you nor him know what the AVERAGE person really thinks..

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that. ~ George Carlin (RIP)

“Angry White Men shop at Wal-Mart!!”

And maybe that’s why they’re so angry.  This may be one of the more “valid” points I’ve seen you make RDS, but I’m sure it was by accident.

I’d be a little angry too if I was reduced to shopping at Wal-Mart to take care of my family after I saw my job sent overseas just so Wal-Mart can “roll back” its prices a little more!

I’d be a little angry too if I saw a flood of illegal immigrants pouring into this country seeking all those good jobs at Wal-Mart.

I’d be a little angry too when I see my government passing trade bills like NAFTA and CAFTA that are better for almost every country in the world BUT the United States.

I’d be a little angry too if I saw my government spending around $10 billion dollars a month to keep GWB’s little war in Iraq going while at the same time Wal-Mart is leading the way in driving up our trade deficit with China.

I’d be a little angry too that our government couldn’t finish one war in Afghanistan before it started another one in Iraq, that it somehow hasn’t found or can’t find, the world’s most wanted criminal (Osama bin Laden), yet conventional wisdom says he’s hiding out in Northern Pakistan, and then when I’m on my shoppoing spree at Wal-Mart, I find shirts and pants that are made in Pakistan.

Yeah...you’re right, RDS.  I bet there are a lot of angry men that shop at Wal-Mart.

Screwed: BITTER,angry men with guns..........including some who may or may not retun from Iraq one day,God bless ‘em.

Well said, Screwed! GRRrrrrrr!

We’re going to quit breaking the law. ~ Wal-Mart Regional VP, Larry Williams

ddrb in
Screwed: BITTER,angry men with guns..........including some who may or may not retun from Iraq one day,God bless ‘em.

And what are they fighting for? Keeping America safe for Wal*Mart?

Is it just me? Or does it look like good ole Tom Coughlin need to “roll back” his calorie intake? Lack of Job Security + Cheap Garbage Food = Fat Americans

Bobby:  BITTER,angry men with guns..........including some who may or may not retun from Iraq one day,God bless ‘em.

And what are they fighting for? Keeping America safe for Wal*Mart? ~~~~~~Bobby~~~~~~~~~~NOTE: I once read that a cynic is a disillusioned idealist. It isn’t hard to understand why.

I’m generally an optimist! I’m am definitly cynical about all the valid issues presented on this board. I recently spoke to some friends down south and they daid that they would continue to vote Republican as long as abortion was legal, no matter what happened to the country… What about the countries that force abortions for families who are over their kid limit? What do these people think that we all want to go out and get pregnant just so we can have the pleasure of having an abortion? If it was destroying the lives of the born and making a buck these same people would all be giving each other high fives on a job well done! The Republicans and their Corporate counter parts (who totaly suport abortions in other countries) Have these voters wrapped arround their fingers.

Bobby: I have expressed the same question myself on this blog-i.e., the apparent dichotomy of those who profess to be Pro-life,yet have no pangs of conscience in supporting and continuing political policies and practices that results in unjust wars and untold inhumanity. A cynical someone I knew long ago remarked that the conservatives didn’t support abortions because they wanted to wait a few years ,then use them for cannon fodder. Pretty grim,but there is a nugget of truth in there somewhere,nonetheless,IMHO.

Some Observations

Bobby...you do raise some interesting points for discussion.

“I’m am definitly cynical”

I don’t see how anyone could be anything but cynical after they’re lifted the hood and examined the “Wal-Mart engine”.

“as long as abortion was legal”

This is one “hot button” issue.  It’s been used as the litmus test for confirming Supreme Court Justices.  Bobby have you asked your “friends down south” who want to vote Republican to just set this issue aside for a second and look at the rest of the Bush and Republican record?  For better or for worse… Roe v. Wade is the law of the land.  I think it is a deeply personal, spritiual, and moral decision.  You can’t legislate morality.

“...what are they fighting for? Keeping America safe for Wal*Mart?

“And it’s 1, 2, 3, 4. What are we fightin’ for?  Don’t ask me. I don’t give a damn.  Next stop is Vietnam.” ~Country Joe and the Fish

I have put this very question to people like OCS, and never received an answer.  What indeed are we ever fighting for.  I have been condemned for refusing to “participate” in the Vietnam War.  What was that all about?  You can get a shirt or pair of pants for $9.98 at Wal-Mart that was made in Vietnam.

