November 29, 2013

Delicious: The New York Times Ask Readers to Comment About Black Friday (Subtext: The Evils of Capitalism), and Their Commenters Hilariously One-Up Each Other in the Moral Preening Olympics
— Ace


New York Times readers have a chance to make it into the paper. These are the sorts of things they think will catch an editors' eye -- the sort of sentiments they think the NYT editors are looking for.

And they're probably right.

Some highlights in the Conspicuous Compassion Floor Exercise of the Moral Preening Olympics:

To me it means getting in the car with my spouse and adult daughters and heading to Cape May...Birding! None of us buy into this nonsensical consumer binge day.

I love to crawl up inside those [innocent memories of childhood Black Fridays past] and hide on Black Friday these days. It's become a blood sport that rewards the aggressive and punishes the elderly and disabled who can't partake in mad dashes for limited sale items offered during insanely early hours. This year, Black Friday becomes Black Thursday and begins the erosion of Thanksgiving and one less day to create family memories.

Note the first complaint is that the "insanely early hours" on Friday punish the disabled and elderly. However, this year, they've stopped that, and begun sales on Thursday evening. And so this guy comes up with a complaint about that, too -- ignoring the fact that they just addressed his "insanely early hours" complaint.

Whatever day they do this on, this guy is ready, willing, and able to grumble about how unfair it all is.

Now, this next guy does have a complaint that many conservatives would share -- conservatives don't really love the commercialization of the holiday season, either.

But then he loses me. Como se dice "overwrought"?

MHO Black Friday is the high holy day for the state religion of over-consumption. And it seemingly permeates our entire culture and every socioeconomic level at least for this one day. When will we learn that more "stuff" can't make us happy? I plan to stay away from the stores Friday. The savings are not irresistible to me at all - they only serve to remind me that the corporate mark-up the rest of the time is shameful.

Compare with Dave In Texas' post below, about unionists protesting against Wal*Mart. Note that Wal*Mart's strategy is to reduce prices to the lowest possible level-- that is, to attain the lowest "corporate mark-up." Yet another guy who's angry no matter what, whether the mark-up is high enough to pay a "living wage" or if it's too low for that.

He continues:


If only we could spend the day serving our neighbors, or wait a day and perhaps spend a little something in our local communities on Small Business Saturday. Or simply revel in being with our loved ones continuing for a second day to reflect on what we already have to be thankful for instead - their presence in our lives. Isn't that the most important thing of all over this and every holiday season?

He expresses a wish about what "we" could do, serving our neighbors, but I don't see any indication he actually wishes to achieve this wish. Seems to me he could do all of these things on his own. I guess he's waiting for an Official Government Program.

Next up: Despair.

Black Friday means absolutely nothing to me, except to take a moment to despair of what Christmas has become. I'm not religious, but the season itself has always been important. Seeing people kill each other over parking spots and consumer electronics of dubious value is disturbing.

Won't someone think of the local artist community?

I may do some holiday shopping over the Thanksgiving weekend. I do not shop at big box stores, rather than that, I shop at small, unique, local shops. I also buy from artists, and often I make the gifts that I give.

Talkin' about a Revolution:

Black Friday is a day to protest Black Friday at Walmart and by extension all the other low-wage places selling imported junk and garbage food to people who don't need any of it. We will protest to demonstrate the economic devastation they have wrought with their sub-poverty wages and their cheap, job killing imported stock. Their poverty wages and prices cost taxpayers between $400,000 and $2,000,000 per store per year in social services and only god knows how much in other forms of corporate welfare.

Walmart is only the beginning. Unbridled greed and insensitivity has a price and reckoning is coming, faster and harder all of the time. Revolution is building and cannot be stopped.

Someone replies that while he's all in favor of Revolution, he's worried our oppressed classes are too oppressed for a proper revolt, and in fact will join the madness:

wish I felt as sure as you do about a revolution against corporate greed and low wages. I fear that it will be those very low-paid workers who will be crashing down those doors on Black Friday because they desperstely need the biggest bargains.

"Shame:"

A day to buy even more junk that no one needs and will wind up on the floor or in the closet. Shame, shame.

You have to love Preening Leftists accusing other people of self-importance:

the selfish people who shop on Thanksgiving...should be ashamed but I am sure that their greed and sense of self importance is stronger.

That commenter failed her Saving Throw for self-awareness.

At least they're not self-bragging about how much more intelligent they are than everyday Americans.

If the total brain power of the U.S. was consolidated, there would not be enough energy to build a bomb that would blow up a peanut.

Oh right. Should have figured.

Finally, NYT commenter "LotusChild" goes for understatement in free-associating on "Black Friday:"

Black. Horrible. Like disease, doom, and death.

