2006 Projects?

Don't get me started, OK, you already did. What is it about the $5 fee for them to collect the local tax on in international items? And if I remember correctly, the tax is calculated on the cost including their fee.

Next they are going to charge us for processing our income tax.

Tara

DH and I boycott Target down here in Florida, as do many of my friends, because they refuse to permit the Salvation Army to make their Christmas fund-raising with the bell-ringers in front of their stores.

The reason we are all upset about it is that the Salvation Army were magnificent last year in providing food, shelter and so forth to the hurricane victims. This I know, because many of us in the Ham Radio community went out on their trucks with them, in order to provide communications with the Control Center.

Gillian

I am not totally disagreeing with you. I am not bowing down (to the offending stores) either. That, was my point. There are issues and I can only give fully to a part of them. If I give a shred to each it won't add up to much overall. If I do go to Sam's Club and there is a line there to get out of the store, I walk around and leave, period. I REFUSE to wait on line to leave a store. They can run after me in the parking lot if they choose.

Before I stopped drinking 22 years ago I was a shoplifter. It was one of the worst shortcomings in my life's history. I could steal anything no matter how big or small, and I did. I can honestly tell you that, back then, if they had someone inspecting my bags upon leaving I would have discontinued stealing at that store.

This is not something I am even remotely proud of, but as a point of values I have been on the other side of it and can tell you with the experience of having been a thief that, this absolutely works. It's truly not meant to control you or push the tiniest wedge in. I'm not sure what you mean by that. What is going to slowly happen over time if we give in and shop the stores which check your recipt when you leave? You say full body search with sealed cavities. Do you honestly think that is the direction it's heading?

Used to be they paid better, had better benefits, and negotiated better contracts with their suppliers. Having just spent some time on the web, I see this is no longer true. *sigh* I could blame this on Wal*Mart, which has recently targetted Target as its next competitor to put out of business (Wal*Mart does that systematically), but the root reasons are probably bigger than that.

I used to. It's hard to get good fabric anymore except from the chains, so you're back to the same problem at a different level. It's really not hard to sew. For me, the hardest part is cutting out and marking the pieces. If I do a good, careful job of that, everything else falls into place. I alwasy prefer Buttrick or Vogue patterns over Simplicity: they seem to go together better.

It's really not hard. Start with a simple dress or a skirt. Don't pay a lot for fabric to start with. Cotton calico is good for beginning. Zippers, button holes, and cuffs can be difficult.

Elizabeth

And I boycott the Salvation Army because they want to be exempted from respecting the civil rights of gay people for religious reasons.

Elizabeth

The two Targets near my house are much better than the Wal*Mart. They are cleaner; have aisles wide enough for wheelchairs, carts, and strollers; the staff are very helpful and quick to open more check lanes when busy; and they are more likely to have what I'm looking for. I also like how they automatically print one gift receipt at this time of the year and ask if you need any more.

Boutique shopping is nice, but it is very hard to justify paying that much for children's clothing that will be outgrown in a year or less. I don't mind paying more for dress/business clothes for DH and for me. I'll still buy sweats & T-shirts wherever I can get them cheap (except for what I get at the occasional rock concert) because I don't want to dress too well for yard work, etc.

Best wishes > How is Target better? Not being a pain, I'm really curious how they

Cheryl,

"polite and helpful"???? That doesn't describe the employees in most of the Walmarts in which I have been. Most of the employees in the Walmart closest to my home are, when you can actually find one, rude and obviously resentful of the fact that they have to work. I basically only go into that store to pick up prescription refills.

There is one Walmart that I will willingly go into in Maryland. It is near where I work and almost every single employee is a 40+ year old woman. Most of them strike my as wives and mothers with older kids that want to pick up some extra cash for the household. I am always greeted at the register with a "did you find everything Hon?". Management is very visible and hands-on in that store.

Still and all, I rarely shop at Walmart unless I am at a total loss as to where to find the item any place else. If for no other reason than the quality of the items they sell, except for the brand name items, is generally so poor that I end up having to replace the thing within a short period of time.

Anne (in Ellicott City, MD)

But locally-owned doesn't have to mean "boutique." We have a locally owned discount store and a locally-owned Army Navy store in town, for example.

Elizabeth

Yes, one gets what one pays for! Just finished relearning that. Bought a cheap cordless 'phone on Monday. Charged it up, next day found it didn't work. The base would not recognise the handset.

Took it back and he changed it for another when he couldn't get it to work. One bright thing he did was take the battery I had charged out, and put it in the new one.

The reason I bought the cordless phone at all was for the speaker phone part, when you have to call tech support and want both hands free. So check the speaker phone out - not a viable one - unless you have far better hearing than me, and mine is pretty good.

So today, took it back and he changed it for one that cost twice as much. Should have bought that in the first place as it is no fun in the shops just now! So round about 5pm, when it is charged up, I shall know if it does what I originally set out for lol

You didn't say Microsoft, you said Bill Gates' lack of philantrhopy. Microsoft is a publically traded company, but it is owned in majority by Bill Gates. The public can purchase shares of the company, but they don't own it, they own their share of it. In that regard the stockholders have something to say, en masse. However, what he does with his 54% is his business.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. However, it's been out of control for so long that trying to get it reigned back in will be impossible.

