The Black Friday mindless stampede; Update: Video added
posted at 12:30 pm on November 28, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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I worked for several years in retail and then for two decades in retail-related security, and have no intention of participating in the longest, roughest day in American shopping. In all of those years, I never heard a story like this, though, which indicates that people have lost their minds and their humanity for the sake of discounts (via Michelle):
A worker died after being trampled and a woman miscarried when hundreds of shoppers smashed through the doors of a Long Island Wal-Mart Friday morning, witnesses said.
The unidentified worker, employed as an overnight stock clerk, tried to hold back the unruly crowds just after the Valley Stream store opened at 5 a.m.
Witnesses said the surging throngs of shoppers knocked the man down. He fell and was stepped on. As he gasped for air, shoppers ran over and around him.
“He was bum-rushed by 200 people,” said Jimmy Overby, 43, a co-worker. “They took the doors off the hinges. He was trampled and killed in front of me. They took me down too…I literally had to fight people off my back.”
I’ve seen people get into shoving matches and fistfights, and I’ve heard of injuries, but a death and a miscarriage? This didn’t happen because of a fire erupting or a terrorist/hostage situation, as we have seen in Mumbai. Hundreds of people trampled others to death so that they could get to cheap retail goods the fastest — presumably to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
At some point, that horrible irony should cause people to pause and think about what motivates them in this holiday season. Everyone likes a good deal, but few of us would choose to die for one — and therefore we shouldn’t want to kill for one, either. Retailers won’t like to hear this, but maybe we need to spend a little less and recover our humanity just a little more.
Update (AP): Breitbart has video of the aftermath.
Update II (Ed): Thankfully, the miscarriage appears to have been inaccurate, although the pregnant woman did get injured. The Anchoress has more thoughts.
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Wow, just wow.
mram on November 28, 2008 at 12:32 PM
It’s crazy. I almost went to the malls here on Long Island this morning.
We have some of the most materialistic fiends this country has to offer, and I’m thanking myself for staying in and boozing with my buddies instead of going out and dealing with the angry hordes of consuming zombies.
blatantblue on November 28, 2008 at 12:34 PM
OK, maybe Al Qaeda occasionally makes a good point about America.
Chuck Schick on November 28, 2008 at 12:34 PM
animals, all of them. freaking ANIMALS. makes me so damn angry just thinking about it. its just a damn piece of plastic people are literally killing each other over. its so absurd.
blatantblue on November 28, 2008 at 12:34 PM
How tragic. Sadly this incident speaks volumes about the dpeths to which humanity has sunk in pursuit of a “bargan”. I hope that this story gets massive airtime on the alphabets; perhaps it will cause us all to stop and reconsider the reason for the season. I pray that it will make us al stop and reflect on our humanity.
This is not the world I grew up in…
Pulchritudinous Patriot on November 28, 2008 at 12:35 PM
11 died in 1979 trying to get into a “Who” concert in Cleveland for the general admission seats.
Wethal on November 28, 2008 at 12:36 PM
I must be one of the few women that hates shopping through stores. Online shopping is the best.
I went to a black Friday several years ago and swore never to shop Thanksgiving weekend as long as I live.
People are animals for sales. I refused to run in the store and was annoyed at the way people would push, complain, and yell.
My mom told me that it is how Cubans act when they are in line for food and there is a limited amount.
We are acting like we are in a third world country desperate for food or essentials.
I pray for that man that died and his family.
jencab on November 28, 2008 at 12:37 PM
just one more reason I live out of USA now.
budaside on November 28, 2008 at 12:37 PM
oh and for some reason you think the Obama Bread Lines will be any different?
Kaptain Amerika on November 28, 2008 at 12:38 PM
everyone who crashed those doors and trampled that man should be PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT!!!!!
damnit
there better be some legal course of action to make these f*ucking bastards pay for what they’ve done to the families of these people
a!!!!!!!!!!!!
blatantblue on November 28, 2008 at 12:39 PM
“woman miscarried” part not true.
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=6529135
chansen9 on November 28, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Hey ! WTF
.
The last thing on the minds of these animals was Christ,Ed.
