Sunday, November 07, 2004

For my friend, Don

From an article in the BBCNews World edition:

Shoppers rush to pyramid Wal-Mart
A happy shopper enters the new Wal-Mart store
Shoppers flocked to the opening of the new store

Bargain-hungry Mexican shoppers have flocked to a new Wal-Mart supermarket that environmentalists claim will threaten one of the nation's treasures.

Around 200 shoppers queued for hours to be the first to enter the store, which is half a mile from the ancient Mexican pyramids at Teotihuacan.

"People need the well-being of their families more than culture," said one.

Environmental groups had argued that the store was too close to the ruins and would erode the local way of life.

While the Wal-Mart store was overflowing with shoppers on its opening day, a handful of local opponents kept a vigil outside the 2,000-year-old Teotihuacan pyramids.

They pledged to continue a protest that has drawn international attention and prompted a national debate.

Sorry, Don. Bargains trump culture.

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