There is too much underlying truth to this for it to be 'funny', but I'll certainly toast its trenchant sardonicism.
My spouse covered 4 departments on shift as manager today - hers and 3 others, while they dangle layoffs and rollbacks on working hours over everyone's head a week before Christmas.
May the owners of this chain choke on the lumps of coal I envision for them.
I've never been in a Wal*Mart (point of pride). the idea that these poor bastards who work there have to wear those fucking blue vest with that shit written on them is disgraceful. They won't see a fucking dime from me.
I am sorry darkblack that your spouse has a job which sucks. And we have a lot of work to do in the world about economic justice, but your situation has no real relationship with Auschwitz victims.
I think it is a salient commentary to help us reflect on how our current problems compare with those of the past.
Fascism, Communism, and NeoLiberalism. Two of those are much worse than the other.
The population of the United States can be divided into three groups: former Wal-Mart employees, current Wal-Mart employees, and future Wal-Mart employees.
Brilliant stuff today--the WalMart thing is eleven on a scale of ten. (I believe the slogan translates to something about work making you free, the irony of which is applicable to *any* job but especially WalMart. I'm sure that no one thought of equating a crappy job to the Holocaust, Mr. Gibson. "Happy holidays.")The Kennedy-Goldwater thing was pretty funny as well.
I guess I need to clarify my motive with you, Rich.
The reason I did the photoshop is because the sign hanging over Auschwitz (work makes you free) has been STOLEN.
If THAT STATEMENT was not hanging over the gate at Auschwitz, it certainly would fit over the door at WalMart, where, it has been proven in court, employees are expected to work when they're sick and even when they're off the clock. That's slavery. Same as the work camps of Nazi Germany? The Walton family does not put their employees into gas chambers. But they do expect them to work when they are sick and on occasion for no pay and with no benefits.
It is a poking hyperbole at the working conditions of Walmart. For some people, anything whatsoever to do with the Holocaust is completely off-limits no matter what. Not here. I am not taking what happened at Auschwitz in the 1930's and 40's lightly--I am taking what happened at Auschwitz THIS PAST WEEK with a big guffaw. There's a difference. I would not have made the photoshop without the CURRENT news hook of the purloined gate.
'With respect, I think that is exactly what is being done.'
IMO, you're leaping over the work camp connotation (which is equally valid) in favor of the Holocaust comparison. You're free to do so of course, but attributing unmade comparisons to others is a path walked lightly.
'And the 'work camp' connotation is not historically 'equally valid.''
Why not? I think you are attaching too much to the symbolism of the sign as opposed to the reality of the konzentrationslager.
And, you have not answered my earlier query regarding this purported comparison that I supposedly made...Perhaps the company you invite to tea might assist you in this matter.
For the little green rosetta on this muffin, have a greeter with his blue vest, and a yellow smiley face button (flair!) with the words from the stolen sign.
Make the greeter Homer Simpson. Or Newt Gingrich. Or Joe Lieberman. Or Henry Kissinger. Or Bernie Madoff. Or Dick Cheney.
Where did I 'equate Wal Mart with Auschwitz'...Exactly?
Mr. Gibson, assertion is not proof, and you have provided more than enough of the former and absolutely none of the latter. You are certainly free to disagree with other people's artistic content (respectfully or otherwise), but your insistence on misrepresenting my plainly written words in order to have them mean what you want them to renders this conversation useless. Good day to you.
There is too much underlying truth to this for it to be 'funny', but I'll certainly toast its trenchant sardonicism.
ReplyDeleteMy spouse covered 4 departments on shift as manager today - hers and 3 others, while they dangle layoffs and rollbacks on working hours over everyone's head a week before Christmas.
May the owners of this chain choke on the lumps of coal I envision for them.
;>)
I've never been in a Wal*Mart (point of pride). the idea that these poor bastards who work there have to wear those fucking blue vest with that shit written on them is disgraceful. They won't see a fucking dime from me.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry darkblack that your spouse has a job which sucks. And we have a lot of work to do in the world about economic justice, but your situation has no real relationship with Auschwitz victims.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a salient commentary to help us reflect on how our current problems compare with those of the past.
Fascism, Communism, and NeoLiberalism. Two of those are much worse than the other.
The population of the United States can be divided into three groups: former Wal-Mart employees, current Wal-Mart employees, and future Wal-Mart employees.
