The Free Market Warrior Blog

 

My Hardest Decision
Written by Loren Spivack   
Thursday, 30 July 2009 08:10

Simon Property Group, Inc. owns 261,000,000 square feet of retail space according to their website.  My kiosk is 8 feet by 4.5 feet.  Surely this was one of the most lopsided fights in history! And yet, the Simon management has been entirely stunned by the tens of thousands of people (their customers really) who have become involved with this effort.

On Sunday, as over 100 people came to Concord Mills to protest the mall’s treatment of the only store to provide material for conservatives and libertarians, and thousands more were calling for boycotts of Simon shopping centers around the country, Simon seemed to blink.  The Mall manager called me for the first time in more than a month and offered to contact company management in an effort to resolve the situation.[1]  We were hopeful that we, and Concord Mills, would be allowed to return to our joint capitalist mission of providing merchandise to interested customers.  But Mel Simon’s company had other plans.

On Tuesday, we were advised that we could stay as long as we wanted, if we removed 4 items.  They were:

3 bumper stickers:

                Obama wins:  They celebrate in Iran.  Do you get it yet?

                Al Qaeda’s two favorite days: 9/11/01 & 11/4/08

                 Obama:  Change Al Qaeda can believe in!

1 T-shirt:

                No to Osama, Obama and Chelsea’s mama!

It would seem that we would be allowed to criticize the President’s economic policy, but not his foreign policy.  But, to me, the real issue has always been that a gigantic corporation which, along with its owners, has given millions to the President and his party, and was deciding for us which criticisms of the President could be made. 

I have four employees whose livelihood , (along with mine) were on the line.  I can’t say that it wasn’t tempting to give in and go on with our lives, but my employees were very committed to stand on the principles that brought us this far.  We have all gained a lot a faith from the tremendous outpouring of support from around the country.  This was a day that conservatives (and libertarians) stood up.   And, I hope, it marks a turning point in our modern history.  We have had enough of letting the establishment left decide what speech is acceptable.  We have had enough of the word “racism” being thrown, casually, at anyone whose opinion differs from the (Democratic) party-line. 

Simon Property Group released a statement which, among other things, quoted my contract with them.  It says that the determination of what is “offensive” is at the mall’s “sole discretion”.  We have never disputed this point.  We just want to tell the American people what Simon Group’s “sole discretion” looks like.

At Concord Mills, you can buy a shirt that says:

“I eat [an extremely crude term for female genitalia] like a fat kid eats cake."

Or a baby shirt that says:

“I love my Daddy even though he’s an A**hole.”

Maybe you’d like to run around town in a lovely shirt that says:

“Don’t just use me for my big D***”.

At Simon Property Group’s sole discretion, these are completely inoffensive.  I’m sure Mel Simon wears them to board meetings all the time.   Not like our baby bib that says:

“My parents chose life.”   

Simon’s sole discretion determined that this (pretty incontrovertible) statement is “offensive”.  They actually did celebrate in Iran when Obama was elected.  But (you know who’s) sole discretion has decided that this fact can’t be stated, nor can Obama be rhymed with Osama (they actually do rhyme, you know) on a shirt.  It seems like this is the same sole discretion that gave millions to liberal Democratic causes.

This is probably a good moment for America, as Simon Property group’s sole discretion is laid bare.   It is time for millions of consumers to start exercising their sole discretion about where to shop.  There’s a Simon Mall near you.  There’s also another option near you.  That’s a beautiful thing about free markets.

As for us, we are content to leave our fate in the hands of millions of patriotic Americans.  If you like our material;  If you approve of the stand we’ve taken; If we’ve inspired you to stand up for what you believe: We hope you’ll support us.  Consider becoming a member, or trying some of merchandise, even passing our website along to your friends would be appreciated.

If you don’t like what we have to offer, that’s ok too.  Freedom is beautiful and ought to apply to everybody.  In fact, I bet there are some T-shirts you’d like, at your local Simon Mall.