Rethink that.
ambuldog on November 28, 2008 at 12:40 PM
If this is Christmas…. can you imagine a Natural or Biological disaster to get food and water?
I decided to go to work and make money then go shopping. My Mom on the other hand went out… I told her she was insane and to bring her mace if something happened.
upinak on November 28, 2008 at 12:42 PM
OK, sorry, I re-read it again. I get it.
ambuldog on November 28, 2008 at 12:42 PM
You think that maybe, just maybe, this may be a sign that Black Friday is not that hot of an idea?
You think that maybe, just maybe, getting a cheap price for a big screen TV or a laptop is not worth the price of a life?
You think that maybe, just maybe, this is one of the chief reasons why the rest of the world looks at us as being a greedy, avarice-laden, dollar-worshiping culture that places material things over the things that matter most?
You think?
pilamaye on November 28, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Unbelievable! What is next? People are sick, just plain sick. Hope that they had this on tape. And hope they prosecute.
sheebe on November 28, 2008 at 12:45 PM
This is exactly why I’ve grown so disillusioned by the holiday season. No one thinks about what the season is really about. It’s all about getting the latest, coolest toys for the cheapest price.
Christmas for us is simple. Sure, we get each other gifts, and we do get a few gifts for friends and family, but it’s nothing big, and we sure as heck don’t go out in the middle of this madness.
As Michelle said in her post on this it’s “reason number 99,999 to shop online.” No kidding.
Thomas_in_Mesa
MrAndMrsSmith on November 28, 2008 at 12:46 PM
What the hell were they selling that would attract a mob like this?
I know; the people were all starving, and WalMart was offering free bread!
MrLynn on November 28, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Black Friday is Racist!!!
And the Pope is a bhuddist.
/sarc
madmonkphotog on November 28, 2008 at 12:47 PM
I hope these shoppers racked up a lot of credit card debt and get bankrupted.
lodge on November 28, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Do we really need to toss in a pointless shot at Obama in this thread? Someone has been trampled to death…
sublime on November 28, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I’m not sure even what to say………………
Seven Percent Solution on November 28, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Skip that expensive trip to China, just go to Walmart, it’s a veritable souvenir shop of cheap Chinese crap, and get trampled in the process… this is sad, so sad, in so many ways.
maineconservative on November 28, 2008 at 12:49 PM
This is just shocking and tragic and for what…for cheaper bargains? Just so not worth it. Several years ago, I went shopping once with my MIL on Black Friday and never, ever again. It was a nightmare just trying to find a parking spot and dealing with the hordes of people throwing stuff around, leaving clothes on the floor, the pushing, shoving and cursing for me to get out of the way – it was just insane. It left a sour taste in my mouth and I thought, these people are animals and so uncivilized. My prayers to the poor man who died and his family. I rather shop online, so much easier and no aggravation!!
corvettelady on November 28, 2008 at 12:50 PM
A 28-year-old pregnant woman was knocked to the floor during the mad rush. She was hospitalized for observation, police said. Early witness accounts that the woman suffered a miscarriage were unfounded, police said.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/11/28/2008-11-28_worker_dies_at_long_island_walmart_after.html
upinak on November 28, 2008 at 12:51 PM
This is what happens when you make material things your God.
I hope that sleazy Bratz doll they were able to buy for their daughters before anyone else clears their consciences.
Sterling Holobyte on November 28, 2008 at 12:51 PM
What a tragedy in the name of Santa! That worker probably never thought that this would be his last day on earth. We must be ready!
Jesus said,
Let’s resolve to make Christmas a holy day instead of a Santa day. (Of course the real St. Nicholas was a worshipper of Christ and did good deeds in His name. How we have perverted his (St. Nicholas’s) memory and his message.