As for televisions not being made here (U.S.A.) any more, Zenith was the last hold out and for the most part the industry sold the rights of television technology to China and Japan a long time ago. JVC sold the VCR technology to Asia decades ago. The only U.S. made VCR till about 17 years ago was the Fisher. I believe the U.S. holds the patent on HDTV, but plasma technology is sold to Asia as well as LCD technology. So, I have not any answers, but only questions.

What can we do about it? This country re-elected the worst president in the history of this nation. What do you think people will do to help with this grave situation?

I don't remember a few years ago, to be perfectly honest. I do know that I'm with the information now. Two years ago may have been the break of the story so you saw it before I did. I'm on with it now. What doy ou do about it? Lead by example. Do you think me not shopping at Walmart will change injustice in America? If you think so, you may want to look at the bigger picture.

Yes, but by doing what? That's my burning question for you. V

Volunteer your time to benefit others. Donate money to organizations which help people in need, and truthfully, watch your mind. I'm not saying my issues are more important than yours, of course not. However, every time they execute an innocent person we all suffer. It trickles down and down and down and down and it happens all the time.

Again, I'm not saying my issue is more important, but it's more valuable to ME. It's proactive, not boycotting and nothing more. That doesn't take much. To make a difference a much bigger action is necessary.

Yes, but Target also buys from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and other child labor camps. I know this is not funny, but I said to Mark about a year ago that one day we'll all work at Walmart and buy Dell computers. Soon, nothing will be made in America and all we'll have is retail, nothing more. Of course there will always be doctors and lawyers if you can stomach those jobs. There is no answer. Of course the other pie in the sky dream of mine is to sell it all and find enough property to homestead. Physically, I doubt I could do it, but it's a dream of mine. Outside of that, it's difficult not to shop these giants.

I bought a bolt of muslin to learn with. I paid 25 cents a yard for

Do Shmatas need zippers! LOL

Funny - that's part of why I hate the local Shaws most of all. RUDE

Of the three I frequent, that is exactly what I get - mostly adults and very polite motivated older teens. Helpful, friendly and just great. There is one store that has recently gotten all new management (I know one of them). They are having a hard time getting "quality" employees and the customer base reflects that; that store is actually scary and I don't mean the employees.

Cheryl

Wow, I didn't know that! No more money in that can for me. Of course according to Bill O'Reily America has a war on Christmas. I never laughed so hard in all my life.

Yes, I misspoke, so I corrected myself. I should have been more precise in the first place.

I think that with a company that size, it's not just the stockholders, but the consumers who should have some input.

So we just roll over and give up?

Same here for the most part, but I don't think we can afford to stop asking the questions.

I keep hoping they'll pay more attention. In my state, we voted in a governor who is just awful, but you know, he has not done one thing that he didn't say he would do. People just don't pay attention when they vote. Drives me nuts.

I think that each one of us not shopping at Wal*Mart will help in the long run. I think that by saying it won't make a difference, you're simply justifying your contribution to the problem. Not shopping there might not help, but shopping there certainly doesn't help. I'd rather go with the might.

By talking about it, by trying our best to vote with our money. You don't think it matters, but I think it does. And I do talk about it. I try not to talk about it too much and I try not to be hostile about it, but I want people to know what's going on and to think about the choices they make. I think that's how we make a difference, from Emanicipation to Women's Liberation, it's about individuals making small changes all the way along until it adds up to a big change.

Elizabeth

Not Bill O'Reily, m'dear - John Gibson! He even has a book out:

There is a "collective" involved, yes, but I do not think there are any sure answers. Of course I talk about it, but the unfortunate thing is, I talk about it with like minds so it's singing to the choir. I surround myself with people who fit into my life and lifestyle. I don't have much to do with people who vote because someone is a christianist or wants to limit womens rights. So, you know how that goes.

The other thing I disagree with is the statement in your tag line. Living well is the best revenge.? Who or why am I seeking revenge? Certainly I am not living well to get back at anyone. To rejoice in my prosperity is possibly the worst thing I could do as a human. I am only saying it so maybe you will rethink that one.

My goodness. You mean a yarn shop doesn't carry ANY washable yarns? I made sweaters for my two grandsons last Christmas. Both with expensive wool yarns. Both washable. Both wearing them again this year. Granted, I spent a lot of money on these sweaters, however, I could have purchased much less expensive yarns had I the hankering.

I don't like the cheap all-cotton panties (they're not "square"), and finding high quality ones isn't easy. Nor is it necessarily cheap. But I manage. I found some quite nice ones at Penney's last year.

Dianne

You have not listened to him lately. He thinks this is HIS war to fight the libs because of course the libs are stealing Christmas. I know about the book. I DO watch both the Daily Report and Colbert Repore!