Wal-Mart and the Raping of America April 11, 2009
Posted by makingyourdashcount in Wal-Mart, WalMart.Tags: columbus, exeter, OH, PA, wal-mart; walmart; ethics
2 comments
I find the Wal-Marting of America unsettling. Standing in a line at a Kerry rally in 2004, an unemployed tire worker praised the bargains at Wal-Mart. In questioning how he could ethically shop at Wal-Mart, being the stalwart union guy he was, he responded “It’s the only place I can afford.” At what cost?
Recently, a sustainability expert at the Ohio State University held Wal-Mart up as a beacon of resiliency. Not only are they squashing the competition in a tough economy, but in “greening” their stores, operations and supply lines they are uncommonly profitable.
What the fine professors did not mention as part of their resiliency strategy are their pay inequities, resistance to hiring health insurance eligible workers and the way they bully and control their supply chain. Their predatory pricing strategies have ravaged community businesses.
Just last week, in Columbus, Ohio, Walmart announced that 650 jobs in their local optical lab were moving to Mexico, reneging on a $1.8 million job-creation tax credit. In today’s failing economy the one “beacon of profitability” chooses not to employ their customer base and instead shafts their community. People are rightfully angry. Recently the police department of Exeter, PA insisted on metal detectors because of altercation concerns at a city council meeting that was going to decide on a new Wal-Mart in their community.
I do not condone violence, but I do support boycott. I can not understand why Americans continue to patronize their stores. Yes they have good deals; don’t go in there and be tempted.
As Americans it’s time to stop shopping at Wal-Mart; although they advertise their greening of America, management has no corporate conscience nor concern for the people of America. They woo their customers and then rape their jobs. Yes, customers get more for their dollar at their stores, but at what ultimate cost?
Siberian Cats March 23, 2009
Posted by makingyourdashcount in Fun Stuff, Uncategorized.Tags: "cats molting", molting, Siberian, Siberian Cat, Siberians
add a comment
Most people who know us also know of Chloe, our Siberian cat. We originally bought Chloe because of her hypoallergenic qualities.
Siberians, as a breed, have less of the FEL-D1 allergen inciting protein in their saliva than other cats. When other cats clean themselves and then shed, the proteins that are in their saliva deposit in the dander throughout their homes. However, when Siberians shed, there is no allergen, so otherwise intolerant allergy sufferers can tolerate and live with a Siberian. (They say up to 90% of allergy sufferers can live with a Siberian.)
We know that our family falls within that percentage. Although I have always been cat allergic and dealt with it because I loved cats, Anna’s allergy is sudden and intense. Before going into a cat’s home, Anna has always needed Benadryl to manage the symptoms. Not so with Chloe. In fact, Anna can sleep with Chloe. It is truly amazing.
Chloe the Wonder Siberian
Lest anyone think that Chloe must be one of those really strange looking furless animals, she has plenty. In fact, as a medium long hair cat with a triple coat of extra fine fluff, she has fur to spare.
The point of this post is my frustration with breeders who advertise that Siberians do not shed, that they “molt” twice a year.
I suppose this is true, if you consider that they “molt” for 6 months at a time. If you do not groom your Siberian, she will also deal with fur balls and matting along her bikini line (as her vet refers to it.)
We brush Chloe at least daily with a small dog “rake” and could easily stuff a pillow with a month’s worth of collection. Raking has become one of Chloe’s favorite daily routines so I wouldn’t let this scare you away from this breed. Why breeders choose to lie about this is beyond me.
A typical daily harvest
In fact, even if we did not have allergies, I would consider a Siberian. Chloe is extremely social and playful. She runs to the front door when the bell rings; she plays fetch with hair ties and “hide, seek and pounce” daily. As a kitten, one of her favorite activities was sliding down a make shift sliding board. Our life would be lacking if we never bought our Siberian Kitten almost 5 years ago.
I just wanted to post some truth in advertising about how this amazingly wonderful breed does shed.