Christian Conservative on November 28, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Seems like this sort of thing happens every year. I remember in the 80’s people being trampled in a mad rush to get cabbage patch kids. This sort of thing has been going on for centuries. People were trampled at the coronation of Czar Nicholis trying to get free sweets. The use of these special discount one hour only bargains that retailers use on black friday need to end. They are deliberatly provoking hysteria in order to get shoppers in the stores. I hope this guys family sues wall mart for every thing they have.
jones on November 28, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I never thought I would take part in anything like this, but the bride talked me into going to a local store at 6:30am so when they opened at 7am we could get a good deal on a 42″ TV. The line was already a hundred feet long at 6:30 and store personnel came out with ‘claim checks’ going through the line and asking people what they were after, giving them the claim checks guaranteeing them the product they were looking for.
I thought that was pretty smart. We went back and sat in the car until the line was gone, walked in, got the TV, and proceeded to check-out without a throw-down.
I was almost disappointed :o)
cntrlfrk on November 28, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Well, I’m certain you’ve seen the Wal-Mart commericals this year: “Christmas cost less at Wal-Mart”.
Sam Walton must be spinning in his grave, unless the marked him down, too, for a quick sale.
madmonkphotog on November 28, 2008 at 12:53 PM
come on… this isn’t anything…
God has many more stampede deaths every year. at least these people get a physical reward.
-
-
not to mention sports… ok I will mention it.
-
in reality these are personal responsibility issues… the pregnant woman should not have been in that mob trying to push her way in… a prosecutor should look at her for child endangerment. and greeters at Wal-Mart stores are traditionally “older” employees, very “older” it was irresponsible for him to open those doors by himself or even with the one other employee and irresponsible for the manager to allow him or them to do so.
-
as in the references above… these people where all well aware of the danger and the whole idea of what they were doing.
Kaptain Amerika on November 28, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Obama supporters at their finest.
mindhacker on November 28, 2008 at 12:55 PM
What’s fundamentally wrong with America is often captured perfectly in brief, tragic snippets like this one: Frothing, me-first animals stampeding for unnecessary products they’ll put on maxed-out credit cards. Because they deserve it.
Potfry on November 28, 2008 at 12:56 PM
There are numerous conflicting reports that say that an employee was trampled to death and a pregnant woman miscarried, and that also say an employee died of a heart attack and a 28-year old pregnant woman was taken to the hospital for observation and did not miscarry.
But no matter what the real story is, as far as I can tell after a fairly extensive search, it’s ONE SOLITARY ISOLATED INCIDENT among all the Black Friday news reports today.
An unfortunate incident at ONE SOLITARY location does not an abandonment of humanity make.
Besides, it happened in Long Island. I think humanity jumped on the bus and left there a long long time before this holiday’s shopping season officially started.
FlatFoot on November 28, 2008 at 12:56 PM
You’re just tragically dumb.
Potfry on November 28, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Sorry Patriot, but “the reason for the season” started as a pagan winter ritual to bring back the sun, became an excuse for public drunkenness and general vice, and is today a greedy stampede of death punctuated with fits of envy and empty depression.
Christ in no way endorses, commands, or invites this festival of pagan traditions and idolatrous materialism called “Christmas,” nor should he.
Want to be generous and peaceful and surrounded by family and friends? Jesus set aside 365.25 days a year just for that.
TMK on November 28, 2008 at 12:59 PM
I know this is sick, but I’m sorry, just LMAO. The country is hurting economically, and instead of trying to save to pay off bills and necessities, this is what you get. Keep those stimulus checks coming OH Great One! Sure is different from the times during WWII. Most of us were grateful for a roof over our heads, the bills paid up, and a family gathering and neighbors pitching in. Maybe I was fortunate to have lived in those times, gives me a better idea of what life and family is all about.
N4646W on November 28, 2008 at 12:59 PM
The phrase ” long island wall mart” is misleading, there are several wall marts on long island and the majority of them are in white neighborhoods, valley stream is the “hood” though, and sorry if it offends anyone, but this is how blacks act as a general rule. No one wants to talk about it, but its very basic, the simple obvious reason why Katrina was a far greater disaster than the hurricanes of last earlier this year….animalistic soul less behavior.
There’s something dreadfully wrong in black america, where generations of drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, absentee parents, welfare, and false prophets like Jesse and Al have wrought a subspecies of humanity where human life is worthless. Feel free to prove me wrong by showing me a similar scene from white america…triple dog dare ya
johngalt on November 28, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Yes, but they won’t get fooled again.
