from Erin Kotecki Vest
to Gregg.Steinhafel@target.com,
Aaron Vest
date Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 11:12 AM
subject Regarding your donation to Tom Emmer
mailed-by gmail.com
Mr. Steinhafel,
I’m currently headed out the door with a purse filled with cash my family and I earned at our garage sale this past weekend. My five and seven-year old children finally have their own rooms for the first time in their lives, and we’re about to decorate each of them accordingly.
My daughter is a girly-girl and is aiming for pink and purple pillows, curtains, lamps, a throw rug, – the works.
My son needs a new comforter, a rug, and wall decorations. And even Mom and Dad could use some new sheets and a dust ruffle.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that despite my love for Target, we’re headed to Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Your donation to anti-LGBT candidate Tom Emmer speaks volumes as to what sort of CEO you are, what sort of man you are, and how you feel about equal rights for all Americans.
I’m teaching my kids to respect everyone in this country, not just pay them lip-service and take their money all while voting to take away their rights. No, Mr. Steinhafel, I refuse to teach my children that hate or inequality is acceptable in the United States.
Women control .82 cents on every household dollar, and this woman is taking her control and wallet elsewhere.
Sincerely,
Erin Kotecki Vest
@queenofspain on Twitter
http://queenofspainblog.com
Let’s think about this for a minute. Tom Emmer is a prominent politician in Minnesota. Dozens of companies have their corporate HQs in Minnesota because of the tax breaks. If he becomes Gov he keeps the breaks going. That money is more than all of you combined will spend in Target in your entire lives. Do what you like but this seems like a waste of time. If he’s half of what you describe him to be, he’s laughing and you’re providing the entertainment. Think BIG or forget it.
Brian I do what I can with my money and my votes. Any politician who gives money to groups who condone the EXECUTION of gays can laugh all he wants, but he sure as shit won’t get my support.
And if anyone with half a conscience knew, they’d join me. I firmly believe that one person can make a difference, even if it’s just the spark that starts the fire.
I would be interested to hear what all those naysaying a boycott effort would suggest be done to really get the message through.
Clearly WalMart ain’t hurtin’. Is it all pointless?
I had never heard of Tom Emmer, but I just can’t imagine anyone in their right mind giving money to Michelle Bachmann (R – WorldNetDaily). She’s a loon! You’d think people would be embarrassed by her.
I once heard that you would always succeed in business if your target (ha) market was middle-aged women and gay guys. They are the ones with the most purchasing power. I suppose if you are going to take any action and epect to be effective, you’d have to have those two demographics on board.
.-= Lisse´s last blog ..Working on it =-.
Heading to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to buy dorm sheets for my kid, myself. Wonder whether they’ll end up with me as a customer long term, because I end up finding several other things there that I’d previously have bought at Target and switch my habits over to BB&B. Bad move, Target.
.-= Claudia Putnam´s last blog ..Dare I Say It Progress =-.
In response to Brian and Backpacking Dad,
Get a grip, to the rest of the nay sayers, then just do what you want, the issue here is not whether or not anyone can boycott a huge corporation and have it respond in a manner that changes their behavior. The issue as I see it is simply a matter of personal ethics.
those of you who submit to being wage slaves are expected to help in the development of the new Serf class in the US. they count on you not caring, and no, they don”t care what we think.
I believe the point is one of personal responsibility and commitment at the personal level to changing what we can and contributing to the efforts to make a better world for all of us. Kudos to those who are willing to take up this issue and help spread the word as they can.
As for the nay sayers, just continue to live the way you do, the rest of us will fix things for all of us, including you, then you can take issue with that too.
“they will know you by your deeds”
peace and light
michael sykes
Even GLBT rights group OutFront Minnesota isn’t calling for a boycott. We need to keep this in perspective. Target isn’t pursuing an anti-gay agenda, they are pursuing a tax reform agenda. See blog post: “Is Target Anti-Gay? Unlikely”. http://goo.gl/b/7Ngh
So, driving on the way home, I think I might have discovered the answer to my own question.
What if the answer is not to boycott, but to convince the big name donors to use their bully pulpit for social equality? If the Target CEO is already offering partner benefits to employees, maybe he can convince his candidate that Tea Party bigotry is not what he needs to win the election.
But then again, I just can’t get over anyone who can overlook Bachmann’s lunacy and not only vote for her but contribute to her campaign.
.-= Lisse´s last blog ..Working on it =-.
This letter is perfection. Well said, Erin.
-Aimee
.-= Aimee @ Ain’t Yo Mama’s Blog´s last blog ..Book Review & Giveaway- It’s Not PMS- It’s You! =-.
Wow. That fire sure is burning…..
“[T]he rest of us will fix things for all of us, including you.”
Chilling words. But honest and telling, I think. And yet you talk as if it’s others that are the enemies of freedom.
