From the Community: 9/11 ceremony, addiction, and Walmart

We're taking a look at some of the most popular stories from the Current community, and we've rounded up some highlights to share. Check them out and add your two cents:

9/11 First Responders Not Invited to 10th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony
Submitted by EthicalVegan

The first responders will always remember risking their lives on that painful September 11th. However, these brave men and women were not invited to this year's commemoration ceremony. Mayor Bloomberg's office said given the space constraints, the memorial is more accommodating to the victims' families.

"John Feal, founder of an advocacy group for the police officers, firefighters, civilian volunteers and others who worked at ground zero, assailed the response, saying Bloomberg "lives in his own world."

"The best of the best that this country offered 10 years ago are being neglected and denied their rightful place," Feal said.

Denise Villamia, a first responder who worked at ground zero for several months, cried over the phone as she recalled her "totally heartbroken" reaction to the news that she could not attend the memorial service.

"I'm crying because it's really a big betrayal on the part of the city, to rob me from my way to pay homage and to find that comfort and healing," she said. "I feel that I have been robbed of my way to pay tribute."

Here's a few opinions from our community on the anniversary ceremony:

demsbeans527: "Wait aren't the first responders victims as well? If I recall, many of them lost colleagues when those towers came down, on the very same anniversary date."

Lairderg: "Invite them; let everyone see what some people are willing to do for their fellow human beings. We have a distorted idea of heroes sometimes, especially when people idolize the rich for doing nothing but having a lot of gold junk, and having these brave people there would cause us to pause and rework our ideas about who's really important. Clue: those who help, not those who step on everybody to get to the top."

QuietPlease: "Then MAKE room. Let a few politicians and other 'dignitaries' watch it on tv. I can't imagine a harder slap in the face to people who had selflessly put themselves in harm's way."

Addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling is a brain disease
Submitted by Vierotchka

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction to gambling, sex, alcohol, drugs are clearly not just a behavorial problem, but a chronic disease of the brain.

“The disease is about brains, not drugs. It’s about underlying neurology, not outward actions,” said Michael Miller, past president of the ASAM who oversaw the crafting of the society’s new definition, in a statement.

“This is the first time ASAM has taken an official position that addiction is not solely related to problematic substance use,” a statement from the society notes."

The association’s new definition of addiction can be read in its entirety at the ASAM website.

Walmart warns on US weakness
Submitted by KB723

The struggling US economy continues to put strain on Walmart’s domestic sales. The biggest retail company stated its customers are becoming more dependent on government assistance.

"We remain concerned about the economic pressure on our customers and the uncertain impact it can have on their shopping behaviour,” Bill Simon, chief executive of Walmart’s US business, said. “With this volatility, it is as important as ever to deliver on Walmart’s one-stop shopping promise for broad assortment and every day low prices.”

The community strongly voiced their thoughts on the Walmart business model:

dugdog47: "Nice to hear walmart is losing money. The have been shipping jobs out of the country for years. Funny how they blame the economy, when they are partly to blame for our hard times. I won't even let my tires touch a walmart parking lot, much less shop there. BOYCOTT WALMART AMERICAN THEY ARE AMERICAN TRAITORS."

gypsysailor: "Well I've got a warning back for WalMart. Stop your sleezy business practices by running out the competition, jacking your prices after they leave and removing brand choices and subsituting 'Great Value' brands and maybe your sales will increase. Oh yeah, just a note about history. Montgomery Ward went of business because of a lack of customer service. You are headed that way too."

attilatheblond: "The irony of a corporation that pays so little that many employees have to rely on government programs it has been said they help employees learn to file for such help) whining about the lower income people not shopping is pretty damned amazing. Sam's kids can't connect dots I reckon."

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