Brave New Films - Latest Comments in Wal-Mart week is here!

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Dominique — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:43:26 -0000

I have not seen the film. But I say Walmart realy needs a wake up call. I worked for walmart for over 5 years. When I asked for resonable accomidations due to a Genetic Disorder. They started holding me accountable for anything they could find. Three months later I am fired. And mine isn't the only case. The discriminated against the disabled and I know of cases of discrimination due to weight. This company needs to see what they are doing.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

debbie — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:12:56 -0000

I am shocked that some Wal-Marts are deciding to discontinue carrying cloth and craft items. I do a lot of sewing and will have to travel 50 miles to obtain a piece of cloth. Please continue to carry this please. Thanks!
Debbie

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

RAYLENE GIBSON — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:08:58 -0000

I'm a Walmart shopper , many stores just
stock clones, WM stocks a well thought out
variety of products. & the help & checkstands
are well staffed. A larger building would feel
safer because this one is bursting at the seams. Over the years I've worked for the
government & a well known company, as far as I can tell they hired immigrants because of a program that subsidized the wages & benefits. Walmart (correct me if I'm wrong)
hired & trained Immigrants, welfare, low income & senior citizens & used that same program. Now their danged if they did & danged if they didn"t. Work is work, take your skills that you learned while getting paid for it at WM, & you might find out the grass isn't any greener in any another store!!

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Kerry Candaele — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 06:28:39 -0000

Dear durkdurka,

As a producer for Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, I am familier with a wide range of studies from small buiness alliances, community groups, environmental organizations, and numerous scholars within the academy which demonstrate conclusively the following: Wal-Mart drives down wages and benefits both locally and regionally wherever it appears; undermines small buinesses; creates environmental problems from congestion to the "strip mall" phenomenon. Add to this the enormous tax breaks and other public subsidies the company receives, money that could go to local schools and other underfunded local infrastructure, and the picture of Wal-Mart's impact is bleak indeed.
Here are some places to go for further research on Wal-Mart and its impact both in the U.S. and worldwide: American Independent Business Alliance, Good Jobs First, UC Berkeley Labor Cener, LA Alliance For A New Economy, Wal-Mart Watch, and many other organizations and individuals.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I spent months getting to know Wal-Mart employees who talked of the personal impact of Wal-Mart policies on their lives, from not being paid enough to feed their families, to having no health care for themselves and their children. Everyone I spoke to knows Wal-Mart up close and personal, and almost all of them were frieghtened to speak out on film for fear of Wal-Mart retribution. This may be the most damning fact of all.

Sincerely,

Kerry Candaele
Producer, Brave New Films

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

durkdurka — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 17:23:59 -0000

"Hey, a Super Wal-Mart went up in Coralville, Iowa some years back, look at the ECONOMIC BOOM the area is going under, neighboring towns as well.... North Liberty, Tiffin....... Iowa City has a Wal-Mart, they're experiencing growth as well, heck, all kinds of small businesses are popping up! BUT OH, YOU DON'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, YOU JUST WANT NEGATIVE STORIES TO BE TOLD!"

There is also a much larger Coralridge Mall in Coralville as well as a very large city known as Iowa City that borders Coralville. http://www.desmoinesregiste... A nice ol walmart story.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

K. Payne — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 06:13:38 -0000

Joe, thank you for being a small shining light in a place where everyone strives to be offended instead of opening their own doors. Trite responses are apparently against the rules when you don’t fall in line and agree with the obviously trite comments. Since when was it your “grass roots” responsibility to listen and take of your problems? Oh right… never. Imelda- nice plan. Throw the silly old debate out and just jump on the bandwagon, huh? Again Joe, Thank you.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Imelda — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 20:38:37 -0000

There are no good points about wall-mart we all need to stop shopping at wall-mart. If wall-mart closed down our contry would be free again. They are a monopoly ! We have to bring them down. Now they want to open banks! are we just going to let them keep robing our poor! Lets stop debating over who is right about the facts and do something to stop these monsters from destroying our contry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Edward M. Jobin — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 08:32:21 -0000

