Something that happened this a.m. at Walmart

[wellstone_democrat]

Not having bought diapers in a loooong time, my husband and I were in the baby aisle deciding how many boxes of what size to get---our Salvation Army wants only hygiene items and baby formula and diapers at the moment so we were bringing a load over---anyway... a lady in the aisle said "grandchildren?" (we aren't quite THAT old! but...) My husband,ever the proselytizing liberal said: No Salvation Army for New Orleans. She said: Oh welfare will take care of them like always. And she walked off with her two whiney dressed-to-the-nines kids. We are so drained that we just looked at each other and kept on with our diaper expedition---I guess we could have chased her down but frankly, I no longer have the energy to fight on every front.

The upshot was wonderful: the other end of the aisle (behind us) had two couples who had hear the whole thing and suddenly they started loading their carts and asking where the drop off was and one of the men went to the far end of the aisle and yelled "everyone, the Salvation Army needs diapers" Our man who announced it? Looked like an 18 year old "punk" complete with tatoos, low hanging pants and an even younger woman with him with a baby---they marry young here out in Bush* country! More heart than the bitch with the two picture-perfect kids, eh?

When we left, a bunch of people were adding big packs of diapers and cases of formula to their carts---and, by the way, none looked as "prosperous" as our bitchy character who started this or even us for that matter but everyone added at least one pack of diapers or a few cans of formula to what they were getting themselves.

Sometimes good things do happen. I was beginning to forget that this week. Now, off to help sort donations for Houston and San Antonio for the county Democrats! (all five of 'em as my husband likes to say---we are nearer to Midland than Dallas....)

have a good day.

[SheilaT]

1. Next time shop

at Costco.

Every dollar you spend at Walmart helps support Republicans.

[wellstone_democrat]

8. we have no Costco in several hundred miles

we have walmart, sam's club and target

I could get more diapers for the money at walmart so TODAY I made that choice, but thanks, already had that argument at 8 am with my husband---even he decided that it was "an extraordinary situation"

[TheDebbieDee]

19. You gotta do what you gotta do...............

[bribri16]

38. No matter. I among others really needed to hear this. Thanks! n/t

[tavalon]

41. I agree with you

on this one and I am rabidly against Walmart.

[SheilaT]

44. Target then.

They're not as good as Costco, but they're vastly better than Walmart.

Personally, I would never never never go into a Walmart -- haven't in years -- except perhaps to loot.

[tblue37]

55. This reminds me of the vegan on anoher thread

who was complaining that the evacuees were being fed McDonald's hamburgers.

Let them eat tofu.

[mogster]

45. Good story - and a good deed!

Thanks for telling :-)

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Do we know if there is a Costco

where she lives?

[QC]

25. So what have you done to help?

I'm no fan of ChinaMart either, but shit, can't we just be glad that people are trying to help without lecturing them on their shopping choices?

[NMDemDist2]

2. great story, nominated n/t

[mourningdove92]

3. thank you for blessing us with this story.

nominated.

[SammyWinstonJack]

4. Wonderful!

What a great story! :applause: to that young man! And all those who bought items for the babies! :yourock:

[madmax]

5. Ya done good!

:hug:

[DODI]

6. Great story -- thank you!

[JNelson6563]

7. Bravo to you and your hubby!

And to the others who pitched in. Hall of Shame award for the self-centered neo-con.

Julie

[Beam Me Up]

9. GREAT story! Thanks and NOMINATED.

[Moochy]

11. Conserving Compassion

Great story!
Compassionate conservatism at work, and glad to see that others noticed her "conserving compassion" and pitched in. People like her need to experience some serious loss in her life to knock her off her little rw-sheeple mindset.

Thanks for posting that!
:kick:

[Horse with no Name]

12. You'll find refuge from the storm in the most unexpected places

It is easier for someone who has almost nothing to realize that the leap to having nothing is a very close one indeed.
Besides, that uptight WASPY bitch probably needed to spend her money stocking up on starch for her panties.
By the way (after working in a Pediatric Hospital)--size 3's are a great size for things like this.
You can use them on babies who wear 1-2-3 (folding them over) and use them on the lower side of size 4 (a little snug, but they work).
:)

[earth mom]

13. Okay, I've got tears in my eyes...

:cry:

Are Salvation Armies doing this? This is the kind of help I want to do instead of sending money that will probably be lost in a sea of bureaucracy.

TIA! :)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. thanks for this report

My husband was so angry with what Bushco has done he was ready to break down. Reading your post helped him realize the American people-the real American people-have hearts.

[patdem]

15. Have to nominate a story that makes me cry...what a heartwarming

wonderful end to an otherwise aggravating encounter...you are wonderful!

[KharmaTrain]

16. I'm Leery Of The Salvation Army

I saw their "national comandeer" sucking up to meester boosh the other night...and never quite felt comfortable with how their relief is distributed.

I found a charity being raised at http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/headlines/katrinaindex that is raising money for the families that are housing families left homeless. This charity is definitely worth a few bucks from all of us.

[CountAllVotes]

21. you are not alone

Frankly, the Salvation Army is a disgusting organization. I'd write my reasons why, but won't bother.

