Wal-Mart has managed to do something socially useful, although its motive is suspect. A judge wanted to impose a shaming punishment on Wal-Mart shoplifers, ordering them to spend two Saturday afternoons in front of Wal-Mart with a sign that said, "I am a thief, I stole from Wal-Mart."

Wal-Mart was against this punishment before it was for it.

[Judge] Robertson said he had long tried to get the store to agree to the punishment, but had been turned down. Then, he said, company officials "told me just out of the blue without me inquiring, saying, 'Go ahead and do it, we think it's a great idea.'"

After two men were forced to carry the placards outside a Wal-Mart, the company changed its mind again. A Wal-Mart spokesman says the company had concerns for the safety of the men, although it was more likely concerned about corporate liability if the men were hurt on Wal-Mart property. Or maybe too many people driving by were cheering the "I stole from Wal-Mart" sign.