Wal-Mart Publicity Operative Calls Democrats "Hezbocrats"

[texastoast]

From an email I received:

As you may remember, late last year Wal-Mart formed its own right-wing front group to try and defend the company. Wal-Mart called the group, Working Families for Wal-Mart, even though it had no working families, was funded directly by Wal-Mart, and is being run out of the same office as their public relations war room.

Since then, this group has recruited a cadre of some of the dirtiest and most extreme right-wing operatives with ties to Karl Rove, the New Hampshire phone jamming scandal and the Swift Boat Veterans. And, following Karl Rove’s playbook, Wal-Mart’s operatives immediately launched attacks against leading Democrats and even launched a website personally attacking WakeUpWalMart.com staff.

But, yesterday, Herman Cain, one of the steering committee members of Wal-Mart’s front group and a well-known right-wing commentator, completely crossed the line in a column he wrote by describing Democrats who are standing up, on behalf of working families, and asking Wal-Mart to be a responsible corporation as “Hezbocrats.”

Mr. Cain’s attempts to associate great leaders like Senator John Edwards, Senator John Kerry, Senator Joe Biden, and others with Hezbollah is inflammatory, ridiculous and an insult to every American leader who has stood up and said America’s largest employer, Wal-Mart, should be responsible and pay a living wage and provide affordable health care to its employees.

Please join us in calling on Wal-Mart to immediately apologize to the American people, denounce Mr. Cain’s remarks as outrageous, and ask Mr. Cain to resign from Wal-Mart’s front group:

http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/feature/hezbocrats/

Unfortunately, Mr. Cain’s remarks come right on the heels of another embarrassing incident for Wal-Mart’s front group when Ambassador Andy Young, the former chairman of Working Families for Wal-Mart, was forced to resign for using derogatory statements to defend Wal-Mart’s business practices.

more . . . .

You know what to do.

http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/feature/hezbocrats/

[TheFriedPiper]

1. I'm amazed anyone shops at walmart

are low prices really worth being around walmart shoppers?


everything that is wrong with our culture can be witnessed in a walmart parking lot on a saturday night

[texastoast]

3. What are the Democrats doing to respond?

That's what I would like to know.

Are they just going to lie down, be polite, and get run over like Kerry did during the Swiftboating of his campaign?

This kind of crap needs an immediate response.

[politicasista]

10. He DID respond

We need to stop repeating that lie and put the blame on the Democrats and left-leaning pundits that sat on their tails and didn't back him up.

Swift Liars: Kerry-Edwards Campaign Response

April 14, 2004 - The website for SBVT was registered under the name of Lewis Waterman, the information technology manager for Gannon International, a St. Louis company that has diversified interests, including in Vietnam. (1) (note - Gannon International does not appear to have any relationship to Jeff Gannon/Guckert, the fake reporter.)

May 3, 2004 - "Kerry campaign announced a major advertising push to introduce 'John Kerry's lifetime of service and strength to the American people.' Kerry's four month Vietnam experience figures prominently in the ads." (2)

May 4, 2004 - The Swift Liars, beginning their lies by calling themselves "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth", went public at a news conference organized by Merrie Spaeth at the National Press Club. (1)

May 4, 2004 - "The Kerry campaign held a press conference directly after the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" event...The campaign provided an information package which raised significant questions about 'Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.' " (3)


May 4, 2004 - Aug. 5, 2004 - No public activity by Swift Liars (?) Wikipedia entry (7) notes "When the press conference garnered little attention, the organization decided to produce television advertisements." (Ed. note - were there any public info or announcements, other than talk on blogs? Was there anything going on publicly? Did the campaign have reason to foresee what was coming - note that they must have, see the reactions to each ad).


Jul. 26, 2004 - Jul. 29, 2004 - Democratic National Convention held in Boston. John Kerry's military experience is highlighted.