They are as greedy as the rest of the lot and they take extreme advantage of people unfortunate enough to have to take jobs working for them. I happen to KNOW this. :puke: to you Salvation Army, and no I will not forget ...

[Joanne98]

43. Me too. They're fundies.

[Ouabache]

48. Thanks for that KT, looks like a good one to me

I have my envelope addressed, and writing the check.

[Jade Fox]

56. Any donation to the Salvation Army should be specified for disaster relief

and it will go directly to that effort, bypassing any Salvation Army programs
that involve attempts to foist their brand of Christianity off on people.
They do a good job with disaster relief, and so I personally would support
their efforts in that realm. The Salvation Army's cosy relationship with Bush
and the Religious Right is cause for concern however, and I would not give
them unspecfied donations.

[Maraya1969]

17. It is really sad that some people in this country are so ignorant

and cruel. But to paraphrase something that Jesus said: "Whatever evil comes God turns it into good." That was a right before your eyes example of it.

Great Job!

[Turn CO Blue]

18. I'm being reminded lately that "Dems" don't look like Dems

The most yuppie-looking people will sometimes turn to me and say "God, Bush is such a moron!"

I myself, do not fit the profile at all.

Good work -- thank you for the work that you and your husband are doing fighting the good fight!

[Mythsaje]

20. Welfare will take care of them like always?

"Okay, if you consider that being 'taken care of,' you're dumber than a bag of marbles."

I'm really starting to loathe Republicans.

[Sugarbleus]

50. But, but.....I thought those kind of people HATED to pay for

"Welfare" and are loathe to do so.........WHAT A DUMB UPPITY BITCH she was.

[napi21]

22. Thanks for posting this. I checked the SA site to see if they had

a collection point near me (North of Atlanta Ga.) and all it said on their site was donate $$. Due to the uncertainty of needs, we are not accepting any in-kind donations at this time.

Our local paper has published several articles about people from NO being helped out here, but they haven't said anything about what they needed.

I donated a little money the other day, but I just don't have the ability to send them the $100 they're looking for. I would try to buy formula and diapers though, if I knew what to do with them.

[Horse with no Name]

24. Best way to help is to call the Red Cross and find out where

these people are being sheltered.
Then callor go by the shelter directly and ask what they need.
You can deliver it personally.:)

[CoffeeCat]

23. Another example of this exact behavior...

I have a friend who won a local radio contest.

The contest was "What would you do for $500". She called in and said that she would gather food for a local food pantry, by going door to door in our city.

The radio station loved this--because it was a very unselfish thing to do. So they did live remotes from their radio-station truck, as she picked up food from houses.

Interesting....they first went to the rich neighborhoods around here--the private neighborhoods with the community lakes and homes starting at 500k. My friend said they got very little--if anything--from these rich neighborhoods. These people were so stingy--and they were actually scoffing at the idea of giving food to poor/needy people! The radio station was cracking jokes about these ritzy jerk offs left and right--and then they high tailed it to a middle income neighborhood.

They massively scored in these neighborhoods. Most were middle income families. People were unloading their pantries and giving them tons of stuff. Plus, they were happy to do this and thought it was a great cause and they had so much praise for my friend. They were lovely, uplifting people.

Maybe that chick with the permanent-pressed kids was one that didn't give any food when my friend came around.

Also--this happened in late Oct 04, before the election. My friend happened to mention that most of the high-end homes had Bush signs and the mid-class homes had Kerry signs. My friend is a religious Republican and was a bit taken aback by this experience.

[AbbyR]

30. I've watched the people at my town...

where we have a shelter, and it's the regular folks of average or lower incomes who are doing the lion's share of the work. I agree with the poster above - find your local shelter and ask what they need, and take it to them. I have donated money to ours - not much, as I don't make much. Others have done the same, just walked in and given the folks working there money. They have most of what they need now, through donations and volunteers, but they are keeping lists of people who come by, and are going to call them when more volunteers are needed to take a shift. The local bank has set up an account for donations for "our" refugees. People are coming in by the dozens to help. This is a very small, farming area where people generally struggle to make ends me. But there is always something you can do to help.

Two of the evacuees said they could not sit still a minute longer and they had to do something to thank the church for all the help they had. They went, found the yard equipment, and starting cutting grass and trimming bushes. One of the guys was from New Orleans. His house is gone, he said, but all of his family is with him. He feels blessed. And we are blessed by his presence.

Abby, amazed always at the goodness that can be found, if you're not looking in D.C.

[Sugarbleus]

51. Beautiful, story.... I am for that 100% ...AND

You are right, poorer and middle class folks are MOSTLY the ones who do the giving.

I live on a fixed income. I have NO problem parting with a few bucks and some items (if needed) to shelters AND certain street/homeless people. I take the time to TALK to these people as well. Very informative...

Don't forget battered women's shelters too (after this crisis I mean)

:hug:

[QC]

26. Nominated! n/t

[Contrary1]

27. Regarding Wal Mart...

Believe me, I am no big fan of this company. But, I have been listening to live talk radio from NO in the evening. Last night, one of the hosts said that Wal Mart had "opened their doors" to help the people in the communities surrounding this disaster.

