It’s been a busy week in Wally World: the Universe’s source of cheap plastic crap. On The Writing On The Wal — the blog USA Today says should be on its readers’ radar — Jonathan Rees, Robert Feinman, Peter Sayles and I continue our work dedicated to drawing back the curtain on the Bentonvile Behemoth’s corporate disinformation and other flackery.

WAL-MART ♥”S SLAVERY AND POISON… How romantic are you? Well, Wal-Mart thinks that you can measure that by identifying how much money you spend on slavery-supported diamonds and chocolate and poison-laden flowers. My home state of Ohio either ranked low or not at all on the lists.
Keep reading…

STEALYARD COMMONS… TAKE II… Bill Callahan, founding co-bloggers of No Cleveland Walmart (our predecessor), is also ticked off about this morning”s announcement. My favorite line from Bill is: 1,800 phantom jobs. And now, phantom property taxes. This story is so sordid, and so totally freaking predictable.Keep reading…

WIMPY WAL-MART… The gnomes do not think that Wal-Mart has had a good week (month, year; take your pick). In fact, Investor”s Business Daily, thinks that Lee Scott is acting like a girly man. It has this to say to its readers this morning:Keep reading…

STEALYARD COMMONS… TAKE III… Clevelanders are getting hotter and hotter under the collar as they discover the royal screwing given to them in the economic dispoilment known as Stealyard Commons. Wendell left this comment on Tim Ferris”s blog this morning. Keep reading…

AT THE WALLY PLEX… There are sound stages on Hollywood”s back lots smaller than Bentonvile”s behemoths, so it”s no surprise that budding video talent has been sneaking cameras in at odd hours. And now for the midnight show at the Wally Plex featuring skarinkids. Keep reading…

WAL-MART AND BHARTI SEAL DEAL… Bharti Enterprises and Wal-Mart have sealed the deal, according to India Business, on a 50-50 joint venture Wal-Mart will manage the back end while Bharti gets to be the front man for the Bentonvile Behemoth. Bharti did not reveal how much money is involved. Keep reading…

SOMEBODY FINALLY PAYS ATTENTION… Months after the presence of Nazi regalia at Wal-Mart was brought to light, someone is finally paying attention. According to the Chicago Tribune”s Washington bureau Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) sent a letter to Wal-Mart”s CEO Lee Scott. Keep reading…

NUTHIN” SAYS LUVIN” LIKE FLOWERS FROM… Wal-Mart? I know that if I wanted to ensure marital bliss or impress some sweet young thing with my shopping skills and willingness to spend my money judiciously I”d be sure to order my flowers from Wal-Mart. I just hope they”re fresher than the meat. Keep reading…

NUTHIN” SAYS LUVIN”… PART II… Diamonds and chocolates are not a good choice for Valentines Day – that whole child-slavery thing, remember? But flowers look to be a safe and popular choice. And the folks at Real Simple (via Life Hack) make it easy to Internet shop for a dozen roses. Keep reading…

BANKING ON FAST TRACK IN MEXICO… Wal-Mart de Mexico plans to open its own full-service, consumer banking branches in 576 Wal-Mart store this July. The Mexican government sees the move as a way to force competition in a market already too controlled by foreign banks. According to Bloomberg: Keep reading…