Friday, March 12, 2010

Something's Rotten At Shaw's

Something’s Rotten At Shaw’s

On Thursday, I went to Shaw’s supermarket in Dartmouth, Massachusetts to do some shopping. On my way in, I readied a few quarters, as I expected to find someone collecting donations for the Little League or Salvation Army at the entrance.

Instead, I was rather unpleasantly surprised to find two women sitting at a table behind an "Impeach Obama Now" sign, asking entering customers to sign a petition. At that, I turned, got back into my car, and drove to Stop & Shop in Fairhaven.

Requesting donations for charitable organizations is one thing. Petitioning for political motives is quite another... and something I’ve never encountered at a supermarket before. I found it... in bad taste.

There's a place for political free speech. But this isn’t a matter of “free” speech. As a private enterprise, Shaw’s and their management must OK all groups using their entrances for any purpose. They choose what they want their consumers to see and hear.

Which begs the question: Just what is the management at the Dartmouth Shaw’s trying to sell their consumers? Food? Or political views?

As long as Shaw’s continues endorsing politics of any stripe, I’ll continue taking my business elsewhere.

6 comments:

Natescape said...

Amen, brother!

Craig said...

We'll wait on this before I reply. There was a decent comment on the S-T website about law and what not. But it's not my job to study law. I'll leave that shit to lawyers.

Anonymous said...

this article is taking on legs of its own. maybe it'll change the stupid laws that force businesses to have these loonies outside their entrances.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure Shaw's misses you terribly. Would you take them back if they bought you flowers and gave you a reach around?

Marria said...

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Carol said...

Well written!