He went on to say that no credit cards are being accepted in businesses down there, and that most people had no cash. I would assume that meant they are giving away clothes and other items that people need.

I hope that assumption isn't wrong.

[QC]

kick!

:kick:

[Peace Patriot]

28. The great majority of Americans are generous, tolerant, justice-loving,

peace-loving, and well-informed (given the odds). Trust me. I've studied the matter--in, of all things, the war profiteering corporate news monopoly opinion polls (they ignore their own polls and try to create illusions of rightwing power, instead of accurately reflecting majority views).

Unfortunately, the great majority of Americans are disempowered and DISENFRANCHISED. That's what we have to work on. And now, it's direct disenfranchisement, with two rightwing corporations--Diebold and ES&S--in control of the counting of our votes on electronic voting machines that use SECRET, PROPRIETARY programming code. If we can get that reformed--at the state/local level, where power over election systems still resides (but we need to deal with lots of corruption there), we will really begin to see some changes for the better. A tall order, but a MUST DO.

Join your local election group, or form your own, and let's get this done. For information and action ideas, see "DU 2004 Election Results and Discussion Forum," at
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=203

[glitch]

29. Thank you Peace Patriot - you are tireless at getting this message out. nt

[Rainscents]

31. Thank you for the heart warming story.

You know, sometimes it's the list expected people who comes to rescue and this was one of them! That teenager was your angle! God Bless HIM!!!

[redwitch]

32. A big hug to you and hubby.

Damn, I really need to meet some DUer's in the flesh, what a great bunch of people!

[Glenda]

33. If only the bitchy woman knew her comment was actually good

for the cause!! Bless the hearts of all the people who jumped in that moment and bought diapers!!

:hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

34. Payback, in a good way.

Had you had your wits about you to dress down the snarky woman, others may have turned a deaf ear or tried to get away from the unpleasantness. Instead, they focused on the good message: buy more diapers.
Very uplifting moment. I hope it gets replayed across the country.

[donco6]

35. What a great story! Thanks.

I work in a low income school district, and I've been amazed at the things those kids will do for others. They raised $7,500 last year for a woman's shelter - got matching grants from some businesses around. I've learned appearances not only CAN be deceiving, they usually ARE.

[Generic Other]

36. Glad that community heart drowned out one soulless voice

:hug:

[lateo]

37. FYI...there are more WHITE people on welfare than black.

I always remind these assholes of that fact.

[really annoyed]

39. Double Post

Sorry about that...

[really annoyed]

40. Awesome Post!

It's good to see that the decent people outweigh the selfish.

I've given money to Red Cross, Mercy Corps, and a secular humanism charity. But if I can gather supplies for my local shelter, I definitely want to do that. I will be looking into it, thanks to your post.

[Joanne98]

42. She needs her taxes raised.

[NMMNG]

46. Wonderful story

Though I would have gladly shouted something nasty to that snotty witch as she was walking away, even if it meant being heard ten aisles down.

[fujiyama]

47. There are some decent people out there

but some real ass holes as well.

keep this kicked for the decent people!

[Tsiyu]

49. This story is awesome

Among the young people I know, I would say 4 out of 5 cannot stand Chimpy. And I guarantee that everyone besides Madame Phoney and the Junior Phoneys had New Orleans on their minds.

They were all wondering what to do as they considered the vast array of products they had ready access to, as their minds thought of the Americans suffering in New Orleans. You and your husband showed them what to do.

And most of them did it. THAT is your America, DU.

wellstone_democrat, thanks for this story.

[Sugarbleus]

52. Good story................upset to hear that people like that woman

are still as audacious, arrogant, and rude even during a time of horrendous tragedy.

I am ECSTATIC to learn of YOUR charity. I bless you for that. :hug:

You were much kinder than I would have been. I would have done what the other fella did.....take the opportunity to make a (positive), loud scene about the whole thing...it got everyone cracking too. lol

But that's just me.


GOOD ON TEXAS!!!

[Douglas Carpenter]

53. thank you for a wonderful story

[phylny]

54. Your post gave me goosebumps. Literally. Thanks! n/t

[wellstone dem]

57. This thread reminds me of two stories

One was broadcast recently where a middle class white man was somehow caught in NO. He was being threatened by some folks and a man who on tv looked like a sterotyped gang member made sure he was ok. The white man was calling him a hero and thanking him. The "gang" member was just smiling and looking cool with his girlfriend. Appearances are deceiving.

And as reflected in the behavior of the young man who announced the salvation army collection, and in the behavior of the young man who protected the man on the street, sometimes those with the least give the most.

I was ringing the bell one christmas for the salvation army (I know, I know) and a woman gave her daughter a dollar to put him. She said to her daughter, "we receive so we must give." I asked her what she meant by that and she told me that she and her daughter were presently living at a battered woman's shelter. I waited until she left before I started to cry.

[GreenPartyVoter]

58. Wow! *hugs*

------------------------------------------------------
Save New Orleans, then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm