2 men shot dead in Toys 'R' Us brawl; Wal-Mart worker dies after rampaging shoppers knock him down

Saturday 29th November, 06:50 AM JST

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Betzee at 04:00 PM JST - 1st December

if Toys-R-Us erupted in the gunfight that would ensue if a bunch of anonymous shoppers whipped out pistols, no one knowing the other from a hole in the ground.

Another penetrating insight. If it ever came to that, stores like Toys 'R Us would never allow shoppers to bring guns in; they would install metal detectors. This is understandable given the likelihood of lawsuits that would result from a lot of uncoordinated shooting in which innocent bystanders got hurt.
Betzee at 12:00 PM JST - 2nd December

Andrew Leonard had an interesting take on this in his salon.com column today:

Consumer spending makes up 70 percent of the economy, and consumer spending is undergoing a sharp, economically destabilizing decline. The less we shop, the worse it gets. No shoppers equals declining profits for businesses equals layoffs equals even fewer Americans with the wherewithal to shop. And so on. This vicious circle has led some observers to declare that shopping is an act of patriotism....

One can even make the case that the Wal-Mart shoppers were especially rational consumers. Prices are absurdly low for a vast array of consumer items right now, and when money is tight, taking advantage of discounted offerings is not only prudent but a two-fer! Good for the economy and good for your pocketbook.

Seen from this light, the Wal-Mart stampede, while horrible and obscene in its localized impact, might also seem to be exactly what the entire economy needs. And come on -- the carnage is easily avoidable; just do your stampeding online. Give Santa a hand: Christmas is just three weeks away, and your friends and relatives aren't the only ones lusting after a present -- so is the U.S. economy!

The problem is, as he goes on to point out, the U.S. economy is contracting, at a rate of at least 4% per quarter. This kind of binge buying of big-screen TVs is not enough to offset that, particularly when retailers have slashed prices so low they are hardly making any profit. Only Uncle Sam can turn the situation around by going on a spending spree, preferably on infrastructure investment.
Betzee at 09:50 PM JST - 2nd December

This letter sums it up pretty well:

I was horrified to read about the tragic and unnecessary death of a Wal-Mart worker, Jdimytai Damour, and I extend my sympathies to his family.

It appears that many of us need a reality check to remember that the sanctity of irreplaceable and priceless life far outweighs the momentary benefits associated with garnering cheap toys that will end up in the trash heap a few months later.

Though blame for this tragic incident rests primarily upon the barbarians who rushed the door, corporate America must shoulder some blame for creating the hype surrounding the ritual known as Black Friday that causes some aggressive and nasty people to do horrible things.

Having only a few deeply discounted items in stock when more than a thousand people come to purchase this item only abets the desperate hysteria and poisoned, competitive dog-eat-dog atmosphere.

All Americans need to reflect on this tragedy as we approach the season of what should be good will toward all humankind and ensure that it never happens again.
Ah_so at 05:57 AM JST - 3rd December

Kinda sounds like you agree with the the Swiss model and we should train every American male in the use of assault rifles and allow them to keep them.

I think this is because Swiss are grown up and mature and so can be trusted with weapons. This does not translate into an argument for allowing the citizens of the US to have them.
bushlover at 07:51 AM JST - 3rd December

Some say guns kill. Others say shopping kills. I say Sales kill. Ban all Sales NOW!! You decide for yourselves.
lostrune2 at 09:03 AM JST - 3rd December

That Wal-Mart is actually close to where I am. Was too busy working to actually shop.

As the saying goes: "individuals are smart; people are stupid."
JusticePunk at 04:38 AM JST - 4th December

As the saying goes: "individuals are smart; people are stupid."

Ha, agreed. For one, that line was used in "Men in Black".
whizzer at 04:57 PM JST - 4th December

Are serious ? This story got more hits than the Mumbai story where 101 people were slaughtered by muslim zealots ! Yo folks, get yer priorities straight !
bdiego at 07:28 PM JST - 4th December

We've seen what two shoppers with guns will do, more is just going to turn this into a bad western.

It's sad that a woman would just start punching another. Probably thought, "My man has a gun, I can punch anybody I want!" In front of her own kids, of all things.
usaexpat at 06:26 AM JST - 5th December

whizzer: I concur but you see it's about America and guns two hot button issues for Euro expats to vent about from their ivory towers.
jimenezsnyder at 09:15 AM JST - 5th December

Some blame sales, some blame the "Wild West" mentality, some blame corporate-sponsored hype, some blame guns. In fact, all blame belongs to the individuals who momentarily allowed their animal sensibilities to overcome all basic, decent considerations. This is the basic flaw in America today. Blame pornography, junk food, government, free market depravity, advertising . . . But protect the individual's right to be a complete idiot! No wonder the Russians are laughing at us!
whyamiinjapan at 10:47 AM JST - 5th December

This brings shopping for toys to a new level. Wow.
likeitis at 04:36 PM JST - 5th December

Some blame sales, some blame the "Wild West" mentality, some blame corporate-sponsored hype, some blame guns.

Nobody blamed guns. They blamed easy access to guns, a situation that comes from being awash in them. Its the fact that such outrageous people get them that is the problem, and they will continue to get them until they are gone. I will settle for rare though.
gogogo at 05:01 PM JST - 5th December

Stupid people.
ALHQQ at 06:04 PM JST - 5th December

Guns dont kill people ignorant people and "mega stores" do. Support your local "Main street" "Mom and Pop" store...