I consider myself a realist. I acknowledge there are good points about wal-mart as well as bad. I am neither pro-union or against them. Both again have their pros and cons. It is true that if you are seriously dissastisfied with wal-mart you can work or shop elsewhere, however for those who chose to work their they shouldn't have to just quit if they don't like it. Hopefully wal-mart like other corporations can change but probably won't unless enough people speak up. I can honestly say I had a few decent managers among the many who weren't. Unfortunately too many were chasing the carot dangling before them and chose rather to conceal serious problems and give the appearance of a smooth running operation. And some chose to climb the totem pole by appealing to the lower nature. It was all to common for managers to approach employees asking them to find out what people were saying and report back. I don't think wal-mart is alone in this kind of behaviour however it does say something about those who can't climb the ladder without resorting to these kind of tactics. Again these kind of problems are universal but each company needs to do it's part in trying to treat people right.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

guest — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 03:08:03 -0000

Steve, some of your comments leap out when taken in context of the entire message:

"We switched to wages and then made the wages so low the individuals couldn't feed, cloth or house themselves."

Please tell me what percent of Wal-Mart's workers are starving, naked, and homeless. If your argument has anything to do with reality, there have to be some. For that matter, what percent of people in America, where people for the most part are paid the wage value of their work, are people starving, naked, and homeless.

"Unfortunately there are many more who truly believe the hokum of capitalism"

Are you a Stalinist or something? Typically, those who oppose capitalism want to replace it with some sort of fascist, totalitarian economics. Capitalism has been proven to bring more prosperity to more people than any other system.

"The truth is someone has to give it up so the richman can have it all. "

Actually....this is not true at all. The vast majority of the rich are rich through their own work, not from others "giving it up". The rich actually own only that which they earned, someone willingly gave to them (inheritance from parents), or that which they freely trade for.

(Your statement, however, does fit socialism: where everyone gives it up so the ruling elites can have it all).

That is what makes Wal-Mart so successful, they know best how to take and not give back in any meaningful way, both from their customers and their employees. "

''Opposite of true'' is the best way to describe your statement. Customers pay less and get more at WMT. Workers are paid well: people that other places won't even hire AT ALL are making $8 an hour there. The starting pay there is well above the typical wage at the "mom and pop" places that WMT supposedly replaces.

I"f you want to see how it can change, look at Costco."

This company bullies some of its workers into paying hundreds of dollars to political parties. That is not fair to the workers, nor is it sustainable. For this reason alone, I hope WMT eats Costco for lunch.

"but they aren't the love of Wallstreet because they don't gouge like Wal-Mart."

What was that again? How does a place gouge by charging less? Wall Street also, doesn't care about gouging. They care about a good return on their investment. It seems you know nothing about Wall-Street, Wal-Mart, or "the rich". I hope you don't vote: such ignorance can be dangerous at the polling station.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

David J Adelman — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 11:04:44 -0000

I usually do not get involved in the anti WAL-MART debates, simply because 90% of the people are ex employees, or people just wanting to rave. But enough rambling how many times has Lowe's or Home Depot ruined small time hardware store? hmmm... that has nothing to do with WAL-MART right, how fast did mom and pop stores send financial relief, or food and water to hurricane sites, i'm right again. I see no talk of that though, but then again it was just $20,000,000.00 dollars plus see how when you use all numbers instead of saying $20million see how it puts more impact into it. What about the people like me that pay there bills with a wal-mart paycheck. How many jobs do you know of that you will get in trouble if you do not take your break on time. Oh yeah how about 75 % of management were promoted from hourly associate, how far you go with the company just depends on you. And last but not least I say we raise the prices to offset higher labor incentitives for the employee's, but then consumers would say price gouging was taking effect to pay the high cost of labor. Oh yeah BURGER KING just starts out at 7.00 an hour is that not worthy of an investigation? Check your local school and see how much WAL-MART has donated, or with the local childrens miracle network and see how much WAL-MART and associates have donated.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Steve — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 15:20:56 -0000

