Walmart Pulls Paper After Christian Complains (F-Word)

[matcom]

<snip>

Oh, the power of Wal-Mart.

Besides crushing small retailers across the nation, the gargantuan discount chain has flexed its economic muscle to force rockers to sanitize their compact discs of objectionable language and images. In a controversial example, Wal-Mart banned a Sheryl Crow CD because she used a lyric to question the store's wisdom in selling guns.

But you don't have to be a rock star to get the Arkansas-based behemoth's attention. Wal-Mart recently bared its iron fist in Utah to tame the would-be edgy and irreverent Salt Lake City Weekly.

Three weeks ago a self-proclaimed Christian came upon the "f-word" in the paper, which is distributed at Wal-Mart, along with hundreds of other locations. The man complained to the City Weekly, its advertisers and, more effectively, he took his case to Wal-Mart regional managers.

According to City Weekly publisher Jim Rizzi, the use of the word was an anomaly that cost the paper a week's distribution at Wal-Mart. "Frankly, the paper that week wasn't typical," he said.

"We were briefly kicked out and reinstated because we used the f-bomb in our paper," editor Ben Fulton said.

http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Mar/03132004/business/147269.asp

[everythingsxen]

1. *gasp*

Our dainty little hearts!

:grr:

[T Roosevelt]

2. Just another reason to buy that Sheryl Crow CD

hmmm, guess I'll have to go somewhere other than Wal-Mart too. Ahhh, the satisfaction of a two-for-one...

[northzax]

3. hey, they're consistent

Wal-Mart doesn't carry magazines, CDs or newspapers with the F-word in them. This is not a secret, you want your paper distributed at Wal-Mart, don't say "fuck" it is their company, they can sell what they will.

[mobuto]

4. Yup

Certain expressions - "fuck," "hell" and "collective bargaining" are clearly obscene and should be kept away from WalMarts.

But you can get as many guns as you want.

[tnlefty]

5. LOL!!!

Would using all of those words in 1 sentence get one burned at the stake?

[northzax]

6. I never said you should do business with them

indeed, i've never set foot in one, but if you want ot do business with them, you have to play by their rules.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

7. Why impose your morals on your customers?

Why not just let them decide?

[stopthegop]

8. the customers do decide..

they can shop at WalMart, where those products are not sold, or shop elsewhere, where they are...

[MadHound]

10. Actually, in many parts of the country, customers effectively can't decide

Wal mart in their march towards monopoly has, in many small towns, completely eliminated any and all competition. No other grocery stores, general stores, pharmacies, it is all Wal Mart, all the time. Thus the decision for those customers' isn't whether or not to shop at Wal Mart, it is whether or not to shop period.

[POed_Ex_Repub]

13. Yep... The town where I grew up in

Wal-mart is the only place to shop. Used to have a Kmart, Alco, and Pamida... all are gone now, there is only Wal-mart.

[northzax]

12. why not impose your morals on your customers

I notice that you support DU, and yet nowhere on this site can you purchase anything that supports the Reublican Party, they're making that decision for you, and you still participate, I notice.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

14. The name Democratic Underground I found to be a bit of a giveaway.

We know what product to expect at this website.

I notice Wal-Mart aren't called 'Prudish Morality Mart'

[stopthegop]

15. you prove the point...

people know what to expect at WalMart...just as they know what to expect at Excalibur Adult Novelties....

[Screaming Lord Byron]

16. All I expect from WalMart is low prices and cheap consumer goods.

The name does not suggest any sort of morality filter, or ulterior motive.

[stopthegop]

17. the reputation suggests a certain set up standards..

as you yourself obviously know...

[Screaming Lord Byron]

18. Do I?

[stopthegop]

19. maybe not...maybe you pulled Prudish out of the air..

have a good afternoon

[Screaming Lord Byron]

20. buh-bye.

[mark0rama]

11. If, on the other hand, your product is an R-rated movie on DVD...

...you can use the F-word as much as you like. Not so consistent after all.

[DS1]

9. Maybe this Christian reader would like to volunteer for some passionating

and sacrifice some blood and tears for our sins.

edit: Fuck I hate people

[neverborn]

21. Oh my.

Not the f-word!