Savaging Ourselves

How in the world will we ever come together to solve our own internal problems, let alone external forces, when we can treat each ther like this? A man trampled and dieing WHILE SHOPPERS CONTINUED TO RUSH IN. For what? To save a few bucks?

I have also seen alternate reports where the 28 yr old woman miscarried or the baby was fine.

I was an Assistant Manager at a small retail store duirng the worst of the Cabbage Patch Baby craze. Shoppers knew when we got shipments and would wait at the door hours before opening. We got rushed, once, and they brought the glass door down.

After that the manager and I would go to those doors just before opening carrying baseball bats. Never had another problem.

This is way worse than that ever was. Priorities in this country are seriously fucked up.

from WABC:

Worker dies in Black Friday store rush
Friday, November 28, 2008 2:54 PM
Eyewitness News
VALLEY STREAM (WABC) -- A Wal-Mart employee died and four others were hurt in the Black Friday rush to get into the Valley Stream store this morning.

The injuries occurred as the shoppers crammed into the Wal-Mart when the doors opened at 5 a.m. Some 2,000 shoppers were waiting to get inside the store for Black Friday sales. Police said the shoppers knocked the man to the ground at 5:03 a.m., three minutes after the store opened.

Kimberly Cribbs, who witnessed the stampede, said shoppers were acting like "savages.... When they were saying they had to leave, that an employee got killed, people were yelling 'I've been on line since yesterday morning. They kept shopping."

A 34-year-old Wal-Mart employee suffered an apparent heart attack and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy will determine the exact cause of death. His name was not released.

Four others were also hurt in the crush, including a 28-year-old pregnant woman. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors determined her baby was fine.

The store was closed to incoming shoppers following the incident. Those already inside were escorted out with their purchases.

The ensuing emergency activity clogged the Green Acres Mall parking lot. The Wal-Mart remained closed while police investigated.

Nassau County police spokesman Lt. Michael Fleming described the scene as "utter chaos." "This crowd was out of control," he said.

Criminal charges were possible in the case, but Fleming said it would be difficult to identify individual shoppers. Authorities were reviewing surveillance video. The store reopened around 1:00 p.m.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in Bentonville, Ark., called the incident a "tragic situation" and said the employee came from a temporary agency and was doing maintenance work at the store.
"The safety and security of our customers and associates is our top priority," said Wal-Mart representative Dan Fogleman. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families at this difficult time. At this point, facts are still being assembled and we are working closely with the Nassau County police as they investigate what occurred."