Wal-Mart Worker Trampled to Death on Black Friday

I really don't know what to say about shoppers busting in the door at Wal-Mart and killing a man. I thought it might be one of those "urban legends," but I checked. The New York Times reported on the Wal-Mart Black Friday death.

I like a good deal as much as the next person, but I don't like to save a buck or two enough to shop on Black Friday. This year I slept in as I do typically on Black Friday. I don't think I've ever done a shopping spree the day after Thanksgiving, because I've heard the "stories."

Last year my brother got up at some gosh awful hour like 4 a.m. to get to town and wait in line to get a deal on a laptop computer. Of course, he did not end up with the great deal computer. And, he said that folks waiting out in the cold for voucher slips were ugly - even in the South where manners are considered pretty important.

"Ugly" is one thing. Busting in the doors and killing a man is quite another thing.

When I was reading up about the Wal-Mart death, I noted that this was a guy who was in his 30s and also that he only landed a temp holiday job. Good grief. A few bucks for the holidays cost him his life.

There are some notes online about Wal-Mart not doing what they should do to protect employees. Frankly, I can't imagine that Wal-Mart (or any store) should expect shoppers to bust in the doors and walk all over an employee.

Times are tough. I know that. But, there's no excuse for this type of shopping frenzy. Nothing that Wal-Mart sells could be worth the life of a man who was only trying to do his job.

My heart goes out to the family of the man who died standing behind the doors at Wal-Mart, and I hope that the shoppers who rushed the door will think about what is really important in this world.

Could you go to jail for leaving neutral feedback on Ebay?

People are nuts, but you probably knew that. Some guy has sued Steve Shelhorn, because he left neutral feedback on Ebay.

If you've never shopped Ebay, then they have a system where you can rate the shopping experience. Feedback can be positive, neutral or negative. Simple enough - in theory.

Until recently, both buyers and sellers could leave feedback. In other words, you could buy an item off Ebay and be rated. Hum. Let's see. Can you imagine that Wal-Mart or Belks or your favorite fast food restaurant hands you a score after you stop in and drop some bucks.

The Ebay brass decided to do away with the rating the buyer thing. Too much abuse. There were some real Ebay horror stories regarding this mutual feedback thing.

I used to buy at Ebay (and do - for the record - have 100% on my feedback), but I avoid Ebay pretty much now. I got tired of the emails begging for feedback, and that's how they came off - no matter how they were worded. Typically, I left positive feedback. If things weren't just perfect, I'd usually just let it go. After a while, I quit leaving feedback for those sellers who sent emails telling me that once I left feedback, they would bless me with a positive as a buyer. Paying up and almost instantly (with PayPal) wasn't good enough. If I wanted a vote of confidence (when I really didn't much care), I'd have to go first. I'm sure some sellers will justify that. You can click to the Ebay discussion boards and see all manner of explaining and complaining about buyers.

In the few cases where I did leave neutrals or negative feedback, I explained.

Fortunately, I was never sued.

It really blows my mind that some coin seller filed a court case against some guy who rated the transaction neutral on Ebay.

What is neutral? It's neutral. Not great. Not bad.

Poor Steve. He had to pay a lawyer $500 to defend him in this bogus law suit.

From what I understand, Ebay does dock rankings for neutrals, but buyers would not know that. If coin guy has an issue with how he stacks up when he gets a neutral, then he should take that up with Ebay and not take it out on Steve.

Steve isn't planning on leaving any more feedback on Ebay. Who could blame him? It's nice to give other buyers the heads up, and that is the idea with feedback. Unfortunately, that's been gamed so bad at Ebay, that you have to find someone close to 100% to feel safe. You think 85% runs a "B" level like at school. Oh no. Buy from someone with that kind of rank, and buyer beware.

The really sad thing is that most sellers and most buyers at Ebay are good people. Someone has something to sell. Someone wants that something. They work out the deal online. Happy all round. I know I've been pleased with a number of items I've picked up at Ebay.

