| I read your letter with great interest. It's all well and good that Target wants a governor who would lower taxes.(Other than being anti-gay and anti-anything that is more current than the 19th Century that seems to be the ENTIRE Republican program.) The problem as I see it arises when they use corporate money (most of it earned out of state) to promote local issues. I have NO interest in Minnesota politics and resent that the money they make off me will be spent to promote issues that I have no knowledge of, interest in and that I would NEVER support even if I lived in Minnesota. I think as a corporation that makes its profit from the public, that they have a responsibility to their customers to avoid promoting anything or anyone no matter what their personal inclinations. . Although the Supreme Court in an exercise of the judicial activism that they so hypocritically denounce in others extended that right legally, it doesn't make it right in the moral or ethical sense. Moreover, your defense of their allegation that their support for gay rights remains strong seems somewhat naive and disingenuous. Please explain how supporting an anti-gay candidate (for whatever reason) indicates that their support remains unwavering. It seems to me that Target is exhibiting classic signs of wanting to have their cake and eat it too. --- On Thu, 7/29/10, WILLIAM MEYER <willy_eeyore_meyer@msn.com> wrote:
From: WILLIAM MEYER <willy_eeyore_meyer@msn.com>
Subject: Re: [Peckers_Pics] TARGET Corporation Supporting Anti Gay Canidate
To: Peckers_Pics@yahoogroups.com, peckers_pics@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, July 29, 2010, 10:27 PM
With Jake's permission, I'd like to add a comment about this whole Target matter. I live in Minneapolis, and can see the Target headquarters outside my living room window (does that make me the Minneapolis Sarah Palin?). I don't work there, but have shopped there for years, and will continue to do so despite this brouhaha Here's why: Target's support of the gay community hasn't wavered one iota. The ad in question deals entirely with local/state matters regarding jobs and taxes. (Minnesota has some of the highest personal and corporate tax rates in the US.) It says nothing about GLBT issues at all. The fact that Target Corporation wants to have a governor elected who will cut corporate taxes and make it easier for them to hire the employees they need to function shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. EVERY corporation in America does the same thing. Read any major corporate annual report and you'll see detailed contributions to political action committees that advocate the same issues in every state. If we boycott every company in America for things like this, where are we going to buy groceries and toilet paper and computers? Dayton/Hudson Corporation, which became Target Corporation has always been a leader in supporting their GLBT employees, the local GLBT Community, and national GLBT groups and issues. If I remember correctly, they have a 100% rating with HRC! They have been consistent in their support of the local gay community, and are one of the largest, most vocal supporters, both as a corporation and as employees, of Twin Cities GLBT matters. While I'm disappointed they chose to contribute to an independent political action committee that is supporting a candidate who, in addition to the tax position they support, advocates anti-gay positions which run counter to their corporate mission, I can't fault them for exercising their constitutional right to do so. I believe the chairman of Target sent a letter to all of their employees confirming the continued corporate support for GBLT issues that matter. Given all the publicity their support of the independent political action committee has generated, does anyone honestly believe Target corporation could take even the tiniest step backward in that position without the entire pink sky falling on their heads? Girl, please! Boycott, if that makes you feel better. Go shop at WalMart and contribute to their support of third-world companies employing children to sew their soccer balls and gym shoes. Does that make you feel better? There are an awful lot of really important issues facing the US today, not least of which involve the evolving status of gay and lesbian citizens and the exercise of their full constitutional rights. Certainly our anger and wrath could be better aimed at issues that matter, and will make a difference. For the record, I intend to support one of the DFL (Democratic) candidates for governor in the Primary election in a couple of weeks, and the general election in November. My two cents. Thanks Jake, love the group! -eeyore ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 4:16 PM Subject: [Peckers_Pics] TARGET Corporation Supporting Anti Gay Canidate
I myself just placed a call to TARGET Corporation, and expressed
my shock of this political support. I also informed them that I would
no longer patronize their company, stores, or internet sites. I was told
that the information regarding my call would be passed on to
Target CEO, Gregg Steinhafel and to senior staff daily.
When calling, I asked to speak with Gregg or his assistant.
