From a Plain Dealer Editorial:
There’s much to criticize about Wal-Mart’s business practices, but let’s be honest: Wal-Mart is already in this market. City residents regularly trek to its suburban stores. Why shouldn’t they be able to shop closer to home — in stores that employ their neighbors and pay taxes to support city services — if they choose? A full-service Wal-Mart at Steelyard Commons surely will hurt some city merchants, including grocery stores. Any new enterprise may hurt someone’s business; that’s called competition.
This is not much more than an argument for convenience, while at the same time stating that there are local businesses already filling the need. It also seems to be saying that if Wal-Mart hurts local businesses then that is good for Cleveland. Right.
And in Sam Fulwood III’s column:
“Fighting Wal-Mart and keeping real jobs in Cleveland was a top priority for us,” he said. “Yes, they seem to have gotten by us for the moment, but we’re still going to fight them.”
Nah, that battle is likely over. Give Wal-Mart its laurels and watch the small neighborhood businesses die.
What is all this giving up crap? What is all this spreading our legs for ubiquitous big boxes? “Oh, please, Wal-Mart, smack me around and treat me like a two-bit whore! Move in with me, I’ll pay for your every need, just give it to me good.”
Bah.
Thus ends my unusual burst of ranting.