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
ScottMcC on November 28, 2008 at 1:01 PM
BREAKING NEWS ALERT JANUARY 21
Receshion declared over
nation cheers
KBird on November 28, 2008 at 1:02 PM
You’re not the only one. I join you. I abhor shopping, and more so during the holidays. Although I love the way the malls are decorated at Christmas time and the music playing, I cannot stand the crowds. I don’t do tons of people and teeny-boppers. If I could go when no one else is there it would be great. I’m a 36 yo female curmudgeon. I do 95% of my shopping online. I’m very bitter for the last 5%. My girls and my husband are the shoppers. I just assume stay home and bake or play video games with my son. Besides, if you shop online you get to avoid that other dreaded holiday vexation: The Postal Service.
mauioriginal on November 28, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Tragically.
fiscallyconservative on November 28, 2008 at 1:04 PM
There are segments of our country the rears it head this time of the year like a greed-filled cancer. Those are the greedy, materialistic people who put getting a flat screen TV for $100 off the regular price above things like diginity, civility and human decency. I’m glad I don’t belong to that “Black Friday” segment of our population.
FYI: I bet if they did a study of these people lined up to go into the stores I bet they would find a big correlation that they are the same people in huge credit card debt and are needing their mortgage rescued by the government.
Planet Boulder on November 28, 2008 at 1:05 PM
This is sad, true, but I don’t think that the stampede is just your standard garden variety materialism this year. There is a tremendous amount of economic anxiety –some of it well founded, some of it pretty irrational but hyped by the media. There are people wondering how they are going to “make Christmas” for their kids when their definition of what constitutes that is anything but spiritual. That kind of pressure is bound to come out in all kinds of unpleasant ways this season. It’s not partisan, it’s panic and mob psychology.
MargaretMN on November 28, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Kaptain Amerika,
Those first two stampedes, which you credited to God, were both caused by bomb scares. Not a fair comparison to the above tragedy, where people were just too impatient, greedy, and uncaring.
chansen9 on November 28, 2008 at 1:05 PM
It’s Walmart for Christsakes! Get a grip. What would Obama think? (got to get that last one in, because this is deep blue demobama territory).
eaglewingz08 on November 28, 2008 at 1:06 PM
when the title is “Consumerism as mass psychosis.” it’s an attack on the style of market we have and thus it opens the debate to the alternative, and that would be “Obama’s Bread Lines”… so yes I “really need to”… this has nothing to do with consumerism, it’s about stupid people. or… are we trying to insinuate that if they all had God in their hearts they would have gone into some sycophant display of chip & dale courtesy? please…
Kaptain Amerika on November 28, 2008 at 1:07 PM
AHhh the joys of Black Friday shopping online…. Same deals. Less mess.
Luckedout on November 28, 2008 at 1:08 PM
If WalMart et all are going to advertise big openings then they need to provide crowd control. People are stupid and will become a mob at a moment’s notice. They could just as easily stay open all night but apply the discounts starting at 5:00 a.m. That way there’s no crowd to contend with at the door.
Mojave Mark on November 28, 2008 at 1:10 PM
It’s stories such as this that have made me change my mind about the whole “present thing.” I have informed my kids that Santa will only bring one gift each to them this year and for them to make their choice wisely. I’ve also told them that “mom and dad” gifts will be limited in scope as well. Therefore, I don’t have a ton of christmas shopping to do. I’m tired of the commercial aspects of Christmas and refuse to play into it anymore.
For my gift to my sisters, I am going to “adopt a family” to purchase gifts and clothing for. We are all blessed with everything we need and presents to each other seem so frivolous.
pullingmyhairout on November 28, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Apparently when you’re living on borrowed time ( and money ), you’re in a hurry..
the_nile on November 28, 2008 at 1:13 PM
OK, apart from the tragedy of this story, and the comments of the commercialism and the materialism of it all, I have to say that I am actually surprised this is happening. By that I mean that listening to the news you’d think this is going to be a lousy Christmas for everyone because of the economy, and everyone will just be miserable, and the media and the Left will blame Bush and shout, “Why can’t we have Obama. now?!?!”