1000 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55403-2542 PUBLIC, NYSE: TGT Phone: (612) 304-6073
To: Peckers_Pics@ yahoogroups. com From: jakewest_tn@ yahoo.com Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:32:56 +0000 Subject: [Peckers_Pics] Model Wars; July 30, 2010 - Safe PICS For All Ages, Rated G Model Wars; July 30, 2010
Safe PICS For All Ages, Rated G Consider joining: Take Action:
Diet & Fitness: -
Did you complete your Diet Journal today? Get it done! -
Did you do any physical activity? If not, make a point of it by tomorrow! -
It is our hope that these photos shall inspire you! Today's Health/Excercise Tip: Energy Zapper: Not exercising
Too tired to work out? Whatever you do, don't skip it. Exercise will put spring back in your step.
People who regularly complained of fatigue increased energy levels by 20% with regular, low-intensity exercise, according to a 2008 University of Georgia study.
You don't have to run marathons either. The study found that those who did low-intensity exercises, such as walking, cut fatigue levels more than those who ran or did high-impact aerobics.
Re-energize: Exercise every day, even for as little as 10 minutes.
If you're in a time crunch, just "take a walk around the hallway," Cheung says.
If possible, work out first thing in the morning, Fischer says. "It can be as stimulating as an espresso [for] waking you up."
If you're drooping after lunch, take a 10- to 20-minute walk. Even just standing up while working instead of sitting in front of a computer helps loosen the body.
And Now, Model Wars! This group is called "Peckers PICS." The English - slang definition of "pecker" is to pluck at the truth. Therefore, we peck at items such as Gay Men's Health and Male Fitness, Gay (LGBT) Politics & Issues. In this section you may peck at each photo in order to decide the winner of the "war of the fittest!" Whereas, who is the model that may inspire you to exercise and "get fit?" Warning: This may stoke you! Remember your participation in discussion of health and news articles in this message is greatly appreciated! Bryce Thompson You Decide! Columbus, Ohio - Gay Pride; June 19, 2010 Stoked? Columbus, Ohio - Gay Pride; June 19, 2010 Mom's One Person Protest of Target Randi Reitan- Mother, Gay Rights Activist; July 29, 2010; Huffington Post Two days ago I shopped at Target for the last time. All the items I bought, I returned in protest of Target's $150,000 support of Tom Emmer, the anti-gay Republican candidate for governor in Minnesota. As a mom, I had to do this one person protest. My youngest son is gay, and I love him more than anything I could ever buy at Target. Video of my final shopping trip to Target was posted on YouTube and you can watch it here:
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=2SipXbgyi68&feature=player_ embedded When I first learned that Target had donated $150,000 to support Tom Emmer, I was shocked. Anger quickly followed and I knew I had to speak out. Thankfully, there are many others who are speaking out with me. News of Target's support of Emmer has gripped the progressive community across the nation. I had felt good about shopping at Target before this news. Target always had a strong presence at PRIDE and a 100% rating with the Human Rights Campaign. It is important to me to support businesses that affirm their gay employees.
I called Target headquarters to ask them how they could give Emmer $150,000 when they have prided themselves as a company that embraces diversity. I told them they can't say they support the gay community in their workplace and then financially back a candidate who will do all he can to deny their gay employees their civil rights.
Minnesota is at a unique time right now. We are in the midst of our primary. On August 12th, we will pick the Democrat candidate for governor. There are three good people in that race and each one of them strongly supports marriage equality. We have marriage equality within our reach if anyone of them wins in November.
On the other side, the Republicans have already united behind Tom Emmer. He is known for his anti-gay stands as a state legislator. He has consistently supported a constitutional marriage amendment that defines marriage as one man, one woman. He has also supported the Christian rock group, You Can Run But You Can Not Hide, that shares anti-gay messages on the radio. Emmer as governor would be a nightmare for anyone who longs to see the day of equality.
Target CEO, Gregg Steinhafel, personally supports Minnesota candidates like Michele Bachmann. That does not surprise me and I realize that is his personal money. However, when Target as a corporation writes the check, that crosses the line. Then money spent at Target is quite literally money being spent to elect Tom Emmer as Minnesota's next governor. For LGBT people and those who love them, this is not acceptable. We must speak up and we must boycott, or Target's $150,000 will just be the tip of the iceberg since corporations are now free to give political donations.
I encourage you, please speak out with me. Call Target headquarters and ask to speak to their executives or stop by your local Target and talk with the store manager in person. Let them know you can't shop at a store that financially supports anti-gay candidates. The gay community and its allies must draw a line in the sand here or equality remains just a dream.
"Every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges."
....Jake
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