Boycott Target this Christmas

[LSparkle]

Target has decided not to allow the Salvation Army to solicit donations outside their stores this Christmas season. (Hey, didn't they get the message that SALVATION is "in" this year?) Another great example of The Chimp's "compassionate conservatism" at work in this country -- corporations not wanting their shoppers to be BOTHERED by charitable organizations trying to help those in need. As much as I've relied on Target for gifts, etc. in years past, I will not be shopping there this year and encourage everyone else to stay away as well.

[VelmaD]

1. Back up the truck...

you obviously weren't paying attention a couple of years back when the Salvation Army was seriously lobbying against equal rights for gays. They were deeply involved in trying to make sure that the new federal faith-based initiatives didn't require them to provide equal employment opportunity.

[LSparkle]

11. I stand (sit) corrected with egg on me face!

I hadn't heard anything about the gay/lesbian discrimination -- now that I am educated I will not view them as kindly. (Oops!)

[VelmaD]

14. It hurt me when I found out...

about the Salvation Army's homophobic stance. Came close to ruining xmas for me a couple of years ago. I used to hear their bells and drop some change in the kettle and feel good. Now if I drop in anything it's a note letting them know why I no longer donate anything to them.

[donheld]

18. Take the egg off your face

and rub it in theirs

[NewHampshireDem]

50. Is this a variation on the "Target won't donate to WWII memorial" hoax?

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/t/target-viet.htm

Just wondering... :shrug:

[eyesroll]

2. Umm...they don't allow anyone to solicit.

They decided to enforce the policy uniformly.

The Salvation Army discriminates against gays and lesbians as well. (They're allowed to, as a private religious organization. But that doesn't make it the right thing to do.)

[jdj]

45. isn't Target ranked # 1 as far as donating to charities and such

I read this somewhere, source is in the void..but I think I've got it right.

[LisaM]

3. Not me. That's Senator Dayton's family

Sorry, I am no huge fan of the Salvation Army anyway. Besides, don't worry about them. They'll start getting a bunch of our tax dollars through faith-based initiatives and Joan Kroc just left them a boatload of money. Give the money to some local charity instead.

[tsuki]

34. I am telling everyone who want a donation that I am sending

my year's donation to California to help stem cell research.

[no name no slogan]

59. Actually, Sen. Dayton has no connection to them anymore

The Dayton family all sold their interest in the company at least a generation ago. The Senator has no connection, formal or informal, with Target Corporation.

However, Target does give 5% of its sales to non-profit and charitable organizations. They are definately one of the better corporate citizens in Minnesota.

:)

[JVS]

4. Is there anywhere we can do our fucking shopping?

[rbnyc]

20. You pretty much can't use money...

...without a moral conflict.

;-)

[BiggJawn]

23. No. Go hungry. Be cold. Run around naked.

I'm getting sick of all these boycott threads, too.

[Neverarepublican]

58. Don't shop

anywhere. Boycott Christmas shopping.
Make them hurt. There is something to be
said about enjoying the holidays without all the rush
to buy shit.

[Dukakis88]

5. I don't like those Salvation Army solicitors.

It's like the Guilt Parade. They talk to you when you go into the store and when you come out, like you owe them an explanation for not automatically pulling out your wallet at the sound of a Pavlovian bell.

[notadmblnd]

25. I don't like them either

around here they are not volunteers, they are paid day labor hired by temp companies.

[trotsky]

6. Target donates some of its profits to each local community.

In terms of large discount stores, you really won't find better than Target. The Salvation Army discriminates anyway.

[donheld]

7. I will support Target for this

The Salvation Army is only soliciting money to donate to right wing causes, and the bible beaters of the world. Good for Target.

[MARALE]

16. Good!

I love Target. I drive 40 extra miles so I can shop there during the Xmas season. They have good quality items and I get a better vibe from their store than Walmart.

[qalice]

8. Boycott Target

Salvation Army is a homophobic, intolerant organization. Sorry, I'm sure they mean well, but I haven't donated to them in years and I'll be glad to shop at Target now they're gone.