As far as gun owners who think they are “safe” because of the gun they pack, they’re deluded.  “Safety"is an illusion.  A lot of good your gun will do you if a terrorist decides to blow himself up 10 feet away from you!  If guns really do bring “safety” than shouldn’t every man and woman in America be required to carry one after age 18.  If we were all “packing heat” then maybe criminals would be more fearful of committing crimes with a gun.  It would be...use a gun...possible lose your life!  It’s the nuclear arms principal of MAD (mutual assured destruction) brought down to a ridiculous civilian level!

Also, if I own a .38 Special and you own a Glock 9mm with a 10 shot clip, are you at least 3 times “safer” than I am?

“...does it look like good ole Tom Coughlin needs to “roll back” his calorie intake?”

As I noted in one of the earliest posts to this thread “good ole Tom” has been bellying up to the Wal-Mart pig trough for too long!

ddrb you raised a good point too:

<i>"dichotomy of those who profess to be Pro-life”

The people you refer to ddrb are divided in their thinking in more ways than one.  Not only will they tolerate abortion in places like China while they speak out against it here in the U.S. but these same people will also tend to be very Pro War.  That’s sounds real “pro life” to me!

ddrb in
Bush #1 Famously reffered to them as “Fodder Units” as in Canon Fodder. I doubt serriously that you could find anybody who is actually “Pro-Abortion” Well, maybe the Chinese Government. This makes looking for a common ground on which to settle our nations very real problems a bit problematic. Even though, if we were to raise the standard of living and restore hope to Americans, and other nations with lofty aspirations that once looked up to us as the gold standard, We would experience a decrease in crime, more wanted and less un-wanted pregnancies, a decrease in obesity, an increase in mortality and a whole host of other positive things like tax dollars for improving the country’s infrastructure, more students graduating, more families stayiing together and perhaps the most important thing of all “Optimism for a brighter and better future for everyone arround the world”. When we went to war in Iraq Bush had to pay off a bunch of tiny and for the most part insignifigant nations to create the “coalition of the willing” Hell give my struggling country 20 builion dollars and I might do anything. Georgia was one of the coalition. You see where it got them. Russia just came in and took a big dump in the middle of their country and laughed at us. And this is the future that we are creating.
It’s exciting to think about detroit finally breaking off from the oil industry and seeing Ford, GM and Chrysler and New Companies revolutionizing the Automobile industry. Dead towns coming back to life. I’m sure Michael Moore would have an opinion.
All achievable! And the people with contrary opinions on this board and accross the country? Well they may not realize it, but we are fighting for them. They’ve all been screwed arround and don’t know who to blame (no its not illegal immigrants, sorry) This is much bigger than that. We are living in a world with 6 billion people and growing. Of course this is going to have it’s own horrible consequences. But tomorrow can be a better day.
By the way I think we are engaged or something…

The Election is a way off and nothing is set in stone. So remember my Back to School List:

1) Don’t by anything from Wal*Mart.

2) Sell 99.9% of any Wal*Mart stock that you or your family own.

3) Contact your local, State and Federal Officials and demand that they:
A) Investigate Wal*Mart’s Election Interference.
B) Start Taxing Companies that have workers relying on Tax Payer Funded Soccial Programs (Medicaid, Food Stamps, etc.)
C) Divest Government Pension Plans from Anti American Corporations, Starting with Wal*Mart.
D) Investigate this “Fake school supplies debacle”

4) When a Wal*Mart Commercial comes on the TV or Radio, Change the Channel for a minute or 2… Or even see if there is a better show on to watch. OR turn off the TV and get back to items (3) & (4).

5) Tell all your friends to do all of the above.

Back to school season should be a big reminder that Wal*Mart is messing up our childrens chances for a decent standard of living. It is also a Reminder that the Holidays are fast approaching… Where wil you be doing your shopping?

Screwed and Bobby: It has always struck me as odd how for so long ,in this country,amd elsewhere, that those in positions of power over women’s reproductive rights and choices have been men-who as far as I know, have yet to get pregnant and either require or receive an abortion. Whether its the Pope, the Ayatollah, Chairman Mao, Moral Majority-you name it. For centuries,just like the right to vote, women’s rights have been dictated(no pun) by patriarchal rule. And just as in war,the first casualty is the truth. The truth is that abortion is not equivalent to birth control -it is not the first line of defense, but an expression of last resort for most women.I have yet to hear discourse on the morality of vasectomy.  I wonder why?