Yup.

Check @verumserum's timeline for more gems as he finds them.

There are a lot of legitimate criticisms to make about the commercialization of the holiday season. The religious right aren't fans of it -- and of course the religious left aren't fans of it (though they don't comprehend that their own objections are in fact religious in nature).

Plus, the Black Friday "savings" are largely an illusion. 40% off doesn't mean anything. These guys set the prices, for crying out loud. A sweater marked down from $200 to $110 was probably always intended to sell at $110.

Many Black Friday "deals" are basically exploiting people's desire to feel like they've gotten the better of someone, that is, that they've swindled someone themselves. That they've struck an unfair deal -- but unfair in their own direction.

Which is how almost all cons work, you know: The target is made to feel like he's swindling someone else.

And of course that's not what's really happening. One can't help but notice the massive profits these stores ring up after the holiday shopping season -- if they were really losing money on these deals, how would they be making a profit?

But one can make all these points without preening about it excessively.

I always say that the unexpressed Main Point of 70% of communication is "I'm better than You" or "I'm better than these Other People." The readership of the New York Times is superlative -- they cross the 90% threshold easily.

And they're just getting started showing off their #caring. I'm pretty sure this will get even sillier.

Mega Mart's Black Friday Sale: Back when Saturday Night Live was still occasionally funny (yes, there was a time when it was sometimes funny), they did this parody of Black Friday madness.


Posted by: Ace at 11:27 AM | Comments (283)
Post contains 1321 words, total size 10 kb.

1 Ha Ha!!! And fuck off.

Posted by: Meremortal at November 29, 2013 11:30 AM (1Y+hH)

2 Especially Michael Mann.

Posted by: Meremortal at November 29, 2013 11:30 AM (1Y+hH)

3 This is what I'm missing? 

Life is damn good!

Posted by: JeanQueenie at November 29, 2013 11:31 AM (82lr7)

4 This thread on special, only $9.99! But wait, there's more!

Posted by: Meremortal at November 29, 2013 11:31 AM (1Y+hH)

5 I do not shop at big box stores, rather than that, I shop at small, unique, local shops. I also buy from artists, and often I make the gifts that I give.

Yes, I'm sure they're delighted with your "whimsical art" made from old toilet paper tubes and other stuff pulled from your trashcan.

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 11:32 AM (6TB1Z)

6 Black. Horrible. Like disease, doom and death. ------ Racist much?

Posted by: NAACP at November 29, 2013 11:32 AM (kq8V8)

7 Order now, and get the thread below for half price on your platinum AOS membership benefits package!

Posted by: Meremortal at November 29, 2013 11:32 AM (1Y+hH)

8 "LotusChild" is gettin' damn near some full-on RAAAAAA-CISM!!11!! there. She* better watch her ass, or the NYT Morality Police will be knockin' on her door.

* "She" is a presumption on my part, and far from a sure thing among NYT readers.

Posted by: MrScribbler at November 29, 2013 11:32 AM (kaGpp)

9 Yes, I'm sure they're delighted with your "whimsical art" made from old toilet paper tubes and other stuff pulled from your trashcan.


pffft, I've seen their stuff.  It's crap.  I do better than that with my feces.

Posted by: Kids with macaroni art at November 29, 2013 11:33 AM (6TB1Z)

10 Wait kind of sadistic animal would force employees to work over the Thanksgiving holiday when the time should be spent with family and quiet reflection of our blessings? Oh yeah, Obama. How's that website coming, Sparky?

Posted by: JackStraw at November 29, 2013 11:33 AM (g1DWB)

11 But what about the genocide? You really want to catch the Lefty editor's eyes, ya gotta bring the genocide!

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at November 29, 2013 11:34 AM (7ObY1)

12 Black. Horrible. Like disease, doom, and death.

She's getting perilously close to Hee Haw territory. 
Doom, despair, and agony on me
Deep dark depression, excessive misery

How will she be able to hold her head up at hipster bars.  Oh, right, ironically.

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 11:35 AM (6TB1Z)

13 How's that website coming, Sparky? Posted by: JackStraw at November 29, 2013 03:33 PM

Don't you be hatin' on Choom Boy, reichwinger. He's golfing working as hard as he can.

Laser-like focus, yo.

Posted by: MrScribbler at November 29, 2013 11:35 AM (kaGpp)

14 The Moral Preening Olympics!!  That's really a good one, Ace! 

Posted by: Peaches at November 29, 2013 11:35 AM (8lmkt)

15 Walmart is only the beginning. I see, so everything was unicorn farts and chocolate jesus rainbows before Wal-Mart? So, what got you genetic defectives started in the first place?

