Peace on Earth, etc.

November 29, 2008 -- RE The front page of today's Herald Bulletin -- Which is the more shocking news story? One hundred fifty (200 at last count) being killed in more than three days of terrorist attacks in Mumbia, or one WalMart greeter being killed by 2000 rampaging shoppers in New York?

We have become accustomed to reading about Black Friday atrocities throughout the years, but I believe this is the first time a store employee has been reported killed in a shopping stampede. Terrorist attacks, especially overseas, have not been all that common, but who really cares, despite the fact that several of the victims were American?

Lest we blame the East Coast crowd of rabid day-after-Thanksgiving shoppers for all the mayhem at the malls this year, Inside the newspaper was the story of two men gunned down in a Palm Desert, California toy store on Black Friday. They shot each other to death, apparently arguing over a purchase.

Black Friday is supposed to represent to retailers, a day when their ledger books show an income, as opposed to Red Friday, which would indicate a monetary loss. I propose we change the name to Bloody Friday in commemoration of the WalMart greeter who died in New York and the two nuts in Palm Desert.