Screwed: The people you refer to are divided in their thinking in more ways than one.  Not only will they tolerate abortion in places like China while they speak out against it here in the U.S. but these same people will also tend to be very.......... Pro Wal Mart .

ddb,
The thing that has always struck me is the extremes the ati abortion people go to to make sure that their daughters get knocked up. We are familiar with the morning after pill, the pill, etc. For men there are rubbers and Vasectomy. I’m a dad. I’ve been to the ultra sounds and those are baby’s in there. I completely agree that abortion is not an alternative to birth control. By the way did you happen to see the photo of the eight year old Iraqui girl with her brains spattered all over the sidewalk. Now that’s what I call shock an awe! But I regress… Sex is everywhere. Not just the manufactured and marketed kind. But the real, holy cow I gotta get me some of this and I don’t care if the world ends kind (my favorite). People have sex. In some countries they are so severely overpopulated that we will probably face a world famine in our lifetimes. The question is accepting reallity (yes we are all going to die someday too). And taking responsibility. And we have been too! Abortions are down. Abortions will keep going down because kids are taking it upon themselves to get the facts. All birth controll is not 100% effective and not all sex is as good as it should be. ( Now we are WAY OFF Topic!!!!). I am a big fan at this point of my life of letting the little critters live. But I don’t agree that a couple of split cells is a human being. The question is one of expediency. Past a point, no mater if its dads or moms fault you got a little baby in there. They are cute! They have feelings, And when they pop out they are a blessing. So I say if you are having regular sex (and hopefully you are) keep in touch with your own reproductive system and don’t let things get out of hand! wack that little sucker ASAP if you don’t want or can’t take care of em. If you really get stuck, it would be great to carry to term and then put up for adoption. BUT there is now reason for it to get that far....
We’ve only been engaged for a couple of hours and allready you’re pregnant!!!!!?

Bobby: An immaculate conception,perhaps?

Wouldn’t be the fist time…
Careful the last one got wacked by a bunch of right wingers....

You can rest assured that if carried to term he/she won’t look a thing like Jabbah the Coughlin. that’s sort of a portrait of Dorian Grey kinda deal isn’t he.

Bobby: It is said “When we are young we have the face we are born with. When we are old,we have the face we have earned.” Nuff said?

RDS in
Hi,
I keep reading your post and I can’t help but wonder why you think everybody thinks they are a victim? There may be a few people who have been “victimized” by Wal*Mart. I mean let’s face it they sure aren’t ou to actually help anybody (unless they make a buck). Their goal is to grab market share of anything that makes money no matter who they crush along the way. You are correct. people don’t have to shop at Wal*Mart, now many people don’t have a choice regarding their investments in Wal*Marts stock. My guess is that it would sink like a stone if they did.
You seem like a forward thinking fellow. Is the concept of a secure American Nation obsolete?

RDS,
Well I don’t know where you are but I owe you a round. of couse I realize you have to avoid alc. in your condition.

Bobby,

“I keep reading your post and I can’t help but wonder why you think everybody thinks they are a victim?”

I thought you were observant to what is going on in this country?  Have you not seen how the blacks claim they are ‘victims’ of raceism?  How about women claiming they are ‘victims’ of sexual discrimination?  And, then there are the ‘poor’, who claim they are ‘victims’ of the ‘upper class’!!

“There may be a few people who have been “victimized” by Wal*Mart.”

According to the anti side here, the WHOLE WORLD is being ‘victimized’ by Wal-Mart!!

“I mean let’s face it they sure aren’t ou to actually help anybody (unless they make a buck).”

It depends on what you mean by HELPING anybody!!  When they sent aise to the hurricane ‘victims’, weren’t they helping people without making a buck?  Besides, isn’t it the purpose of a business, to make a buck?  Or, are they a non-profit charitable institution?

“Is the concept of a secure American Nation obsolete?”

That depends on your definition of “a secure American Nation”, some people describe that as, Protectionism, America first and only and to hell with the rest of the world, can we really separate ourselves from the rest of the world?  Others seem to think that you gain in the end, when a ‘rising tide lifts all boats’, not just one boat!!  People tend to be MORE secure, when they have more friends, than enemies!!  The ‘cold war’, drained our economy of many funds that could have been spent here!!  It’s like the old FRAM commercial, “you can pay me now or you can pay me more later”!!

