Yeah, it couldn't have been a customer playing a prank, right?

I just want to say that I agree with you MM-584706. Some of my friends work in the local Wal-Mart here which is near my home. When we can't sleep, are bored, we go have coffee and talk at the Wal-Mart. They have told us and we have also heard, on various occasions, customers using the PBA system to make hostile remarks and to order the employees around.

One of my friends was the phone operator on a busy night. She could not pic up an emergency in-store call on the in-store line for managers. This was because a crazy lady was using that line and kept calling every second...saying to the operator, "You're in trouble!" "I'm gonna make you pay now." This went on until the crazy customer finally came up to the dressing room desk where the phone system and operator is. The customer threatened the operator in front of other customers. As the operator reached to call for help...she took off.

MY POINT: Something needs to be done about that PBA system. Wal-Mart needs to use a secret security code for their employees so that customers cannot use it... word has gotton out now what the number is to dial on an in-store line. Wal-Mart needs to have those security no.s changed very frequently.

Had it been a life threatening situation or need for 911, that employee could not use the lines at that time.

You can do a PA from any phone in the building. Sometimes you need a code, sometimes its a button on speed dial. I've thought about making one myself but mine would tend to request someone to help in sporting goods or harware behind the counter. You can stand there for an hour and nobody will come by.

It sounds like someone was just doing a stupid prank. Might have just done it to see peoples reactions.

When we can't sleep, are bored, we go have coffee and talk at the Wal-Mart.

don't think I have ever been that bored in my life.

i am a black male and i would not be offended or any such thing hearing something like this. i worked in retail years ago and you have to understand that pa systems are accessible by non employees (which hopefully this was the case here). while i dont mean to speak for others because i am sure some people would be offended, i see it as stupid prank pulled by someone who lacks basic home training. no biggie

It's a good thing they didn't say "All left handed people leave the store." Now THAT would be intolerable.

IT won't stand up in court. Kids come into the stores on Fridays...weekends..and with their friends ...spread out and began to play these pranks.
There is even a site, online and also another on YouTube. "Tricks to play on Wal-Mart staffers with your friends when you're bored".

really says a lot about lawyers. i do doubt however that many blacks will care to join such a lawsuit. where did you get that number from (117,360?). i would guess that if you were not in the store you would not be able to participate in such a suit..your statement is inflamatory but you are entitled to speak your opinion

Well it isn’t intended to go to court – the negotiations will take place behind closed doors and involve a threat to fill the store and parking lot with “wounded” blacks protesting their indignation over this “racial incident” at not only that store but dozens of others across the country – they might bring in some self-righteous ministers, the NAACP and ACLU just to muscle up the threat … so Wal-Mart will quietly settle and sign a non disclosure writ guaranteeing no one will know what really went on … think of it as kind of a fund raiser … they’ll split the goodies and look for another opportunity … it's been working pretty good so far .... ask our President - didn't he help "organize" these neighborhood sorties?

your white only a white person would say that, azz

When you start your own news organization, maybe YOU can put any story YOU want. Until then, just ignore any news from MSNBC if it bothers you that much.

Oh please!!!!

Yes it was a prank, but unacceptable nonetheless. Walmart isn't to blame, but it happened in their store so they handled it appropriately. Hopefully they'll find the bigot and ban him from the store. It's those type of people that bring out the worst in America. And no, not all blacks steal, just like how all whites aren't racist. Making generalizing statements is where the problem lies, so watch what you say...you'll end up looking like the ignorant jerk! The fact that some of you would even poke fun by saying ALL blacks being responsible for crime is just as stupid as blacks saying that ALL whites are responsible for racism in America- It's just not true!

Huh? I don't think the 'prank' related to theft. Now that was a leap!

Sonja;

Don't get low and dirty; there're evil-doers of all colors, sizes and ages. Poverty mentality makes people irresponsible and careless. We have no control over who would think and or do what; we have only but total control over ourselves. Be the element of change to the very change you want to happen, and make life better and brighter for yourself and for all. Mental and emotional hygiene beget a healthy state of mind and positive attitude. Excuse-artists are losers; they always play the blame game.