“I firmly believe that one person can make a difference, even if it’s just the spark that starts the fire.”
well put, apathy is the enemy of Freedom and the point is exactly that people of conscience are always going to stand out from the apathetic and cause the changes that evolve an entire society. Democracy is an activist form of government, practiced best through the Vote and the power wallet. The recent Supreme Court ruling allowing unlimited spending by corporations, etc. to support a candidate has erupted into a plethora of Hate based “ads” being run by Rove & crew at an unprecedented rate. This country seems to stay in election mode, very little has changed except the rules that diminish the individuals right to express them selves with out having to be wealthy or powerful. Seems to be a pattern here.
I support the individuals right to spend their money any way they like, including boycotts that may have little effect on the bottom lines of corporations but satisfy the individuals need for self expression. I support the idea of boycotting anyone who supports hatred in any manner they choose. I am a farmer and have been a somewhat singular voice in protesting Agri corps patenting of GMO’s for a very long time in an area that is predominantly industrial and supportive of such activity by large corporations. Monsanto gets bigger every day, but I stay organic and choose to boycott the products of all large GMO manufactures. Target is not going away because some people choose to boycott them for political reasons. That is not the point, it is rather that these individuals are expressing their points of view and occasionally one or two sparks do start fires and lead to change things for everyone. even the haters and the apathetic. Peace and Light to you all, keep up the good fight.
WOULD ANY SANE PERSON think dumpster diving would have stopped Hitler, or that composting would have ended slavery or brought about the eight-hour workday, or that chopping wood and carrying water would have gotten people out of Tsarist prisons, or that dancing naked around a fire would have helped put in place the Voting Rights Act of 1957 or the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
Then why now, with all the world at stake, do so many people retreat into these entirely personal “solutions”?
That is your true appathy. People fooling themselves into thinking that a small commerce boycott is actually affecting change. It’s lazy and self-serving. It’s so much easier to go shopping at Walmart and say your “making a difference” then it it to put any REAL effort into your “cause”.
And if you are still at a loss as to how to effect actual political change, perhaps you should take a basic social studies or civics class at your local JC.
Nice.
.-= wm´s last blog ..The joy of seeing mama =-.
Namaste Michele,
“Then why now, with all the world at stake, do so many people retreat into these entirely personal “solutions”?
That is your true appathy. People fooling themselves into thinking that a small commerce boycott is actually affecting change. It’s lazy and self-serving. It’s so much easier to go shopping at Walmart and say your “making a difference” then it it to put any REAL effort into your “cause”.
And if you are still at a loss as to how to effect actual political change, perhaps you should take a basic social studies or civics class at your local JC.”
With all due respect, i offer the following, I founded a non profit organic collective 32 years ago and continue to operate it quite successfully, in south east Texas. I am an active member of Wiser Earth with connections globally where we do engage in effective Global change making, I appreciate the condescension in your comment, as you have no way of knowing this, as for basic social studies etc our collectives board of directors is made up of primarily Academics, Directors of NGO’s, Artists, Agronomists and Political Scientists, I feel that we have a pretty good and diverse group of people who are doing anything but “retreat into these entirely personal “solutions”.
My education is not really the question here. In my way of seeing the world, change takes place on a multi level basis, our meta efforts, our individual efforts and our community building efforts. Dialogue is essential, as evidenced in the number of credible, point oriented blogs by people that face these issues on a daily basis.
Thank you for the criticism, it has made me think a bit and that is always interesting.
Peace and light
Michael Sykes
.-= michael sykes´s last blog ..admin likes Laras activity =-.
Namaste Erin,
I believe I will withdraw from further comments, it seems to be distracting from the intent of your efforts, which we at our collective fully support. Your blog is linked on our new beta portal and is deeply appreciated,
I apologize for having created a distraction to your original point, I am a big fan of your blog and we collectively continue to focus, (pray) for your health and the health of your family. We wish you a speedy recovery and return to your family.
peace and light
michael and the folks at sba farms collective
.-= michael sykes´s last blog ..admin likes Laras activity =-.
Michele, why so bitter? MoveOn.org has joined in with a threatened boycott and the pressure is there. Lots of loud voices create change ALL THE TIME from boycotts to threatened boycotts to protests.
It was just last week I sent off $1500 to sea turtle rescue efforts on behalf of my children, who raised the money via my blogs. Their voice reached others and made a difference.
It all starts somewhere.
Really not bitter at all, I admire your work, your blog is on the blog roll of our new portal, still in beta, just didn’t want to contribute to distracting people from your point.