Through your posts, you have named many problems that you see, many of which I agree with you on, but, what makes me shudder, is that you and others seem to think that if we were to get rid of Bush and Wal-Mart, everything would be ‘nice and rosey’ again, to me, it is much more ‘complicated’ than that!!

One last thing, you and others seem to think that it is up to Wal-Mart, to raise wages and benefits, but, hasn’t it always been in the past, that if something is ‘lacking’, someone else builds ‘a better mousetrap’ to fill the gap of what is lacking?  Costco, is setting the pace, with higher wages, but, they are NOT the SAME as Wal-Mart, shouldn’t someone come along and start a business to compete with Wal-Mart, giving customers ALL of the things that Wal-Mart doesn’t (for example, low priced, high quality, American Made products, higher wages & benefits, and better customer service), what would be Wal-Mart’s REASON to CHANGE, when their business model still seems to be working, and no other business is actually challenging them, but instead, just ‘following’ Wal-Mart’s lead?  In your business, would YOU change the way you do things, that would give your competitors an ‘advantage’ to take your customers away from you?

“of couse I realize you have to avoid alc. in your condition.”

And, what ‘condition’, would that be?  Could it be, that I don’t drink alcoholic beverages?

..  “what would be Wal-Mart’s REASON to CHANGE, when their business model still seems to be working, and no other business is actually challenging them,"RDS~~~~~~~~~ Note:How about government enforcement of RICO anti-trust act to break the competitive DISadvantage WalMart exerts over the retail marketplace-and the vendors and manufacturers ,too?

If I’ve Said it a Dozen Times, I’ll Say it Again..

You’re one BIG BAG of B.S. RDS!

“And, what ‘condition’, would that be?”

Yeah, you “don’t drink.” (now) Don’t make it sound like this is a “personal choice” on your part, RDS.  Bobby may be a newer poster on this blog, but don’t try to slip one past us.  You’re a self-admitted recovering alcoholic.  Do the terms “dry drunk” and “stinkin’ thinkin’” register with you at all?

“a secure American Nation”

For your benefit, RDS I’ll repeat this one more time.  “Security” is an allusion.  In fact, I like the way Janis Joplin put it: “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.”

Owning a vast collection of firearms doesn’t make one “secure.” Neither does owning rental property and being able to retire by age 62 make you “secure.” God forbid that I would wish the worst on anyone, but I wonder how “secure” you’d be feeling and how often you’d be posting here, had one of those tornadoes that ravaged Arkansas this spring wiped out all of your property and belongings?  You’d be at the head of the FEMA or Red Cross Line.

RDS
“of couse I realize you have to avoid alc. in your condition.”
Sorry that was meant for someone else… maybe I sould!
: )

This debate is getting really redundant. The facts are there, and can be politicized in any number of ways. Bush being a horrible president and the devastation that Wal*Mart is bringing down on the American Dream are separate issues. The only thing that they have in common is that they both were allowed to gain power by a group of stubborn, complacent and apathetic Americans who have given up. Or lack the proper information to make an informed decision.

Screwedby,

“Yeah, you “don’t drink.” (now) Don’t make it sound like this is a “personal choice” on your part, RDS.”

Don’t try to put things on me that aren’t true!!  First, it WAS a ‘personal choice’ to quit alcohol usage, second, I was NEVER an alcoholic, nor am I disabled, these are just things that YOU have labeled me with!!  On the other hand, you have claimed that you still DO use alcohol and have even put CD’s in your grill while in a ‘drunken stuper’!!  Just because someone drinks and then stops, does not make them an alcoholic!!

“Do the terms “dry drunk” and “stinkin’ thinkin’” register with you at all?”

Even if that were true, I’d rather be a ‘dry drunk’ than an ‘active drunk’ like you!!

“Owning a vast collection of firearms doesn’t make one “secure”

I don’t own a vast amount of firearms!!

“Neither does owning rental property and being able to retire by age 62 make you “secure”

It makes me more secure, then if I didn’t!!

“I wonder how “secure” you’d be feeling and how often you’d be posting here, had one of those tornadoes that ravaged Arkansas this spring wiped out all of your property and belongings?”