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at November 29, 2013 11:36 AM (TmOOZ)

16 Don't forget the horrible waste of fuel used to run all the lights and stuff... Oh, and the animals, this must do some sort of harm to the animals and GLOBAL WARMING!

Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at November 29, 2013 11:36 AM (9+ccr)

17 To me it means getting in the car with my spouse and adult daughters and heading to Cape May...Birding! None of us buy into this nonsensical consumer binge day.



-----



What kind of car?  What are the emissions?  The carbon footprint, as they say?   Is this car made in America?  Is it union made, with the full benefit package and adequate pay?

I have more concerns than answers at this point.  I can only give this response a 3.5, until my concerns are adequately answered and put to rest. 

Posted by: Dave S. at November 29, 2013 11:36 AM (UvR6d)

18 So, okay, black friday isn't for everyone.  (It surely isn't *for me*)

But I'm not out there knocking anybody for jumping into the frenzy, or shrieking about 'eeeevil kkkapitalizm' and all that...

Good grief, NYT likes to stir up the sh!t.  I thought "the media" was supposed to report, not create.  

Posted by: JeanQueenie at November 29, 2013 11:37 AM (82lr7)

19 I hate Black Friday.  I always have.  Something about people camping out just to spend their money on shit always rubs me raw.  Just like when the new iPhone comes out and some asshole comes out all happy because Apple just ass-banged his wallet.

To me it's a sign that society's priorities are completely fucked.  The businesses are just providing what the people want - it's the demand of the people that creates this sort of environment.

Never mind that you can get better deals *after* Christmas if you really need to get more shit.

Sadly, a whole lot of people are fixated on "getting shit" over and above everything else.  I bet the Venn Diagram with the LIV and the Black Friday doorcrasher has a significant overlap.





Posted by: grognard at November 29, 2013 11:38 AM (/29Nl)

20 Best preen evah? First family choked down 9 pies before sitting with the fasting immigration protesters!

Posted by: USA at November 29, 2013 11:38 AM (VIaw0)

21 1812 - Wal-Mart sacks Washington. . . eLeBiNtY!!!1111!!!

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at November 29, 2013 11:38 AM (TmOOZ)

22 Greed isn't the desire to have money, it's the desire to decide how money is spent.

Posted by: AmishDude at November 29, 2013 11:38 AM (S2Yx+)

23 17 To me it means getting in the car with my spouse and adult daughters and heading to Cape May...Birding! None of us buy into this nonsensical consumer binge day.

So, no kids then?  I'm sure little Bobby and Jamal would be thrilled to go birding in Cap May in lieu of getting a Xmas present. 

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 11:39 AM (6TB1Z)

24 MHO Black Friday is the high holy day for the state religion of over-consumption. And it seemingly permeates our entire culture and every socioeconomic level at least for this one day. When will we learn that more "stuff" can't make us happy?


-----


Except for Obamacare and every other government redistributionist program ever conceived, I imagine.   That "stuff" does make people happy, I'm sure. 

Posted by: Dave S. at November 29, 2013 11:39 AM (UvR6d)

25 Moral Preening Olympics The Synchronized White Guilt team is pretty strong this year, but our Grimnastics team is gonna get clobbered by the Iranian team. Our Bi-Sexual-Athlon team can beat anybody. And Freestyle Squeeing? Our MSM team simply cannot be beat.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at November 29, 2013 11:40 AM (7ObY1)

26 Don't get me wrong, I think being open on Thanksgiving sucks, but I don't have to participate and it's none of my business if someone else wants to camp out to get that "bargain." So NYT's fuck off....

Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at November 29, 2013 11:41 AM (9+ccr)

27 You know, we wanted to be Wal-Mart first. Back in the olden days. Remember?

Posted by: Marshall Fields at November 29, 2013 11:41 AM (TmOOZ)

28 @19
I couldn't agree more.  I don't shop in malls, not because I can never have enough stuff, but because I hate most of humanity.  And it's easier to shop online.  If you're someone who enjoys that, I think you're nuts, but knock yourself out, its not my business.  Besides, I have enough income that I don't have to do stuff like that.  I don't condemn people who don't. 

