Target won't make it right

[dsc]

http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2010/08/target-corp-message-to-lgbt-community-we-won't-make-it-right/
http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2010/08/target-corp-message-to-lgbt-community-we-won’t-make-it-right/

After two weeks of good-faith discussions – and two tentative agreements – with Target Corporation, the company has informed HRC that it will take no corrective actions to repair the harm that it caused by contributing $150,000 to an organization supporting a vehemently anti-gay candidate closely associated with a Christian rock band that advocates death and violence to gay people. In response, HRC announced that it will devote $150,000 of its own resources to help elect a pro-equality governor and legislature in Minnesota. The next governor will likely have the opportunity to either sign or veto marriage equality legislation in the North Star State.

As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United, corporations are now permitted to give unlimited amounts of shareholder cash to certain political committees. Target has made a conscious decision to place stores in LGBT communities throughout the nation. In fact, two stores are currently under development in the City of San Francisco.

All eyes are now on Best Buy, another Minnesota-based company, that also made a political contribution to MN Forward, the group supporting Tom Emmer, one of the most strident opponents of equality in Minnesota to vie for the governor’s mansion. Best Buy has yet to respond.

end of quote

It is clear that Target has decided that they don't have to fix this. If you were waiting to boycot target to see if they would fix it, now you can start.

[handmade34]

1. didn't go there much anyways

will definitely not now

[customerserviceguy]

2. Being as I don't follow Christian rock music

I'd appreciate it if you'd identify the band whose song lyrics advocate death and violence to gay people. While I don't generally sympathize with fundie Christians, I guess I'm not aware of any musical groups of that orientation that advocate such drastic measures against gay folks.

[dsc]

4. It wasn't in the lyrics it was on a radio show

Here is a link to a story about it.

http://minnesotaindependent.com/59337/emmer-campaign-donated-to-you-can-run

[JNelson6563]

3. Because of this I no longer go there.

Haven't been there since I first heard of this crap. Screw 'em.

Julie

[stevenleser]

5. Screw them. No more Target for me. n/t

[CoffeeCat]

6. Arrogant a-holes...

Yes, corporations can donate as many dollars to horrible, inhuman, bigoted candidates as they please.

However, we have the right to take OUR dollars elsewhere.

I am an avid Target shopper. I like the store, and in particular, I like their online coupons.

I will not shop there any longer. This week, I purchased groceries, school supplies, back-to-school clothes for my kids,
and tennis shoes for their PE classes. I spent at least $500.

Target got not ONE dime. Ordinarily, they would have gotten a good chunk of it, if not all of it.

As far as the SCOTUS ruling in favor of corporations as "persons" who can donate to political campaigns--another
fine example of our bought-off politicians and greedy corporations not thinking things through.

Yeah, the candidate got your money. However, we can boycott your store, cause you PR problems and inevitably--lower
your stock price.

IDIOTS.

[Mz Pip]

8. Yep.

There is a Target close to my house. I shopped there a lot. No more. A friend of mine has been organizing local protests. I'll find out when the next on is.

[dflprincess]

7. And, in a related story, for those who may not know, the DFL candidate for governor is Mark Dayton

whose family started Target. It evolved from the Dayton/Hudson Corporation. It's really sad, as the Dayton family (many of whom have been Republicans did a lot for Minnesota both individually and through the corporation.

I heard Mark on a local TV show this weekend tell a story about a time when one of his more conservative cousins complained about his taxes going up and Mark's dad told him he didn't have anything to complain about because if he was paying more taxes, it meant he was doing better and he should be glad of that.