Climbing Aboard My Soapbox

Photo from Google Images

I normally do not get involved with these types of issues…you know, the ones that make headlines.  I figure there are enough people willing to sling the mud back and forth, that I keep my opinions to myself, and share only with those when asked.  Don’t get me wrong, I cast my ballot with the best of you, and will even speak out when necessary when morality and human rights are violated.  The fact that four unarmed employees were able to take down an armed individual, and were let go by the company they were protecting, makes me angry and I need to do something, something for me.

There has been quite a bit of media attention since the firing of four Wal-Mart employees in Layton, UT the past few days.  I only live a hop, skip, and a jump from this particular store, and have shopped there frequently due to the locality and convenience of it.  It’s easy to jump in the car, and in one minute I can shop for a gallon of milk that is reasonably priced.  Today, that stops.

I no longer feel safe to go there.  A man held a gun against the back of an employee, less than a mile from my home.  The store fired this employee and others who helped disarm the man.  How am I to feel when the store advocates that nothing be done?  The man could have been left alone, as Wal-Mart’s policy seems to suggest, to brandish his weapon on any shopper in the store.   Apparently, the safety of the company’s customers and employees is farther down the priority list than they state.  It angers me.

I am lucky I have a husband that can protect me and my children by his own training and demeanor, but not everyone has that luxury.  Regardless of your view, or mine on gun rights, it angers me to know that I am no longer safe in a store so close to home.  No, the gunman should not have had access to a weapon, but the fact is he would have found some way to access one.  He was caught in the act of committing a crime, and decided to brandish his weapon to get away.  To keep us safe, four employees took him down, keeping him away from customers until police could arrive and arrest him.

I read another article today in the paper.  Another employee was fired from a different location for protecting another employee from her abusive husband, WHO WAS ABUSING HER IN THE STORE!!!  In front of customers!  So apparently, the employees of this chain are such a disposable commodity, their personal safety in the workplace is of so little value, everyone should stand back and watch crimes being committed against them.  I think not.

I feel that these employees are heroes.  They protected the consumers, the employees, and the public at large.  If the store is so “concerned” why not start a training program on how to disarm gunmen, or deal with abusive spouses?  Better yet, why not have those they just fired, teach the program?  They seem to have it under control.

I will no longer be shopping at the store less than a mile from my home.  I will gladly make the drive across town to a competitor, pay higher prices, and embrace the inconvenience of it.  I won’t spend my hard earned dollars at a place where the safety of employees and customers is rewarded with job loss.   I know this isn’t the answer to solve the problem, but for my own peace of mind, it is what I need to do.  Off my soapbox now.  Phew.  Thanks for listening to my rant. :)

I can only hope Phill is right....

I love this movie.  It cracks me up, every time I see it.  Living the day, over and over again is hilarious.  Of course this is a testament to my age and what I loved during my earlier years.

Speaking of Groundhog Day, I am thrilled to note that Punxsutawney Phill didn't see his terrifying shadow, and spring should be just around the corner.  Can you guess why?  The weather here has been interesting at the least. Either we are socked in with an inversion one could choke on, or snow and sleet line the roads.  Of course the past couple of days have been clear and bright.  Notice I didn't say warm?  This morning I woke to the temperature being a balmy -1 degrees outside.  Now, this I would expect in North Dakota, Alaska, and parts of the frozen tundra, but in a desert such as Utah?  Yep, and we were warmer than a lot of other places.

This is not weather I'd like to repeat for the next while.  I can't imagine living this day over and over again, especially due to the frozen extremities (toes) I seem to be sporting.  Terrifying.

Spring is just around the corner.  I am looking forward to those days when birds will nest in my back yard, and the grass perks up from it's wintery slumber.  I can't wait for the daffodils.  Nothing says spring to me than bunches of daffodils trumpeting in the season.

Stay warm!  I plan to snuggle in my bed and hope today doesn't repeat itself tomorrow!

Thanks to Google Images for the picture!