XMAS EXCESS

nypost.com ^ | December 4, 2003 | George F. Will

[Destro]

IN sorting out the sociological significance of the fact that rival shoppers, according to the trampled woman's sister, "walked over her like a herd of elephants," note that elephants do not behave that way to others of their species, even when they are stampeded by a 6 a.m. siren announcing, on the famously anarchic day after Thanksgiving, open season on a finite supply of $29 DVD players. But, then, elephants do not have Christmas celebrations.

[Destro]

Ho! Ho! Ho!

[Conspiracy Guy]

XMAS EXCESS

Looks like minimalism. Christmas is a much bigger and meaningful word that XMAS.

[stainlessbanner]

I believe they found a DVD player underneath the unconsious, trampled woman.

[lelio]

I have little sympathy for the trampled woman. She should of looked at herself, freezing in the cold at 5AM in front of a Walmart with 1000 other people and asked herself "How on earth did my life come down to this?"

[Orangedog]

I will be so glad when the silly-season is over.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

What's amusing, is we can relate to bargain hunting, as a sport, but then mock her because she fell victim to other's greed.

I also think no one wanted to help her, because, who wants to be sued... or worse yet, trampled themselves.

[KellyAdmirer]

Wal-Mart should have done what better stores do that morning and given out tickets for the most popular limited items.

[lelio]

Part of me thinks that this is a new religion: wanting to be a part of a group that's there for a shared experience. Hey look, we're all freezing cold out here in the parking lot as we want to save $10 on a cheap DVD! Its almost as if people's life goals are to find bargains and revel in the social atmosphere of consumerism.

That or I just get grumpy when I think people's lives have been reduced to pushing each other out of the way trying to get a shopping cart.

[CJ Wolf]

"I believe they found a DVD player underneath the unconsious, trampled woman."

This is true, however someone took that one from her unconsious hands and she was issued a raincheck.

[avg_freeper]

I have little sympathy for the trampled woman.

What part of your "sympathy" is so valuable that trampled women aren't deserving of it?

[Lijahsbubbe]

Eh, it's just plain ol' everyday greed. People can't stand the thought of not being in on a deal that someone else is getting, even if they don't need the DVD player.

[Interious]

Think you missed the point.

[stainlessbanner]

Unreal. I would pay $10 more and keep my sanity (and my health).

[lelio]

What part of your "sympathy" is so valuable that trampled women aren't deserving of it?

To each his own. You pays your money (or in this case, time) and you takes your chances.

[stars & stripes forever]

Eh, it's just plain ol' everyday greed. People can't stand the thought of not being in on a deal that someone else is getting, even if they don't need the DVD player

The sad thing about this frenzy is that the DVDs will be overstocked by January...and no one will want them. What ever happened to WAIT?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I didn't rush out to my Walmart, but I know someone who did. I envy them for the deal that they found, and they returned home unharmed.

But, I have been cutting back on shopping, since Christmas of 2001. September 11th taught me that I have so much more to be grateful for, than just the gadgets and gizmos of American life.

I give gifts, because I want people to know that I love them... but, I am not trying to buy their affection.

I am fortunate in that my children are really young, and haven't entered the "gimme" phase, and don't know what all the other kids have under the tree this year.

We all WANT things, but it is good to remember all that we have already, and be grateful that we don't NEED like others do.

[Alberta's Child]

Part of me thinks that this is a new religion: wanting to be a part of a group that's there for a shared experience. Hey look, we're all freezing cold out here in the parking lot as we want to save $10 on a cheap DVD! Its almost as if people's life goals are to find bargains and revel in the social atmosphere of consumerism.

I think you're absolutely right about that. This exact thought occurred to me a few years ago when I accompanied a friend of mine to another state to buy Powerball lottery tickets. As we stood outside after 11:00 PM at a convenience store, on a long line that snaked around the building, I remember thinking, "This has now become an 'event' of sorts that exceeds the simple action of buying lottery tickets."

Then: "I can't believe these people have nothing better to do than stand on line like this at 11:00 PM buying lottery tickets."

Then: "What the hell am I doing on this line at 11:00 PM buying lottery tickets????"

[EggsAckley]

I'm making (odd) refridgerator magnets for everyone this year. It's fun to do, and they really enjoy them. Like you, I'm done with the commerciality of Christmas.

[Alberta's Child]

Eh, it's just plain ol' everyday greed. People can't stand the thought of not being in on a deal that someone else is getting, even if they don't need the DVD player.

LOL. That reminds me of the scene from the "Tornado Episode" of the animated show "King of the Hill."

People are running around in a frenzy at the Megalo-Mart, clearing the shelves of food, water, etc.

Hank Hill, who had stopped there to pick up a fuel filter when his truck broke down on the nearby road, went to the checkout line with what turned out to be the last fuel filter they had in stock.

"He's gawt the last few-el filtur!" someone shouted, and people began scrambling to the front of the store to get their hands on a fuel filter that they didn't even need.

[tom paine 2]

This is the reason it will be almost impossible to reform entitlements.