[1] In their statement Tuesday, Simon Properties falsely claimed that the decisions about Free Market Warrior were made by local management.  This is utterly untrue.  We had a great relationship with local management until national management got involved.  It was a regional, not local, manager who told me that our lease would not be renewed.  Moreover, the mall manager repeatedly told me that he needed to check with his superiors to make any arrangements with me.


Comments (34)
  • Debbie Cox  - You have my support
    It is scary out there. This is not WE THE PEOPLE anymore.
  • Anonymous
    It quit being "We the People" When Bush 41 tossed the bill of rights.
  • obama supporters are braindead  - OBAMA IS A JOKE
    IMPEACH OBAMA!!!!!

    WWW.OBAMACRIMES.COM
  • to anonymous  - Bush 41 comment
    You are an uneducated moron.
    No wonder the dems get you guys to vote how ever they want. Just wave some free cheese in front of you and you sell your souls.

    Sad..
  • Anonymous
    Good for Simon! I'm so glad you're out of our mall!
  • Anonymous  - re: For anyone that would like to protest personal
    samD wrote:
    :D
    Mel Simon (Simon Properties) Address and Phone Number
    Mel Simon's & Associates
    Type: Private Company
    Address: P.O. Box 7033, Indianapolis, Indiana 46207, U.S.A.
    Telephone: (317) 636-1600
    Fax: (317) 263-7924
    Employees: 3,200
    Incorporated: 1960



    I think I'll send him a thank you letter.
  • Mark Roberts  - Boycott Simon Malls
    I will boycott the Simon owned mall in my area until this matter is resolved by them and you can display all of your items in your shop...
  • loretta ragan
    can someone tell me how to find out which properties in my area-dallas,tx-are owned by simon. ill never knowingly enter one again. i dont just want them to let fmw back in. ni want the stores where i shop to move OUT
  • Anita Massey  - boycott
    I to would like to know what properties they owned. I live in Ft.Worth Tx.. Let's stand together, we can win back our country!
  • Phyllis
    The other day I was in my local Target store looking for birthday cards. I was appalled to see how many cards they had slamming former President Bush, and how many cards there were glorifying Obama. I can't believe how one sided Target can be. This Target is located in Aurora, Colorado. Has anyone else noticed this in their stores?
  • Rolda Hammond  - Target
    I am sure you are aware that Target will not allow Salvation Army outside their stores at Christmas. I recently received an email that stated the following:

    Dick Forrey of the Vietnam Veterans Association wrote.

    'Recently we asked the local TARGET store to be a proud
    Sponsor of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall during our
    Spring recognition event.


    We received the following reply
    From the local TARGET management:
    ' Veterans do not meet our Area of giving. We only donate to the arts, social action
    Groups, gay & lesbian causes, and education.'

    So I'm thinking, if the VietnamVeterans Memorial Wall and Veterans in general, do not meet their donation criteria, Then something is really wrong at this TARGET store. We were
    Not asking for thousands of dollars, not even hundreds, just A small sponsorship for a memorial remembrance.

    As a follow-up, I E-mailed the TARGET U.S. Corporate Headquarters and their response was the same.That's their National policy.

    Then I lo...
  • Andrew  - Utterly FALSE!
    Target Stores Won't Fund Veterans Projects-Fiction!

    Target Stores are Owned by the French-Fiction!

    Target Stores Won't Allow Collections for the Marine's Toys For Tots Campaigns-Fiction!

    Target Stores Won't Allow Reservists Called for Active Duty to Maintain Insurance-Fiction!






    Summary of the eRumor
    There are different messages urging you to avoid buying anything at Target stores because the company turned down a request for funds for a Vietnam veterans memorial wall, is owned by the French, won't allow collections for Toys For Tots at Christmas, and won't give reservists call for active military duty continued health insurance coverage.


    The Truth
    This is quite an assault on Target stores and is becoming an example of how a rumor can mushroom and pick up momentum along the way.