[donheld]

31. Welcome to DU

qalice :hi:

[SnowGoose]

9. What? Is god not fully funding his army?

Damned military budget cuts!

[Terran]

10. Did Target give a reason for this move?

Possibly it's because the Salvation Army discriminates against gays and Lesbians? As employees, and not in the provision of services, granted. Just a thought.

[fudge stripe cookays]

12. Nope.

I love Target, and they're a buttload better than Wal-Mart. This just ensures that no one will be soliciting. Especially homophobic bell ringers.

FSC

[baldguy]

13. GOOD! The Salvation Army is a bunch of toadying RW bigots!

I don't support them & don't support anyone who will.

[rbnyc]

17. hear hear (nt)

[vinnievin777]

15. Does never shopped there or will count

Vinnie Vin
http://www.vinnievin.com

[LightTheMatch]

19. Target is a pretty good company overall.

I definitely support them over the Salvation Army. Besides, they're from a blue city in a blue state (Minneapolis).

[motely36]

21. No way

I will be shopping at Target for getting rid of that homophobic organization

[Beaverhausen]

22. Target is one of the good guys. I love that store

[rene moon]

24. Sorry but no

I worked there in college and I thought and still think, it is a great company. They do many good things for the community.

[CO Liberal]

26. Target Had Their Reasons

They made an exception for the bell ringers, and wouldn't allow any other groups outside their doors. When the other groups saw this and asked for equal access, Target decided to give the Army the boot. So did Albertson's.

Target already donates a percentage of each store's profits to local charities. And since the Salvation Army supported the Bush Administrartion's policies of discrimination against gays, I've been boyvotting THEM for the past few years.

This is the DU member still known as CO Liberal.

[Phillycat]

27. Salvation Army has AA meetings at their shelters in my area

and has given them a decidedly Christian slant. This is EXPRESSLY against the tradition of AA, which has no religious denomination or faith attached to it whatsoever.

I like Target and I'm not too thrilled with the Salvation Army. I'm not buying gifts this year but I think I know who's winning this ethical battle in my opinion.

[Politicub]

28. I boycott the Salvation army now

for its anti-gay stance. Now I have even more reasons to spend my hard earned money at Target.

[Dukakis88]

29. I'm going to beat up the next five Salvation Army guys I see...

And tell 'em DU sent me.

[democracyindanger]

30. You mean the gay-hating Salvation Army?

I used to collect all my change and at the end of the year, dump it into Salvation Army buckets. Goes to other places now.

[Mr_Spock]

32. Damnit I can't boycott both WalMart and Target

Cut the boycott everybody stuff! At least I am sure why I am boycotting WalMart!

[MadHound]

33. Good for Target, the Salvation Army is a sham scam anyhow

I've seen first hand how these folks operate their "thrift" stores and it isn't pretty. Good hearted Joe Schmoe walks in donating a load of stuff which contains, unbeknownst to him, several prize collectibles or antiques. The staff in the back, many of whom have booths in flea markets or storefront antique stores, comb through the pile, divvying up the prize material between them. This money stuff walks out the back while the crap is put out front, and no one is the wiser.

They also shove their particular brand of Christianity down the throats of those they are helping. If they were true Christians, they would offer this help with no strings attached, but alas, we see how true a Christian organization they really are.

Good for Target, I will not boycott them over this issue. In fact I may start going out of my way to buy from them.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

35. Check out these URLs....

http://www.coopamerica.org/individual/marketplace/imbs-cv.htm

http://www.coopamerica.org/individual/marketplace/IMUS-CV.HTM

[prairierose]

36. Nope, won't boycott Target...

I have been boycotting the Salvation Army for years due to their discrimination against gays & I will stick with that.

[AngryAmish]

37. I am not crazy - I hate those f'n bell ringers

I am a total Scrooge - I hate x-mas. The bell-ringers make it worse because I HAVE to go shopping and must run their gauntlet. My first stop for shopping is always Nordstrom's because they have a bar and I can choke down a few constitutionals before wading into the mob.

