The NY Times has an interesting piece on the efforts of Wal-Mart to co-opt bloggers into spreading its PR messages. At first blush, you might think that Wal-Mart has simply found an innovative strategy for getting its message out in a new, emerging medium. But if you look closer, you'll see they're operating with their typical ham-fisted subtlety. If you're trying to spin a story, do you really want your tactics on public view?

It's a great analogy for why I refuse to shop at Wal-Mart altogether. The company seems to go out of its way to be aesthetically offensive at every turn. I know a lot of people admire Wal-Mart because of that whole low-price schtick and the enormous profits they've earned off the backs of suppliers and employees. But every time I look at anything the company has touched, I see only tacky, cheesy and cheap.

If you shop or work there and enjoy the experience, more power to you. I don't like anything about Wal-Mart and chose to spend my money elsewhere as a result.