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Daily Archives: August 18th, 2013

The Sinking of Sears & Kmart


The gradual downward spiral of 2 well known names and their associated brands is well documented. The real problem appears to be with board of directors and the CEO. None of them appear to be savvy enough to pull these companies out their tailspin. From the viewpoint of a consumer their stores have the look of a used or overstock operation. The current upper management has devastated the working force with pay, benefits and retirement hits. These major changes have done nothing to increase profits but morale has decreased accordingly. Many workers can no longer afford to retire after 30 plus years of work, the health benefits hardly cover basic needs such as annual exams. The stores have had no upgrades in years and are so poorly managed that  the seasonal changes appear more like one long one with clearance  items clogging the aisles. The CEO and board members are surely receiving their compensation as if they are performing at a high level but the real while the real  work force is taking it on the chin. This situation is now one of desperation which could see the end of 2 major national companies and Icons of what America is about. What will happen to the thousands of employees (including management) and the customers who rely on these stores? The burden is on the Executive suite to correct this situation by going back to the basics of retail, which apparently they have forgotten or never knew.

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Ban On Hoodies?


Has George Zimmerman single handedly caused a glut  of hoodies due the high profile case resulting from the death of Trayvon Martin? Since the master profiler and his adjunct members (Geraldo (Gerry Rivers) et al have designated hoodies as the garb of choice by criminals (especially if they are non white), the industry has all but collapsed. What ever will happen to the athletes who wear them, what will happen to the manufacturers and the sponsors who pay to have their logos placed on them? Are we looking at the end of the hoodie? Could it be that ski caps, beanies and watch caps be next on the list of  “criminal” wear?  When will we approach the final frontier of “criminalizing” wearing apparel the business suit?  When in the future you have to get a permit for a hoodie-Thank George Zimmerman!

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Dissatisfaction with Springfield Newspaper


I have read the State Journal Register  for a number of years and had a few opinions printed. I understand that opinions are just that-opinions but many are rooted in personal politics and  biases with a shortage of facts. There are two syndicated columnist that appear regularly whose entries are treated with more regard than they deserve as their  basis serve no one than the author while denigrating the American public and the newspaper. I am purposely omitting the names as I do not want to give any more coverage to these individuals than the currently receive. I have always thought journalists were supposed to offer truth first regardless of their personal politics but apparently this is not modern norm. I am considering ending my subscription as the SJ-R seems to support this unilateral method of news gathering and presentation. The print media while certainly suffering in this electronic age still has the responsibility to present the facts in as neutral a manner possible, the bias should be the personal bailiwick of the reader, not the publisher or editor.

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