Haven't seen your movie, unfortunate on my part. Comments on wether or not working at Wal-mart makes good economic sense don't really square with the ultimate outcome. What we are facing here is the worst of capitalism. In America we eliminated slavery, probably because it was to expensive in the long run when dealing with capitalism. Slave owners were responsible for their slaves the same as they would be for their livestock, that meant they would have to feed, cloth and house them. We switched to wages and then made the wages so low the individuals couldn't feed, cloth or house themselves. The reformers tried to turn this around. Unfortunately there are many more who truly believe the hokum of capitalism and are again chasing this every man can be a rich man sort of dream. The truth is someone has to give it up so the richman can have it all. That is where the pension plans went, the health insurance, the decent wages and all the rest. That is what makes Wal-Mart so successful, they know best how to take and not give back in any meaningful way, both from their customers and their employees. If you want to see how it can change, look at Costco. A reasonable profit, a reasonable wage scale for every person in the company, a decent health care package and happy workers and happy customers, but they aren't the love of Wallstreet because they don't gouge like Wal-Mart.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Alex — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 10:33:31 -0000

Is the film about Walmart available in Canada? I would love to see it.
I will not give 1 dime of business to this retailer after what they did to the unionized store in Quebec. In fact I am so angry I dish this company every chance I get with whoever will listen.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Sick of Sick — Sat, 17 Dec 2005 08:31:29 -0000

Dear Mr. Greenwald,

Thanks for your thought-provoking film and your blog that allows the exchange of information.

And also some antisocial people, like Sick of Spin, a chance to work out some of his hostility.

If you search around for Mike Thayer or Sick of Spin, you'll see his trail. He likes to troll left-leaning sites and spew all sorts of nonsense.

Don't try to out Thayer Thayer, it's not possible. Nor desirable.

Sick's got statements on the web that support U.S. torture of "detainees". Isn't that special!

By his own claims, Sick says that he is a veteran of the USAF.

I wonder what theatre that veteran served in?

... and that he's married with 3 kids.

I doubt it, or at least that he still has custody.

Sick says that healthcare is an individual's responsibility. Not quite Mr. Sick. The U.S. government -- read us taxpapers -- pay for approximately 1/2 of all health expenditures through medicare and medicaide.

Since WalMart's health care options are so limited, We the Taxpayers are subsidizing WalMart, as they dump their responsbility onto the American Taxpayers lap.

Okay, poor people on welfare suck, but corporate welfare is just dandy, huh? Man, your value system is really yucky.

You would think some anti- type guy like Sick would be protesting the use of so much tax money on our rapacious health care system.

But since any health-care reform smacks of liberalism, Top Gun Sick is all against it.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

commonsense — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 10:52:39 -0000

wow...stepping on your turf is obviously not worth the results...lol...good on ya Tom.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Tom — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 12:17:56 -0000

OK...Sickofspin! Now you are on my turf! Don't post references to Stoughton, WI unless you really know what's going on there. YOU are no authority on Stoughton. I was there for their screening that night...YOU weren't.

Furthermore: Stop hiding behind "Sickofspin." Post with your real name...it might give you some semblance of credibility. We all know who you are:

According to Sickos own website:

"My name is Mike Thayer, I'm a staunch Conservative with a capital 'C'."
Mike Thayer alias Sickofspin is from Iowa.

Here's what his "friends" on other blogs have to say about him:

"Mike Thayer of Iowa! Welcome to NewsHounds! People don't seem to like you very much on your own blog, but we'll take GOOD care of you here!"
http://www.newshounds.us/20...

"Matt Thayer is the most despised human being in a VERY small corner of Iowa."

"(Knocking on Sickofspin's head)
HELLO, McFly! ANYONE HO-O-OME!"

"Sickofspin...you are one deluded f***ing moron!!"

"Sicko/Spin went to the bathroom to 'load up' on some new ammo!"

Tom Boese
Field Producer - Wisconsin
Brave New Films

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Sickofspin — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 12:23:37 -0000

I want to make an announcement (drum roll. please)..........I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT......This morning I decided to get off my butt, stop monitoring the WakeUpWalMart.com comment board and I call Bentonville and told them I quit! I admit that I did work for the evil Wal Mart, I want to repent and ask for forgiveness. Please accept my apology. I finally realized what the good people of WakeUpWalMart.com have been talking about; I went to the pharmacy to get my "blue pill" rx refilled and the pharmacist told me that I was no longer covered for drug benefits. I need my "blue pill" so I am asking if any of the Halloween candy sale money is still available, so that I can apply for assistance. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for everything you do WakeUpWalMart.com.....I love you!

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Sickofspin — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 03:24:18 -0000

Concession noted.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

commonsense — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 14:12:01 -0000

farewell sicko...thanks for the entertainment.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Sickofspin — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 01:13:24 -0000

Thanks for proving my point, you don't WANT to acknowledge any positives... You don't WANT to see that some of the hype being 'promoted' by your side is wrong.

