Sunday, August 15, 2010

Target and The Human Rights Campaign - Extortion on Display

Shoppers checkout at a Target store in Falls Church, Virginia in this May 28, 2010 file photograph. U.S. retail sales rebounded in July but showed hints of lingering softness that were underscored by a separate report showing underlying inflation pressures stuck at their lowest level since the 1960s. Sales climbed 0.4 percent last month following a revised 0.3 percent drop in June, the Commerce Department said on August 13, 2010, below forecasts for a 0.5 percent gain. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/Files (UNITED STATES - Tags: BUSINESS)
Target is being crucified in the media and elsewhere for its measly $150,000 contribution to a political organization backing Tom Emmer, Republican candidate for governor in Minnesota. The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay-rights advocacy group, has demanded that Target make an equal or greater contribution to groups supporting gay-rights candidates in Minnesota.

Target needs to tread very carefully here as its next step will likely lead to a slippery slope. HRC's activities are pure and simple extortion - we don't like your politics, so either pay us or face the consequences. What happens next? The prostrate cancer community demanding the same amount as the breast cancer community? The Boy Scouts demanding the same as the Girl Scouts? Crushed ice aficionados demanding the same support as those that prefer cubed ice? Ultimately what happens is that Target will cease all philanthropic giving altogether. It is the only way to end the headaches and stop the extortion.

This company gives nearly $3 million per week to philanthropic causes. The fact that it has already aided the gay community hundreds and hundreds of times over beyond the latest affront (albeit not for "gay" issues, but for simple human issues for which gay folks have benefited) seems to matter not to the HRC. Which means it really isn't about truly helping folks. It is all about appearances, politics, and good old fashioned extortion.

1 comment:

  1. Joe Solmonese needs to go, and he needs to go NOW! HRC is nothing but a bunch of money grubbing hacks. 40% of every dollar the "raise" or extort from people goes to overhead. They 150 paid staff - one hundred fifty. That is incredibly ridiculous for any not-for-profit organization on a $35 million annual budget. It serves as nothing but a mechanism for Joe Solmonese to fund his lifestyle and for the senior staff to get their friends on some payroll.

    Solmonese just wants to be the supreme ruler of the gay community. Target should not give into their demands.

    ReplyDelete

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