“Bellingham Costco needs a special time just for Americans” is the name of the Facebook page started by a few proud Americans who “just want to go shopping like everyone else, not go on an adventure.” The “adventure” these folks are upset about apparently is shopping alongside those immigrants — those Canadian immigrants who cross the border into Bellingham, Washington, and spend time –and money — hoarding the finest 42 pound vats of rice and bulk recycled toilet paper you can find, at Costco.
“So whats the problem? how is it going to be solved, or can it be solved. Lets just find a way to all get along….,” their Facebook page reads, now, after a media assault:
You all been there. The main stay of this town “guide meridian” is LA freeway at rush hour. Its hard to find a parking spot. The lines are crazy. The overcrowding is causing some to be rude. We just want to go shopping like everyone else, not go on an adventure. Costco and other big box companys in this area need to be allowed to expand or move to larger areas. Bellingham Coscto is in the top ten profitable Costcos but is still top ten smallest stores. What are your ideas? lets make this known so that the city/county officials know that the people want change so we can better accommodate our Canadians neighbors and our own shopping situations.
Because, amazingly, once word got out, the folks running this tremendous patriotic tribute to American values admitted, “yes the title was offensive, it was meant to get your attention, but don’t judge the book by its cover please.”
Of course we won’t!
And they’re now going to shut the site down. As soon as they find their “Mission: Accomplished” banner.
Well. this has raised the awareness of the problem. hopefully city/county officials see its a problem and will allow Costco and other companys to expand if needed. Really bad this turned into a bashing of Canadians and Americans. Some of you Americans should be ashamed of yourselves with the really bad things you have said, along with you Canadians saying some way off topic very hatefull things. Americans I think would be more receptive to this and Canadians I would think you were more loving and empt to help our problem of just trying to live life, but I guess im naive in the fact. To the hoards of radio/tv stations trying to contact me, sorry all I have to say is that I just want a better quality of life for everyone, including our wonderful Canadians visiting our very beautiful city. What really gets me is that there hasnt been any city/county officials on this page making actual facts or offering any reinsurance that they are working on trying to solve this issue. I am shutting this page down for many reasons. No, its not legal reasons, for I live in a country that protects my freedoms. I am shutting it down primarily because of the ignorant press/canadian/american negative connotations it has received. It has done what it was intended for but some people took it way overboard. By the way, yes the title was offensive, it was meant to get your attention, but don’t judge the book by its cover please.
I promise, we won’t.
Of course the larger issue here is how Americans yet again claim “American exceptionalism,” claim how America is o much better than every other country in the world, then are surprised when others want to come here.
Lindy West at Jezebel writes:
This is an unwinnable fight that’s making you look like shit-heads. Everyone who’s ever been in a Costco knows that going to Costco sucks ass regardless of how many Canadians are in there. And anyway, while it’s annoying to have to waste half your day hangin’ in the milk-line, I have a feeling Canada is equally irritated by mobs of your sweaty, drunken 19-year-olds infesting its bars every night. So maybe we can just call bygones and stop setting creepy precedents that deny foreigners access to basic amenities? JUST A THOUGHT.
Indeed.
Image via Facebook