Do you not have tornados in Wisconsin?  Sure, it would give me problems, but, I have insurance and unless ALL of my 5 properties were destroyed, I would have a place to go and the finances to go forward!!  Can you say the same?  I also have one other important thing, the knowledge of “How to build it back up”!!  I would NOT be ‘wiped out’, it would just be a ‘setback’!!

Bobby,

“The only thing that they have in common is that they both were allowed to gain power by a group of stubborn, complacent and apathetic Americans who have given up.”

I agree fully, Bush and Wal-Mart are just symptoms of a Bigger problem, AMERICANS LOST DIRECTION!!  The growing ‘drug culture’, trying to escape ‘reality’ is a good indicater that things are going wrong!!  The fact that people like Screwedby considers ‘hard work’ and ‘personal responsibility’, WACKO concepts is an indication of how bad things are getting!!  Remember, for every action, there is an equal opposite reaction, there are REASONS things are going the way they are!!  This country is getting too DIVIDED!!

RDS,
I would suggest that the best way to bring about more unity, would be to stop listening to talk radio, and searching for common ground. We as Americans have more in common than less. I think we all have our best interest at heart. There are certainly people in power who are out to exploit Americans natural good nature. They are making great strides. I think that we can agree on this, as well.

You Really Know How to Undertate Things, RDS!

“Bush and Wal-Mart are just symptoms of a Bigger problem.” ~RDS

There we go Ken!  Keeper!

You really are a Master at understating things RDS.  Bush and Wal-Mart a “symptom?” Sorta like the blisters and peeling skin on a 3rd degree burn victim are “symptoms” he stood too close to the fire?

Speaking of fires....

“even put CD’s in your grill”

Are you still whining about me and some friends “grilling” a bunch of Garth Brooks CD’s?  They’re quite good actually with your favorite barbecue sauce!  In fact we may be having a repeat “cookout” this Labor Day with some other sellout to Wal-Mart from the musical world.  Nominations anyone?

Screwed: Why don’t you put some of those Jerry Corsi “Swiftboat” books about Obama on the barbee,too?Actually, they would make a GREAT Halloween bonfire!

“In fact we may be having a repeat “cookout” this Labor Day with some other sellout to Wal-Mart from the musical world.  Nominations anyone?”

Why, are you going out shopping for CD’s this week?  When they talk about ‘burning CD’s’, I don’t think that is exactly what they mean!!

How about the EAGLES and JOURNEY!!

Garth Brooks! That the Cowboy hat guy I couldn’t remember! I wouldn’t burn the CD’s they bands and walmart get $$ from that. Be more creative. Just invite ole Garth (do people really name their kids Garth?) Anyway just invite hime to the BBQ. Stick an Apple in his mouth and play some Old Hank or Johnny Cash while you roast the Pig.

RDS
The Eagles and Journey… How Embarasing… This is what happens to aging rock stars… They go to work for Wal*Mart. News like this could kill musical instrument sales nation wide!

Bobby:Stick an Apple in his mouth ....while you roast the Pig.~~~~~~Bobby~~~~I thought for a minute you were talking about Tom Coughlin.

BTW: Tom got a $6.75 million contract for NOT singing!

Thanks Alot, Bobby and ddrb!

You two just had to plant this image in my head:

Tom Coughlin roasting on a spit with an apple in his mouth, while Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” plays in the background!

I’ve got a feeling he may just get to enjoy that experience in the here after. By the way, I think it was RDS who commented on my liking to eat. I can Promise you that as much as I LOVE BBQ (and Johnny Cash) I wouln’t stick a fork it that guy! Now I’ve got the immage in my mind! I’m going vegetarian…

I wish I was better at photo shop…

“BTW: Tom got a $6.75 million contract for NOT singing! “

If it was hush money, Walmart wouldn’t have taken it to court since that would be a good place for Tom to “sing.” Like they say common sense isn’t too common on here.

Dave: Its even LESS common with the addition of your above commentary.

I wonder if Wal*Mart would welcome back Hillary after her speach tonight?! No wonder they have to turn to the Republicans… It looks like they’ve worn out their welcome.

“Dave: Its even LESS common with the addition of your above commentary. “

Yet another glorified, “I know you are but what am I” reply.

