Hypocrisy, thy name be Wal*Mart (Selling ex-gay kid's book)

[skitzo van]

Wait, the author's kid went into the closet?
I've gone out with two other guys to find out if I was homosexual, it may not have been for me, but I didn't feel like I needed a "cure". The way people express their ideas nowadays I'm surprised we haven't made some sort of counter for stupid ideas.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Question:

Is it normal to experiment with different kinds of Internet porn in high school? I did that for a while until I found out im just a normal straight guy. But I caught my self fapping to the wrong stuff a few times (Like 5 times)

Am I okay or was that just harmless experimentation?

It's a slippery slope. We're going to have to watch you closely.

No, it's to late for that!

WE MUST START "SAFETY REEDUCATION" RIGHT NOW!

*Pulls out car power jumpers*

 

[TeeBs]

Lol
Utah Scientists

 

[Xanadu84]

The book is terrible, the writer an asshole. However, that doesn't justify book banning. And it certainly doesn't justify being angry at a store for simply selling a book. A cold, rational boycott, perhaps. That's just operating withing our freedoms. But being angry at them doesn't really make sense. You can't always drag your politics into your business.

 

[Substance-E]

Walmart is the poster child for everything wrong with corporate capitalism and you choose some retarded excuse for a book to have a beef with?

 

[lacktheknack]

This shit shal not pass!
Why does this stuff get allowed to be sold, yet when anyone says anything against it they are burned alive.

They aren't. See: This entire thread.

 

[Ask]

I say we burn down Walmart. What possible negative reprecussions could that have. I mean, it's not like they ever carry anything you're looking for.

I know jest is hard to convey over the internet, so I'm not going to verbally accost you or anything, I appreciate jest.

I would like to point out, in contrast to this statement however, that it would do a lot of no good. Burning down a place of employment during economic times such as these would only force further misery on people now left jobless because of such an act. While Wal*Mart doesn't always do things that are favorable, it is, as it's been stated, a business. Businesses thrive on money, and what brings more money than controversy? And what brings more controversy that sex, fundamentalists, or celebrities? Notice they have articles about all three in abundance whether they be novels or magazines etc.

So, burning down the establishment to get back at their selling of a book you didn't like, wouldn't hurt the company very much, because the company has the money. It'd only serve to hurt all of the people who work there and thus you're only injuring individuals that are barely making scratch as it is. One would be inadvertently destroying lives of those who had nothing to do with the books message, with the companies decisions etc.

Do I agree with the book? No. Would I destroy jobs to get back at a company because I don't agree with it? Hell no. The violence would only seek to endanger the cause of understanding and living in harmony with people who choose to live in different ways. That act of violence would be attributed to them and thus the blame would fall on the movement and we all know how group mentalities can get out of hand very quickly. Now whether or not its your intention, it nevertheless will be the case, that the cause is blamed on all of the homosexuals because one person homosexual or not, destroyed the message and it'd further bolster the flippant tongues of the person slandering homosexual activities and give rise to evermore disparaging attacks against the life choice.

I know, its a long read. And again, I don't seek to be rude in any way, I merely wished to present the other side of this argument and follow the fruition of actions through their courses to demonstrate unintended consequences. If your line was in jest, I can see it and can appreciate it, if it isn't I won't slam you for your opinion as to what's to be done, I'm simply stating the other side. Thank you for reading any who have.

 

[BabySinclair]

They are a heavy, heavy Christian story though they try to hide it. Went to one of their food stores during Passover looking for Matza with a Jewish friend of mine, 3-4 aisles of Easter food and candy (labeled specifically for Easter) but not a single box of unleavened bread to be found. The service desk simply replied to our inquiry with "We are asked this frequently but Walmart does not carry items for the Jewish Passover."

Great place right?

 

[emeraldrafael]

I think they're able to sell that because its a book, so its protected by the first amendmant, and people are more likely to buy it becuase its a book and they can read it. You know, like how some people have to buy whatever book Oprah says is good even if it sucks cause it has that sticker on it.

 

[neoontime]

Stupid book is stupid. Other than that it's not like I thought any better of Wal-Mart anyways.

 

[ultrachicken]

...I'm sorry, I don't see the correlation between Wal-Mart's homophobia and violent video-games.

 

[manaman]

Apparently selling a product that completely disregards and subjects a group of people to ridicule is perfectly acceptable by their standards, yet release a "violent" video game and by the heavens, we have unleashed a plague. Furthermore, it is simply mind baffling how this horrendous piece of dribble ever made it into circulation. It is unfortunate we live in a society that cannot fathom the minimal considerable of keeping their business to themselves. No, we have to "save the gays!" Just... unreal. The only thing they need rescuing from is moronic fanatics such as the author of the aforementioned book.

