ABC World News does a "hit piece" on Target

[Nikki Stone 1]

Tonight, ABC News ran what I consider to be a very biased piece on Target stores. Target has a new policy of not allowing solicitors to harass people on their way out Target stores. The Salvation Army is ticked off because they, along with every other group, has been thrown off the premises. ABC had interviews that were all pro-Salvation Army and interviewed someone from a religious group who really criticized Target.

I happen to like Target, and I know they contribute to many local charities. ABC was shamelessly biased in its reportage. I don't quite understand why, although Wal-Mart does sponsor their "Person of the Week". At any rate, I sent ABC the following letter:




"I just saw the piece on Target done by ABC World News Tonight (Sunday, Dec. 5 broadcast) and am concerned that ABC showed a bias against Target and in support of the Salvation Army.

While I respect the work done by the Salvation Army, I greatly appreciate Target's new policy of banning soliciters on their property. Before this policy, many different groups would accost me on my way out of Target. One of these groups had actually been exposed as a fraud by a local news program, but they were still begging for money (in nurse's uniforms) in front of several Targets in my area. I did let Target managers know that this group was fraudulent, but was told that Target could not choose which solicitation groups to allow or disallow. I imagine that many customers were concerned about this problem, and Target chose to act on customer concerns.

To assume that Target stores--or their customers--were "Scrooges", as your story this evening did, was wrong and unfair. Most people, self included, do give to charities or causes. If people want to donate to a group, they can do what I do: contact the group and get information by mail. I give money to a number of different causes in just this way.

While I understand the Salvation Army's perspective, I do not understand why ABC limited themselves to this perspective and did not balance it with, say, comments by grateful Target customers who appreciated the policy. I hope that the nature of your coverage was not related to Wal-Mart's sponsorship of your "Person of the Week"."

[NVMojo]

1. the Target folks supported Kerry, this is another Rove repug

attack using the religious rightwing whack jobs to take out dissenters to the Bushway.

[Sara Beverley]

27. Don't forget to call in and e-mail.

We need to harrass them just as they do us.

[Starlight]

34. Target is a big REPUB supporter!!

Why do people keep insisting that Target supported Kerry? I've seen this statement here several times & I don't know where people are getting the idea that Target supports Democrats. They're a big Repub supporter!

From Choose The Blue:

Brand: Target Corp
Parent Company: Target Corp
% to Dem 28%
% to Rep 72%
$ to Dem $81,133
$ to Rep $208,629

But, nevertheless, I agree with their decision to axe the beggars. If I want to give money to a charity (and I give a lot!), I know where to find them.

[cavanaghjam]

2. Of course their coverage was not influenced

by WalMart's being a sponsor; what do you think networks are? Whores?

[Nikki Stone 1]

4. Yes, but feel free to write them, anyway

Negative mail can have some effect.

[Scout]

3. I use my Target Visa....

we're trying not to use credit cards at all, but when I have to I use my Target Visa. I don't get cash back, but they do give you a coupon for 10% off an entire days purchases each time you accumulate enough points.

We are also trying not to spend much, or at least not buy much premade stuff for the holidays this year ... but if I have to buy something I'll get it at Target.

[NYC]

5. While criticizing Target, did they say clearly

that Wal-Mart is one of their big advertisers?

Just wondering.

Yesterday, I noticed that the Salvation Army has bellringers in front of Macy's and Lord & Taylor. They just get lost in the crowd, so I doubt customers feel harassed on the way out of the stores. We call them sidewalk Santas.

[Nikki Stone 1]

6. No, there was no disclaimer, no acknowledgement of Wal Mart sponsorship

And there should have been.

I don't mind the Salvation Army either, but Target has the right to disallow solicitations, especially when other groups (like the group I mentioned in my post) DO bother people. Why this decision--which actually helps customers--was important enough to ABC to do a national hit piece on Target is beyond me.

[laheina]

7. It never stops irritating me

that there are *no* journalistic standards left in our society.

[welshTerrier2]

8. The Salvation Army: home of religious bigotry

of course, they don't believe in the salvation of all Americans, only the ones who aren't "immoral" ... what a despicable organization ...