I was traveling Wednesday, and every news story I heard on the radio was how airports were not even busy for air travellers, so the economy was blamed that there were fewer travelers this Thanksgiving. Well, I got into a good share of traffic, traveling through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts!
So, I am not going to fall for any news stories that say the holiday season is going to be lousy because of the economy. Stories like this tell me just the opposite!
ToddonCapeCod on November 28, 2008 at 1:13 PM
Wethal, there are a few thousand Walmarts and about 12 other hours of the day they’re open. stampede deaths are obnoxiously tragic, one would only hope they’d apply a little perspective when whatever they’re after will still be there every day for the next month.
cpr on November 28, 2008 at 1:15 PM
I’ve never understood what drives people into such a frenzy on Black Friday – especially now that you can find all the same deals on the Internet and simply order from the safety and sanity of your own home.
Personally, I don’t even participate in holiday gift giving. I tell people not to bother giving me anything and I don’t waste my money or time shopping for others. I also don’t let the calendar dictate what I’m going to eat for dinner or who I’m going to spend my time with. That makes life a lot easier.
Sign of the Dollar on November 28, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Ed,
Good post. This consumerism is a religion. Exit rhetorical question, How many of these manslaughtering rushers made their purchases with credit cards that they are unlikely to payoff in the near future?
Sin is madness.
shick on November 28, 2008 at 1:18 PM
I’ll betcha 90% of these stampeding sheeple voted for Obama.
ErinF on November 28, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Good point. When even our local churches are embracing consumerism (selling and marketing Jesus like a product), you know we have a problem.
terryannonline on November 28, 2008 at 1:21 PM
And most of the stuff purchased will break or be forgotten within a few months.
shick on November 28, 2008 at 1:22 PM
This is so sad! It is precisely why I beg off EVERY year from going shopping with the sister in laws and two of my sisters for Black Friday shopping! I get the cold shoulder for the rest of the weekend but who cares, I would rather spend the time at home with my two awesome sons on their day off from school. It comes from experience as I worked at a K-Mart while in college when the Cabbage Patch dolls came out. We had racks of them in the back and I watched people punching and kicking each other and grabbing them off the shelf like it was the last one ever! My boys will not get much at all this year as times a difficult right now as a single mom but they know this and the youngest one is going thru his toys today to give to another kid that I found out about from work. It’s a special time.
Coastal Paradise on November 28, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Must have thought they were at a Who concert
Locrian on November 28, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Thank God I’m Jewish and don’t have to deal with this stuff.
rokemronnie on November 28, 2008 at 1:27 PM
My family stopped gift giving for the most part years ago…partially due to financial reasons and partially because my sons are all grown now and it’s just not a big deal. We get together and eat. ha. I might buy them a book they want or something warm to wear if I have extra money, but mostly I just cook them their favorite thing…lasagna. They might give me a gift card. The grandson gets presents, that’s about it. None of us would be tempted to go anywhere near a mall or especially a WalMart under conditions like Black Friday. It’s earned its name today. Sorry God. These people are sickening and what someone said is true, no wonder the world thinks badly of Americans. Today, I’m ashamed.
scalleywag on November 28, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Can we get this moron banned?
jimmy the notable on November 28, 2008 at 1:29 PM
The crazy priorities that we all see some have in this country. I would fight for my family, country etc., but never a toy or an electronic. What a shame. Wipe our mouths from a nice thanksgiving dinner and then go out and trample someone to death. WOW!
DJ from MA on November 28, 2008 at 1:32 PM
Very true. Those churches don’t know what the gospel is. They try to market Christ to a world that doesn’t want Him. The church is called to preach the Gospel that all who would believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life. We do not need to include gimmicks. The Holy Spirit will convict man of his sin and help him turn from it and trust in the righteousness of Christ for his salvation.
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. – John 3:5-6
shick on November 28, 2008 at 1:32 PM
cial time.
