Shoplifting is NOT a Capital Crime Walmart LP Goons!

Man dies after being placed in choke hold by Walmart security

Yes, theft is wrong and illegal. What the man was doing was illegal and he should have been arrested and charged with that crime. Instead, the Walmart security guard and two workers held him down in a choke hold until he was dead.

They killed him for stealing two DVD players. His life was worth less than two shitty DVD players (because we know the higher end models are kept locked up).

The two employees are on paid leave (which blows my mind that Walmart actually HAS paid leave) and the security guard was let go.

I'm not saying these three people set up to kill the alleged shoplifter. I am saying that there's a reason the cops are the ones who do the arresting, they have been trained and are supposed to know when and when NOT to use lethal force.

These three people killed someone for trying to steal two DVD players. Yes, he was stealing shit he didn't really need because, let's face it, DVD players aren't food and he wasn't stealing to feed his family, he was stealing because he couldn't afford gifts which is its own whole other issue that Walmart also has quite a bit of culpability in as well.

In the end, this man died for stealing two DVD players and that is a damned shame. No word on the family he left behind who will be even worse off without him. It is a terrible sign of the decline of our nation when DVD players are held more valuable than man's life.

Another Shoplifter Sentenced to Death by Wal-Mart

I'm sure they didn't mean for Russell S. Palmer to die, but they held him down after he was suspected of shoplifting and he did die.

Another Shoplifter Death at Wal-Mart

From the Wal-Mart employee handbook:
"Great caution must be used in any shoplifting situation. If you suspect someone is shoplifting, maintain eye contact with the suspected shoplifter and notify a member of management. DO NOT, in any circumstance, accuse or try to apprehend a shoplifting suspect on your own. You may assist in the apprehension if directed to do so by a member of management or Loss Prevention."

And yet, two security guards and a bystander held Mr. Palmer down until he was dead.

I'm not condoning shoplifting by any stretch but I don't think he should have died for such a minor crime. Just another reason to avoid Wal-Mart like the retail plague it is.

Fare Thee Well, Billy Pilgrim

Kurt Vonnegut has passed away. I hadn't known that he'd been seriously hurt not that long ago. And they just announced on the news that he's passed away. That makes me terribly, terribly sad. Such a mind to lose, his was a wit and perspective that the world will sorely miss for a long, long time.

Not Wal-Mart related, just wanted to share.