Salvation Army Uses Homeless To Fight Gay Benefits

(New York City) The Salvation Army is threatening to close soup kitchens for tens of thousands of New York's homeless and walk away from other projects if the city enacts legislation requiring firms that do business with New York to offer health benefits to the partners of gay staffers.

The evangelical faith is prepared to give up the $70 million a year in city funding it receives and pull out of New York entirely the New York Post reports.

<snip>

Quoting "Salvation Army insiders" the Post said the organization will refuse to comply with the proposed law because it goes against one of the organization's core beliefs - that same-sex marriage is immoral.

more ...


while I appreciate the sentiments you expressed in your letter, it is not necessarily clear to me that our society should become so fearful (of fraud for example), that we can't approach one another in person ... i'm affiliated with a very valuable non-profit organization and would consider it unfortunate if ANY roadblocks were imposed on their ability to raise funds for the work they do ...

to be sure, fraud, violence and even the nuisance factor are undesirable, but i think it's important to retain an open society where people are allowed to interact in public ... i would hate to live in a world hidden behind closed doors where our only access to each other is via the internet, the telephone or the post office ...

the problems you cited are real but i'm not sure the solution you suggested outweighs what we would lose ...

btw, i sent you a PM ...

[Endangered Specie]

9. Like I care that they threw out the "Segregation Army"

[Radical Activist]

10. Wal Mart didn't allow voter registration drives at their stores

despite allowing many others to be outside their stores for various products and causes. This was a national policy and I believe it is much more serious. Wal Mart decided that they didn't mind their customers being approached outside their store, they just didn't want their low-income customers voting. That would have been a bigger story if someone had chosen to cover it.

[PapaJoe]

41. Moll Warts

I just did a terrible thing. I got the WalMart ad in my email and instead of buying something, I put "Unionize WalMart" in their search window. Somewhere there is in the Walmart inventory engine, a request for one "Unionize WalMart" and I hope they find it.

[JI7]

11. ABC should do a piece on use of sweatshops in Disney products

[Nikki Stone 1]

16. Yeah, like that's gonna happen!

Do they even report when rides at Disneyland have problems and kill people?

[KurtNYC]

26. Oh there's a thread idea

I had a friend who worked security at Disneyland - wild stories. They pay off the victims' families but they have to agree to a gag order.

[NightTrain]

12. Thank you, Target!

I am so goddamned sick and tired of being hit up for money as I'm exiting a store where I just spent a buttload of money. As for the Salvation Army, I'd like to shove those goddamned annoying bells where the sun never shines!

[frogbison]

15. In my little neck of the woods

"Bikers For Charity" has, for the last two weekends, taken over the intersections in our small town and the next one over. It seems to me a dangerous practice, as they are right out there in the street (all four directions). Last week they had one of the two lanes in each direction blocked off, in order to funnel the hapless motorist to their kettles!

I don't mind giving but....it seems a little pushy to me. Who sanctions this? Maybe a call to the Sheriff's department is in order.

[chicagiana]

29. I think only munies should do the "street collection" thing ...

I don't like people from random charities prowling intersections.

It's fundamentally unsafe. I can understand the cops and firefighters doing it. But those guys are used to working in traffic and carry a certain amount of municipal responsibility with them.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

13. ABC and Salvation Army can kiss my ass

Not usually so blunt, but those anti-choice, anti-gay bellringers can shove it.

I'm not sure if ABC has a rightwing agenda in this case; I think they're just exploiting the seasonal sentimentality of what is basically a non-story. That's some damn brave investigative reporting, fellas.

I think I'll let Target know how much I appreciate their policy.

[Nikki Stone 1]

14. I think Target would appreciate your support

I sent them an email as well.

Now that I know more about the Salvation Army, I will never put another penny in their kettles.

[barb162]

19. I always gave to the Slavation Army becuae I understood most of

the money they get goes to help the poor compared to outfits like the United Way which is to me one of the all-time big charity ripffs. I am glad you mentioned this about anti choice and gay. I had no idea

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

22. Salvation Army opposes abortion access and uses its funds

to prosletyze against choice. They state in their materials that they oppose "abortion, artificial insemination, homosexuality, prostitution and pornography." Regarding their stance on gay rights:

The controversy over religious and anti-gay discrimination erupted after the Washington Post obtained and published internal documents of the Salvation Army showing that the group had given its support to the Bush initiative in return for language in the bill which would exempt church groups from local and state anti-discrimination laws.