I did get burned a couple of times, and Ebay really wasn't any help at all. That backed me off on the site. Now, I really will think twice about Ebay. I'd sure hate to pick up some little knickknack or iPod or tea and end up in court. If I do buy again, I'll remember that old saying, "If you can't something nice, don't say anything at all." But, that means that the bad sellers (or just average neutral sellers) get a "pass." I'd like to tell it how it is (in those rare cases where someone is scamming), but it's not worth getting sued like Steve.

One Almost Grown - And One Brand New Baby

Happy Birthday


And Home with the Little One

When I talk about "the boys," that's two of mine and their two best buddies. The guys have been tight since back in kindergarten. That's one good thing about small towns. You can make and keep friends for life.

I was surprised when I found out my friend (the mother of the other two guys in the foursome) was expecting. Whew! We've got these almost raised, and she's starting over. I was thinking, "Perish the thought." That's on me having another one. I was quite excited about this one on the way.

Today was the second oldest of the Fabulous Four's birthday (Happy Birthday!), and the baby made her first public appearance. She was early and had been at the hospital. This week she came home at a little under six pounds.

What a cutie. I almost wished I had another one . . . but not quite. I think I'll just borrow my friend's little one. I'm not really used to girls, so maybe I could learn some new games, or maybe she'll like to play in the dirt and bring me snakes and frogs too.

If Elizabeth Dole Threw a Party, Would You Go?

I was pretty shocked when Elizabeth Dole ran an ad that ended with a Kay Hagan's picture and a voice (not Kay's as I've discovered) saying, "There is no God." Hagan must have been taken aback too. She has filed suit against Dole for defamation and libel.

Damage control by Dole is another nasty ad. She asks, "If the godless Americans threw a party in your honor, would you go?"

Come on. Who are "godless" Americans? Are they non-Christians? Are they people who sleep in on Sunday morning? Are they people who smoke? People who drink? People who gamble? People who eat Twinkies?

Or, are they just people who don't think like you do?

Or, are they people who don't vote for you?

If Elizabeth Dole threw a party, would you go? If you're from North Carolina, then you'd probably have to get a plane ticket. Dole isn't in North Carolina enough days per year to qualify for in state college tuition. Perhaps she's off partying? Wonder if she checks to see if all her hosts are god-approved, Jesus-stamped hosts?

Kay Hagan Responds to Elizabeth Dole "godless" ad

It didn't take Kay Hagan long to repsond to the "godless" commercial I mentioned in my last blog post. Shortly after I saw the Dole ad, the online posts started cranking up.

If you've missed the commercial, Dole had a thirty second spot that said that Kagan took money from atheists - or godless Americans. The really troubling part, in my opinion, was the end. That showed Hagan's photo and a voice over saying, "There is no God." The voice did sound like Hagan. In fact, I thought perhaps it was a sound bite taken out of context. In fact, that was not Kagan at all. That's where I think the ad really got dirty. Frankly, the whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth, but you just don't do a voice over with a photo when the person didn't make the statement.

Hagan was none too happy. She sent a "cease and desist" letter to Dole. Hagan is calling the ad slander. In fact, it would legally be libel rather than slander, since it's recorded. In any case, Hagan is saying the ad damages her reputation. In North Carolina, being called "godless" is a pretty serious charge. This is the South and the Bible Belt.

Dole refuses to can the ad.

Hagan now has a rebuttal ad out in North Carolina.



Frankly I think that the godless ad will hurt Dole. It's very down and dirty, and that doesn't play well in North Carolina.

Dole should be focusing on the issues and not leading a witch hunt.

CNNBC video - Wake Your Friends Up with a Funny Political Video

A friend sent me a political video today that said that I tipped the 2008 presidential election. I clicked on the link and saw myself as the star of a newscast saying that I didn't bother to get out of bed and that McCain won, because I did not cast my vote.

Now, I'm not saying which way I'm voting. That's personal.