Just trying to help keep the focus on what you are saying, we are spreading this post all over S.E.Texas and it is being met with a great deal of positive acceptance. sorry if I came across as bitter, not my intention at all, just did not want to start any arguments about my individual comments. I was hoping that my withdrawing of comments would help focus on the point of your posting. I will gladly resubscribe to this posting if you like, I know you are busy and dealing with a lot. Again I am sorry if I seemed bitter, not at all bitter, I deeply admire your posts, as well as the work you do. Peace and light – michael
.-= michael sykes´s last blog ..admin likes Laras activity =-.
ps, congratulations on the Moveon endorsement, We are collectively and individually members of the org. peace and light -michael
.-= michael sykes´s last blog ..admin likes Laras activity =-.
oops, just realized you were commenting to Michele, not Michael, old eyes mispercieve. sorry.
.-= michael sykes´s last blog ..admin likes Laras activity =-.
Bitter? I’m kind of chuckling here. Anyway, The point I’m trying to make here is that the simple act of boycotting a large company like Target is NOT going to achieve the desired affect. The crux of the issue is a lot bigger than a CEO giving his money to an undesirable politician. If people want change they have to WORK for it. Issues like this deserve more effort and it’s unrealistic to expect change to occur because we change where we shop. That is historically INEFFECTIVE. A waste of valuable sentiment that should be channeled into real commitment. Raising money for environmental or species preservation? That is something tangible and has actual impact. Kudos! Do you think most of the folks proclaiming their solidarity in the hatred of Target would put forth that kind of effort? Not if there is a much easier way to make themselves feel effective. Nobody should be given free license to take the easy road—not if it’s something truely important. Another reader said it like this: “think BIG or forget it”. Meaning, do something worthwhile or stop fooling yourself.
Bangs head on desk.
It’s NOT just the CEO. The company took advantage of the new Supreme Court ruling and used corporation funds to give candidates money.
Jointly banging head against desk…..
So what are you gonna do about it? Is your stand going to be more than words in a blog and personal ban on a huge chain store? There is a cute saying that goes something like this: Put up or shut up.
On a positive note, I have a fantastic new assignment for my students. What are some ways for individuals to effect positive political change that is both effective and far reaching? I can’t wait for classes to start.
Where do you think BIG things start?
Again, I urge anyone confused about the political process to brush up on their political science knowledge. It’s chocked full of useful information. There is no data on blogging and social change but perhaps if someone is looking for a good doctoral dissertation….
Actually there is data on political process and social *media. And hijacking the news cycle, winning elections and so on and so forth.
Welcome to my soapbox
” Actually there is data on political process and social *media. And hijacking the news cycle, winning elections and so on and so forth.
Welcome to my soapbox”
BIG UP’S TO YOU AND YOUR SOAPBOX
.-= michael sykes´s last blog ..admin likes Laras activity =-.
Slightly different from what I meant, but still interesting.
Again, the biggest blockade of any grassroots effort is the free-rider problem. People will not be motivated to participate in a social movement that will use up their personal resources (e.g., time, money, etc.) if they can still receive the benefits without participating. (or participating on a very basic level) In other words, if person X knows that movement Y is working to improve environmental conditions in his neighborhood, he is presented with a choice: join or not join the movement. If he believes the movement will succeed without him, he can avoid participation in the movement, save his resources, and still reap the benefits – this is free-riding.
If someone believes all he/she needs to do to stop large companies from throwing money into politics is to simply stop shopping at said company—most will do just that. If given the idea through a host of bloggers that this is some kind of “stand”, a “spark” to the inevitable flame—guess what?! That’s all they will do. If you really want to spur the movement, how about a little more substance? Sparks will burn out about as quickly as American’s can change their minds about who their favorite Top Model is.
Michele perhaps you are not familiar with my history, track record, or twitter feed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k1LHtnDcD8&feature=player_embedded#at=35
Way to make it happen Erin! Stop the haters and bigots.
Haters and bigots= anyone who disagrees with any aspect of what you believe or say to be truthful? It’s too bad we live in a country where we aren’t allowed to burn down all the Target stores…that would fix them good.
Target stocks down 1.3b
Hmmm, teachers that instruct our children and grand children and don’t understand that ONE person has to originate an idea, then it becomes a “THINK BIG” idea? Rosa Parks come to mind, Maya Angelou, Ram Dass, The Dalai Lama, Pythagoras, Gandhi, Rumi, Thearou… do also.
No wonder children and young adults don’t have any “Ways of Knowing” “Critical Thinking Skills” etc.
this idea seems to have taken root pretty well, because one woman was aware enough to say something about it in a public forum.
Some one person decided to see if Prop 8 could be stopped, millions of dollars later against the unbelievable resources marshaled by the original ONE person speaking up, the Haters loose resoundingly to Love and Compassion.
As a side effect, the extreme right is less a ton of money and look as foolish as they are.
Dialogue seems to start with one word, uttered by one person, that ignites a fire storm. Just a teeny tiny bit of knowledge goes a very long way. What the product of most teachers labor seems to generate on a very large scale is lack of attention span and patience. Don’t mean to generalize, but hey, I’m just sayin…..
