Is Wal-mart the biggest hinderance to port security

Just some interesting information on what Wal-mart has opposed in the area of port security.

In the past few years, Wal-Mart has:

• Opposed the introduction of anti-terrorist "smart containers" and electronic seals for cargo containers coming into U.S. ports. The retail industry called them "feel good (security) measures."
  

• Opposed independent and regular inspections of supply-chain security practices around the world.
  

• Opposed tougher rules requiring Wal-Mart to let Customs know what it's shipping in and where it comes from.
  

• Opposed new container-handling fees to pay for improved port security.
  

One of the United States' top port security experts, retired Coast Guard Cmdr. Stephen Flynn, puts the cost of helping protect our ports at 0.2 percent of the value of cargo in the containers. The cost to Wal-Mart would be about $36 million -- less than one-third of 1 percent of the $11.2 billion profit the company raked in last year, or several million dollars less than CEO Lee Scott's pay over the past two years.

Source: Wal-Mart's dirty secret is out

Not only does Wal-mart have little or no healthcare and pay low wages, they also dont seem to like port security.

I still say they are not good for the US. they support poverty with their part time work ideas and low wages

Another example of somone who needs a tin foil hat...


Smart containers - drive up price of goods due to increased shipping costs. What do they detect?

Regular Inspections - Yes, all major outlets want their goods delayed.

Origin of shipment - Every product indicates where it was made. But do you want the competition to know your source of hot items.

Container fees - Cost will be passed on to you, the consumer.


Yea man.





[edit on 7-4-2006 by crisko]

so the fact that it would cost less than the ceo made last year is nothing. wal-mart is a drain on the country.

but then you forgot this earlier in the week.

Twenty-two people were being held early Wednesday after they apparently arrived in a 40-foot cargo container at the Port of Seattle aboard a ship from China, officials said.

Source: 22 caught in apparent human smuggling effort at Port of Seattle

maybe they wouldn't have had to spend 15 days in the container or maybe 3 didn't have to die in 2000.

tell you what why don't we house all the people found in containers that we don't inspect at your place. sounds like a good idea to me

[edit on 7-4-2006 by bigx01]

Not sure if Walmart is the biggest hindrance to Port Security, but from reading that article I'd have to say that they sure look to be some kind of a problem. But then again its my opinion that Walmart is a hindrance in quite a lot of areas, mainly the growth of any area that they may pop up and open a store, seems like once they open, the only growth is in their pockets, forget about the community they just decided to hinder.

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