Monday, Indianapolis, Indiana

It wasn’t the first time it’s happened, but yet again there was a shopping mob that went ballistic and trampled an innocent victim to death! At a Wal-Mart store on Long Island a drooling gang of lunatic shoppers - fearful that they would miss out on a sale of laptops - steamrolled a worker as they poured into the store. In the middle of their frenzy none hesitated to check on the condition of the felled victim. They all just plowed ahead.

While it may not be possible to bring criminal charges against these idiots, we can only hope that each is wracked with painful guilt for what they have done. And isn’t it time that the managers of these stores figure out how to manage these situations? Why are they still opening the store by all at once unlocking the doors to let the crowd literally run amok inside? They do this every year with the same results. What did they think would happen this time?

It is a distressing revelation that America’s values have become so distorted that consumer success appears to trump all other achievements. What is the essence of modern life? We work for money to spend on stuff…and work some more to buy more stuff. Needing the stuff or even being clear that we can afford the stuff is secondary to getting the stuff. Buying: this summarizes the essential meaning of life…for millions. Even with borrowed money or delayed credit, getting, having and getting some more is the urgent life necessity.

With this as a priority, it’s no wonder we would trample anyone that got in the way between us and the stuff. Sickness.