Radio Shack being tried for identity theft.

As we all should know by now after many discussions in class, Radio Shack is a company that is not entirely commended for the way it handles it business, whether it is customer or employee relations. I decided to do this last blog on the Texas-based company just to see if the incident regarding the layoff of hundreds of its employees was just an isolated matter. Well surprise, surprise, it wasn't. I went to www.msnbc.com to find out any current news or dilemmas facing this particular corporation. It turns out, Radio Shack is being sued by the state of Texas(residents from Corpus Christi) for identity theft. According to the news release given by msnbc, a Radio Shack store in Portland, Tx was responsible for the careless dumping of thousands of its customers' personal information such as, name, birthdate, social security numbers, and other information that would be a dream come true for anyone wanting to take a joy ride at someone else's expense. Attorney General Greg Abbott, claims that the store discarded more than 20 boxes full of private information, that is stated under the Texas Identity Theft Act is supposed to be shredded immediately once no longer used.
Although the previous statements and findings did not favor Radio Shack, I decided to visit the news room on the defendent's website to let them tell their side of the issue. Unfortunately, they had nothing to say about the case at all. I began to wonder, maybe I went back to far in the company's history and they just didn't have the information anymore. So I double checked the date on the msnbc article to make sure it was current and it was. The truth of the matter is Radio Shack has failed to make any public statements about this case to anyone, especially its customers. I personally think that if there is an issue concering the personal information of just one customer, all Radio Shack consumers should be informed. Even though, I am not regularly a Radio Shack customer, I would like to know how my privacy will be handle in the event that I choose to shop at any of its locations. I believe if they do not feel I have the right as a consumer to know what's happening regarding my personal business, then I do not feel safe to do business with them.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17919791/
http://www.radioshackcorporation.com/ir/press_releases_main.php

Rainforest Action Network

The Rainforest Action Network is an advocacy group that speaks out the behalf of the environment. Based on the given article it would be hard for me to place them under the label of being grassroots(astroturfing) simply because the sight of a group of men wearing tophats and any wardrobe of the like in this day and time could hardly be seen as sponateous. I would think that the immediate impression would be one of believing that these men were trying to make a statement. The performance that they gave outside of the Citigroup Center was intended to spread awareness of an important issue. There is nothing spontaneous about that.

waterways release (draft)

This year UNT is hosting its annual Waterways forum during March 13-15 right here on campus. Organized by the Philosophy of Water Project, the mission of this upcoming event is to raise awareness about water basin issues. Along with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a guest speaker, scientists, philosophers, politicians, artists, and managers from both private and public sectors will come together to discuss the critical water issues that our world is facing today. Although the topic is river basins, the primary focus belongs to the Ganga Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin. This event is open to the public and free to attend. If you would like more information about rooms and times please call 940-565-2266 or visit the Waterways website at www.water.unt.edu.