October 04, 2010

NPR has a heartbreaking article that provides a snapshot of the current American economy. The story is on the phenomenon of midnight shopping at places like WalMart on the last day of the month. When the clock strikes midnight, it's a new month and shoppers' food stamps and government checks go into effect. "Take a trip to one of those 24-hour Walmarts on the last day of every month, and you'll get a glimpse into the lives of low-income families trying to get by." 

Shopping at the very first moment they can use their benefits is a good indicator that these shoppers were really in need and necessities were getting low at the end of the month. One WalMart executive said, "And if you really think about it, the only reason somebody gets out and buys baby formula is they need it and they've been waiting for it. Otherwise, we're open 24 hours, come at 5 AM, come at 7 AM, come at 10 AM. But if you're there at midnight, you're there for a reason."

WalMart has noticed this pattern and has adjusted their stocking accordingly. They bring out larger packs of items (bulk items) at the beginning of the month, and smaller sizes at the end of the month. They also make sure the shelves have plenty of diapers and baby formula at the beginning of the month. I don't feel like being super cynical right now, so I'm going to commend WalMart for accommodating these shoppers and making things easier for them, instead of saying that WalMart is trying to capitalize on this situation.

The end of the article broke my heart. "Tracy says their children know when the end of the month is approaching, because what they like to eat is gone and the kitchen shelves have emptied. The children are all home asleep while the parents are out shopping. In the morning, Tracy says, they'll wake up and be able to have what they want for breakfast." (Full Story)

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Britain has officially recognized Druidry (but my spellcheck doesn't...) as a religion. Druids, followers of ancient pagan traditions, have practiced for thousands of years in Britain and in Celtic societies throughout Europe. They worship natural forces like the earth and the sun. They do not worship a single god, but instead strive for a sacred relationship with the natural world. They're probably best known for gathering at Stonehenge every summer solstice. There are currently about 10,000 Druids in Britain (and many more in the world of Warcraft. I had to!)

Druidry has formally been classified as a religion under British charity law. The Druids have tried for nearly five years to be recognized by the Charity Commission. Their application has finally been accepted. This means that, in addition to being officially recognized as a religion, Druids can also now receive exemptions from taxes on donations. (Full Story)

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Well, alright! Arizona, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia recently enacted laws that allow people to bring loaded guns into a bar. Eighteen other states currently allow guns in restaurants that serve alcohol. Now these four states have the courage to take it even further by allowing guns where they're needed most: In a place where people  go for the sole purpose of consuming lots of alcohol. Alcohol + Guns? This should go over well. Though under Tennessee's new law, gun permit holders are not supposed to drink alcohol while carrying their weapons. So, uh, why exactly are these gun-holders going to the bar in the first place? Do they just want to be able to go to some public place where they can sit with their gun and enjoy a Coke? Maybe the Tennessee law means you can't actively be drinking alcohol while you're shooting your gun?! Or maybe they mean it literally, you can't be carrying your gun in one hand while holding a drink in the other?! Either way, it seems weird to allow guns in bars if you think there needs to be a separation between drinking and gun-carrying. Critics of these new laws are pointing out that recently a man in Virginia with a permit to carry a concealed weapon shot himself in the leg while drinking beer at a restaurant. 

The Tennessee law also allows restaurant and bar owners to prohibit people from carrying weapons inside their places of business by posting signs out front. That is until someone sues because they feel their individual rights are being infringed upon because they can't enter the bar with their weapon, and it goes to the Supreme Court, and the self-described non-activist conservative court overrules the Tennessee law and says bar owners are required to allow people to enter their establishment with a handgun. I guess I'm getting ahead of myself (for now). 

The Tennessee law has only been challenged once, so far. A complaint was filed by an anonymous waiter that argued that allowing guns into bars creates an unsafe work environment for waiters. That is definitely a legitimate complaint. However, his complaint was denied by the state's Division of Occupational Safety and Health. The lawyer who represents the waiter said they are preparing to appeal the decision. The lawyer said, "A loaded concealed weapon in a bar is a recognized hazard. I have a right to go into a restaurant or bar and not have people armed. And of course, the waiter has a right to a safe workplace."

These new laws are an example of the recent efforts to change gun laws across the United States. There have been a lot of changes to gun laws (or attempts to change gun laws) since the Supreme Court made two landmark rulings in which handgun bans were overturned in DC and Chicago. The Court ruled that citizens have an individual right (and not just in connection with a well-regulated militia) to keep a loaded handgun for defense. There are now more than 250 lawsuits that challenge various gun laws. Most recently, Texas Governor Rick Perry, a Republican, said that it should be legal for people to have guns on campus. He made this statement after there was a shooting last week at the University of Texas, Austin. He argued that armed bystanders might have been able to stop the gunman. That seems like a lot of potentially dangerous and harmful situations (that can arise from an armed student population) for a big "what if?" (i.e., what if there's a shooting on campus and some student has the ability to stop the shooter because they have a gun; and a minimal amount of people are harmed in the process). This does not seem like a real solution to me. (Full Story)