Aug. 5, 2004 - The Swift Liars' first television ad began airing a one-minute television spot in three states. (7)

Aug. 5, 2004 - "the General Counsels to the DNC and the Kerry-Edwards 2004 campaign faxed a letter to station managers at the relevant stations stating that the ad is 'an inflammatory, outrageous lie" and requesting that they "act immediately to prevent broadcast of this advertisement and deny any future sale of time. " ' " (4)

Aug. 10, 2004 - Democracy 21, The Campaign Legal Center and The Center for Responsive Politics filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) charging that the Swift Liars were illegally raising and spending soft money on ads to influence the 2004 presidential elections. (4)

Aug. 17, 2004 - the campaign held a press conference at which Gen. Wesley Clark (ret.), Adm. Stansfield Turner (ret.), and several swift boat veterans rebutted the charges. (4)

Aug. 19, 2004 - the Kerry-Edwards campaign announced its own ad "Rassmann." (4)

Aug. 20, 2004 - The Swift Liars' second television ad began airing. This ad selectively excerpted Kerry's statements to the SFRC on 4/22/1971. (7)

Aug. 22, 2004 - the Kerry-Edwards campaign announced another ad "Issues" which addressed the Swift Boat group's attacks.

Aug. 25, 2004 - The Kerry-Edwards campaign ... dispatched former Sen. Max Cleland and Jim Rassmann, to Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas to deliver to the President a letter signed by Democratic Senators who are veterans. (The letter was not accepted.) (4)

Aug. 26, 2004 - The Swift Liars' third television ad began airing. This ad attacked Kerry's claim to have been in Cambodia in 1968. (7)

August 26, 2004 - Mary Beth Cahill sends letter to Ken Mehlman detailing the "Web of Connections" between the Swift Liars and the Bush Administration, and demanding that Bush denounce the smear campaign. (5)

August 26, 2004 - Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) submits FOIA request "with the White House asking it to detail its contacts with individuals connected to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (SBVT)." (6)

Aug. 27, 2004 - The DNC ran a full page ad in the Aug. 27, 2004 New York Times terming the Swift Boat campaign a smear. (4)

Aug. 31, 2004 - - The Swift Liars' fourth television ad began airing. This ad attacked Kerry's participation in the medal-throwing protest on 4/23/1971. (7)

References:
* (1) SourceWatch article on SBVT

* (2) (2004) Democracy in Action / Eric M. Appleman, Democracy in Action / Eric M. Appleman

* (3) (2004) Democracy in Action / Eric M. Appleman, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth: Kerry Campaign Response

* (4) (Sept. 8, 2004) Eric M. Appleman (apparently) Some Responses to the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" Ad

* (5) August 26, 2004 letter from Mary Beth Cahill to Ken Mehlman

* (6) Press Release (US Newswire): CREW FOIAs White House Contacts with Swift Boat Veterans Group

* (7) Wikipedia entry, Swift Vets and POWs for Truth

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x2555



BTW: Did you help spread the truth about Kerry from the Smear Boat Liars, or did you just throw rocks from the sideline asking why won't he respond?

[texastoast]

16. He did

But not loud enough.

And it is not his "fault." The party needs to realize that there are lots of Democrats in the heartland who do not read the NYT.

And, I worked my ASS OFF writing letters against two of the major players in the Swiftboat liefest, John O'Neill (nasty corporate lawyer) and Robert Perry (real estate "developer" who bought legislators to pass legislation to fuck the Texas homeowners).

My point is that if we haven't learned that we gotta be LOUDER than they are, we will have trouble.

No manners is fine with me.

[politicasista]

18. I am sure he gets that too

He made some mistakes, but I respect that fact that he took responsibility for those mistakes unlike Bush. He has been one of the most vocal people about the media.

I did the same thing you did, that is, just turn off the television and do some research at the campaign site.


I am from the south, and I feel that Dems are going to have to find ways to get the message out cause it is obvious that the GOP controls the broadcast media and press.

We have to be the media now. :patriot:

[blm]

22. I suggest you read yesterday's thread on the media conference call

that was reported by kerrygoddess.

The audio is a must listen for every Democrat.

John Kerry has Showdown with Reporter, Hits Raw Nerve that Reporter Reveals to Bloggers After Conference Call
August 21st, 2006 @ 2:59 pm

A recurring theme in the liberal blogosphere is to note the propensity of the MSM to allow the Republican Noise Machine to control the message in the media. In Lapdogs, Eric Boehlert demonstrated clearly that “the news media have utterly failed in their duty as watchdog for the public.”

An instance of this was seen clearly during the conference call with John Kerry and Patrick Murphy, a week ago Friday, when Jonathan Kaplan of The Hill asked Patrick Murphy, “Do you think Ned Lamont’s victory in Connecticut hurts or helps your chances of defeating the GOP incumbent?”

Murphy responded and Kaplan pushed the meme again, that perhaps Lamont’s victory was a gain for the GOP.

