Government - #101 - # 22 - What’s a “Fact”? - The “Target” Stores story

Recently, I was sent an email which purported to be a copy of a memorandum sent to all employees of the Target Department Stores. It was profoundly anti-American. Among other things was a prohibition against any U.S. marine from collecting toys for children at Christmas time for charitable giving to Iraqi children. Again, I say, “Among other things”!

John Michael Domino, Major, USAF, Ret.
Dick Forrey of the Vietnam Veterans Association

Recently, we asked the local TARGET store to be a proud sponsor of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall during our spring recognition event.
We received the following reply from the local TARGET management,

"Veterans do not meet our area of giving. We only donate to the arts, social action groups, gay & lesbian causes, and education."

So I'm thinking, if the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and veterans in general do not meet their donation criteria, then something is really wrong at this TARGET store. We were not asking for thousands of dollars, not even hundreds, just a small sponsorship for a memorial remembrance.

As a follow-up, I e-mailed the TARGET U.S. corporate headquarters and their response was the same. That's their national policy.
Then I looked into the company further…….

They will not allow the Marines to collect for 'Toys for Tots' at any of their stores. And during the recent Iraq deployment, they would not allow families of employees who were called up for active duty to continue their insurance coverage while they were on military service. Then as I dig further,
TARGET is a French owned corporation.

Now, I'm thinking again. If TARGET can not support American Veterans, then why should I and my family support their stores by spending our hard earned American dollars and to have their profits sent to France. Without the American Vets, where would France be today?

Feel free to pass this along to whomever you want.


Target Stores vs. Vietnam Veterans - Netlore Archive Click here for further remarks on what happened!...... Boy! was the internet a mess!!

I began to research “who owns the controlling stock interest in the Target Stores”?

1. I spoke to a dual citizen of France and America, a very educated and aware person. He said the French would never be interested in buying an American company like this. Besides, most of the products sold there were cheap and mostly from China. But he said he would call the business division of the Los Angeles French consulate’ That was January 9, 2004. Still no word!
2. I asked a personal business acquaintance in New York to verify the “controlling stock interest” of Target. “Not simply available…” was the reply!
3. I sent an email to the Public Relations person on Target’s web site. No reply!
4. I asked a person who knew an employee of Target the same question. It came back to me that Dayton was the owner of Target. They also owned Marshal Field and other like department stores. I again asked “who controls Dayton”? To date, no response!
5. I found these websites just recently, and I’m including them for your consideration.
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blxcompanies2.htm
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blxcompanies2.htm
These are good "fact checkers"! .... Netlore is the same one but the subjects are different

This represents most of the “reasonable energy” I wish to expend on this subject. Is this internet email “true or real…”? I do not know. One thing I am sure of is that the internet is a sad place to find “true facts”!!

So, “What is a fact?” ….. Who really knows? Is it the “experts”, the “researchers”, the “internet”, the “media”, the “politicians”? ….. “What’s a fact?”

****************************

I have come to a state of mind where I resent “just dropping out” but I, also, realize that I lack the intellect and effort to determine a “fact”…. (if that is ever a prospect!)
I always have an “opinion” about almost everything!
I never want to be “absolutely positive about anything!
I want to be informed about different ideas.
I want to change my point of view anytime I’m confronted with, what I consider to be, a better idea.

A “FACT” is what I consider to be a “fact”. My motivation up to now has been my desire to have folks consider other ideas or questions……. This was incorrect!

My desire, now, is to live the best way I can, in my personal understanding of the world.

I do not wish to “drop out”!.....I only wish to understand!