Sept. 07, 2005 - 18:04 MDT

IS DUE

Now and then things come to light that make me think a bit differently about a person, company or agency or arm of the administration. For instance FEMA being a part of Homeland Security whose main purported purpose is to fight terrorism. Just makes my feelings about the present mess more pronounced.

In the Rocky Mountain News today there is an article by Chuck Bartels of the Associated Press, who if he has his facts straight, tells a good story about a company I am not too fond of.

In part :

Wal-Mart leads disaster relief

Retailer steps up with quick aid of goods, money.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. -- "Wal-Mart Stores Inc. marshaled its massive distribution network to have its shelves stocked and its store inventories bolstered, prepared for tremendous demand for suppllies needed before and after Hurricane Katrina struck."

"But Wal-Mart's response to the catastrophe -- seen as far more effective than government efforts has drawn praise from nearly all quarters."

"Further, Wal-Mart donated millions in cash for relief and millions more worth of goods."

"Burt Flickiger 3rd, managing director for Strategic Resource Group in New York, noted that Wal-Mart CEO Lee Sott was groomed as a trucking manager and said Scott used his expertise to make sure the company was ready for the crisis."

"Unlike local, state and the federal government, which didn't react until days after the hurricans hit, Wal-Mart was at work around the clock before Katrina even hit land to have the stores fully stocked with full pallet positions of water, flashlights, batteries, canned soup, canned meat," Flickinger said. "Wal-Mart served the city far better than any private or public institution."

"Kurt Barnard, president of Barnard's Retail Forecasting in Upper Montclair, N.J., also said the response provides a telling reflection of the company. Barnard said media coverage wasn't the focus for Wal-Mart, though the company drew a prominent mention when it sent trailerloads of goods to New Orleans that were turned away early on by FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OFFICIALS."

"The company pledged $15 million to the relief fund being promoted by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, and Wal-Mart gave another $2 million for other relief."

"The company donated $3 million in merchandise, including more than 100 trailer loads to emergency relief ortanizations, services and shelters."

"The Walton Family Foundation has donated $8 million to thje Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund and $7 million to relief organizations that include the Salvation Army, America's Second Harvest and the Foundation for the Mid-South."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If the facts are true as reported, then Wal-Mart in that respect is a credit to our country. In the article, "Mr. Flickinger praised Home Depot, Lowe's and Walgreen but said Wal-Mart's quick aid reflects the nature of the company."

I am not about to take back some of the things I have written about Wal-Mart as I don't agree with many of their procedures and philosophies, I still feel the way I did before. But, you know, they're like one of the family, win, lose or draw they are close relatives.

So, I think credit and praise should be given when and where it IS DUE . . . . . . . . . . .

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