After Murphy’s second response to Kaplan, John Kerry interjected his thoughts on Kaplan’s question and made it very clear to Kaplan that the press “should not allow them to be able to try to transform failure into an offensive policy to suggest that someone is weak because they have an alternative that works.”

Kaplan snidely responded to Kerry saying, “Isn’t that your job not ours?”

John Kerry proceed to give Jonathan Kaplan a quick lesson in what the role of the media really is — “We communicate through you,” Kerry said. “We need to invite you to hold them accountable… We speak but if it doesn’t get out there, the American people don’t hear it.”

MORE, LINKS & AUDIOS - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3932

[niceypoo]

38. This is to stupid to respond to

it sounds like something a third grader would say.

[texastoast]

54. Whatever

niceypoo

[MessiahRp]

47. Kerry has ALREADY Responded to Wal-Mart

Seems he was the first to do so...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1969274

This is the man who should be our President. He's gone a long way since allowing the Clintonites destroy his campaign with their jumbled messages.

Rp

[Lord Balto]

56. Email sent to Walmart

"As a 'Hezbocrat" I can no longer patronize your
stores."

Not that I normally shop there anyhow....

[texastoast]

65. Love it

And welcome to DU!

:toast:

[dorktv]

64. We need to put a dictionary with the meaning of Hezbollah in it in a glove

walk up to this guy, smack him across the face and challenge him to a duel of wits.

[bvar22]

8. Don't attack the Wal-Mart Shoppers!

Attack the Wally World monolith and the political system that supports Wally World instead.

Many of the Wal-Mart Shoppers are from the bottom of the Socio/Economic ladder.....You know, the ones that the Democratic Party represented in days gone by.

The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[proud2BlibKansan]

29. Here's hoping you don't lose your job or get sick or go broke

so you don't have to live at that trailer park. The residents deserve nicer neighbors.

[brentblack]

30. As someone who one lived in a trailer park...

...I can tell you that most of the people there voted Democratic STRAIGHT DOWN THE TICKET - always had; always will. Remember...poor people don't normally vote Repug.


Trailer parks are filled with people who are on the lowest rungs of the ladder, but, just like inhabitants of the ghetto (and I doubt you would make fun of the people in the ghetto, eh Mr. Progressive?), most of the folks there are hard working, honest people who just do not have much money or many options.


Anyway, fried piper, I am glad your life is filled with money and options for a good life. Too bad your attitude is rather elitist and classist. Not a very good progressive.

[kenfrequed]

49. Hear Hear!

Quite correct. Income is a fairly decent predictor of voting patterns and despite being forced to shop at Walmart most poor people will (if their vote is actually counted) vote Democrat.

The solution to Walmart is not being a Limo-Liberal about the whole thing and unionize the heck out of them.

[tblue37]

62. WTF?! I don't believe you said that! (eom)

[lvx35]

9. Many don't have a choice

like my mom, she lives out in the rural boonies. Wal-Mart makes the local businesses shut down so after awhile you either have to drive about 90 miles to shop, or go to Walmart.,

[TheFriedPiper]

11. Well, as long as it convenient

I would drive past 3 walmarts to pay twice as much for an item just to not have to deal with a company that evil.

But hey, that's just me.

Sometimes what's right isn't what's convenient.

[RayOfHope]

19. How lucky for you that you can afford the gas and time to do that

I can assure you that I do not live in a trailer park and am not on the lowest rungs of society, but the nearest option other than Wal Mart is 140 miles round trip. Thanks to the messed up state of the US today, my family can't afford to shop anywhere else.

[Name removed]

34. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lvx35]

21. A real solution needs to come from the state.

I mean it gets to a point where you can be forced to spend all your money avoiding shopping at these places, and the result is that you are economically nullified, and don't have anything to give to the democratic party, for instance...especially if most of the extra money you are spending goes to big oil via gas, its questionable what the effect would be.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tblue37]

63. Some people can't afford to pay for the extra gas--

or to pay twice the amount for something they need. Progressives are supposed to be on the side of the poor and the exploited.

[angus]

14. Agreed, but

My attempt at a boycott would cause me to have to drive an hour out of town--to another Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is literally the only place to buy goods in my town. Trust me--I would shop elsewhere if I could. It's a shame.

[brentblack]

25. Lot of folks shop at Walmart

Cause we cannot afford to shop elsewhere.

Speaking for all of my Walmart shopping brethern, I aoplogize that you must suffer us so much. Sucks to be around poor people I guess.