I will, however, say that the video is clever and funny as heck.

The way this works is that you click on the link I put in the first paragraph. You then put in your buddies name and email.

Buddy gets the video link. He or she clicks and then sees what looks like a newscast saying that he/she was the lone voter who made the difference in the election. The show looks real (like a news spot online). Your friend sits there and sees this newscast that looks like the real deal but is only customized and viewable to that person. The name is plugged in here and there to make it look like your buddy is featured. It's kind of like those little customized books that kids like that have them starring in the book.

Do note that you may flip out a friend with this joke video, because it does look so real and work so well. I really scared a buddy who thought I made the video and had posted it. No way. I would not do that to anyone, and I don't have the tech skills even if I wanted to do that.

My friend had a good laugh when I explained it all.

This high tech voting joke is "Paid for by MoveOn.org Political Action, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee." That's just copied from the page. So, you can look and check out the group if you want.

This is a great example of how online marketers can really customize materials to specific users, so regardless of your political leanings, you should find this interesting.

If you want to double check, just click in and send the joke video to yourself. Then, you can see what would go out.

They note on the site that they do not keep your information or spam you, and this did make it through the filters here on my computer.

If you're looking for a laugh and if your buddies have a sense of humor, this really is a classic online spoof video.

Have fun - but don't send this to anyone who is the really nervous type.

Godless American Smear on Kay Hagan - Wow - I Don't Know What to Say About That Mrs. Dole

Politics do get dirty, but I was really shocked at the TV commercial this evening that basically called Kay Hagan the daughter of Satan.

The commercial said that Hagan takes money from a group called Godless Americans PAC and suggested that she supports a number of changes that would not fly well in a conservative state like North Carolina. This was done indirectly by simply linking her to the group and then having quotes from members of the group.

The commercial ended with Kay Hagan saying something that sounded like, "There is no God . . ." (big voice taper . . . clearly cut short).

I don't know the context of the quote that sounded like it came from Hagan. I do recall that once, long ago, the preacher at our church quoted scripture, "A fool hath said, 'There is no God.'" My little brother was kind of tuned out (as younger kids may be at church). My Mom asked him what the message at church had been. He, at the age of around 6 or 7, said that the sermon was about how there's no God. So, context makes a big difference.

When I saw this commercial, I thought it must be supported by a radical group (and certainly not part of the main campaign). It simply didn't sound mainstream or very professional. When the piece ended with, "I'm Elizabeth Dole, and I support this commercial" (or whatever the wording is on such commericals - sorry I have no TiVo), I was frankly speechless. Was it some kind of Halloween joke? If so - not funny.

The race in North Carolina has been hot and nasty, but someone better show me some darn sure proof that Hagan is the anti-Christ before putting a one minute sound blurb on TV that totally trashes her. That was wrong on some many levels that I'm still shaking my head.

I'm one of those up-in-the-air voters. Frankly, I'm not impressed period. It would suit me to wipe the slate clean and get a whole new batch up there to vote on, although I know that's not going to happen.

The new Dole commerical is the lowest blow I've seen from any candidate in an election that has been riddled with nasty jabs.

I've always known Elizabeth Dole to be a classy lady and from this county (though does not hang here much). She did fund and build out local Red Cross building. I can't imagine that she put her verbal stamp on such a horrible body slam commercial on another candidate. I'd hate to think that Dole would go that low even if Kay Hagan is the daughter of Satan (which she obviously isn't).

I would never talk that ugly about my own worst enemy. And, I am disappointed that Dole would do so. In fact, I think that ad helped me make up my mind about my vote.

Update:

Kay Hagan didn't think much of that "godless" commercial either. The News & Observer covered a press conference this morning:

"State Sen. Kay Hagan says she'll go to court to seek a cease-and-desist order against U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole's campaign if the "godless" TV spot isn't pulled in the next 24 hours."

The godless Kay Hagan commercial is on You Tube. Readers can watch and make up their own minds.