What is wrong with us? Black Friday?!?

[Eagle5US]

My wife and I got up late this morning, since I had a much appreciated day out of the ED. We had seen the "Black Friday" sales flyers in the mail and on the internet. No thanks, not for us.

So we see the news this morning (Drudge) and are in total disbelief. Wal-Mart shoppers on Long Island physically BROKE DOWN THE DOORS and stampeded into the store KILLING a 34 y/o Wal-Mart employee and injuring others.

In another posted video, people are literally scrapping over X-Box 360 consoles like looters after Katrina. It was ridiculous.

Spoiling the day after we are supposed to be so very thankful for all of our blessings with the commercialization of the Christmas Season is bad enough. But the behavior of some of our "adults" is just unreal.

I hope that man's family has a strong heart and are able to overcome this senseless tragedy.

Eagle

[Puertoland]

Its pathetic when you think about it. God bless the man's family.

How does the law handle a situation like this? Are the people even held responsible? Most likely not, I can only wonder how the store reacted.

[Eagle5US]

You can listen to the video on Drudge...people are laughing.
Really just terrible

Eagle

[rubberneck]

I told my wife that the Christmas season used to be my favorite time of the year but now I can't stand it. Those two stories exemplify why the season has lost it's luster for me. Instead of celebrating the birth of Christ it has become one giant shopping orgy where Christ is irrelevant to the whole thing. It makes me sick to my stomach. I don't even want to put up the Christmas tree.

[nmap]

The behavior and attitude is, as others say, deplorable. It does, again as others have said, suggest a lack of thankfulness for the many blessings we enjoy. Perhaps it says something about our collective view of the value of life itself.

There is, in my opinion, another point to be considered. This is an example of how people behave when they have a want (not a need!), and are still well fed, well clothed, and reasonably comfortable. How will they behave if the situation changes and they are not well fed, not comfortable, and - perhaps - angry or afraid? Will people be made better, or will they become more aggressive and dangerous?

These are not rhetorical questions, although I recognize that the answer may not be at hand. My own view of the likely outcome troubles me.

[Gypsy]

It's a terrible thing, I feel so bad for that family of the worker. I personally have refused to participate in "Black Friday" for years. People are just too freaking rude and stupid.