Coastal Paradise on November 28, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Right on! In Seattle I saw mothers line up on a rumor that the UPS truck might be bringing a new shipment of Beany Bears.They sat in front of the store in the scorching heat with their poor kids and waited sometimes all day long. They couldn’t leave without risking their spot in line. When the truck didn’t show, they’d come back the next day and do it all over again. Unbelieveable. And now what are those beany babies worth? Nothing.
scalleywag on November 28, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Why are “Obama’s bread lines” the natural alternative to consumerism as mass psychosis? There’s no middle ground between consumerism and bread lines? You really don’t need to argue that people have to have God in their heart to avoid trampling others to death. I’m sure it’s something that even the godless atheists like Allahpundit can understand.
sublime on November 28, 2008 at 1:36 PM
But no matter what the real story is, as far as I can tell after a fairly extensive search, it’s ONE SOLITARY ISOLATED INCIDENT among all the Black Friday news reports today.
An unfortunate incident at ONE SOLITARY location does not an abandonment of humanity make.
I agree.
Weren’t some college students crushed at a football game (Wisconsin?) a few years ago? These horrible things happen.
It’s a tragedy, but don’t turn it into some larger message about society.
MayBee on November 28, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Prayers be with the family of the worker who was probably barely making minimum wage when he was trampled to death over people trying to save 50 bucks on a new television.
johnnyU on November 28, 2008 at 1:38 PM
There is nothing in this world I would ever want bad enough to go shopping on Black Friday. I’d rather go without.
I am proud to say I never have and I never will set foot near any form of retail establishment the day after Thanksgiving.
tru2tx on November 28, 2008 at 1:41 PM
I detest frivolous lawsuits, but this time I want to see WalMart get taken for a bumpy ride down that long, dark tunnel to the tune of millions. I refuse to shop anywhere that not only allows but encourages such behavior, and I refuse to participate in Black Friday.
RightTurnOnly on November 28, 2008 at 1:41 PM
One of my first thoughts was, New York City?
MB4 on November 28, 2008 at 1:47 PM
They will take this event and blame it on America as a christian nation. They would be partially correct as American Christianity no longer preaches the gospel. And they will respond by committing other terrible sins in the name of Allah.
The world is deluded by its sin and Satan.
shick on November 28, 2008 at 1:53 PM
A bizarre remark, Chuck. Do you believe that mob hysteria is a uniquely American trait?
How many Muslims are trampled every year during the Hajj pilgrimage? In January of this year, it was 1,426.
This is human frailty, not American.
cheeflo on November 28, 2008 at 1:59 PM
What, to save $15.00 on a cheap DVD player? Not me, or mine!
FireBlogger on November 28, 2008 at 2:00 PM
That mall and area are known for lawlessness and violence. Several years back there were a spate of shootings in the multiplex at that mall. It is a violent place full of violent people, and has been largely abandoned as a destination for shopping except for those living nearby.
JiangxiDad on November 28, 2008 at 2:03 PM
johngalt on November 28, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Can we get this moron banned?
jimmy the notable on November 28, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Why not just argue your point instead of shouting mine down, fascist ? Sorry to point out the elephant in the room, but if you’re not going to face the facts about black America in 2008 then you’re not going to fix the problems…we all excused the behavior of the animals in new orleans after Katrina and what have we wrought ? a murder rate 10 times that of baghdads ? The view from your high horse might appear lovely, but get a little closer to the muck at your feet and you’ll see things a bit clearer.
And as for “moron…stupid as stupid does, my friend.
johngalt on November 28, 2008 at 2:06 PM
Good comment. Thanks for the Hajj fact.
shick on November 28, 2008 at 2:11 PM
ps, I might add that the valley stream mall movie theatre has installed metal detectors after multiple shootings….there’s a cancer in these neighborhoods, and it gets worse each generation.
johngalt on November 28, 2008 at 2:12 PM
I’ve been “a little closer to the muck” and you’re still a complete moron.
crr6 on November 28, 2008 at 2:13 PM
FYI the man who died is black. You might wanna watch the video.
upinak on November 28, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Personally, I love to shop online .. can’t beat it.