Which part was I wrong on?  Don’t you think that maybe they would have settled right away if it was truly hush money? By letting it drag on as long as they did they gave him a lot of time to sing.  Also if it was truly hush money he would have wanted a lot closer to the original amount.  He got 6.75 out of 17 million.  If he really had anything major on them he could have gotten a lot closer to the 17 million amount instead of just over a third.

Dave: If there were an ironclad case in favor of WalMart,WHY give him anything?Why did WalMart wait until the day BEFORE the trial to provide discovery to Coughlin’s attorney, aviation records** that ostensibly could have proven perjury on Coughlin’s part, potentially dismantling his case.With this info, why even bother GOING into a courtroom ? ....(**Read the FIRST entry at the top of this thread. )The issue of executive compensation involving corporate malfeasance was a topic of shareholder concern at this last 2008 conference, but if memory serves correctly, the WalMart Board voted a “NO” recommendation to its voting shareholders at the conference. Coughlin evidently received a $6.75 million “ YES “vote earlier this week ,IMHO.

Hey,
I’ll take some Hush $$$$!

“I know you are but what am I”

Hmmm...where have I heard that before? Perhaps the answer lies hidden in the archives.

Everytime I see that pic of Coughlin I think he could be Karl Rove’s father!

Capitalism tries for a delicate balance: It attempts to work things out so that everyone gets just enough stuff to keep them from getting violent and trying to take other people’s stuff. ~ George Carlin

Tom Coughlin:
Is this what happen to people who buy their groceries from Wal*Mart?

Hmmm...where have I heard that before?

“I know you are but what am I”

Lamos like bbrd and RDS are too busy making it up as they go along to bother with the archive, Ken.

Does this ring a bell, bbrd?  It wasn’t that buried.

Yeah...That Was “Swell” bbrd

If you think that was a “good comeback,” you’ve got all the sophistication of Pewee Herman.

RDS’s “comeback” was very Hermanesque I thought… “I know you are, but what am I?”

ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Monday, December 17 at 01:51 PM

Screwedby,

I guess if I were a fan of Peewee Herman, like you are, I’d know what phrases he uses too!!  You must be a BIG fan, to be able to quote him, like you did!!

RDS in
Tuesday, December 18 at 11:33 PM

I also like Peewee. I just wouldn’t go to a theater to watch a movie with him.

I must admit I did find Jambi a little ...um...disturbing.

Ken V in Texas
Wednesday, December 19 at 06:02 AM

who cares ken?shut up

matthew vantress in gresham oregon
Wednesday, December 19 at 06:20 AM

“Heh heh!  Heh heh”, matthew!  Peewee has got nothin’ on you!

ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Wednesday, December 19 at 06:59 AM

Well thanks for making me feel better about myself! Pee-Wee’s Big adventure is a Cinamatic Triumph! There’s no basement in the Alamo! And, there’s no low Wal*Mart Management won’t go to for a buck.

Isn’t it possible that they settled because they knew the records wouldn’t be allowed?  “Judge Finch had reserved issuance of a ruling, stating it was unlikely the items would be used as exhibits.” Also paying about a third of the money was probably worth it to not have to take the gamble of possibly losing the full amount.  I know you’ll never be convinced you are wrong since you’re so angry and bitter towards Walmart for some reason, and are always so eager to find a story even when there isn’t one.  Have you considered therapy for dealing with this hatred?  Pent up frustration is bad for you mind and body.

Dave in
ROFLMAO!

Have you considered therapy for dealing with this hatred?

Was what the founding fathers felt for England hatred? Do we hate HIV and cancer? Hmmm...maybe we do… OK, you win. What I feel for Wal-Mart is hatred.

“I don’t smoke pot, it dulls my hatred.” ~ Darlene (Roseanne)

“for some reason?”

“...you’re so angry and bitter towards Walmart for some reason...”

For some reason, Dave?  Where have you been?  We don’t have to “make up stories” about Wal-Mart!

Ken corrected me the last time…

“Wal-Mart.  How do I hate thee? Let me count the <i>ways. I hate thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach..."</i>

I know you don’t HAVE to make up stories on Walmart, you just do it because you want to.

Wal-Mart to Give Coughlin $6.75 Million
By Robin Mero, The Morning News
August 21st, 2008
BENTONVILLE - Tom Coughlin settled with Wal-Mart for $6.75 million Thursday, minutes before jury selection was to begin in a lawsuit the retailer filed to void a 2005 retirement agreement worth more than $17 million to the former executive.

