Been to Walmart lately?

[Kidlicious]

Doubtful. the areas in question are thick with stores.

Any retail business who can plan shortages has monopoly power. The fact that they are thick with stores only reinforces that claim.

[Kidlicious]

The idea that a law that was enacted to prevent institutional disenfranchisement of millions of Americans citizens is a 'racial entitlement' is so incredibly offensive that it almost beggars belief.

I thought you meant that there was something wrong with using the term "racial entitlement."

[The Mad Monk]

Any retail business who can plan shortages has monopoly power. The fact that they are thick with stores only reinforces that claim.

What do you mean, "plan shortages"? Also, I don't mean the area is thick with Walmarts, I mean the area is packed with stores of all types.

[Kidlicious]

What do you mean, "plan shortages"? Also, I don't mean the area is thick with Walmarts, I mean the area is packed with stores of all types.

By "planned shortages" I mean customers are going to Walmart (not other stores), to buy products. Walmart know full well about how many customers walk through their doors, but have decided not to stock their shelves for all of those customers becuase they make more profit that way.

[giblets]

It still shocks me that one of the highest members of the US judiciary can make a comment like the 'racial entitlements' one and remain in office.

Lifetime appointments are shocking? I guess holding an office for life is a totally alien concept to the British.

[kentonio]

Lifetime appointments are shocking? I guess holding an office for life is a totally alien concept to the British.

Our monarchy don't rule on the laws that govern our country. Personally the idea of lifetime appointments for important roles does make me very uncomfortable. I can see the argument in favour, but it puts an awful lot of power in the hands of a few individuals.

[MichaeltheGreat]

The idea that a law that was enacted to prevent institutional disenfranchisement of millions of Americans citizens is a 'racial entitlement' is so incredibly offensive that it almost beggars belief.

It was enacted for that, and I think in fairness to Scalia, his meaning was that the notion that this supervisory overreach that was clearly necessary at the time, should be maintained in perpetuity in some locations but not others, without a demonstrable factual basis. Scalia's judicial philosophy does not accept the notion that there should be open-ended blanket solutions imposed at the federal level for local issues that major or may not exist any more in those locations.

I don't normally defend Scalia, but I don't think his intent was out of line. The counter argument for maintaining the VRA approvals is that there were past patterns of racial abuse in those areas, so that's enough to justify on on-going oversight, even decades later, without real evidence of on-going abuse.

[kentonio]

It was enacted for that, and I think in fairness to Scalia, his meaning was that the notion that this supervisory overreach that was clearly necessary at the time, should be maintained in perpetuity in some locations but not others, without a demonstrable factual basis. Scalia's judicial philosophy does not accept the notion that there should be open-ended blanket solutions imposed at the federal level for local issues that major or may not exist any more in those locations.

I don't normally defend Scalia, but I don't think his intent was out of line. The counter argument for maintaining the VRA approvals is that there were past patterns of racial abuse in those areas, so that's enough to justify on on-going oversight, even decades later, without real evidence of on-going abuse.

Considering the southern states recent moves to cut voting times, introduce unreasonable voter ID requirements and other nefarious attempts to pervert open elections, yes I think it's safe to say there is real evidence of on-going abuse.

[Berzerker]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]173570[/ATTACH]

take a look at the "us and them" frame

Bill Maher mentioned this last night on his HBO show

If thats the "racial entitlement" Scalia is talking about, I agree. It is a racial entitlement and its screwing up our system even worse - gerrymandering sucks and good intent dont matter. This shows that to be true, if politicians dont have to worry about protecting minorities in their districts because they lack political clout (enough votes to decide a primary) then we become more polarized. And I'm an extremist albeit old age is moderating my views.

It would be nice if people engaged in the debate rather than throwing bombs at Scalia (who I do not like for other reasons)

[kentonio]

If thats the "racial entitlement" Scalia is talking about, I agree. It is a racial entitlement and its screwing up our system even worse - gerrymandering sucks and good intent dont matter. This shows that to be true, if politicians dont have to worry about protecting minorities in their districts because they lack political clout (enough votes to decide a primary) then we become more polarized.

Why should a minority group need to be able to swing an entire district in order to expect representation? The reason laws like this are still necessary is because minorities are still seen as different and even when it's accepted that they need representation they are seen as needing separate representation. Politicians should always need to 'have to worry about protecting minorities', that should be a standard part of every politicians role. In a representative democracy the elected leaders are not supposed to only represent the people that voted for them.

[Alexander's Horse]

I have never been to Walmart

[The Mad Monk]

By "planned shortages" I mean customers are going to Walmart (not other stores), to buy products. Walmart know full well about how many customers walk through their doors, but have decided not to stock their shelves for all of those customers becuase they make more profit that way.

How do they make a profit by not stocking enough to support sales?

[The Mad Monk]

I have never been to Walmart

The Walmarts out here are big, and pretty open.





Yes, that's all one store.







edit: Satellite. Compare to the Sam's Club to the east, which is, curiously, still an empty field at certain magnifications, the Target to the south, and the Nebraska Furniture Mart to the southeast.

[DaShi]

Smart now showing the people of walmart.

[PLATO]

Considering the southern states recent moves to cut voting times, introduce unreasonable voter ID requirements and other nefarious attempts to pervert open elections, yes I think it's safe to say there is real evidence of on-going abuse.

I really do wish you could come to the South. So many of the stereotypes you hold would be dispelled I do believe.