I don't know where the term Black Friday arose, but after this weekend I think I see the connection. At the Natomas Wal-Mart not far from where I live, over 3000 people waited in line overnight to get into the store the morning after Thanksgiving. When the doors opened, people stampeded in and several were trampled. All in the name of cheap electronics. Not just cheap as in low-price, but cheap as is shoddy workmanship (this is Wal-Marl afterall). The news crews even had footage of the stampede from inside the store--meaning they new this would happen and were ready with tape.

What is wrong with society when a holiday that is supposed to be a time for gathering together with friends and family and giving thanks for all that we have (and let's face it, even the people who shop at Wal-Mart have lots to be thankful for--if they take a global view of things).

Is any DVD player really worth waiting all night for? Worth risking getting trampled for? Worth telling you family you're too busy to spend time with them?

If it hasn't already, it's only a matter of time before we completely lose Thanksgiving and Christmas and the reason for the season really does become the great deals on cheap merchandise. And that's sad.

Posted by Hey Paul   |   Monday, November 28, 2005