Terms of the settlement won’t be released for 20 days, by court order, but the retailer filed a report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday afternoon disclosing the payout amount.

“Mr. Coughlin will forego all outstanding rights and claims under the Retirement Agreement, as well as any additional unpaid or withheld benefits ... estimated at a value of approximately $17 million, not including health benefits,” the filing stated.

Coughlin is satisfied with the outcome, although he was looking forward to his day in court, attorney Tim Brooks said shortly after the mid-day settlement announcement.

Wal-Mart attorneys wouldn’t speak to reporters, but a spokeswoman issued a brief comment Thursday afternoon. “We are satisfied the settlement is fair to both parties and we are ready to put this one behind us,” said Daphne Moore.

Carl Tobias, a civil litigation specialist at the Richmond School of Law, said Thursday he wasn’t surprised the case settled, as neither side would gain from trial publicity. He called the payout amount reasonable.

“When you go to trial, it’s always risky. I’m sure the Wal-Mart lawyers would have been good, and aggressive, and may have new information,” Tobias said. “That sounds like a lot of money in the abstract but, if I were he, I’d feel pretty fortunate - given that he pled to the criminal charges.”

Questions that remain include whether Coughlin will receive health benefits, and who will pay two years’ worth of attorney fees. Coughlin’s reported poor health led a federal judge to sentence him to home confinement, rather than prison.

Wal-Mart filed the fraud, misconduct and breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit in 2005 in Benton County Circuit Court, attempting to void the retirement agreement made with Coughlin, now 59, when he ended his 28-year employment in January 2005.

An internal investigation uncovered years of fake invoices and expense accounts for items ranging from all-terrain vehicles and hunting club memberships to a taxidermy bill for stuffing a wild boar for Coughlin.

Results of that internal investigation were forwarded to federal authorities and led to a criminal conviction in U.S. District Court.

Coughlin is serving a 27-month sentence of home confinement and was ordered to pay $411,218 in restitution to the company and a $50,000 fine.

As executive vice president, Coughlin was earning more than $4 million annually in salary and bonuses. He was vice chairman of the board of directors and reported to Lee Scott, president and chief executive officer.

The retirement deal promised medical care until age 65, millions of dollars in transition payments, and 186,407 shares of restricted stock Coughlin otherwise would have forfeited, according to the suit.

Coughlin maintained rights to the retirement deal, which was drafted by Wal-Mart attorneys and released both parties from liability for claims related to Coughlin’s employment, “whether known or unknown.”

Jury selection in the civil trial was to begin at 1 p.m. Thursday. The settlement was announced minutes before, and prospective jurors were turned away from the courthouse steps.

For three hours Thursday morning, Coughlin sat at a courtroom conference table with attorneys Steve Vowell and Tim Brooks. Coughlin’s wife, Cynthia, and daughter were also in the courtroom, which was otherwise empty. His other two attorneys, Bill Putman and W.H. Taylor, went in and out of the courtroom throughout the morning.

Coughlin and his family left the courthouse about 12:30 p.m. He moved slowly, which Taylor attributed to recent surgery to have both knees replaced. ~~~~~~~~ NOTE: Dave ,since you WORK for WalMart ,shouldn’t you be asking THEM for ANY clarifications regarding trial strategy and monetary settlement of the Coughlin matter? Then you can come back and set the “stories” straight for the rest of us!

Dave: Did you read this above article previously posted,upthread? If you had, I think your questions would have been satisfactorily addressed.

Could you be more specific?  There are a half dozen articles in this thread now thanks to your enjoyment of copying and pasting.  If you are talking about the last one you posted, I think there are a couple of quotes that prove my point.

“Wal-Mart filed the fraud, misconduct and breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit in 2005 in Benton County Circuit Court, attempting to void the retirement agreement made with Coughlin, now 59, when he ended his 28-year employment in January 2005.
An internal investigation uncovered years of fake invoices and expense accounts for items ranging from all-terrain vehicles and hunting club memberships to a taxidermy bill for stuffing a wild boar for Coughlin.
Results of that internal investigation were forwarded to federal authorities and led to a criminal conviction in U.S. District Court. “

Had Walmart been worried about him talking they wouldn’t have investigated him, they wouldn’t have pressed charges, and they wouldn’t have filed suit to keep him from getting his retirement.  Once again your article proves my point and disproves you.  It must suck to be you.