    It started with a man named Dick Forrey.
    He is listed as being with Howard County Vietnam Veterans in the state of Indiana.
    He says that he did have the experie...
  • Andrew
    both with the local Target store and the Target corporate offices as is described in one of the stories and did originate an email expressing his displeasure.
    It is not true, however, that Target categorically refuses to fund Veteran's projects and even Forrey is upset with how large this eRumor has spread.

    The Target company is sending a written response to people who inquire about the Forrey story that says that Target gives $2 million per week in the communities where stores are located. The Target letter says a veteran (referring to Forrey) approached a local store in March, 2002 for a $100 donation to a "moving wall" project. The response says that any donations by local stores are not in cash but in gift certificates or volunteer time. Cash is given by the corporate office and in response to official requests for grants. The letter says that the veteran who asked for the donation should have been given grant information from the store, but was not. The Target...
  • Andrew
    The Target response also says that the company makes donations in three general areas: education, arts and family violence prevention. The company is happy to donate to any veterans causes that would fit within those guidelines. So while it's true that donations would not be given to a veterans project per se, they would be given if the veterans project is within the guidelines.

    Regarding Target's ownership, the company is on record as a U.S. firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and always has been.
    There is no foreign ownership in its past or present that we've been able to find or been presented with evidence about.

    Regarding benefits for reservists on active duty, this has been a big issue since so many reservists were called in for service in the Middle East and the National Committee for Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve has been a watchdog of companies and how they treat reservists.
    They list target in the "Outstanding Employer" category w...
  • Andrew

    They list target in the "Outstanding Employer" category which means it has "gone above and beyond the requirements of the law in support of their National Guard and Reserve employees."

    So how did such a completely false email come into being?
    It's easy to suspect a conspiracy or organized effort against Target but from our viewpoint this appears to have gotten started with the Dick Forrey letter and as others read it and got angry over it, they added other false charges in order to stack the deck.

    Last updated 1/24/04

  • Jay  - Target not for Vets
    This just made our choice of stores to shop at easier! Target will not be getting anymore of my business. They have a perverts over patriots policy.
  • Rolda Hammond  - Target cont'd

    Then I looked into the company further.
    They will not allow
    The Marines to collect for 'Toys for Tots' at any of their
    Stores. And during the recent Iraq deployment, they would
    Not allow families of employees who were called up for
    Active duty to continue their insurance coverage while
    They were on military service. Then as I dig further,TARGET
    Is a French-owned corporation.

    Now, I'm thinking again. If TARGET cannot support American
    Veterans, then why should my family and I support their
    Stores by spending our hard earned American dollars!

    And,
    Have their profits sent to France ..


    Without the American Vets, where would
    France be today?


    'They, most likely would be speaking German and trading in Deutsch Marks'

    Sincerely,
    Dick Forrey
    Veterans Helping Veterans
  • Mary
    To Dick Forrey, thank you for the great info on Target. I never liked them anyway and they are certainly not a discount store!
  • Stacey  - Don't shop at Target!
    Personal experience about Target. Remember SEP 11, 2001? (I know, rhetorical.) Before the store opened the next day, several workers hung an American flag near the entrance above the carts. Several of us employees were veterans or spouses of military members or just plain patriotic. (Does anyone know what that means anymore?) It happened that we had a visit from one of the regional managers that day. We were told to take down the flag. Why? The reply was that the American flag is not "Target brand." "Target brand" means anything Target supports or wants to promote. Needless to say we were steamed and fuming. Some even approached their supervisors or managers about the issue. Nothing changed.
    Before the start of the recent Iraq war I informed my softlines manager that my husband was being deployed to Saudi Arabia and I would not be able to work every other weekend and all of the required evenings for about 6 months starting the fourth week of JAN. At the time I ...
  • Jay  - Cards
    We even saw such cards in Wal-Mart of all places! This is in Ocala, FL.
  • Mark  - We the people?
    Not "we the people anymore"? Ummm, aren't you confusing the government with Simon? Yeah, you are. And that's funny, since soooo many times I've heard righties scream that private organizations can do WHATEVER they want. Like the Boy Scouts refusing to admit homosexuals and atheists. Like when a center/left store was forced out of a mall in upstate New York a few years back.
  • T  - Mark - We the people
    You are correct. They are a business and since this is still America and not amerika we have the right to pass along information about them that goes against our beliefs as still free consumers. It's perfectly alright for them to sensor what is sold in their malls just as it is perfectly alright for us to let conservative, freedom loving, Constitutionalists know they are doing just that. We can chose not to patronize with our money their one sided support of Obama, evil, perverted stuff and make sure everyone knows they are supporting Obama, evil and perversion in their malls. It's the American way!
  • samD  - For anyone that would like to protest personally
    :D
    Mel Simon (Simon Properties) Address and Phone Number
    Mel Simon's & Associates
    Type: Private Company
    Address: P.O. Box 7033, Indianapolis, Indiana 46207, U.S.A.
    Telephone: (317) 636-1600
    Fax: (317) 263-7924
    Employees: 3,200
    Incorporated: 1960
  • Anonymous
    Go here for info on malls owned by Simon Properties:

    http://www.simon.com/findamall/

    BOYCOTT THEM ALL!
  • Aaron  - Protest
    Hey everyone check these web sights out.

    http://www.defendyourhealthcare.us/

    http://www.freeourhealthcarenow.com

    Time to take to the streets and start a protest. freeourhealthcarenow is a signing petition against the health care. Let's stand up now and stop this thing from passing.
  • Chris  - Independence Caucus
    The conservative movement within the Republican party is dead and buried. The two parties are indistinguishable from each other, as they have been bought by special interests.
    Go to the link below and join or at least get the official explanation of what has happened.
    http://www.ourcaucus.com/

    And Mark - The line has been crossed here in that there is nothing illegal that is being done by the free market warrior. If Simon is going to do business with a store, as long as nothing is illegal, they have no business whatsoever dictating to them the terms under which they will do business. Would they go into Victoria's Secret and tell them that some of their thong get-ups and posters in their windows are offensive and they can't sell those as a condition of their lease? I seriously doubt it...

    In the meantime, good luck in your battle and thanks to your employees for sticking to your principles.

  • Dean White  - Letter to Concord Mills
    [b] I realize I am probably in the thousands of e-mails you have already recieved, however I feel I must also voice my opion. I have regularly visited and shopped the various retailers of your mall since it origianlly opened as well as refered my other friends and patrons to it's shops. However, since the recent overbearing distruction of the Free Market Warrior stand by a corporation that used the petty complaint of a nearby employee maskerading as a customer to shut down a business because it preportedly sold offensive items when other shops such as Spencers and Hot Topix regularly display obsintities and pornagraphic images for 4 or 5 year olds to see because they do not share the same views and values this merchandise reflected is totally unacceptable.
    I realize the few hundreds of dollars I spent there each month will probably not make any impact, but I can no longer spend my dollars I still earn by actually working in a facility owned by those who are so insecure i...
  • Babci Cathy  - Call the Mall!
    I called my local Simon Mall and the one where I will be vacationing in mid-August and the one where I will be staying over the Christmas holidays.

    I simply and politely told the 3 malls' management offices that I will seek other shopping malls to do my summer and Christmas shopping.

    Go to Simon Properties website and put in your zipcode, find the closest mall and make one phone call. There are plenty of other malls in America that respect the rights of an entrepreneur and his customers. This is how the free market works.
  • Stark  - Give me a break
    So a bunch of right-wing nuts are holding signs outside of Concord Mills. Oh noes, a boycott! THAT will really hurt the biggest tourist attraction in the state of NC! (Not!)

    These are the same people that spent 8 years telling people like me to "Get out of the United States" whenever I'd criticize President Bush.