ReplyDelete'your situation has no real relationship with Auschwitz victims'.
ReplyDeleteWhere did I write that it does...exactly?
Brilliant stuff today--the WalMart thing is eleven on a scale of ten. (I believe the slogan translates to something about work making you free, the irony of which is applicable to *any* job but especially WalMart. I'm sure that no one thought of equating a crappy job to the Holocaust, Mr. Gibson. "Happy holidays.")The Kennedy-Goldwater thing was pretty funny as well.
ReplyDelete"I'm sure that no one thought of equating a crappy job to the Holocaust,"
ReplyDeleteWith respect, I think that is exactly what is being done. The picture shows one of the most recognizable symbols of the Holocaust over WalMart.
I guess I need to clarify my motive with you, Rich.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I did the photoshop is because the sign hanging over Auschwitz (work makes you free) has been STOLEN.
If THAT STATEMENT was not hanging over the gate at Auschwitz, it certainly would fit over the door at WalMart, where, it has been proven in court, employees are expected to work when they're sick and even when they're off the clock. That's slavery. Same as the work camps of Nazi Germany? The Walton family does not put their employees into gas chambers. But they do expect them to work when they are sick and on occasion for no pay and with no benefits.
It is a poking hyperbole at the working conditions of Walmart. For some people, anything whatsoever to do with the Holocaust is completely off-limits no matter what. Not here. I am not taking what happened at Auschwitz in the 1930's and 40's lightly--I am taking what happened at Auschwitz THIS PAST WEEK with a big guffaw. There's a difference. I would not have made the photoshop without the CURRENT news hook of the purloined gate.
'With respect, I think that is exactly what is being done.'
ReplyDeleteIMO, you're leaping over the work camp connotation (which is equally valid) in favor of the Holocaust comparison.
You're free to do so of course, but attributing unmade comparisons to others is a path walked lightly.
hi darkblack and Blue Gal,
ReplyDelete"IMO, you're leaping over the work camp connotation (which is equally valid) in favor of the Holocaust comparison. "
and
"If THAT STATEMENT was not hanging over the gate at Auschwitz, it certainly would fit over the door at WalMart"
I agree that if that particular German statement were not hanging over the gate at most of the camps then it could fit over the door at WalMart.
But it does hang over the gate at Auschwitz. And the 'work camp' connotation is not historically 'equally valid.'
That is the actual physical sign which hung over Auschwitz. It isn't a comparison with the Holocaust, but a direct reference.
I think that it is bad to equate working for WalMart with the Holocaust.
It doesn't hang over the door at Auschwitz any more. It's been stolen.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rich. I get it that you disagree. Glad we can do that with respect.
I don't really feel like this is a 'respectfully agree to disagree' sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteBut it is not a discussion I can have right now alone.
Here is the tweet I'll send tomorrow. If you think it is not fair let me know wording which fairly describes your point and I'll use that.
Not Funny: @BlueGal Photoshops stolen Auschwitz "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign over WalMart http://bit.ly/8slNIj
That's fine by me--thanks for the link/traffic!
ReplyDelete'And the 'work camp' connotation is not historically 'equally valid.''
ReplyDeleteWhy not? I think you are attaching too much to the symbolism of the sign as opposed to the reality of the konzentrationslager.
And, you have not answered my earlier query regarding this purported comparison that I supposedly made...Perhaps the company you invite to tea might assist you in this matter.
;>)
darkblack
ReplyDeleteYou posted the _first post_ on a post equating WalMart with Auschwitz. Seriously, how does that not connect the two?
For the little green rosetta on this muffin, have a greeter with his blue vest, and a yellow smiley face button (flair!) with the words from the stolen sign.
ReplyDeleteMake the greeter Homer Simpson. Or Newt Gingrich. Or Joe Lieberman. Or Henry Kissinger. Or Bernie Madoff. Or Dick Cheney.
word verification: nookym
Where did I 'equate Wal Mart with Auschwitz'...Exactly?
ReplyDeleteMr. Gibson, assertion is not proof, and you have provided more than enough of the former and absolutely none of the latter.
You are certainly free to disagree with other people's artistic content (respectfully or otherwise), but your insistence on misrepresenting my plainly written words in order to have them mean what you want them to renders this conversation useless. Good day to you.
;>)