I know Target is big puke contributor, but I really loathe lazy, false writings/ideas. The media is so full of lies, I kind of feel like I have a responsibility to add some truth. Anyways, here we go:
"I'd like to submit a response regarding the December 8th letter from Bob Kline calling for a boycott of Target. Once again Mr. Kline is easily proven wrong as his claims have well been defunct by our friends at Snopes. com:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/target.asp.Mr. Kline provides quite a list claiming Target is out to "keep Christ out of Christmas" because they do not allow Salvation Army bell ringers to solicit on their property? Say what?!? I must have missed the part where the Lord came back to Earth and blessed the Salvation Army, an organization that has a bit of history with enacting discriminatory practices.
Mr. Kline further explains that a Mr. Dick Forrey of the Vietnam Veterans Association, had requested Target to be a sponsor of the Memorial Wall during a "spring recognition event." This gentleman then received an e-mail form Target stating that "Veterans do not meet our area of giving. We only donate to the arts, social action groups, gay & lesbian causes, and education."
FALSE. Dick Forrey, a member of the Indiana-based Howard County Vietnam Veterans organization, rashly penned the above message in March 2002 after failing to secure a $100 sponsorship for a traveling Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall exhibit from his local Target store. Mr. Forrey was rebuffed, because Target does not give out cash donations through local stores; they donate money only at the corporate level, and only through grants to organizations falling within their defined general areas of giving. Mr. Forrey has since apologized for his mistake and issued a retraction. Perhaps Mr. Kline should heed Mr. Forrey's own words, " I made a mistake on this one, and I've learned a hard lesson — that's for sure. What started out as a message for the members in our organization has turned into a hate-type thing. I never wanted to start any national boycott. I just wish it would all stop. Some people have used my words and perpetuated lies. It's sad that some of these people would use veterans as a way to push their own political views. I've sent out a retraction, and no one pays any attention."
I'd also like to address the later point that Target funds only "only donate to the arts, social action groups, gay & lesbian causes, and education."
FALSE. After the anti-Target message first began to circulate, several other claims have been tacked onto it by those seeking to make Target look bad: that Target responds to charitable requests by stating they only support 'gay and lesbian causes,' that Target is French-owned, and that Target does not contribute to the Toys for Tots program sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps, and that Target refused to allow reservist employees who had been activated to continue their health benefits.
1. Target's stated policy is that they provide grants at the corporate level for programs involving the arts, education, and family violence prevention, and donates at the local level to a variety of charitable causes. The line about Target's responding to inquiries by stating that they provide corporate grants only for 'gay and lesbian causes' is a falsity added to later versions of the message.
2. The Target Corporation is a publicly held U.S. firm which has been based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, since it began as the Dayton Dry Goods Company in 1902. Target is not now, nor has it ever been, foreign-owned.
3. Although Target stores do not directly participate in the in-store collection of toys for the Toys for Tots charity sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, the Target Corporation contributes to that charity by providing discounts to groups who buy toys for it.
4. Target Corporation has been recognized by the National Committee for Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve (ESGR) as an "Outstanding Employer" which has "gone above and beyond the requirements of the law in support of their National Guard and Reserve employees." Target employees who are activated for military service and were participating in optional dependent coverage at the time of their deployment are eligible to continue these benefits if they so choose. Target Corporation also allows any Target team member to continue benefits as provided by the 1986 Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).
Since these lies have now been proven false, I think the truly frightening part is how such a letter that oozes homophobia and blind nationalism can be so readily believed! Mr. Kline asks us "without the American Vets, where would France be today?" History can be a selective medium, but Mr. Kline, where would be without the assistance of the French? Still bowing to a monarchy and trading in pounds and quids most likely. And if Target chooses to support gay and lesbian causes (i.e., equal rights) then so be it. Would you also object to their support of the NAACP or the Anti-defamation League?
Lastly, a big deal is being made of how retail stores are trying to remove Christ from Christmas. In my opinion, perhaps it is the rabid Christians who are in fact succeeding in this feat. The spreading of hatred against certain groups of people, attacking those with different opinions than your own and marginalizing the "minority" tend to be a bit of a turn off. I thought you were supposed to be leading people to God, not driving them away?"
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