Wal-Mart Controversy Spurs Creativity, Calling All Documentary Fans...
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Submitted by ReporterLeslieA... on Wed, 2007-10-31 08:07. |
Debate is raging over whether the City Council should approve Wal-Mart's plan to build a distribution center in Southeast Merced.
Unfortunately, we have to wait for the environmental impact report on the project before the city can really sink its teeth into the matter. (It's due out in January.)
But in the meantime, the anti-Wal-Mart folks are stirring up the debate with a new documentary that will debut this Thursday in Merced.
Titled "The Weight of the Air," it premieres at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center Theater, 645 W. Main St. Downtown Merced, Thursday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m.
I haven't seen this film yet, but I'm guessing it doesn't paint the most favorable portrait of how the distribution center will affect Merced.
A panel discussion will follow, featuring Candice Adam-Medefind of the Moms Clean Air Network, Rev. Dwight Amey, UC Merced student Cecilia Arredondo,
Merced physician Dr. John Holmes, Air quality activist Lisa Kayser-Grant, Merced physician Dr. Salvador Sandoval.
I wonder if the pro-Wal-Mart folks are planning their own documentary or interpretive dance about why they think Wal-Mart is a good choice for Merced.
Wal-Mart Coverage
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Submitted by ReporterLeslieA... on Wed, 2007-11-07 13:21.
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Yes, a visit to the Wal-Mart distribution center in Porterville is definitely a story that my editors and I have talked about writing.
Hopefully we have the time and resources for me to make that trip. This is an important decision for the city that will require some in-depth reporting. I'm looking forward to writing about it. I plan to investigate both the economic and environmental impacts the distribution center could bring. Please let me know if you have any other ideas for stories. I'm always looking.
As for our coverage, I've written several stories about the Wal-Mart project, but it's been a while since I've done anything substantial on it, mainly because the EIR isn't out yet.
Piling on to reporter Scott
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Submitted by bigracefan13 on Thu, 2007-11-08 12:25.
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Piling on to reporter Scott Jason's comments on his blog, I got a phone call from my sister the night before this event. She invited me to City Hall to watch a movie called "The Weight of the Air" that talked about air quality issues in Merced County, and to participate in the forum discussion afterward, of which she was to be one of the panelists. Never once did she make mention of the Wal Mart tie-in.
Since I did not attend the function, I was only mildly suprised when I read the next day how this movie and event were merely propaganda efforts by the Stop Time from it's Unstoppable Progression Into Destiny (STUPID) group.
She may be my sister and I do indeed love her but I simply cannot fathom the endless attempts by these folks to subvert the will of the majority, and the underhanded albeit transparent methods they employ in an attempt to further their cause.
These people are dangerous. They are largely intellectual snobs who would deign to presume they know more than we, and that they must intervene and impose their will upon us "for the common good", simply because we all do not know any better.
Syndicate
Wal Mart
wow. Your bias is showing. Heres an idea. Why not do some investigation into Wal Mart's distribution centers. Start in Porterville. That would serve as a good story for our community don't you think? It amazes me how something so controversial is left off the Sun Stars radar except when you put in stories about events that the anti Wal Mart or Pro Wal Mart entities are putting on. How much of what the Anti Wal Mart group claims are true? I'd like to know. What local politicians or city leaders will gain the most from this? I'd like to know. Wherever Wal Mart goes, theres always a story, except apperantly, in Merced. Please respond as I'm curious what reason the Sun Star has for not looking into what has to be at the very least a mildly interesting story that no doubt might sell a few papers for your rag. My email is gagandhurl@yahoo.com