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Is It Better to Give Than to Receive? Black Friday Has Earned The Name!

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!

Posted by Columbia SC Homes for Sale by David Patterson on 11/28/2008 04:18 PM

Comments (14)

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14 Comments on Is It Better to Give Than to Receive? Black Friday Has Earned The Name!

NOV

David, I saw that article in the NY Times and was disgusted that people would be so intent on holiday savings that they would trample someone in an effort to get them. Seems so contrary to what the holiday season is all about.

Hi David,

I saw this on Twitter countless times this morning. Completely senseless and gives great pause. Especially as we look at things like the housing market, financial markets, unemployment and were are so disturbed, how could this happen.

A priority on the wrong things, that's how. Being mindless, that's how.

Witness the Walmart incident....you don't need to look much further.

Time to wake up and the priorities straight.

NOV

David - Well stated. The fact that the employee was only 34 years old really made me think, too. Did you see the pictures from the "mob" there? I am guessing that this could have happened elsewhere. It made me wonder if stores will re-think how they do things from now on? We only participated in the super-early sales one year, and they went down the line asking everyone what they were hoping to buy, then assigning numbers. It was very organized (Best Buy).

David a Walmart employee died right here in Virginia about 45 miles from my house - trampled by customers at 5 am. Absolutely nuts! I really hope that someone starts making some changes because if not it may just get worse!

It is senseless. We don't have money this year for Christmas but it would never be worth it to try and get some huge in exchange someone life!!! This sickens me!

I read this same article and was completely disguted! I couldnt believe what was so improtant that they ran over the guy and would stop, then they asked people to leave adnd wouldn't.

What is this world coming too?

NOV

I hope they catch these people based on the store video and the arrest them for man slaughter as they should be! Congratulstions on reaching the one year mark on Activerain, not that many do!

DEC

I am asking the same questions! It's amazing to me to see how people act when they can get tv's or cameras for 50% off the original price. Was it worth it?! And then, the people in the store after the trampling occurred were asked to leave because of the death. The customers threw a fit because of that. They didn't care that someone just died- they just wanted to I-Pod!

Last year was the first year in a long time that I watched the Charlie Brown Christmas special. It was kinda funny to see the message in that was about the crazy consumerism that has run rampant into this holiday. It really is too bad that back in the 50's or 60's (whenever that movie came out) we were asking the same questions we are today. Haven't we learned anything?!

The best way to deal with this and any tough things within our society is to deal with them within ourselves. We can't change anyone, but we can change ourselves. Examine how you act or react and teach. Teach and help people to realize within themselves. If we do this maybe we can avoid these type of things from happening!

Kind Regards, Nicole Weidauer

The Egerer & Weidauer Team, Keller Williams Realty North Seattle

David, no words. Very sad.

I too was saddened by this story. There are a few problems here....

1, people standing in the cold all night become very agitated, tired, and feel entitled to get the "prize" at any cost. It creates an atmosphere ripe for violence.

2. In a large crowd if people at the back start pushing, people in the front don't really have the power to stop moving forward. It's like a stampede

3. I blame the retailers for creating this monster. They should offer more incentives online and let the people stay home to shop. They should stop these crazy sales in the middle of the night.

For those who wanted to continue shopping despite killing a man, I say shame on them. Do they have no respect? It's only material STUFF....why does it really matter?

DEC

I was shocked when i first heard about both of theese incidents. I could not seem to grasp the idea of people getting hurt and even killed over a few sales. It put a big damper on what should be a time for family and fun!

DEC

David,

The senselessness of that event should make all of us pause.

DEC

Don't blame it on Wal-Mart, blame it on society and its unbridled G&G (growth and greed). Read about all the Black Friday deaths in the past. They happen each year and not just at Wal-Mart. In fact, you forgot to mention the two deaths in Palm Desert CA at the Toys R Us.

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