Pathetic.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

commonsense — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 14:42:31 -0000

yep...good reading...entertaining at least...so back to the movie...you didn't see it...thats only too obvious now...and you obviously haven't followed up on any of the comments you previously posted regarding all the positives you imply (as well as this new link you posted) because iof you had done so...you would see another side to all these pumped up plusses...but no...you haven't...and won't...not usual "troll" behavior...I am not going to post links to the sources I have researched...I am not into spoon feeding others...but I shall rest knowing that you have stated your points and given back more entertainment value than most...and for that I will thank you and bid you farewell.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Sickofspin — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 04:26:48 -0000

Here's some good reading:

http://www.press-citizen.co...

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Sickofspin — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 04:25:59 -0000

The credibility of the movie is questionable at best. Any corporation can fall victim to slant tactics such as what has been used in the anti-Wal-Mart 'documentary', a documentary done in Michael Moore fashion and completely fails to present a balanced story. Fairness and balance was never intended. Cherry picking items in the creation of a 'documentary' is a completely dishonest thing to do.

One doesn't have to smoke to know that cigarettes cause cancer. One doesn't have to learn the fish is bad by eating it when the bad odor tells the story. So no, I haven't seen the movie nor do I have to to know you and your ilk don't paint a fair picture. You don't care to. Your posting history plays that out and so does Greenwald's history. And like this movie should be considered the 'bible' of this issue? HARDLY! There is wealth of information out there that you folks are totally ignoring.

There are many positives to Wal-Mart. There are many facts out there contrary to your point of view that paint a more complete and favorable picture than you are trying to paint. You choose to ignore any facts that don't fit your agenda.

You throw out bad things about Wal-Mart, I and others throw out good things (which you choose to ignore). Points are made on both sides. The good and the bad can be found in everyone, everything. The problem is you want to focus only on the bad. To counter that, I try to get you to focus on some good.

The difference between you and me is, I acknowledge that Wal-Mart is not to be mistaken for an exemplary company but I do give credit where credit is due. You on the other hand will only play with that 'Wal-Mart is inherently evil' card. And that's simply a dishonest thing to do.

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

commonsnese — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 18:43:49 -0000

Obviously sicko, you haven't even seen the movie...that shows loud n clear in your last post...I shall not be bothered going into explainations, however must point out that this entire quote,

"The retailer provides goods and services that are less expensive than competitors, thus increasing a person's buying power. Employees can take advantage of opportunities for advancement, they can address health care needs, participate in a retirement program and utilize other benefits. At the very least, a hard working productive person can use Wal-Mart as a stepping-stone to a better job. Make no mistake, Wal-Mart is far from being ideal or a cure-all ills employer (not to be confused with liberal Utopia) but the company does in fact cover basic elements that can and do contribute to an improved lifestyle for many people. "

is false. Not one line in this writing is the truth. If you do some research you can find all the facts you need to disprove every single statement in that quote. You are obviously reading the water temperature at the surface...go a bit deeper than the surface to really get an idea...you'll see for yourself...if you care enough to take the time. But I doubt that...you'd seemingly rather "troll" about in blogs pertaining to subject which you have no part...haven't seen the movie...shouldn't have an opinion about it if ya haven't seen it...isn't that so?

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

commonsense — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 18:41:52 -0000

Obviously sicko, you haven't even seen the movie...that shows loud n clear in your last post...I shall not be bothered going into explainations, however must point out that this entire quote,

is false. Not one line in this writing is the truth. If you do some research you can find all the facts you need to disprove every single statement in that quote. You are obviously reading the water temperature at the surface...go a bit deeper than the surface to really get an idea...you'll see for yourself...if you care enough to take the time. But I doubt that...you'd seemingly rather "troll" about in blogs pertaining to subject which you have no part...haven't seen the movie...don;t have an opinion about it if ya haven't seen it...isn't that so?

Re: Wal-Mart week is here!

Tom — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 18:01:23 -0000

Sicko: I've learned a very valuable lesson through my recent experience with posting to various blogs... there is NO reasoning with trolls! Now go find some other blog to haunt!

Tom Boese
Field Producer - Wisconsin
Brave New Films