    You've done a good job framing this issue as one of "free speech". If you were a left-leaning vendor, conservatives would be laughing and saying that Concord Mills can do whatever they want, since they're a private organization. I know conservatives are not difficult to fool, but--good job framing this issue, given that this issue has nothing to do with free speech at all. Or is Concord Mills a branch of the federal government that I've yet to hear about?
  • IraqVet35
    Whats sad is that a stupid outlet mall that is becoming as trashy as an indoor flea market is the biggest tourist trap in the state of NC. Your right...it's not about free speech. It's about the mega liberal movement and their rediculous double standards. Live it up right now bud...2012 is right around the corner. Oh...and when we do get a president worth a _ _ _ _ in office...if you don't like it...leave it
  • Gene H.
    I'm no longer shopping at SouthPark or Concord Mills. I have made this known to Simon Properties but they could less. They don't even acknowledge your correspondence. Listen - people - they don't care about you. They only want people who hold THEIR political beliefs to shop there. DON'T GO! There are lots of alternatives.

    There's not one thing at that mall you can't get somewhere else.

    I am sorry for the good store owners there - but they need to take the issue up with the cause of the problem - SIMON CO.!

    I will not step foot on that property. Too bad - I guess I've spent thousands there since it opened. NO MORE!

    The Cabarrus County Commission should adopt a resolution condemning the biased decision of the Simon.
  • Mike  - Shameful
    And still i can find anti bush, and Obama tishirts with him dressed as superman.

    He is a tennant of theirs.

    They have ended his tenancy based on his politivcal views.

    Thats a 50M$ lawsuit in my eyes.

    Make them pay loren and dont setlle....Let this get as much press as it can.

    Its a small thing but a very very telling sign of things to come for the Obama Cult-nuts
  • stacey
    To those that are blasting the supporters of the "Free Market"....they are not asking for special privileges and new laws to be written. Their free speech has been taken away....and this is very against our constitutional rights. Stand up and take it a step further, legal action is warranted in addition to boycotting Simon Properties. I wonder how Sotomayor would rule on this one?
  • Jon Golden  - Free Speech is a Government Protection
    I support this guy's right to sell what he wants to, but those of you who are crying FREE SPEECH don't understand your 1st amendment right. The government cannot (or at least in theory) squelch your right to speak out, to speak freely; however, your landlord, your boss, the restaurant in which you dine, can certainly tell you what they deem appropriate and ask you to leave, not renew your lease, or fire you.

    If you don't understand this concept, then try this: Speak out against your employer in a public forum. Write negative, inflammatory comments on your Facebook page. See how long it takes after they're seen before you're fired. Now, here is where you'll see that you have no right to free speech at work: Try to sue. You'll lose. Now, go outside of a police station, federal building, or even the White House and yell, "I hate Obama!" Now, you won't be arrested. Why? Free Speech. The government can't deny your right. Everybody else? Can do as they please.
  • IraqVet35
    Well done
  • Reginald White  - Free Speech
    You are absolutely right, As an employer I do have the right to say what is sold in my shop and how my employees act, dress and speek while in my employment. However, as a citizen I also have the right to decide where my money is spent. And as I told The Mills, it won't be there.
  • Mark from Charlotte  - What Obam say about this?
    Did SP ever get Obama's opinion on this?

    And tot hink Obama was just in Raleigh the other day to promote his healthcare plan.
  • Jim Diebolt  - You have my support
    I sent Simon Property Group a letter about my anger over their censorship practices. I will not shop at any of their malls again.
  • FSDVDSFV
    Are you still playing Priest class wow gold? Now computer game are so popular, it's a basic human need - for some even an obsession. Play time is a stress reliever wow gold kaufen, a much needed distraction, and arguably a self esteem builder for the winners. But another basic need that computer games can feed, is that of creation. Everyone loves to create. Whether it's a five year olds finger painting hanging on the fridge, or Stephen
  • Steve in Kulifornia  - Documented Loss for SPG Tenant
    I just wrote and mailed a letter to Dave&Buster's Headquarters in Dallas. I wanted to let them know that their property manager (SPG) has cost them REAL losses when I declined to have my birthday party at their Milpitas, Ca. location.
    Political bigotry in the business place is not consistent with a free market. Let those business know that SPG's decisions are affecting their revenue.
  • Brannon Hammer  - Sue ther sorry asses
    Well hell, Just file a discrimination lawsuit against Simon Properties. I have one here in Longview Texas. Maybe I should put a kiosk up and start all of a sudden selling the same product. If they shut me down I'd definitely sue!!!!!
  • Ty
    Your enemy supporting garbage vs the Spencer Gifts trash... Spencer gifts has it IN their store and not out where EVERYONE HAS TO LOOK AT IT.