Church groups are already exempt from federal anti-discrimination laws, like the 1965 Civil Rights Act, when it comes to hiring, promotion and other employment-related activities. In recent years, however, a dozen states and more than 100 cities have passed laws either banning discrimination against gays and lesbians, or requiring employers to provide medical and other benefits to unmarried couples or the partners of gay employees on the same basis as married couples.

The Salvation Army hires gay people, but rejects them for the ministry. According to a spokesman for the church group, it opposes granting domestic partnership benefits “whether for homosexual or unmarried heterosexual couples” on the grounds that sex outside of marriage is immoral. In 1999 the Salvation Army forfeited a $3.5 million contract to provide free meals to AIDS patients in San Francisco rather than comply with an order by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission to provide domestic partnership benefits.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2001/jul2001/fait-j23.shtml

I stopped supporting United Way years ago because they provide funding to many social service agencies that are anti union. United Way's funding makes it possible for these agencies to deny their employees the right to collective bargaining and competitive wages.

Some may say that no charitable organization is perfect and that if you don't want to give, you will always find some reason not to. That's not why I don't contribute to SA and UW. Discrimination against choice, gays and unions are just about the hottest buttons anyone can push on me. I support local, secular organizations that fight hunger, help the homeless and elderly, and provide support for AIDS sufferers. I only wish I was in the position to give more to those who deserve it.

[barb162]

25. Thank you so much, I had NO idea SA was so right wing

I had given a lot to them over the years because I thought most of my dollar went to help the poor. I always had a very low opinion of the UW becaue of their cushy offices and high salaries of the top people and so little went to help the poor. Well you live and learn.

[SoCalDem]

28. Giving to the poor..One on One is better

Ask a church or a trusted teacher for the name of a family who needs help, and adopt them for a year,,

A group of people can really change lives that way..and people need help at times other than the holidays..

My welcome wagon group always did this..

A family a year..

We provided them with school supplies & a new outfit to start school for the kids,
shopping trips for the kids to get their Mom a Mother's Day gift & birthday gift..
groceries...
a small christmas tree and a gift for each child (from their Mom or Santa)
people in our group donated minor car repairs

so many opportunities to help and more meaningful than a random dollar in a bucket

we asked for Santa letters from the post office too.. That's a good way to find out about needy families..

Poor kids often write to sants asking for stuff for their Mom or a sibling.. They often tell a lot about their family.

[doni_georgia]

50. Salvation army is very right-wing

They do good works, but in order to be a recipient of these good works, you have to believe the way they believe. I haven't given to them since I learned this. Basically it's a church which gets permission to stand out in front of businesses with their offering plates. I prefer giving my charitable donations to organizations which directly give it back to the community. We don't do United Way either. If we want to make a donation to help the poor, we give a direct donation to a homeless shelter or soup kitchen or similar group.

[Killarney]

17. was it produced by Chris Vlasto?

Ugh.

Your letter was great.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

18. ABC is a sensationalist fear mongering network. Of course they...

aired this crap. Target is a good store and ABC is a BAD network.

[barb162]

20. I have seen those "nurses" in the white outfits in the last two or so

years...what the heck group is that. I have also noticed their shoulders decals falling off the uniforms.

[GiovanniC]

21. Just an Anectdotal Thing, But...

One day two Christmas seasons ago I was going into Target and they had this guy out there ringing the bell. It was absolutely freezing that day and the guy seemed friendly and I thought, "I bet I have some change to give." So I reached into my pocket and pulled out probably somewhere between $2-3 in change. Not a lot, but... you know.

I went into the store and did some holiday shopping. When I came out the same guy was still there, ringing that bell. He looked at me and I kind of nodded at him in a friendly way and I stood there waiting for traffic to clear in front of the store so I could walk to my car. The Salvation Army guy goes, "Hey, would you like to donate to the Salvation Army today to help your community?"

I was kind of surprised, because I've never actually had a Salvation Army person talk to me, usually they just ring that bell. So I was kind of surprised and I looked at him and said, "I already did before I went into the store."