[BlueHandDuo]

38. Hooray for Target!

I'm another one who's seen the Salvation Army up close and lost all respect I once had for it.

[Shananigans]

39. It's about damn time the Salvation "Army" started raising money like

a real charity. Target is a great corporation with strong ties to Minnesota's very liberal US Senator Mark Dayton and his family (they started it). I will shop there over Wal-Mart, Wal-Greens, Kohls etc... ANYDAY!

GO TARGET!

[Tweed]

47. Kohls = Democratic Senator Kohl from Wisconsin

You can still go to Target over Kohl's but there is nothing wrong with Kohl's.

[blondeatlast]

40. Target gives MILLIONS to charities, especially on a local level.

In the progressive business practices department, they are light years ahead of their competition.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

41. GOOD for Target

that means that damn bell ringer won't be out there this year. Good, makes me want to shop there even more. I already do all my non-grocery shopping there.

BOYCOTT WAL-MART.

Salvation Army = buncha homophobes. I don't support organizations like that.

[Lady Effingbroke]

42. I am boycotting Christmas this Christmas.

But I'm glad to know that Target is more progressive than Wal Mart!

[tjwash]

43. Good, now I will be sure to shop at Target.

nt

[2bfree]

44. I always have an uneasy feeling about the Salvation Army......

They pay their bell ringers and they are in front of every store, just turns me off for some reason.

[CanuckAmok]

46. What should make you uneasy...

is the fact that they require those who receive aid from them to PRAY. They don't call them the Salvation Army for nothing.

I know this is harsh, but conditional charity isn't charity at all; it's commerce.

[donheld]

55. The Salvation Army is a Preyer group

they Prey on the down and out. Not a group i support

[Biased Liberal Media]

48. That gives me MORE reason to shop Target

Considering how homophobic Salvation Army is.

Next time I see a bellringer I will tell them I refuse to donate money to a charity that is so anti-gay rights and homophobic. Heh heh.

[Habibi]

53. Not just homophobic, but fiscally irresponsible

I have a friend who works for the Army (she's not one of them) and has expressed great disgust for the way they spend their money. Quarter-million-dollar houses for their "officers." New cars. Superb health insurance. While the workers get paid pittances and have to make do with crappy insurance.

I love Target.

[burrowowl]

49. Probably because the SA is

very HOMOPHOBIC.
I give to other org and local charities, not the SA.
Target also gives a percentage of its take back to the community.
I think I am going to try and shop Target.

[Deja Q]

51. Salvation Army discriminates against gays - from employment to the needy

I applaud Target.

[Danmel]

52. Target gives a lot of money to local schools

You can name a particular school for your credit card account at Target and they will donate a percentage of your purchases to that school.

Not bad.

Kohl's has fund raisers throughout the year- they sell books and stuffed animals at pretty low prices and they give all the proceeds to local children's hospitals.

I tend to avoid sectarian charities for general fund type activities- I don't think food or housing should come with religious strings attached. Just my opinion.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

54. No way-Tarzhay is my fave!

Plus the Salvation army is a homophobic organization.

[lumberingbear]

56. Can't stand Salvation Army!!!

Every city that I've lived in, they have done something to piss everyone off.

Many years ago in Indianapolis there was a SA Homeless shelter across the street from a restaurant and a straight bar. The restaurant was sold and made into a gay bar. The gay bar had a box for can goods and a jar for donations to SA.

Well, SA's response was to put a chapel in the homeless shelter and take the owners of the gay bar to court and try to close the bar because it was within so many feet of a church (Since the chapel made the shelter a church).

When the trial got to court the judge asked the SA why they didn't file a suit against the straight bar and the SA wouldn't answer that question. So the judge threw out the case and berated the SA throughly!!! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[AP]

57. Salvation Army Christians are very sexist and heirarchical, if you ask me.

Do you know any salvationists? Women can't pray at the table (the man does it) and lower rank people have to defer to higher rank people.

They have a very rigid code of conduct too.