True Statement...Remember though, No One Likes the Truth, You only get called a Racist for telling a Truth!!!!

Wow....that's the most ignorant comment I've read all day....probably will be the most ignorant generalization i'll read all week. You get a gold star for your achievements....

Sonja-909319,

You need to stop stereo-typing. White people get away with stealing in stores because they are not being watched. The clerks are informed to watch all blacks, hispanics, and some asians no matter if they are rich or poor. I am black and I don't shop at Wal-Mart mainly because of the crime done there by all races. When I took my first trip to Toronto Canada, I was shocked when the white Canadian clerks greeted us in the stores and was happy to have our business. I was surprised that we weren't being watched and they were really nice. With my experiences in growing up in a racist south, I took for granted that all white people all over the world were racist just because of the stupidity that I had encountered. That's when I stopped stereo-tying white people, you can't judge an entire race by what you are taught or want to believe. By the way, I grew up being a K-Mart shopper. K-Mart cares about their employees and their customers no matter what race they are. It feels good to go shopping without someone assuming I am going to steal something before I enter the store.

Sonja- I encourage you to work through your issues regarding black people. Your comment was very disturbing.

I beg your pardon but black people do not own the market for thievery. What we do not need in this world is more narrow minded people like you. Next you are going to say that a black person made the remarks over the PA system in Walmart. I guess everyone has a right to their opion even and idiot.

you are an idiot. i am surprised you can even read because i would expect to hear something like that from a cave dweller

Sonja-909319, Of course it was a prank and even us black folk realize that, but you need to get over yourself and your racist opinions, NOT ALL OF US ARE THIEVES even if 'you' and others think so. I've personally seen whites, blacks, and others steal from stores and other places, so why are you only harping on the black ones who do? I could be continually angry about all the bad things white people have done to me but what good would that do, they've moved on with their lives and so have I, most importantly I've learned with God's help to forgive them for what they've done to me (God has the last say on ALL our lives and that's good enough for me).

This particular story should not have made head-lines or even a ripple because some people pull stupid foolish pranks, and at least Walmart had the guts to address it. Sonja, you need to find out why you have such bitterness for people who've never harmed 'you' personally (you haven't walked in the shoes of the blacks who these crimes have been perpetrated on have you?), when incidents like you've mentioned happens across the boards. Lastly, as San53 said, why don't you stop judging the whole black race for what some of them have done? That's stereo-typing at it's worse and when it comes back around to slap you in the face, we'll see how you feel about it then.

It is really a shame for a person to have so much of a narrow minded opinion of other races. As much as you do not want to believe that all races have the same problems, we do, the only different is the color of our skin.

You are so racist, and don't say your are not. So what race are you? Shut-up and go back to work, cause your opinion is like an Ass Hole, every body has one!

Oh, by the way, the message from charlette-168890 was you: sonja-909319

Correction: Oh, by the way, the message from charlette-168890 was for you- sonja-909319

It's people with your mental attitude that make it difficult for the world and for Wal-Mart customers and shoppers.
First of all, Where do you get off demanding instantaneous service? You are not Royalty but you think you are Supreme over those workers. You think they are lowly and beneath you. They are running in the other direction because they are waiting on other people in other areas..that were there BEFORE YOU. They are doing the jobs of five people so that YOUR SUPREME HIGHNESS may have lower priced items on the shelf. Those employees really are on lunch or break when they tell you that. Security watches them on camera and you as well. They can be fired for lieing. They are allowed to shop in the store, stop, talk when on break or lunch.... AFTER ALL..THEY ARE HUMAN. IT's customers like you that ruin their work day/night. CHANGE YOUR HIGH AND MIGHTY HIGHNESS ATTITUDE. WAIT FOR HELP OR GET OUT! NOBODY OWES YOU ANYTHING ! IT is YOU who should be polite to those hardworking employees ...give them all the time, patience and kindness that they deserve. They work for little ..this is why your prices there are less. This is why you do not get FIVE STAR SERVICE....it is not MACYs or HARRODS. IF YOU WANT THAT FIVE STAR SERVICE >>>pay the price>>>>GO TO THOSE STORES.
QUIT PICKING ON POOR PEOPLE. YOU ARE NOT BETTER!!!