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. I have a friend who drives 40 miles to shop at WalMart

because it is the only store she has to shop at. She lives in a small town with a small grocery store. That's it. No drug store, no clothing store, no hardware store, no other stores. They all went out of business when WalMart opened - 40 miles away.

Some people have no choice but to go to Walmart. So it isn't the low prices for everyone who shops there.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ms liberty]

37. Ahh, disabled profile...why am I unsurprised? n/t

[focusfan]

45. maybe we should all boycott Wal-Mart

:grr: 

[proud2BlibKansan]

52. Works for me but I have other alternatives

People in small towns and rural areas do not.

[ima_sinnic]

41. & I choose to NOT live in an urban area b/c i can't stand

being squeezed into a cubicle on top of and surrounded by millions of other cubicles, where I'd have to live like a prisoner, with bars on the windows and the sounds and smells of umpteen overcrowded other tenants filling the air. The sight of endless miles of concrete, steel and glass just doesn't do it for me, nor does the racket of horns honking, trucks backfiring, and traffic in general, nor does the sight of people sleeping on subway grates, stoops, and park benches. I am about to move to the remotest most rural area I can find--I can't even take the suburbs or a "small city." And I will feel very VERY glad to leave foolish people who think they are better than everybody just because they're glad to pay way too much for a virtual prison cell without even a small yard.

As said upthread, DO get over yourself!!

[Pastiche423]

58. Please understand how lucky you are to have that choice

Not everyone does. I would LOVE to live in the country w/lots of dirt for growing things, to be able to listen to the sounds of nature and to be able to see the stars at night.

But I can't. I must live where there are sidewalks, curbcuts and elevators. I must because I need to get to a grocery store. If I could buy food and household supplies on ebay, I would. I must because I can not climb stairs. I must because my wheelchair doesn't do uneven ground, sand (Gawd, I miss the beach!) or gravel.

So, please do not call me foolish because I must live in an urban area.

As for Wally World - I haven't been in one for five years and would rather do w/o than ever enter one again.

[ima_sinnic]

61. I was NOT talking about you!

My heart goes out to anyone forced to live where they don't really want to, as I am now. I was responding to whoever upthread had such an arrogant, holier-than-thou, judgmental attitude, dissing people who live in the country as "stupid" and not as good as s/he.

What about at least a smallish town for you, a single-story house with a little yard within wheeling distance of "downtown"? Just as an example, I love Maine and spent years in Orono/Old Town -- plenty of sidewalks and stores are easily accessible by anyone, and the houses (many rentals because of the university there) all have plenty of space for gardening. The cold winters there are not to everyone's liking, of course, but similar towns are everywhere.

[asthmaticeog]

44. Not everyone can afford to just pick up and move at your whim,

any more than they can afford to be smug classists.

edit:spelling

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

32. Their televisions are junk...

... I made the mistake of buying a Walmart house brand Ilo 27" TV, it lasted 2.5 days before the screen went black and white with a rainbow circle in the middle.

[Hubert Flottz]

2. Those Nazicon Bastids!

ScabMart won't get any of my union made cash!

[BlooInBloo]

4. 08-23-06 - The day walmart jumped the shark and went unhinged.

[corkhead]

7. they jumped the shark when Sam croaked. His evil spawn are to blame.

[MADem]

5. This is that Black conservative guy from GA???

JC Watts' father should give that clown some advice....

[texastoast]

17. That's him. n/t

[DAMANgoldberg]

51. kissing up to his Talk mentor...

Neal Boortz (Jones syndication, WSB 750 Atlanta) National show 10a-1p ET, local show starts at 830a. Neal is getting old and is looking for his replacement, and it's NOT going to be Royal Marshall or Belinda Skelton, people currently on his show.

former resident of Atlanta.

[SeattleRob]

6. Democrats should speak up...

with their wallets. I haven't shopped at a Wal Mart for at leasr six years. I sure as hell won't be giving them any of my hard earned money anytime soon. That also goes for Sam's Club too!

[ryanus]

13. Why does it seem like I'm still in junior high?

Everybody calling each other stupid names, people getting throwing a coniption...Ug.

Next thing I know the news will show a note that Coulter wrote to someone asking if he'd go with her.

[burythehatchet]

15. Never Shop WalMart

[elehhhhna]

20. Here's the link to email W'mart corporate, direct:

http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=221

[marmar]

23. I'm so glad I've never spent a dime in that hole...

Fascist gasbag corporation.

