RadioShack once encouraged folks to make their own gadgets. When I was a kid, my father often picked up electrical components at RadioShack, although he sometimes lamented the demise of the local hobby shop when the chain moved in. RadioShack introduced a generation to computers with their TRS-80. And we all coveted the latest state-of-the-art TI calculators for math class. At one time, it seemed like the entire store was taken over by remote-controlled cars.
But bigger stores moved in, offering lower prices on electronics. Then the do-it-yourselfers became early adopters in buying the parts they need online. In 2007, the Onion wondered how RadioShack was still in business. The company responded to the changes by embracing cell phone sales, which became the majority of their business. The last time I was in RadioShack, they had little besides cell phones and accessories (although none from my provider).
Thursday, after 94 years in business, RadioShack filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But it still might not be the end. RadioShack is selling 2,400 locations to Sprint, in a deal where RadioShack branded merchandise will still be sold in those stores. The rest of RadioShack’s 4,000 locations will be closed. Only time will tell if the brand will survive under those conditions.
(Altered image from reddit)
Comments (5)
Homer: We'll search out every place a sick twisted solitary misfit might run to.
Lisa: I'll start with Radio Shack.
In the early 90s even I tried to get a job at one, and if I remember correctly, I was told that the commission earned was mostly thru (high pressure) battery sales. Retrospect says my decision to walk away was the correct choice, even before this news. There have been interviews with ex-employees long before this and it painted a pretty grim picture of the environment.
Of course, he's gay.. there's no possible way that a man can be close to another man without sex... is there?
Seriously?
Like most other boys, I bought my share of "Batman" comics... but it was "Superman" that really enthralled me. He could really fly, where Batman had to use his grappling hook and some rope he always managed to have tied to his Bat-belt.
As I got a bit older, ABC had started airing a Batman TV series. It starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin the Boy Wonder. At first, I just liked it because it was sort of "campy", much like all the other TV shows of the time (Love Boat, Bewitched, Flying Nun, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, etc...). But as the show progressed, I found that I liked it because Batman was like an ordinary guy, not some hero with super powers beyond mortal man.
I never thought of Batman as being homosexual in the least. It was a different time... a time of innocence... a time where being "politically correct" didn't go overboard. I look back on movies made during the depression period and WWII years, and they often depict males sharing a bed. It wasn't something strange back then, or something sexual... men often shared sleeping arrangements in hotel rooms or while visiting on vacation. It didn't seem out of place, even by the 1960's and 70's when Batman was first on television.
Now... sure, the "tights" seemed a little awkward. I think every boy laughed a little seeing what Adam West showed below his Bat-Belt, but his costume is what set him apart and made him unique. To this day, Batman costumes are one of the biggest selling items at Halloween.
As far as romantic scenes in the comic books or on the early series, you have to remember that young boys don't want to see couples kiss - and I am just talking about HETEROsexual couples... the sexual tension between the women (Cat Woman, Bat Girl... etc...) and Batman was just enough to show temptation, but "duty" called first.
Today, the Batman franchise has turned dark. "The Dark Knight" and all the other versions are not of much interest to me. Everything is becoming overly violent today. Everyone in Hollywood talks about gun and violence control, but Hollywood is the main culprit of many of the evils we have today. Just take a look at all the movies that are out in theatres today (or are coming out)... how many are filled with violence or sex and how many are films can take your 11-year-old son to? The 11-year old of today has a completely different view of Batman than I have. The average 11-year old has a completely different view of just about everything.
If Batman is gay or not doesn't even enter my psyche, but Eddie brought up an interesting subject to make us think about what younger people may perceive today.
In another note - your video shows Julie Newmar - easily the best Catwoman. If there is some man out there that doesn't find her "the cat's meow" (especially at 1:44 for example), that's a man whose sexual orientation might legitimately be called into question...
Then again, he does call Robin DICK when he's not Robin.
Maybe he came up with his sidekick's name because he's ROBIN' him of his manhood??
Come to think of it...I guess you could have Bruce GAYne and DICK GAYson.
Makes ya think....
Bert and Ernie shared a bed, and nobody's questioning their sexuality, right?