Lies, Damn Lies, and WalMart

(A few weeks ago I met an attractive woman, she seemed interesting, then I learned she's a manager for WalMart out in the suburbs...)

The Dallas Morning News reports in "Wal-Mart blows into McKinney: New Supercenter embraces environment, saving energy and water," that "Wal-Mart Stores Inc. now claims a novel addition to the city's skyline - a 120-foot windmill. Workers fitted its giant blades into place on Monday in preparation for the store's grand opening next Wednesday at North Graves Street and Redbud Boulevard. The 50-kilowatt wind turbine stands as the centerpiece of the new Wal-Mart Supercenter's environmentally friendly design."

Shades of how the Capital Children's Museum was in favor of a large BP gas station across the street "because they were going to use solar panels on top of the gas pump canopies for electricity" and for some big donations no doubt.

That's environmentalism?

What about this parking lot at the McKinney Texas Wal-mart store?
Where's the Green Roof? Photo courtesy of Patrick Kennedy.

Here's the Wal-mart press release, and this excerpt:

Wal-Mart Opens First Experimental Supercenter: New Store to Blend Environmental Sustainability With Quality Products and Services at Every Day Low Prices

"We see it as a next step in evaluating the impact we leave on the environment as we look toward smart growth and sustainability in the building of our new stores," said Mike Duke, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores - USA. "This store will contain many of the best resource conservation and sustainable design technologies currently available to minimize the use of energy and natural resources."

Downtown McKinney, Texas. Photo courtesy of Patrick Kennedy.

Note that about three years ago, the Baltimore Sun ran an incredible article about the decline of Downtown Bentonville, Arkansas, because of the impact of Wal-mart on its hometown. One retailer was quoted saying that "Sam Walton couldn't make it in this town with a store today." Walton started with a Ben Franklin, which was a franchised version of the 5 and 10 cent stores like Woolworth's, Kresge, Kress, McCrory, G.C. Murphy, etc.

(The story is "Under the giant's shadow: Bentonville--another side of Sam Walton's huge success is revealed in the Arkansas town where he first got the idea that revolutionized retailing," April 16, 2002, by Andrew A. Green.)

Are we are really that gullible?

Don't forget these interesting articles, "Walmart and the Economic Destruction of Black Communities" and "Why Black Leaders are Stone Silent about Wal-Mart Abuses," from Black Commentator, the excellent online magazine.