[whistle]

24. Wal-Mart is such a great corporate citizen of Fascist Amerika

...time to boycot Wal-Mart totally even though I rarely shop there at all.

[MannyGoldstein]

26. Hillary's Spawn

Ms. Clinton was a Director of Wal-Mart for 6 years when it was pioneering its "Always the lowest wages. Always." revolution. Don't expect any action against Wal-Mart by her anytime soon, other than, perhaps, a perfunctory swipe in a speech.

[kenfrequed]

48. Hmm

Well I wouldn't point that out on Bartcop. They seem to be rather stuck on Hillary.

But I very much doubt anyone will seriously go after them from a political angle.

[proud2BlibKansan]

53. I believe Hillary was a director while Sam Walton was still alive

The company has changed for the worst since he died.

[Vinca]

27. Easy response to the remark : don't shop there. nt

[Skittles]

39. did you read the thread

for many AMericans, Wal Mart is becomeing the ONLY place they can shop - either becuase of prices or distances or both - Wal Mart runs a lot of places out of business

[texpatriot2004]

33. comment on petition

Herman Cain went way too far with his comment about "Hezbocrats", he crossed the line of decency. Herman Cain should be held accountable for this insult. Wal-Mart must decide how they want to be represented? If they want right wing extremists to be their public voice then I won't do business there. Already Wal-Mart business practices are so bad that I have started shopping elsewhere. If Herman Cain and his ilk get away with this sort of public insult then I won't bother to shop with Wal-Mart again. Herman Cain must apologize ASAP.

[brg5001]

35. Herman Cain wrote "They Think You're Stupid" (referring to Dems.)

The book was introduced by reactionary ex-Democrat Zell Miller. Cain's claim to fame is that he is African-American, college-educated and ran a successful business, which now gives him the right to castigate anyone who disagrees with his homophobic right-wing views. By mixing common-sense pleas concerning personal responsibility with the Democrats-as-Demons trash talk, he's become a favorite of the Bush apologists. It's time to ask Herman Cain why he defends a corporation that embraces CORPORATE welfare and shoves its employees onto the public dole for their health care.

[kenfrequed]

50. I always wondered about that

The message almsot seems to be: "Don't patronize the people with your truth-telling while we are trying to oppress them."

[texpatriot2004]

55. I agree, it is time to ask him why he's for corporate welfare. nm

[peacetalksforall]

36. I feel sorry for all of you who have to rely on their stores because of

geography. It is stressful to learn what we're learning about Wal-Mart, it seems the stress must be magnified to only have them to shop at.

As always, I regret boycotting stores where innocent employees are affected, but most of us have a choice and we are always making choices anyway. It's time to be creative - figuring out where independent stores are, using mail-order when there is time. There is no need to shop there for gifts if you can get an early start and planning is possible.

More importantly,

> let them know that you are avoiding them and why
> tell them that you are educating your friends and relatives about their anti-people policies and list a couple of them. Don't forget all the corruption about insurance. Don't just get hung up on name calling - they can always excuse that away or drop the guy. Better to tell them that you know they take partisan political aim at citizens and employees.

[treestar]

40. Notice that nobody calls this "tinfoil" hat stuff

When Cheney made his stupid remark about the Lamont election, nobody jumped on him for wild eyed crazy conspiracy theories for implying that Muslim terrorists follow US primaries and feel emboldened when the Democrats win one.

But say something about the news cycle coming up with a terra plot the next day is supposed to mean you are tinfoil hat crazy.

Double standard.

[Bretttido]

42. Well, that's the final straw for me.

I had been content with simply not shopping at Wal-Mart unless I was dragged there by friends/family. Now I will disseminate this information to them and refuse to even tag along.

[ima_sinnic]

46. online shopping is where it's at, when possible

I haven't bought anything at WalMart for years and don't plan on ever spending a cent there for the rest of my life. Aside from groceries and stuff like toilet paper, many many things can be bought online if there are no other stores nearby. And don't overlook eBay, it's more than auctions of secondhand stuff now, many home-based businesses are selling new stuff at a fixed price, plus you are allowed the luxury of comparing prices and the prices are truly competitive. Of course I know that not everybody has access to or skill with a compuer, but for those who do, it's just another way to beat MallWart.

[Fridays Child]

57. K&R

[SoyCat]

59. Just one more reason they will continue to NOT get my dollars.

[goforit]

60. Is Walmart looking for trouble or what!