I think all she said is that they were not providing service. That is their job, if they don't like it, let someone else take the job. Professor of what?

JV123, Sorry to say this but you sound almost as stupid and ignorant as Sonja, whites commit crimes too but I guess that doesn't matter to the both of you, huh? An over-all stupid and lame prank pulled off by an idiot with nothing eise better to do with their time. More important things going on in our world than this. Walmart did their part and that's what matters. Racism will always be a part of our society so there's nothing we can do it stop it, and doopey comments like yours is proof of that. "Open mouth insert both feet"

I agree with you GOPBABY! You'll find these types everywhere you go, and they come in all races, nationalities, etc. It's up to those who want peace, unity, and respect for all Americans to overcome these ignorant low-lifes by promoting positivity amongst the citizens.

So don't shop there. It is a business that was established for one reason and one reason only - To create wealth and profits for it's owner and shareholders. It is unrealistic to expect a business - any business to operate in a way that raises their expenses while lowering their profits.

So some jackass customer starts playing on the store intercom (and they are hanging everywhere usually) so now everyone is mad at wal mart, WHY?? The store seemed to have taken immediate and proper reaction so whats the beef??

Well, I don't know what you expect, they stated to disregard it. That says it all. It should not be necessary to beg for your forgiveness for the act of an idiot. You need to be the adult as much as the store personnel. I think you realize the store did not support the behavior.

If I had been in the store when it happened, I would have dropped all my things, maybe broken a few on purpose, and then walked out of the store, never to enter a Wal-mart again.

and again, I'm as white as they come! There are MANY shades of black, by the way.....many Arabian are mistaken for black, so many many people of color and all their friends should have marched out of that F-in store!

How do you prosecute freedom of speech, even if inappropriate?

You avoid the ignorant, that's how you prosecute that kind of freedom of speech.

Do not associate yourselves with those kind of people,

avoid them like the plague,

and do not speak badly of them either because you never know, some day they may improve themselves.

Allah is Most Merciful to us ALL.

That's may best answer to your question, Gregg M.

You are right. I too will not hold the ignorant comment of XFringeDivisionX below against the entire white race.

GreggM., If you agree with this stupid prank you need to get a life as well. It's amazing some of the idiotic comments posted here that agree with people like this, if you don't like black or any other persons who are not white, then take it up with the God who made us ALL. Go tell Him and see what He has to say about it. Be careful what you say with your ignorant mouth GreggM., you never know when one of those blacks might one day have to come to your rescue. God help you, Sonja, and the rest for your warped way of thinking.

Um Larry, you are totally wrong. I know a lot of whites who would not think it funny if someone requested "all you honkies get out" over the intercom. That is rude and disrespectful. Also, African Americans aren't paranoid, and the fact that such rudeness should be regarded as a mindless prank is ridiculous. Any customer, regardless of race, should be respected for giving the store their business...they are paying customers! You shouldn't make comments about races until after you've befriended someone from a different race- it's apparent you don't know any blacks personally- THAT is the only truth you've shown. Stop spreading lies and prejudice.

you miss the point.The guy was not an employee so giving the store business or paying customers make no difference

LarryP., So, 'you' know for certain that ALL black people are paranoid do you? Another stupid and ignorant stereo-typical comment, I guess that makes you a thief and over-all liar then? Lots of us black folk realize this was only a prank and the majority of us just shake our heads at incidents like it, so how about not speaking for ALL of us then. "Truth be known" for the blacks 'you' might know but most definitely NOT for the ones you don't. Another one who needs to get a life.

You are absolutely correct with every statement you made. I'm just waiting to see how long it will take for that fat slob trouble making reverse racist Sharpton and the rest of his parasite follwers to show up outside Wal-Mart with picket signs demanding a special prosecutor! I'm really surprised he hasn't shown up like a bad penny as of yet.