Getting physical
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Training sessions have been going really well these past few weeks. I
swim, lift, and run on my own (or with the masters swim team) during the
week, and o...
12 years ago
Friday, November 28, 2008
shopping savages
It is the day after Thanksgiving and I just saw on MSN that a Walmart employee was trampled to death by early morning shoppers who stormed the door while he was opening. How has it come to this that we become so consumed by consumerism that we either don't realize we are trampling someone or worse don't care. The stores hype people into such a frenzy that they are camping out to make sure they are the first in line for a bargain. Do you think anyone of those people who particiapated in this madness will actually feel any guilt or remorse for their part in his death? Do you think they will tell the person who receives the gift that some poor guy trying to earn a paycheck died for that gift because they themselves where to self absorbed and inhuman to stop or to render help ? A man has actually died so someone could save a few bucks on a DVD, digital camera, video game or some other materialistic momento of Thanksgiving 2008. I know this is a depressing topic, but I think we should name it Savage Friday instead of Black Friday.
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8 comments:
I support your name change proposal, Honor. I cannot even fathom what the employee's family must be feeling right now. The day after we celebrate our gratitude and thanks, a man is killed because of our greed and selfishness. What a terrible tragedy.
Matthew had to be at work (walmart) at 5am that morning I worried a little about the crowd but didn't think it could be come life threatening. He works in the meat department I doubted anyone was coming for turkey. I figured he was safe. He said that when he got to work at 4:45am the walmart parking lot was full no parking spaces left. I thought we were in a recession who has money to waste on material junk. Matthew later said he was sent to electronics to watch over the BIG screen hdtv sets stacked up on a crate. He is not going to be knocked down to easily and he can push back and be gruff if needed. But the crowd has well organized and behaved. The crowd stood around the crate waiting and when the announcement came that it was 5:00 and could begin shopping the tvs were gone in 5 minutes. It was happening all over the country people in a frenzy over this stuff. It is the marketing industry that has made christmas into a must get this or else attitude. We are indeed "all like sheep who have gone astray.
Carol, I'm glad to hear that Matthew stayed safe. I wouldn't want to push him around myself. :)
I heard on NPR that people actually spent 17% more this year on Black Friday than last year. Of course, this is probably because people haven't been buying ANYTHING for the past few months.
I didn't go out shopping on Friday. Did anyone? Do tell.
This morning I saw a news report about this tragedy. A video was shown of the crowds lining up to get in the store. There was little, if any, security to keep people in line. Walmart is partly to blame for this death. The store makes millions but nothing could be spent on crowd control. I shudder to think what might have happened to Matthew if people had not exercised self control. Matthew had no warning that he was going to be involved with electronic sales and security on the busiest shopping day of the year. I am angry at Walmart and will not do shop there unless I cannot purchase an item some place else. The shoppers killed someone but Walmart's hype and lack of concern are also to blame.
This morning I saw a news report about this tragedy. A video was shown of the crowds lining up to get in the store. There was little, if any, security to keep people in line. Walmart is partly to blame for this death. The store makes millions but nothing could be spent on crowd control. I shudder to think what might have happened to Matthew if people had not exercised self control. Matthew had no warning that he was going to be involved with electronic sales and security on the busiest shopping day of the year. I am angry at Walmart and will not do shop there unless I cannot purchase an item some place else. The shoppers killed someone but Walmart's hype and lack of concern are also to blame.
I do not know why my comments appear twice on this page. Sorry about taking up space.
No need to apologize, Honor. Your comments are important and engaging. I read them twice just to let your argument against Wal-Mart soak in. :)
You are a card Katie. The world needs more than one of you right now. We need your humor and intelligence. You are a presence (presents-HoHoHo)wrapped up in a tiny package.
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