Besides, USPS, UPS and FedEx deliver right to my door, and I feel like it’s MY Christmas, several times in a coupla weeks ! hahaha.
Prayers for anyone/familes hurt in such a useless pursuit.
I believe the reference is to the GREEDINESS of Amercans.
Can hardly disagree.
pambi on November 28, 2008 at 2:15 PM
I read about this earlier today, and it just makes me sick to my stomach. The mob mentality of it all is why I avoid stores for this entire weekend. Including Christmas and New Year’s. It’s just not worth it to me. Especially now when so many retailers offer deals online (and not just on that Friday).
I am only 5ft tall, and almost got trampled once. At a university event, and once the doors opened, everybody started pushing and shoving trying to get in. I felt myself going under, and it was only b/c my friend was holding me up that I made it through that mob. I feel for the man that lost his life.
Dubn8tr on November 28, 2008 at 2:16 PM
I worked for a very well known apparel and footwear company years ago (let’s call them… Bok-Ree,) and I recall the marketing team ended up with a couple of pallets worth of samples and one-offs that they needed to get rid of to make room for the new line. They ended up announcing an ‘employee-only’ sale where you could pick items up for literally pennies on the dollar.
On the day of the sale one of my buddies ran up to my cubicle and said, “Come here – you’ve got to see this.” We took the elevator down to the area they had cordoned off for the sale, and stepped off into what can best be described as a corporate ’soccer riot’ in full swing. The shoppers (and I’m sorry, but most of them were the ladies,) were grabbing up multiple items from the racks, pulling out the sizes they were after, then dumping the rest on the floor. One gal in particular was tearing through a large box of clothing with one hand, while she used the elbow of the other to fend of the competition like she was fighting for a hockey puck. Needless to say the poor marketing guys were standing around agog with a ‘what hath we wrought?’ look on their collective faces.
These were mostly white, mostly well educated women who already had access to a generous employee purchase program, yet the lure of a few extra dollars saved on last season’s purple sneakers seemed to unleash some bizarre ‘beast within. I’m loathe to make sweeping generalities, but I jut don’t get it. I’ve seen the same behavior on T.V. when hundreds of ‘brides-to-be’ bum-rush the wedding gown racks at Filenes Basement once a year in something closer to the ‘running of the bulls’ than to any retail experience I can relate to.
Is this perhaps the female version of a contact sport?
CaptFlood on November 28, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Amen, johnny. They should print posters of this guy’s picture and how he died, and require them to be posted on the doors of every retail store next year. Maybe it would make the morons realize that a human life is just a bit more important than grabbing an Elmo Live for their oversugared crotchspawn.
GoHskrs on November 28, 2008 at 2:18 PM
That was in Cincinnati, story here and summary here.
olympian2008 on November 28, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Chill, Brethren and Sistren! Once The 0bama ascends to the Presidency, and after a year of his great 0bamaness, we’ll all ease back on Christmas, back to its roots as a Holy Day and we’ll all be whooping it up for Kwanza! Yee-haw!!!
GeneSmith on November 28, 2008 at 2:23 PM
I understand–nay, I EXPECT–this kind of thing to happen in other countries. I’m ashamed that this happens in America, but I expect it will get worse, not better.
freedom_nut on November 28, 2008 at 2:24 PM
So if you got caught in that stampede, will they extend the sale so you can be sure to get your presents?
lorien1973 on November 28, 2008 at 2:25 PM
maineconservative, can you be more specific as to what “Chinese crap” you are referring to that is not available at other retailers? When I go to Target or Costco and then to WalMart, I see the exact same “crap”. Are you telling me that the ipods WalMart sells are different than the ones the other stores sell?
Tomblvd on November 28, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Most of my friends and family are going to be getting a big plate of home-made cookies this year. I spent 17 years doing retail. I’ll be staying as far away from any stores as I can for the next month.
trigon on November 28, 2008 at 2:27 PM
And as for “moron…stupid as stupid does, my friend.
johngalt on November 28, 2008 at 2:06 PM
FYI the man who died is black. You might wanna watch the video.
upinak on November 28, 2008 at 2:15 PM
How is that relevant ? I’m talking about the tendency of blacks to riot and stampede and to treat human life as something worthless…its the same mindset that muslims have all over the world….a sense of entitlement, and a willingness to get theirs or get even , regardles of the cost to others.
you can call me names all day, but it doesn’t change the basic facts.
johngalt on November 28, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Bull sh*t.
