DIALOGUEletters
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Costco Connection
Cartoon
Contest
Calling us on smartphones Just read the August issue and I cannot believe you published a story on “Which smartphone is right for you?” without men- tioning Apple’s iPhone. Perhaps it’s because Costco does not yet carry the iPhone, but that’s no reason to ignore what is probably the best hardware in this category. This is like doing an article about the Executive Branch of our federal government without mentioning President Obama. Kenneth R. Graham
Berkeley Heights, New Jersery
PHOTODISC
Debate goes on
In response to the August Debate,
“Should mail delivery be cut to five
days a week?”
NO. In addition to loss of jobs, it will affect
the ability of people to access mail, which will
affect transportation of goods, which in turn
affects those who work in mail-order, retail
and the transportation industry.
Laura Fischer
Spokane Valley, Washington
The writer, and dozens of others, are correct.
We didn’t include the iPhone in our Tech
Connection article because it is available only
through select channels (and not Costco, which
we should have noted). Point well taken.—Ed.
Draw an original cartoon based on a
Costco shopping experience, a situation
using Costco’s products or anything that
comes to mind when you think of Costco.
Winning entries will be published in future
editions of The Costco Connection.
YES. Mail delivery on Saturdays is unnecessary. With a little bit of forethought, people
can manage all their postal needs.
Paul Kindall
Ellington, Connecticut
In response to the July Debate,
“Should the U.S. invest in high-speed rail lines?”
sponsored by:
NO. Light-rail systems do not pay for themselves. Moving people by air is more cost
effective.
Jon Jensen
Lino Lakes, Minnesota
Change a-coming
I was thrilled to read about all the members who are making a difference in the world!
(“Changing the world,” July 2009). This year I
have gathered more than 100 children’s books,
stuffed animals, toys, and hygiene supplies. I
will be donating them to a hospital and a
school that our organization has built in a village in Dharampur in India.
When I started this in May of this year, I
thought, How can one person make a difference? Well, this article changed my thinking
in that I am not alone in fighting for the less
fortunate. I may not be famous—just a person
who wanted to make a change—but I feel as
though I am part of something very big. You
have changed my entire thinking from “What
can I do?” to “I can do something.”
Jyoti (Jody) Mehta
San Bernardino, California
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS
NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS CONTEST.
THIS IS A SKILL CONTEST.
Purchase will not improve odds of winning. Void where
prohibited. Sponsored by Crayola and Sanford (“Sponsors”).
Winners will be selected by The Costco Connection staff,
who will judge all entries on the basis of originality,
creativity and whether a quick inspection of the entry
quickly communicates that it is about Costco. Decisions
of the judges are ;nal. One $500 Costco Cash Card will
be awarded as ;rst prize, one $250 Costco Cash Card
will be awarded as second prize, and one $100 Costco
Cash Card will be awarded as third prize. Employees of
Costco and the Sponsors and their af;liates and families
are not eligible to enter or win. To enter, submit entry by
regular mail to The Costco Connection Cartoon Contest,
PO Box 34088, Seattle, WA 98124-1088, or by e-mail to
giveaway@costco.com, with “Cartoon Contest” in
subject line. Must include your name. Limit one entry
per household. Entries must be received by 11: 59 P.M.
PST on September 30, 2009. Winners will be chosen on
or around October 17, 2009, and noti;ed by mail as soon
as administratively feasible thereafter. Except where
prohibited by law, Contest entry constitutes consent to
use winner’s name and entry for purposes of advertising
and promotion, without further compensation or consent.
By entering, all entrants grant to Costco and Sponsor a
royalty-free, perpetual license to use their entries for any
purpose whatsoever. Entrant waives all claims against
Costco Wholesale, the Sponsors, their employees and
agents for injuries, damage or losses related to the Contest
and/or prizes.
YES. Environmentally friendly. Great alternative to flying or driving. Provide the potential
to boost the economy, including that of towns
with train stations.
Kaitlin Parker
Portland, Oregon
Odds and ends
Core business
Thank you for featuring the story about
the Broetje family (“Labor of love—and
respect,” August 2009). Their commitment to
sound and ethical business practices, coupled
with their desire to meet the needs of those
they lead and those in need, is truly inspiring.
Susan Chelston
Douglassville, Pennsylvania
Stop hassling me
The recent Connection piece, (“Stop hassling me”, August 2009) from Izzy Kalman
had loads of bad advice. I was one of the architects of anti-bullying legislation in Michigan
and have worked on this and the issue of hate
crimes for more than ten years. There is a difference between being mean or rude and bullying. Kalman’s “Kill them with kindness”
approach is oversimplified Pollyanna garbage
and it’s dangerous.
Sean Kosofsky
Raleigh, North Carolina
I enjoyed reading about the Broetjes’ way
of doing business in your cover story article.
They have built not only a business, but a
community as well.
Roy Kempthorne
Keller, Texas
I am a therapist who has been using Izzy
Kalman’s methods for several years. The success rate for Bullies 2 Buddies in my practice is
very high. There are several reasons for this.
First, you are giving control over what happens in an exchange to the child (or adult)
who is being harassed. This is very empowering. When you strengthen the so-called “
victim”, they no longer feel like a victim, and thus
no longer behave as one. Conversely, when
you have adults step in, this reinforces the
“victimhood” of that child and causes the perpetrators to have further reason to harass.
