Saying Good Bye To Tim Russert

In this Nov. 14, 2007, file photo NBC's Meet the Press host Tim Russert speaks at the 60th anniversary celebration of NBC's Meet the Press at the Newseum in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

I was finishing up training with someone when I look up at the TV screen. It was flashing some information when it said the following





TIM RUSSERT, HOST OF NBC'S MEET THE PRESS AND WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF DIES





It was a total shock to me and to everyone.





I would like to think my role model when I was at IPFW and College Cable Access Center was Tim Russert. I try to model my Public Affairs show IPSGA Update like MEET THE PRESS. I think I did a great job and I would always end my interviews with these words, "AND THAT HAS TO BE THE LAST WORD."

And he would sign off, IF it's Sunday, IT'S MEET THE PRESS

I am wondering what this Sunday will be like?

Numbers tell the big story

I decided to do some research and post some numbers as to where everything stands in the Stock and It is posted on the Walgreens Yahoo Finance Board

These numbers are at where they closed on that day.

Centennial Wireless (A Regional Cell Phone Company)
Date of Hire (3/28/06): 7.17 a Share
As of June 6: 8.70 a Share
Change: +1.53 or 17% increase since starting to work for the company

WALGREENS: Former Employer
Date of Dismissal for telling the truth (12/20/05): 45.30 a Share
As of June 6: 36.03 a Share Change: -9.27 or 20% decrease since being dismissed from Walgreens

Now, what about the competition, where were their stocks during this three points in time Walmart:
12/20/05 : 48.60
03/28/06: 47.75
6/6/08: 58.37
Change: 9.77 or 17% increase since being fired, 10.62 or 18% increase since being hired

Target:
12/20/05: 54.03
3/28/06: 53.25
06/06/08: 54.63
Change: .60 or 1% Increase since being fired, 1.38 or 3% increase since being hired

CVS:
12/20/05: 27.72
3/28/06: 29.68
06/06/08: 42.64
Change: 14.92 or 35% increase since being fired, 12.96 or 30% increase since being hired

Since March 2006, CVS, Wal-Mart and Centennial Wireless ALL HAD DOUBLE DIGIT INCREASE in the price of their shares

Target has held steady

WALGREENS had DOUBLE DIGIT DECREASE IN THE PRICE SINCE FIRING ME!

I am wondering given what has occured

- $55 Million shelled out to settle two FEDERAL LAWSUITS
- Bad Customer Service FROM RIPOFFREPORT.COM and Planetfeedback.com
- Protect $100,000 Worth of cosmetics rather than help out a customer in photo
- Promote Bad Employees who use Racial Slurs and Foul Language
- Fire Great Employees
- Try to take a small town to court just to build there Stratfield Village Association in Fairfield, CT
- Support of the Gay Games

Now add on top of that

- Walgreens Supporters labeling me as a crybaby for telling everyone the real deal about the company (I am not a crybaby)
- Saying that I am now work for a 2nd-rate company (Would a 2nd rate company be expanding their call center in the UNITED STATES and customers are prefering Centennial over say Verizon, Sprint or AT&T)
- That I was not a team player (Eventhough I lead a team of people winning a department contest and now train people on the process within the department)
- That my job is "low-life scum" (Although many customers would disagree with that, saying that we help out customers)
- Walgreens Supporters labeling those that post FACTS as being insane (Or that Yank is Danbert or that I am Yank or Jim Newbauer does not exist, which are all false)

GIVEN ALL OF THAT ... Do you think that for 1 second that the Joe Q. Public believes the Walgreens Supporters OR the one that present facts and experiences ABOUT WALGREENS?

If I am Joe Q. Public, I am going with those that present Numbers and Experiences

The Bad and the Good

Folks, the Bad News

I was interviewed to get promoted in the company, but I did not get the promotion.

At least I am still in the same position and still have the respect of my co-workers and management.

THE GOOD NEWS

Walgreens had to settle yet another lawsuit, this time against the Federal Government over payments made by Medicaid.

AS cited by Yahoo - "the company dispensed one form of each of the generic drugs instead of another form of the same drug. Federal and state regulators investigated to determine whether this resulted in higher Medicaid reimbursement to the company."

RESPONSE FROM WALGREENS ACCORDING TO YAHOO: "Walgreens said it felt the reimbursements it received from Medicaid were consistent with applicable regulations."

NOW, because of 2 federal lawsuits, Walgreens is now out $55 million! And now the Walgreen Supports are bashing me because I am "a Crybaby", that I have an ax to grind, that I am not a team player.

Here is my challenge to everyone. Go on the Walgreens Message Board at Yahoo Finance and look at what the other side is saying.

If you want to post message on there, go for it. http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/mb/WAG

Also, do your research, look at RipOffReport.com and Planetfeedback.com. Then make your judgement.