    You are a deliberately bas tenant violating his lease.
  • IraqVet35
    You don't have to look at it. Stay at home and stare at your life size cardboard cut-out of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. Maybe throw on your "Nobody say's no to Joe" t-shirt while your at it.
  • Kevin  - Courage
    I applaud you and your employees for sticking to your principles. I will boycott the Simon group and am ashamed that this happened in my community.
    Great job on Hannity!!
  • IraqVet35
    I live in Concord, NC and I was in Concord Mills the other day...(the last day of the lease) and I bought the bumper sticker "I'll be as gracious to your president as you were to mine". Day before last some guy came up to me knowing I'm in the military and asked why I had a sticker on my jeep "dissing" my commander in chief. I simply said..."my commander and chief left office back in January". Keep fighting the good fight. The double standard is getting old.
  • Anonymous  - Sex Toys
    I guess Concord Mills doesn't mind Spencers selling sex toys in a store that children go into all the time. I had nothing against Spencers until they started selling dildos. Selling them in a regular adult toy store is fine with me when you have to be 18 to get in but Spencers is a joke and so is Concord Mills.
  • Donna Shaver
    I'll miss a few stores at Concord Mills mall, but I'm done with them. I'll just shop at the South Park mall or Carolina Place mall instead. Good bye SIMON PROPERTIES. Thanks for all you've done, Loren. Donna
  • Allie
    A big mall fairly local to me that I frequent is one of their properties. I just wrote them and told them I will not spend another dime there unless they reverse their decision and apologize for this blatant discrimination.

    https://www.simon.com/about_simon...pg/ default.aspx
  • Aaron  - Obamas Birthday
    Happy 48th Birthday Obama. You look older than that!!. I guess that's because your health plan didn't pass congress before their recess. LOL
  • MARK  - remember warren zevon
    in his song send lawyers guns and money the _ _ _ _ has hit the fan. soon it will be no lawyers obama killed them all, he took our guns and made our money worthless _ _ _ _ has hit the fan
    we need to take back our rights and our country. and let obama, pelosi and harry reid know their time for ruining us is over.and anyone who votes for the health bill they will be retired in 2010 and 2012.
  • Aaron  - 2010
    Hey mark. I just opened a YouTube channel on the link below. It's dedicated to Nanci Pelosi. LOL

    http://www.youtube.com/user/55TruthTeller
  • Anonymous
    HELLO
  • Josy
    This is a little off the subject, but I want to know why the liberal media is not covering the Duke University Professor caught with tons of child pornagraphy.
    This is the same media that wanted to hang the white Duke Lacrosse players for allegedly raping a black stripper. If you remember, the Lacrosse players were found innocent, but forever scarred.
    Now, we have this Professor admitting to someone undercover that he frequently molests his 5 year old adopted son. And even tried to sell the boy for sex. This Professor is gay, and lives with another man.

    Where is the outrage? Why isn't the media at Duke University?
  • Anonymous  - re:
    Anonymous wrote:
    Good for Simon! I'm so glad you're out of our mall!


    Exactly! :)
  • Curt Tampa  - Anonymous Postings
    Have y'all noticed the a$$hole postings are done 'Anonymous'.

    The US Patriot postings have names on them.

    The A$$holes do not have the courage to use their first names or even the intelligence to make up a fake name to post their rants.
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