Did you need another reason to hate WalMart? Action Alert

March 2, 2007
Wal-Mart: Profits First, America's Security Second

One of the greatest dangers we face in America is a nuclear weapon in the hands of terrorists being shipped through an American port. But, did you know, we only inspect about 5% of the cargo containers coming into America.

That is why the U.S. House of Representatives passed a 9/11 bill to strengthen America's port security by scanning 100% of the cargo containers being shipped into the U.S. from abroad.

But, yesterday, Wal-Mart's special interest lobbyists defeated the 100% scanning portion of the 9/11 bill in the U.S. Senate.

Why?

Because, even though 1 Wal-Mart container arrives at a U.S. port every 45 seconds, Wal-Mart fears that inspecting 100% of these containers might slow down its imports from countries like China which could hurt Wal-Mart's profits.

Are Wal-Mart's profits really worth the cost of leaving America vulnerable to another terrorist attack?

Please write your U.S. Senator today and tell him/her to put America's security first and support 100% scanning of all cargo containers as passed by the U.S. House.

Democratic presidential rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama joined seven U.S. senators Friday to urge Wal-Mart, the nation's largest importer, to drop opposition to a bill that would require scanning of all U.S.-bound cargo containers for possible terrorist nuclear bombs.

Nine senators, 21 members of the House of Representatives and a group of relatives of 9/11 victims signed letters to Wal-Mart Chief Executive Lee Scott as part of a campaign by WakeUpWalMart.com, a union-funded group critical of the retailer.

WakeUpWalMart.com said it was "mind-boggling" that Wal-Mart would oppose strengthening port safety and accused the retailer of putting profits before national security....
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WakeUpWalMart.com urged the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer to drop its opposition by Monday and lobby for the provision. It said Wal-Mart and The Retail Industry Leaders Association, known as RILA, have been running an "aggressive lobbying campaign" to thwart the scanning measure.
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