Target

Online shoppers prefer Walmart to Target. That's one of the findings of an index released today that scores the top 100 online retailers on customer satisfaction. ForeSee's Top 100 E-Retail Satisfaction Index based its analysis on nearly 21,000 surveys of online shoppers in the first quarter of 2012. The scores, calculated on a 100-point scale, range from a high of 89 for Amazon to a low of 69 for Ancestry.com and efollett.com. The top six, all with scores of 83 or higher, were Amazon, Apple, QVC, Keurig, Avon and L.L. Bean.

It is appropriate that we worry about the 13 people who were caught "Partying on the city's dime" (March 29). But where is the outrage for the "too big to fail gang" of Wall Street bankers who fleeced the common folks, gambled away the lives of so many hard-working citizens and caused world-wide economic robbery? When will they be apprehended and brought to justice? When will we seize their champagne and thwart their unbridled arrogance? An old English verse helps us to understand what is going on: "The law locks up both man and woman who steal the goose from off the common.

Maryland's competitive congressional election for Republican Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett's district has made a list of 36 races the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Wednesday it intends to target in the hopes of clawing back control of the House of Representatives. The DCCC, the campaign arm of House Democrats, listed the 6th District as part of its “Red to Blue” program, a signal that it is a top priority for Democrats. Rep. Donna F. Edwards, a Prince George's County Democrat, is one of two co-chairs of that program.

Baltimore City's plan to close 128 liquor stores is an incredibly misguided decision ("City targets liquor stores," June 18). While the city's leaders should be commended for finding ways to lessen crime, their solution does little more than rob 128 small business owners of their livelihood. Are there liquor stores that exacerbate crime and produce other problems in their neighborhoods? Absolutely. Are there 128 such establishments? Absolutely not. Liquor stores do not cause crime, nor does their existence in poor neighborhoods (which count for the resounding majority of neighborhoods where closures are intended)

In principle I've been in favor of the proposed Islamic center and mosque being built at Park51, if only to demonstrate to the world that not all Americans are guilty of an anti-Muslim bias. But it doesn't take a prophet to predict that the center will become a target for every religious bigot or nutcase who carries a grudge against Islam, and who can carry a spray can, rock, or bomb, fueling more hard feelings against Americans of other faiths. Steve Stiles

In his Commentary published Aug. 27, Charlie Cooper has a few - very few - valid points, but most do not support the headline title: "Rein in the corporations. " The most glaring is his assertion that " Emerging from the economic doldrums will require major investment in schools, water systems, transportation, communications and energy infrastructure to rebuild the foundations of prosperity. " And that "Corporate power thwarts nearly every aspect of these reforms and is a more important factor in our woes than those discussed ad nauseam by media pundits and Republican and Democratic partisans.

Target will be the first store to open in the $275 million Waugh Chapel Towne Center in Gambrills. Target will open Sunday, March 11, according to a release from the project's developer. Waugh Chapel Towne Centre is a 1.2 million square foot development that includes retailers, restaurants, offices and high-end townhomes and apartments. Other retailers opening at the Centre this spring include Dick's Sporting Goods, Panera, Petco and Old Navy. Wegmans is expected to open in October.

Not to be beat by Walmart's plans for Black Friday sales, Target will open on Thanksgiving night too, at 9 p.m. Walmart said last week it will start the holiday rush at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, its earliest Black Friday opening ever. Today, Target said it plans to give shoppers earlier- than-ever access with a 9 p.m. Nov. 22 opening.  Doorbuster specials will start at 4 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23, the mass discounter said. "We heard from our guests that they look forward to kicking off their holiday shopping with deal-hunting on Thanksgiving night," Kathee Tesija, executive vice president of merchandising for Target, said in a statement.

Anne Arundel County police are targeting drivers who fraudulently use handicap tags, use fake placards or wrongly park in spaces reserved for disabled people's vehicles. Police said the crackdown is taking place countywide during one week each in May, August and November, and one took place in February. It includes shopping centers and mall lots. A violation is subject to a fine of up to $500. The medical certification for handicap parking must be shown to officers who ask to see it, police said.

 Ken Ulman confirms what many have suspected all along - parents of fat kids are too stupid to decide what their kids should drink. Finally an adult takes charge. This is why I voted for him - his vision sees priorities and he acts - by Executive Order, no less! How impressive.  I wonder what Constitutional authority he cites to do this? Never mind. At least his wisdom allows the parents to slowly poison their kids with aspartame. Next on his list? I hope it's those Easter Peeps! George W. Dress III Ellicott City