I'm just gonna say this now before we get a thread full of statements to the contrary: this is the fault of one solitary idiot who could have said this working anywhere. WM ain't really the guilty party.

Isn't the veil called a hijab?

As much as i hate wal-mart, BayStateDarren is right. So while this shouldn't be held against them in the worst companies in America constest, there are still plenty of other reasons wal-mart is horrible.

you mean, "walmart isn't really the guilty part."

because the walmart employee is a representative of walmart, anything that employee does while in walmart gear and working, is walmart. that is why walmart is guilty. certainly the employee's responsibility is to take personal accountability.

@pigeonpenelope: "party"

So all people who insult muslims are Christians, per your graphic? What about radical Aetheists like Christopher Hitchens? He doesn't like any religion, but particularly dislikes muslims.

New headline:

"Kneejerk Blog Write Douche Apologizes For Makeing Fun of Christians"

Doesn't sound like any real harm was intended on the part of the associate, either. Sometimes people let slip bad jokes in an attempt to break the ice. I'm sure the associate instantly regretted it. Islamic Fundamentalism is serious business, after all.

@pigeonpenelope: [Did you just correct my use of ain't?] Anywho...yes he was representing WM, but they did not cause him to say those stupid words. They can only act after the fact on this one, unless the employee had a history of complaints for crap like this. All the diversity sensitivity training in the world [which their brain>mouth drones will probably have to endure more of now] can't stop every one from ever saying something insensitive/ignorant, etc. IMHO, the apology [and maybe a giftcard] is enough to cover WM's ass on this one.

@SuffolkHouse: Yes, but hijab is read from right-to-left, whereas most 'mericans learned to read (watch TV) from right-to-left. Veil is a correct word.

@pigeonpenelope: So Grammar Nazis don't need to use proper capitalization? Glass house, my friend. Glass house.

Part and parcel of the culture of fear and prejudice peddled by the BUSHCO(tm) cabal every single frigging day. "EVERY MUSLIM IS A TERRORIST WHO WANTS TO TAKE AWAY YOUR FREEDOM" Bullshit. Anyone who believes that is a fucktard on the highest order.

@cmdr.sass: ignorantly slipping in a bad joke is not a good excuse nor okay. what was said was incredibly hurtful for the lady. there are more peaceful and fantastic muslims out there then are radicals. while islamic fundamentalism is scary, so is racism and ignorance--primarily because they go hand in hand.

@ChuckECheese: Aargh. that should read "(watch TV) from left-to-right."

There is no FUN in Fundamentalism. Snicker.

Fired. Next?

@SuffolkHouse: There are different names for different types of hijab (which essentially means "cover"). Kind of like how we have different types of shirts - polo, button-up, t-shirt, etc.

@mgy: I found a wikipedia link!
[en.wikipedia.org]

It's true - WalMart as a corporation is so institutionally insensitive to Islam that they opened a store in Dearborn, MI that is expressly (and explicitly) designed to cater to the area's predominately Muslim population.

Stupid Christian WalMart, trying to disguise their hatred of Islam via accommodating Muslim customers. I'm certainly not fooled!

On one of the few times Ive been to a Walmart, I saw a Muslim woman in full hijab - covered head to toe, with only her eyes exposed. Yes, its strange according to the American culture - but you dont have to make a snide comment about it. I wouldnt blame Walmart, its more the fault of the idiot who said it.

@cmdr.sass: That type of thinking is why we still have a huge problem with hatred in this country.

"It's not hatred, it was just a joke, son."

I'll be glad when everyone from that era is dead (of old age of course) so that we can start reprogramming kids that just because someone looks different than you, it's OK to make jokes about them. As long as you regret it later.

@phelander: Do you really own the trademark to "BUSHCO"? You must be very, very rich.

Did they ask to see her receipt on the way out?

@BayStateDarren: Absolutely. Just one idiot.

I took my friend shopping for Christmas presents while he was undergoing chemo and needed to wear a mask. The kid at Target made some snotty comment about him "being afraid of our germs." I have a feeling the cashier in this article was an ignorant prick and didn't have the same reaction as the Target checker did when my friend explained it.

I was mad as hell but bit my tongue because I don't think a 17 year old could have felt lower.

Oh, and I never boycotted Target.

@phelander: What about "BUSHITLER," "CHIMPEROR BUSH I," and "HITLERBURTON"? That's like owning Park Place, Boardwalk, and running the bank. You know, like those NEW YORK MONEYMEN(tm).

So funny that people are drawing a line between this clerk and Walmart. Whereas, in this forum, poor customer service by a single employee usually damns the corporation.

"WUTZZ?? APPLE STORE AKS FOR I.D. FOR DA CREDITZ CARD?? THATS WHY MACBOOK AIR SUXR!!!!"

This is a Walmart problem because the poor woman was insulted by an employee while in their store, giving them her business.

@cmdr.sass: Islamic Fundamentalism is serious business, after all.

As is Christian fundamentalism, Jewish fundamentalism, Atheist fundamentalism [I'm not entirely sure that we our own form of fundamentalism, but for the sake of argument I'll assume we do], etc.