And he looked me straight in the eye and said, "No you didn't."

It was so aggravating and embarrassing (there were people walking by during this small exchange) and infuriating. And it might seem petty, illogical, and childish, but I haven't dropped money in another Salvation Army bucket since then.

The ironic part: I sit on a community council that oversees a lot of youth programs and allocates a LOT of money each year to programs run by the Salvation Army.

[Sparkle]

24. The nerve of him!

It would have ticked me off too. I dont' blame you for not dropping money from now on. I'll bet that guy doesn't realize he lost a committed donator forever with that stupid comment of his.

[nostamj]

23. that was a disgusting piece!

glad I wasn't the only one fuming about it.

it would appear that ABC is leading the charge for the Foxification of BROADCAST news....

that shameful *rehabilitation* of Matthew Shepard's killers

and there will surely be more... sadly.

[Nikki Stone 1]

33. ABC used to be ok, but it is turning into trash

And I have been fuming a lot more lately

[BrendaStarr]

30. Our local Target was swamped with religious and pseudo religious beggars

It got creepy and I imagine that Target couldn't say no to the others because they allowed the SA to do it.

[J-Lo Biafra]

31. Sorry, but if a company has a strict "no soliciting" policy on its premise

Than the Salvation Army should haul ass across the street to the Wal-Mart. I'm sure there are dozens of pro-Republican corporations that have the exact same policy, but no ABC dirt piece for them.

[newyawker99]

32. Hi Java Queen!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[AliciaKeyedUp]

48. The no soliciting rule is brand new

And directly targeted the Salvation Army, which is why they are unhappy.

[Vox_Reason]

35. Reality check

Though I think it's fair that they are applying their no-solicitation policy to all groups equally, and my family always goes to Target rather than Wal-Mart, Target indeed sends more than 70% of its political contributions to repugs.

http://www.opensecrets.org

[KnowerOfLogic]

36. Time to switch to Target. nt

[Scout1071]

37. Frankly

I get really fucking tired of the bell ringers. I give throughout the year and don't need to be annoyed with the bell half the places I go for an entire month. I honestly wouldn't mind it as much if they did something other than ring the damn bell.

[Seldona]

38. I read that story.

What they fail to mention is that Target made quit a large donation to make up for it, although it fell somewhat short.

I have no opion of the store one way or the other, but at least they tried to make it up.

I have to admit to not being exactly thrilled at having charities outside of shopping centers.

Makes me feel uncomfortable when I cannot donate.

Just me.

[Nikki Stone 1]

39. I think the religious right has been after Target for a long time

I remember seeing anti-Target bumper stickers on the anti-abortion Operation Rescue vehicles in the early 90s.

[PapaJoe]

40. I want to be WalMart's Person of the Week but

I just did a terrible thing. I got the email walmart ad and instead of buying something, I put "Unionize WalMart" in their search window. Somewhere the is in the Walmart inventory engine, a request for one "Unionize WalMart" and I hope they find it.

[KitchenWitch]

51. Good Idea

I will do that too! Gods I hate mallwart

[chocula]

42. Target supports good causes, like Special Olympics, and they...

...are not Wal-Mart.

I dig Target.

[faithfulcitizen]

46. Here's an anecdote about Target and people w/disabilities...

I was in a position to witness *several* wrongful terminations of people with mild mental retardation by target directors & managers. I helped file a claim with the EEOC & we won. So, hate to burst everyone's bubble, but I've seen some serious hypocrisy and discrimination from this organization...(and it was supported by their headquarters)

[chocula]

52. Well, I guess we all have our anecdotes then, because...

I have been *witness* to Target in Texas donating significant amounts of money and bringing scores of employees to volunteer at Special Olympics events. It's had an enormous impact - for both Special Olympics and Target.

I'm sorry to hear that you have had to deal with some wrongful terminations on their part, and you did the right thing by challenging - and defeating - them on it. I'm not here to say they are "heroic" or above other companies categorically. To be honest, such large "Genero-Marts" simply don't appeal to me.
But I think Target does put their money where their mouth is and they have shown a commitment to the community, which viewers of the ABC special might not realize.

JMHO.

