While sitting with my family during this Thanksgiving holiday season, I decided to address my boredom by perusing some non-real estate blogs. Unfortunately, my search made me aware of some disturbing and disheartening news.

According to a New York Post report, an unidentified man, believed to be a Walmart employee, was trampled by early-morning Black Friday shoppers at the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, NY.

About one hour later, the Walmart employee was pronounced DEAD!

NOV. 29, 2008 UPDATE -- Shootout at the O.K. Corral? (nope  just your local Toys 'R Us!)

Now....if you are a professional shopper or someone that lives for the RETAIL Christmas season, the following questions might seem stupid. However, I am not an expert in the retail arena. Therefore, please bear with my ignorance.

Question 1: What was so important about Black Friday Walmart prices that would create an environment conducive to ending the life of someone trying to put food on his table during this holiday season?

Question 2: What is the justification for allowing our priorities to be dominated by a passion for unbridled consumer consumption?

Question 3: Will this incident have a profound, permanent impact on your view about what is important during this or any time of year?

As I have said many times during 2008, this year has been one of the most challenging, disappointing and, at times, sad years during my time on this dying planet called Earth.

I don't like hearing about death and dying. I ESPECIALLY don't like to hear about senseless deaths.

Attention Walmart Shoppers! Please help me understand why this event must happen. By no means am I being judgmental. It's hard to judge what you don't understand. However, I need to understand the reason why people would act in such a way that would jeopardize someone's life.

I am especially anxious to hear from those that participated in Black Friday Shopping before 7am. What is so important about shopping at this time that creates the environment for chaos, frustration, rudeness and, eventually, death?

If I could have three Christmas wishes, one would be to bring peace to this grieving family. The second would be to help our country defeat this "consume by any means necessary" mindset.

The third would be reserved for discussion between my Maker and me.

If I have offended, I apologize. Charge it to my ignorance and not malice aforethought!