So...did she rob the place or not? The story doesn't say.

@BayStateDarren: yes, i did correct your use of "ain't." i felt using that word wasn't fitting when defending walmart. it took the educated tone right out of your sentences. i may not have approached it correctly but i had good intentions.

also, i still disagree with you. walmart is responsible for their employees. if they hire someone who is apparently intolerant and subscribes to the myth of the ethnic stereotype, that individual's words is as good as coming from the mouth of walmart itself.

maybe put this in a different scenario. lets say you have a kid. you bring your kid into a grocery store and let him run free. your kid breaks some glass jars. are you not responsible? certainly you should be. your kid was not disciplined nor were you monitoring him. in this way, walmart is responsible for its employees.

i'm really tired. did that make sense?

The political correctness of this article and the comments are stifling. Yes, let's all forget the First Amendment and the fact that the cashier had the RIGHT to say what she did. Let's totally subvert one of the foundations of our society for the religious sensibilities of a violent, racist, and sexist religion that doesn't care one iota for our First Amendment.

@nequam: yay! someone else that sees with with a similar pov.

@XopherMV: time, place and manner. there is a clause in the first amendment that does discuss what you may and may not say. the cashier was actually in the wrong and her actions was not protected under the constitution.

if that was the case, i could tell all my customers to fuck off and then sue my employer for violating my constitutional rights.

believe it or not but we do not have the freedom of speech you think we do. canadians have far more freedoms when it comes to speech.

@XopherMV: Just so we're clear, the First Amendment protects citizens from state action (either at the federal or, well, state level). It does not apply - in any form - to private actors. I can get fired tomorrow for saying something offensive, stupid, etc., and that's not a violation of my First Amendment rights - that's business. The cashier had no more of a "right" to make that crack than I do to tell my secretary she has a "nice ass."

@pigeonpenelope: also, the first amendment does discuss where and when and how you can say what you say. for instance, you may not yell "fire" in a crowded theatre when there is not one. duh.

@JackSparks: okay you completely one upped me. you're more right than i am.

@pigeonpenelope: Ask Mark Steyn how much more "freedom of speech" Canadians have as compared to Americans. Last time I checked, we don't have "Human Rights Commissions" empowered by the state to punish people for political speech. You might want to check out our Bill of Rights. Unless Phelander has it trademarked, I'm pretty sure Canada is welcome to copy it.

@pigeonpenelope: Now I feel like an ass, but I stand by my comments re Canadian v. American speech while at the same time appreciating the compliment. :-)

I wonder if everyone in that Douchey checkers trailer park is as insensitive as she was.
You really have to be a open mouth first think second kind of idiot to say something like that.

Let me yell this again very loud, because people seem to forget: Islam is the religon of PEACE! PEACE! I say. Got it? I don't know why people have to yell this ad nauseum that Islam is the religon of PEACE! but it is becuse... well... because they scream it out loud over and over... except at Wal*Mart... I think.

@StarWhores: That's awesome. This is literally the first time ever I've heard someone suggest that WalMart checkers live in trailer parks. Are you sure that Phelander hasn't trademarked that joke?

And what's next? African-American WalMart stockers eat Skittles and pork rinds for lunch, all washed down with a cool grape soda?

Racist.

@JackSparks: i live so close to the canadian border that i practically live in canada.of the accounts from my experience being exposed to canadian media, and my canadian friends, they are not allowed to speak with racism and intolerance, they are allowed to question their goverment. any canadian is welcome to critique what i have just said.

@vastrightwing: just because you say so doesn't make it so

@BayStateDarren: Wal-mart doesn't necessarily have a high line when hiring employees. They'll practically hire anything that walks and talks from what I've seen.

So yes, I am blaming Wal-Mart.

that's what she gets for living being anywhere near utah...

being* christ almighty i cannot think today.

I didn't find the comment racist and if I were in the womens shoes, that is a comment I could easily laugh off if it REALLY offended me.

Go cry about it babies, the associate had no intention of racism and was only making what they thought was a witty joke. How is that racist or offensive? Perhaps if she divulged how they had thought every muslim wore the Hijab or veil in an effort to thwart people from knowing their identity while they stole things but they didnt.

Whatever though, I guess some of us were born with tough skin while others just go through life bitching and complaining when someone pokes a little fun. Glad I can handle some jokes cause' I'd probably have killed myself by now if I let something so MINOR like that bother me to the point of making a formal complaint.

@JackSparks: i appreciate your criticism. please feel free challenge me. you have a lot to offer to help me understand.

@pigeonpenelope: Um... "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Where is this "clause" of which you speak?

Beyond that, with apologies to Monty Python, the First Amendment don't enter into it! Wal-mart has the right (and responsibility) to discipline this employee so as to create employees which uphold their desired image. This disciplinary action will probably involve sensitivity training, arguably a fate worse than death.

@pigeonpenelope: Fair enough, but I think there's a fine line between banning racially intolerant speech and banning "political" speech. But so long as we agree the checker had - and exercised - his right to be an asshole, that's good enough for me.

@Jericho114: i dont' have a nice way to say this. you're very ignorant. read some more and then come back to this and comment.