Dave: IIF your point was proved ,why did you ask any questions at all?

You make more sense when you copy and paste you should go back to that.  Sorry I told you not to. 

The only question I asked is which article you were talking about, and that was because I wanted to make sure that it was that one since it did prove my point.  I kind of thought you had one that actually contradicted me somehow, but clearly I was wrong.  If you were talking about my question in the post before that it was a rhetorical question, but I could see how you would be confused by that.

Dave: Well that certainly provided crystalline clarification.LOL! You are heavy on the rhetoric, and light on the rhetorical.

Dave,

Ever feel like you are talking to a blank wall?

She is a clever one.  (that was sarcasm DDRB).  Nice job though again of leaving the topic when you are proved to be wrong.  It seems to be a recurring theme with you.  Now it’s time for several more lengthy copy and pastes so hopefully no one will read where you showed you had no idea what you were talking about.

It is easier to love humanity than to love one’s neighbor. ~ Eric Hoffer

All together, now…

Shut up, Ken!

Shut up, Ken!

Intellectually exhausted already? Does the term “flash in the pan” mean anything to you?

A guy walks into a bar carrying a set of jumper cables. The bartender looks him up and down and says:

I’ll serve you but don’t start anything!

“You can fight the gods and still have fun.” ~ Yugoslavian proverb

“Intellectually exhausted already?”

I hope you’re not surprised by this.

I keep telling you, “bbrd” is “Someone in USA.”

“bbrd” was pretty much “intellectually exhausted” and DOA.  Why do you think “Someone” resorted to using “bbrd?” It’s because he just couldn’t get people to take him seriously.

After reading the above story, it proves that WM is only concerned about resolving matters that involve the top executives in their corporate struture , rather than fmr. employees that are constantly fighting for their unemployment benefits.Having to exhaust all means of going through the appeals process, then re-appealling several times is mind boggling.It’s a shame that WM credibility is decreasing.  Just ask fmr. employees; they’ll speak the truth.

For someone tat wus hired for the Director for Loss Prevention, where he had the responsibility to investigate theft, fraud, and abuse by Wal-Mart associates, suppliers, and others who may have committed these offenses against the company I think it is jus a matter of time tat $6 million will turn into a $200 million book deal.  From what the company post on their China web page I don’t know why anyone in their right mind in America would shop there.

quote***In China, as elsewhere, we follow the Wal-Mart tradition of building our business one store and one customer at a time.  We strive to provide our customers with friendly service and a wide selection of quality products at Every Day Low Prices.  With each Wal-Mart store we bring advanced retail know-how to the local market. By fostering a healthy, competitive environment, we hope to constantly improve our business operations and customer service in order to contribute to the prosperity of the local economy.

Wal-Mart firmly believes in local procurement.  We recognize that by purchasing quality products, we can generate more job opportunities, support local manufacturing and boost economic development.  Over 95% of the merchandise in our stores in China is sourced locally.  We have established partnerships with nearly 20,000 suppliers in China.  At Wal-Mart, we always work with our suppliers to grow together.  In August 2007, Wal-Mart once again secured the top spot of the 2007 Supplier Satisfaction Survey conducted by Business Information of Shanghai. Additionally, Wal-Mart directly exports about US$9 billion from China every year.  The export volume by third party suppliers is also estimated to be over US$9 billion.***end quote!

Now! if there be 182 country’s making items for the world to buy and they have only 5% of the pie in China...duh! This company makes the nice people of China support their currency(yuan) by keeping it in their country working for the people there.... but with the “yuan” going up in value and the US dollar going down...all the foreign items that the American consumer buys thinking it is cheap has went up in price.

People...its all about the currency and to keep a currency strong you got to keep it floating around the country you live in so it can work for you. For the past 12 years all them US dollars are being shipped overseas to a foreign bank and with the American worker not making anything for the foreigner to buy the “we the people” have to turn to the “second” largest employer in America(Uncle Sam) to sell “we the people” debt in order to get all them dollars back!

50 years ago a foreigner would had given their left nut for a US dollar or a Hershey’s chocolate bar and today the same foreigner has got Uncle Sam and the American consumer by both all the while Hershey is moving the chocolate factory to Mexico. Wakeup! America and think “MADE IN AMERICA.”