Major Plot Holes in “Organized Crime Rings Are Closing Walgreens ” Narrative

thecolumn.substack.com

11 points·cratermoon··4 comments

How can people really be pro shoplifting enough to write this?

Shoplifting is a CRIME. Don't support it by saying something insane like "They probably should before Prop 47 is repealed and more faceless Black and Brown kids are thrown in prison."

> How can people really be pro shoplifting enough to write this?

The author does not present a pro-shoplifting argument.

Rather, he presents a cogent argument that the media-supported narrative that Walgreens is closing SF stores due to shoplifting does not account for the facts

1. Walgreens is closing stores in areas (New York, for example) that did not experience an increase in shoplifting.

2. Walgreens closings nationwide were forecast in SEC filings since 2017.

3. No evidence has been presented that shoplifting is the deciding factor for Walgreens closings.

4. Walgreens is politically motivated to repeal Prop 47 and may be funding efforts to recall DA Boudin.

Not sure why this was flagged? It's taking a position on a somewhat controversial subject, but it's not needlessly inflammatory, and it seems like the main points are supported with a lot of sources.

> No reasonable person can view this coverage as proportionate or reasonable.

Ah yes. If only the media refrained from disproportionate coverage and using single events to imply country-wide trends.

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