This has nothing to do with consumerism of any sort, and everything to do with stupid and greedy people.
It used to be that the left would participate in blaming ‘consumerism‘ and capitalism for whatever they liked, such as promoting socialism. They’d point to stories like this in a way to say that we are all greedy. And that greed is bad. And that the root of the problem is capitalism and we should be less like America and more like other countries. They promoted the anti-after thanksgiving movement in a buy nothing day or other idiotic farces.
This has nothing to do with me, or the millions of others who didn’t participate in this. This has everything to do with the few stupid people who caused this. Don’t insult me.
wise_man on November 28, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Why not just argue your point instead of shouting mine down, fascist ? Sorry to point out the elephant in the room, but if you’re not going to face the facts about black America in 2008 then you’re not going to fix the problems…we all excused the behavior of the animals in new orleans after Katrina and what have we wrought ? a murder rate 10 times that of baghdads ? The view from your high horse might appear lovely, but get a little closer to the muck at your feet and you’ll see things a bit clearer.
And as for “moron…stupid as stupid does, my friend.
johngalt on November 28, 2008 at 2:06 PM
I’ve been “a little closer to the muck” and you’re still a complete moron.
crr6 on November 28, 2008 at 2:13 PM
I’m sorry, if there’s a point to your post, I’ve missed it. again, petty insults do not impress me. Convince me I am wrong through factual argument, continue to screech and throw feces, and you don’t warrant my attention, little monkey.
johngalt on November 28, 2008 at 2:30 PM
For me shopping the day after Christmas is a tradition. I usually have most of my shopping done by this time, but it is just fun to get out and see the people. Form the looks of things in Wichita, KS, there is no economic down turn. The stores were packed when I went out about 7 am. Walmart was busy, Kohls was jam pcaked, Target was so-so, but the mall was a zoo. I didn’t dare go to Dillards for fear of being trampled, but Von Maur was busy.
bopbottle on November 28, 2008 at 2:31 PM
But no matter what the real story is, as far as I can tell after a fairly extensive search, it’s ONE SOLITARY ISOLATED INCIDENT among all the Black Friday news reports today.
An unfortunate incident at ONE SOLITARY location does not an abandonment of humanity make.
I agree.
Weren’t some college students crushed at a football game (Wisconsin?) a few years ago? These horrible things happen.
It’s a tragedy, but don’t turn it into some larger message about society.
MayBee on November 28, 2008 at 1:37 PM
That mall and area are known for lawlessness and violence. Several years back there were a spate of shootings in the multiplex at that mall. It is a violent place full of violent people, and has been largely abandoned as a destination for shopping except for those living nearby.
JiangxiDad on November 28, 2008 at 2:03 PM
EXACTLY my point, its NOT an isolated incident, and treating it as if it were only enables it to continue. Its an area where the majority is prone to violence and lawlessness.
johngalt on November 28, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Towards the end of the Breitbart video, as CPR was being performed, you can hear 2 women laughing. It’s very disturbing.
And say what you want about johngalts posts, but I know Long Island, and Valley Stream/Green Acres mall is a sh*thole and it speaks to the people who live there that they were milling around laughing.
CarolynM on November 28, 2008 at 2:33 PM
upinak on November 28, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Indeed it did. 1993 game vs. Michigan as a matter of fact. UW had just won the game, 13-10, and the students decided to rush the field. The only problem was that there was a fence in the way. Well, if you have enough idiots you can always knock over a fence. Fortunately there were no fatalities, but it was a near thing. The PA announced that there were several pulse-less nonbreathers on the field and would be people get out of the way to allow the ambulances through?
I love going to Badger games, but boy the students are idiots.
PackerBronco on November 28, 2008 at 2:40 PM
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