In addition to having a truly terrible haircut, Minnesota Gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer is also a teabagging lunatic: he opposes same-sex marriage, authored a bill claiming Minnesotans have “no constitutional right to abortion” and– here’s the real crazy part– favors a constitutional amendment declaring Minnesotans “sovereign individuals” who will only follow federal laws if they damn well please. In other words, secession! (Kinda.)
Obviously, Sarah Palin <3s him.
None of this is too surprising; basically every election currently running in the US features this kind of anti-gay, anti-woman candidate who’s just one step away from calling for civil war.
What is a surprise, however, is the fact that Target– a constant fixture at the gay pride parade!– has donated $150k (k stands for thousand!) to a PAC called Minnesota Forward, which funds Emmer’s campaign. People are mad about this, including the nice granny in the video below:
Target has responded to protests with the following mealy-mouthed letter:
Target has long believed that engaging in civic activities is an important and necessary element of operating a national retail business. What’s more important than any one candidate’s stance on a particular issue is how we nurture thoughtful, long-term growth in the state of Minnesota.
Our support of causes and candidates is based strictly on issues that affect our retail and business objectives. To continue to grow and create jobs and opportunity in our home state, we believe it is imperative to be engaged in public policy and the political process. That is why we are members of organizations like the Minnesota Business Partnership, the Chamber of Commerce and many others. And that is why we decided to contribute to MN Forward.
MN Forward’s objective is to elect candidates from both parties who will make job creation and economic growth a top priority. We operate best when working collaboratively with legislators on both sides of the aisle. In fact, if you look at our Federal PAC contributions year to date, you will see that they are very balanced between Republicans and Democrats. For more information please visit www.target.com/company, and view the Civic Activity page.
Target has a large stake in Minnesota’s future, which is why it is so important to be able to provide jobs, serve guests, support communities and deliver on our commitment to shareholders. As an international business that is proud to call Minnesota home, it is critical that we have a business environment that allows us to be competitive. Our guests, team members, communities and shareholders depend on Target to remain competitive.
Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Hanson
Target Executive Offices
While it’s true that Target is a private corporation and according to the Supreme Court can give money to whoever it wants, and while it’s also true that we can’t expect corporations to do have any principles beyond the safeguarding of their precious $$, we can show them that it’s actually a poor business choice to give money to a crazy homophobe– by not shopping at Target.
[Via Gawker]
Clark Lane, while not every “fag” is a liberal in this country, Tom Emmer should still concern you. He has been closely linked with extremist Christian rock musicians that believe that killing homosexuals is “moral.” That doesn’t scare you even a little bit?
I think that the lady in the clip is quite inspirational. These large stores are used to the loud, younger generations waving their banners and making their protests, but if more mums and grandma’s protested in the way this lady has, these corporations would soon rethink their processes in the light of falling sales. This was a quiet and effective action and I only hope more people do the same.
I got the very same LAME letter response
Ah yes, once again the ‘open-minded’ lefties condemn anyone with a varying opinion. Thanks for continuing to expose yourselves as the lying, hypocritical punks you are. “Think like me or you’re out of the sandbox!” Not every gay guy in America is a wacked out leftist you know.
Boycotts are a joke, you know fags can’t live w/o Target LOL
That lady is a crazy waste of space. Target has given just as much money to leftist groups and candidates.
Boycotting a store for one donation is foolish. I hope she (and all of you) enjoy shopping at Walmart.
I sent this link to everyone I could. Target posted a lame reply saying they are sorry they disappointed and blah blah in the future. Weak. They also said on twitter – If you have questions about Target’s political contributions, email our Guest Relations team at [email protected] – so that means people can e-mail them their thoughts on the matter. I already have!