[Starlight]

53. No, they're not Walmart, but they're still big Republican supporters! n/t

[frogbison]

43. I recieved this list from a friend:

With the holidays upon us, some of us might wish to be mindful of who
we patronize relative to their Election Cycle political donations, as
reported by the Center for Responsive Politics.

WITH US:
* Price Club/Costco donated $225K, of which 99% went to democrats;
* Rite Aid, $517K, 60% to democrats;
* Magla Products (Stanley tools, Mr. Clean), $22K, 100% to democrats;
* Warnaco (undergarments), $55K, 73% to democrats;
* Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, $153K, 99% to democrats;
* Estee Lauder, $448K, 95% to democrats;
* Guess ? Inc., $145K, 98% to democrats;
* Calvin Klein, $78K, 100% to democrats;
* Liz Claiborne, Inc., $34K, 97% to democrats;
* Levi Straus, $26K, 97% to democrats;
* Olan Mills, $175K, 99% to democrats.
* Gallo Winery, $337K, 95% to democrats;
* Southern Wine & Spirits, $213K, 73% to democrats;
* Joseph E. Seagrams & Sons (includes beverage business, plus considerable media interests), $2M+, 67% democrats.
* Sonic Corporation, $83K, 98% democrat;
* Triarc Companies (Arby's, T.J. Cinnamon's, Pasta Connections), $112K, 96% Democrats;
* Hyatt Corporation, $187K, 80% to democrats;



WalMart, $467K, 97% to republicans;
K-Mart, $524K, 86% to republicans;
Home Depot, $298K, 89% to republicans;


Target, $226K, 70% to republicans;


Circuit City Stores, $261K, 95% to republicans;
3M Co., $281K, 87% to republicans;
Hallmark Cards, $319K, 92% to republicans;
Amway, $391K, 100% republican;
Kohler Co. (plumbing fixtures), $283K, 100% republicans;
B.F. Goodrich (tires), $215K, 97% to republicans;
Proctor & Gamble, $243K, 79% to republicans;
Coors, $174K, 92% to republicans; (also Budweiser - sd)
Brown-Forman Corp. (Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels, Bushmills, Korbel wines - as well as Lennox China, Dansk, Gorham Silver), $644, 80% to republicans;
Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (chicken), $366K, 100% republican;
Outback Steakhouse, $641K, 95% republican;
Tricon Global Restaurants (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell), $133K, 87% republican;
Brinker International (Maggiano's, Brinker Cafe, Chili's, On the
Border, Macaroni Grill, Crazymel's, Corner Baker, EatZis), $242K, 83% republican;
Waffle House, $279K, 100% republican;
McDonald's Corp., $197K, 86% republican;
Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Bahama Breeze), $121K, 89% republican;
Mariott International, $323K, 81% to republicans;
Holiday Inns, $38K, 71% to republicans


---
"Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul"

[Nikki Stone 1]

44. Time to get my Costco membership renewed!

And I guess I'll have to break down and buy Martha Stewart sheets.

[ogsball]

45. Current urban legend

A woman I know said that the reason that Target said no to Salvation Army was that they have a no soliciting policy and that if they allowed Salvation Army to ring bells then they would have to allow union people in to talk to their employees.

I just stood there dumb founded!

[GrrrlRomeo]

47. A charity that discriminates is no charity at all

I don't plan on donating to people who hate me.

[Sugarbleus]

49. Great letter!

I've always given to the SA. Not anymore. They have helped a lot of people since their establishment......today we discover their prejudices and not a few mini scandals in terms of what they do with all their money.

The other thing that comes to mind: "Faith Based Initiatives"...hmm
In some communities they've "changed". Putting much too much emphasis on religion before we give you anything..instead of the Good Samaritan model...(give first, until it hurts) Maybe they aren't like that everywhere.

It's one thing to tell someone 'God loves you', it's quite another to make people sit through a sermon before feeding or clothing them. Doesn't seem right to me. They should just be GIVING to others as THEIR service to God...not proselytizing in exchange for goods. Are they getting any benefits from the old faith based thingy? If not then I'll rethink my attitude about them. I'd rather give directly to a homeless person or needy family....not go through a religious organization at this point.

Still it's sad about SA. Did anyone know that the song: Silver Bells was written based on the "bell ringers" of Salvation Army?