Nonetheless, I figured it would be an interesting conversation piece and hey, it is search bar approved! And before someone queries, I had recently read an article about Wal*Mart and their looming over the gaming industry about violence in games. Thus, I related the two for means of discussion.

I was under the impression there was no consensus one way or another on what exactly causes homosexuality in humans. If it is learned, or it is genetic. Either way it's not exactly wrong, in my opinion. Still it's just that, my opinion.

As far as I know as well WalMart carries violent video games. At least every one I have entered does. What they do no like to carry are excessively violent and gratuitous video games. In other words they don't want to carry video games that depict heinous acts vividly, or strong sexual content.

Personal I am willing to bet the book is a load of shit, but I don't fault WalMart or depict them as some evil souless corruption machine like you want to for carrying it. I wouldn't fault them if they carried books on how to blow up bridges, or any book for that matter.

I other words, I don't think you think they are hypocrites. You just think they are wrong for not behaving the way you think they should behave. "Keep their business to themselves..." On those grounds how in the world are you being a exactly what you accuse WalMart of being when you are so quick to judge their every action?

 

[ninetails593]

Ah the religious anti-gay community. Ironic how they try to spread peace and indiscriminate love whilst trying to completely drive out people with different mindsets and orientations. I'd buy that book for a laugh, if I didn't know that it would help make them more money.

 

[manaman]

They are a heavy, heavy Christian story though they try to hide it. Went to one of their food stores during Passover looking for Matza with a Jewish friend of mine, 3-4 aisles of Easter food and candy (labeled specifically for Easter) but not a single box of unleavened bread to be found. The service desk simply replied to our inquiry with "We are asked this frequently but Walmart does not carry items for the Jewish Passover."

Great place right?

There are 5.1 million practicing Jewish people living in the US, and 6.4 million descended culturally. Of those 94% live in 13 centers around the US, the largest being in New York. I bet you wouldn't have a problem finding those foods for sale in or around New York.

There are many more Mexicans in the US, and many more people that enjoy Mexican food, yet I am lucky to find more then a quarter aisle in a store that is usually labeled "ethnic" or "Hispanic" that actually carries Mexican food. You don't see me condoning every store in the US for not catering to me specifically. It's about money, and if they see enough requests for it they will carry it. As it is I find it doubtful that even if they did carry specific food items for your faith they wouldn't see much (if any) of a profit on it, and the only reason they would carry it is as a good faith measure to get more Jewish customers into the stores.
Much in the way they sell some common items like soda, or something else on sale, at or below cost to get people into the store knowing full well that they will spend more of their money on other items.

Since they don't even bother it tells me they just don't think their isn't enough money in it to bother.

 

[Mad World]

In my opinion, it's a great thing that the book exists.

I know that many will disagree, but that's what I think.

 

[Andy of Comix Inc]

Question:

Is it normal to experiment with different kinds of Internet porn in high school? I did that for a while until I found out im just a normal straight guy. But I caught my self fapping to the wrong stuff a few times (Like 5 times)

Am I okay or was that just harmless experimentation?

It's harlmess, man. This is "self discovery" part of growing up, you'll never know who you are until you trip over it; and this goes for everything in life, not just your sexuality. Career choice, lifestyle, the company you keep - everything is all just experimentation. Just look at it as harmless and enlightening, and don't let it bog you down, mate.

Ok, let me get this straight...

You don't want this kid selling a book that explains his point of view on homosexuality... because you don't agree with it? And the authors of opposing viewpoints to your own are "moronic fanatics"? Am I hearing this right?

The nature of homosexuality is still an open question, believe it or not. And even if it weren't, exactly what right do you have to deny his freedom of speech?

Good grief...

This isn't an issue of "not agreeing," this is an issue that it's blatantly labelling homosexuality as "evil" and "wrong". It's going to be insanely offensive, and it's insensitive, too. Even if it is just his opinion. Freedom of speech is one thing, but this is as close as you can get to propoganda. Spreading your opinion as "devine truth" is what's wrong about it, not that he has an opinion on it.

I'm well aware some of the people here are pretty hypocritical about it, myself included, but for the most part, the reason behind this is fairly logical - it puts down a group of people who should not be put down this way. Let's say a black man became white and said "I'm glad I'm not an evil black man anymore!", it'd be regarded as racism; so saying "I'm glad I'm not an evil gay man anymore," is prejeduice all the same.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I was unaware that Wal-Mart had any issue with violent video games. Do you have a link to this article you speak of?

 

[Chefodeath]

Oh listen to you stupid people.