Wal-Mart Critics Say Katrina Handled Well

Yahoo News ^ | Tue Sep 6, 4:39 PM ET | CHUCK BARTELS, Associated Press Writer

[supercat]

Speaking of which, while I appreciate that they might have stocked up the armory before the disaster (believe me, a 12 gage shotgun is included in MY survival plans) they should have done a better job securing those when they closed for the storm. No more wire cages, perhaps a vault-type device would be more appropriate.

How about giving firearms away free, to CCW holders only, in exchange for standing guard until all the firearms were out of the store?

[WestTexasWend]

Flickinger said the company would do well to remember "consumer and community support in these tough times rather than (taking) a scorched earth approach to organized labor."

HA...as if any union would allow its members to work the long hours or take physical risks to get the goods into dangerous areas!

And how much have the unions given?

[Fido969]

How about giving firearms away free, to CCW holders only, in exchange for standing guard until all the firearms were out of the store?

Or at least a $50 gift certificate!

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you again. I appreciate it.

[Fido969]

I think this relates to one of the "Katrina Myths". Supposedly FEMA turned away a truckload of water that was trying to get into the affected area. Someone investigated this with Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart says the truck was NOT turned away, it was redirected to a place where it was needed more.

Another myth perpetuated by the "It's All Bush's Fault" crowd.

[eyespysomething]

Actually, I think if you include all the "stuff" they've donated they are well over $20 million.

And I read they are going to open small stores in affected areas and allow people who need basics- food, water, toiletries, diapers, etc have it for free.

And they are already putting their displaced workers to work in the towns they are now in. Some of these people are already back at work! WalMart said they would find a job for everyone of their associates who lost their job due to Katrina.

And why are people surprised when a business can respond and act quicker than government?

[eyespysomething]

A co-worker of mine said that he bets a new bill will be passed, where if a disaster is imminent (hurricane et al) or if at all able in the case of an earthquake, terrorist attack etc, places that sell guns, weapons and ammo will have to have it locked in a vault.

[DoughtyOne]

WalMart has been good, but nobody can address every issue in 90,000 square miles within the first week.

Many people seem to be developing the mindset that the federal government should fix their individual situation right now. Sorry folks, it doesn't work that way.

The best story I've heard so far was when the Vietnamese community stated that they would accept help AFTER everyone else had been taken care of.

Now that's class.

[DoughtyOne]

New gun legislation never surprises me. If the government wants the vaults they should pay to install them. Course that means you and I will.

[eyespysomething]

It surprises me also how many of these people had no disaster kit, no water, no food, nothing in preperation.

We've decided to add more ammo (and I think more guns soon). Also, more items like peroxide etc.

We've learned from this.

It stuns me how people think the government will be there to hold their hand immediately after a disaster. Attention people, you have to plan to take care of yourself for a few days. Plan for it.

[KingNo155]

Anyone remember "Two Guys" stores? They went Union and 5 years later they went belly up. My mother lost a good paying job when they went bust all because she supported the short term gain brought by the union.

[Fido969]

weapons and ammo will have to have it locked in a vault.

Most folks that have heavy-duty arsenals, (machine guns, etc.) already have 1000 lb gun vaults anyway.

Tell your congresscritter that if EVERYONE was armed - not just the criminals and looters - there wouldn't have been any violent crime in NO.

[BurbankKarl]

Lots of looters were shot

[DoughtyOne]

I agree. We're having to get back on track. I spoke to my wife just last night, and we're going to put 90 days water aside and start rotating. That's just a start...

[Gabz]

I admire you. I did give you some heat on your original criticism and thank you for admitting you may have misspoke.

Same goes for me.

[George W. Bush]

"Wal-Mart served the city far better than any private or public institution," he said.

The state/local and federal response really should be compared to Wal-Mart. I hope they do this during the hearings. Wal-Mart made decisions and moved before the disaster.

How did Wal-Mart know so much and accomplish so much when the government entities had so many failures?