.-= michael sykes´s last blog ..admin likes Laras activity =-.
Well, Target has never been a place I spent my money….anyone know any issues with Dollar Tree? LOL….just kidding….kind of….
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..Consumerism Is For Kids =-.
While you’re at it since you’re such an activist, why don’t you run around and look for goodies for your kids rooms made in the United States. How much do you know about China? About their environmental and human rights abuses? This is what you people don’t understand. First, Targets donation was to a PAC which supports Tom Emmer, but also supports other candidates. Targets donation was simply this. It is to support a candidate who knows we are all taxes to heavily and the burden is crushing this country. What would you do with an extra $20 in your paycheck. $20 may not be much to some people, but it roughly $500 a year in YOUR pocket that empowers you, allowing you to purchase or invest at your will, rather than watch the gvmt redistribute it. This donation is about a corporation trying to HELP the consumer by keeping costs down, because even though there is a corporate tax, there really isn’t. All that corporation does is pass the tax along to the consumer, so you can maybe buy two throw rugs for your daughter rather than one. And speaking of… you can thank your lucky stars you live in this country lady (and the rest of you sniveling citizens). We live in the greatest country to ever exist in the history of the world, yet half of you defecate on it daily. We’re lucky that we have the living standards that we do, rather than some despotic toilet of a third world country. Go to Mexico and talk with some of the people down there. They’ll set you straight. You can thank leaders like Emmer, Bachmann, Fiorina (and speaking of women, where the hell is N.O.W. when the media attacks a strong Conservative woman?) Condi Rice (where was the NAACP and the CBC when she was attacked?) for making this country prosperous, NOT Pelosi, Frank, Dodd, Obama, Durbin, McCollum, Ellison who are leading this country to ruin…
In response to Steve –
“You can thank leaders like Emmer, Bachmann, Fiorina (and speaking of women, where the hell is N.O.W. when the media attacks a strong Conservative woman?) Condi Rice (where was the NAACP and the CBC when she was attacked?) for making this country prosperous, NOT Pelosi, Frank, Dodd, Obama, Durbin, McCollum, Ellison who are leading this country to ruin…”
You sir are either a lunatic or simply very poorly informed. What hate and bitterness comes through your words.
I love the right wing crazies that spend their time reading blogs to insult and argue about issues that are remarkably STOOPID. Part of the Rove plan and being heavily practiced by the Tea baggers like crazy right now.
Your points are old and tired and you are obviously very wealthy or just plain crazy if you believe the garbage that you just spewed. Attack and Hate, the hallmarks of a GOP and Tea Party that are racing to see who can collapse the fastest. Defenders of Hatred, Warfare, Violence, Homophobia, Islamaphobia and just love to demonstrate their intolerance.
I have lived all over the world, and while this is a really nice place to be it is no longer the greatest place to be, I suppose the rest of the world hates us because they “Hate Our Freedom” not for the devastation and violence that we inflict on them in the name of Jesus and Unbridled Capitalism. This countries principle export is literally GARBAGE. The lifestyle is Uber Fast paced, the general public is all but functionally illiterate and follow the Profits of Doom to the end.
You sound like you are in 1937 Germany, responding to the propaganda of the state and believing what you are fed by the pundits and purveyors of hate and intolerance.
Go comment on Glenn Beck, stop agitating peaceful people, If you had any idea who this woman is you would be ashamed of yourself, or at least should be.
.-= michael sykes´s last blog ..admin likes Laras activity =-.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/05/target-apologizes-for-pol_n_672167.html
Target APOLOGIZES FOR DONATION. Congratulations Erin, Seems like a spark does not always die in America. Good on you. and by the way happy anniversary to you both. Peace and light Michael
Hm….what has Erin done lately? You mean BESIDES being political director for a group of over 15,000 women in social media? LOL.
.-= Suebob´s last blog ..I have heard of cats having nine lives- but this is ridiculous =-.
“Hm….what has Erin done lately? You mean BESIDES being political director for a group of over 15,000 women in social media? LOL.” Suebob,
Kudo’s
The woman is posting withing hours of major surgery, Dedication and hard core blogger, Peace and Light
Michael
Michele,
Erin’s words have caused me to cease shopping at Target, they’ve also caused me to talk to several friends/co-workers about this issues, they’ve stopped shopping at Target as well.
Every journey I’ve ever taken long or short began with a single step, a situation like this is no different, in my respectful opinion.
Steve O’Malley,
Actually I do try whenever possible to buy American made goods. As for that extra $20 in my paycheck, I’d much rather that money went for things like WIC, funding for childcare, supports for struggling young families.
.-= Jean´s last blog ..Barkeater Chocolates =-.