By Debbie Schlussel
Yet another example of how blogs make a difference, at least with Wal-Mart, NOT Neo-Nazis.
As we noted earlier today, Rick at Bent Corner noticed that Wal-Mart was selling a t-shirt featuring the Nazi SS Death’s Head Battalion skull. As we also noted, we doubt Wal-Mart knew that’s what it was, or the retailer wouldn’t have knowingly sold it.
Wal-Mart just confirmed that and informed us that they will remove the shirts immediately, but perhaps not in time for neo-Nazis who contacted us buy them up. Check out the two related e-mails below:

— Cal Penn cal.penn@yahoo.com wrote:
Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:13:33 -0800 (PST)
From: Cal Penn cal.penn@yahoo.com
Subject: Wal-Mart
To: dschlussel@yahoo.com
Dear Debbie:
Thanks for the tip on the Nazi t-shirts. I’m heading to my local Wal-Mart and plan to buy the entire stock; they’re going to make awesome Hannukah gifts for my friends. I used to hate Wal-Mart but I’m so happy to hear they support nazi causes against you filthy hebes!!!!!!!!!

****

— “Manson, Marshall” Marshall.Manson@edelman.com wrote:
Subject: Statement from Wal-Mart
Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2006 11:53:51 -0500
From: “Manson, Marshall” Marshall.Manson@edelman.com
To: dschlussel@yahoo.com
Good morning. My name is Marshall Manson. I work for Edelman doing online public affairs for Wal-Mart. I noticed your post about the t-shirts that Wal-Mart is selling. I wanted to make sure you saw the company’s statement about this and knew that Wal-Mart is now removing the t-shirts from its stores. Obviously, with a company as big as Wal-Mart, that may take a day or two.
The statement is just below. If you would like to discuss anything, feel free to respond to this e-mail.
Statement from Wal-Mart:
We were not aware of the origins of the image until this morning when we learned about it through the blog Bent Corner.
We are deeply sorry that this happened, and we are in the process of pulling all of these t-shirts from our stores.
Respect for the individual is a core value of our company and we would never have placed this t-shirt on our shelves had we known the origin and significance of this emblem.
We are reviewing our product review process in an effort to ensure this never happens again.