.... this item in the Chicago Tribune, WGN site caught my attention this morning. Y'all read it and then I'll comment......
Wal-Mart worker burns self to death in parking lot
February 27, 2009
A 58-year-old Wal-Mart employee who said he "couldn't take it anymore" lit himself on fire outside the Bloomingdale store where he worked late Thursday night and was later pronounced dead at a hospital, authorities said this morning.
The Carol Stream man, who worked the overnight shift, was in a parking lot of an adjacent sporting goods store in the west suburban strip mall when he set himself on fire with lighter fluid around 10 p.m., said Randy Sater, a watch commander with the Bloomingdale fire department.
At least 10 people, including some teenagers, witnessed the suicide and several attempted to help the man by throwing their coats on top of him in an effort to put out the flames, he said.
"He said he didn't want any help and threw the coats off," Sater said.
When one of the first officers tried to speak to the man, who by that time was severely burned, he responded, "I just couldn't take it anymore," Sater said, citing the officer's report.
A manager at the store, who identified himself only as Erwin, said this morning that the man was an overnight stocker at the store. He said the man had not been laid off.
He referred further questions to Wal-Mart's corporate office. A spokesman there could not immediately comment.
The man was rushed to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove before being transferred to the burn unit at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. The man was pronounced dead there at 12:42 a.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Sater said the death remained under investigation.
--Dan P. Blake
The story is sad, not just for the poor guy who felt self-immolation was the way to leave this earth, but also for the slanted reporting. You read the headline and the WalMart managers comments - and it would lead you to believe that WalMart or their management had something to do with this mans death.
But if you read it again -- there is absolutely no connection. He never mentioned WalMart, he hadn't lost his job, as a matter of fact, he didn't even set himself on fire in their doorway. He did it in front of a nearby sporting goods store. I'd have to believe that if his message had anything to do with WalMart, he would have done the deed on their front step!
No mention of wife, love life, financial pressures --- just WalMart! With his dying breath, he didn't even mention his job or where he worked!
My conclusion -- just one more way for the press to bash big business in general and WalMart in particular! What's your opinion?
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