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 11:41 AM (6TB1Z)

29 The New York Times is provincial paper that humors a small class of pretentious twits.

Posted by: mrp at November 29, 2013 11:42 AM (HjPtV)

30 As Howie Carr refers to it (with a sneer) : ...the dreaded private sector

Posted by: soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 11:42 AM (AYO1k)

31 If old people would stick to "birding" on Black Friday I wouldn't have to puncture the tires on their stupid scooters.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at November 29, 2013 11:42 AM (8ZskC)

32 I hate black Friday, too.  There is plenty of time to buy things.

Posted by: Sarahw at November 29, 2013 11:42 AM (LYwCh)

33 We tried.

Posted by: Woolworths at November 29, 2013 11:42 AM (TmOOZ)

34 I avoid retail stores on Black Friday, not out of any sense o moral compunction, but because I don't want to get trampled to death by 300 pound women fighting over TVs and waffle irons.

Posted by: Insomniac at November 29, 2013 11:42 AM (UAMVq)

35 They hate commerce, unless the Dem Machine is getting its cut. When's the last time they complained about the money pissed away on Solyndra or Terry McAullife's boondoggles? There's certainly no hate for the evil corporations then, even though they're taking it right from tax money. Then it's fine, because they know they're using Dem policies to line Dem pockets...and because there are no Dem orgs manufacturing the outrage against them like they are with WalMart.

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 11:42 AM (MMC8r)

36 After NINE pies! http://tinyurl.com/krd6jal

Posted by: USA at November 29, 2013 11:42 AM (VIaw0)

37 Oh shut up you stupid NYT readers. How many of you gladly shop at Trader Joes because it has some doofus hippie hipster street cred and OMG the food is so unique and special just like you snowflake? How do you imagine Trader Joes manages to get their food prices so low? Magic food fairy dust?

Posted by: Paranoidgirlinseattle at November 29, 2013 11:43 AM (RZ8pf)

38 Down with the Mercantilist oppressors....

observations from being neat ground zero of a State Capitol on Black Friday...

1) idiot drivers

2) lack of really good deals like I was spoiled with in Indiana

3) They really stepped up loss prevention yesterday.

I was shopping for a hard drive or solid state drive, decided "fuck these lines" and mailed off the family type's yule offerings...

the 10077 family will be taking a field trip to El Paso this holiday break in lieu of going home.

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 11:44 AM (9jfyN)

39 Pretty sure "birding" is urban slang for incestuous relations out of doors.

Posted by: spongeworthy at November 29, 2013 11:44 AM (r5w1L)

40 How do you imagine Trader Joes manages to get their food prices so low? Magic food fairy dust?

Soylent Green

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 11:44 AM (6TB1Z)

41 We were the original Wal-Mart. How come you wInGnUtz!!!111 didn't Black Friday us, ....huh? HUH!?!?!?!

Posted by: Ben Franklin Five and Dime at November 29, 2013 11:44 AM (TmOOZ)

42 26  Could not agree more, cracka.  Oddly, I am just back from Target in the pouring rain (yay, clean car!!), because I needed my regular weekly shopping done (milk, frozen food items, some really good socks they have for $3 that I can't get enough of, hand soap refill).  The electronics area, which is normally completely deserted, was jammin' with peeps doing important transactions.  The checker told me that it was completely nuts last night (they opened at 8 pm), lots of flat screen tvs (is there any other kind any more?), and then again early this morning.  Today, despite the zombie-like crowds in the store, I zipped straight to an open register, which I don't believe has ever happened before.

Posted by: Peaches at November 29, 2013 11:44 AM (8lmkt)

43 I'd *love* to see a study that attempted to answer the age old question:

Is the shit you just bought on Black Friday *really* a gift, or is it just for you?

While I am sure people try to take advantage to stretch their gift budget, that fucker who dragged a cop in Romeoville IL and got shot because of it....well, he wasn't there out of altruism.

Posted by: grognard at November 29, 2013 11:45 AM (/29Nl)

44 By the way that isn't an insult to horde people who shop at Trader Joes. I understand it has low prices and some tasty food. But the cultists here have made Trader Joes their latest altar to worship at and it annoys me.

Posted by: Paranoidgirlinseattle at November 29, 2013 11:45 AM (RZ8pf)

45 Its the New York Times. . .who gives a sh$t?

Me on Black Friday?  Its not that I don't want to get into mad dashes at the mall buying stupid crap (though honest. . .I don't), but I'm at work, WORKING.


Posted by: looking closely at November 29, 2013 11:45 AM (6Q9g2)

46 Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at November 29, 2013 03:41 PM (9+ccr)

You mean live and let live? That's no way to stir up controversy and sell newspapers.

My only objection to Black Friday would be if EBT cards are being used to buy that big screen TV. Otherwise, spend your hard-earned money how ever you please.

Posted by: Retread at November 29, 2013 11:46 AM (IiAs3)

47 Black Friday means absolutely nothing to me, except to take a moment to despair of what Christmas has become. I'm not religious, but the season itself has always been important.


I do so enjoy driving by the churches on a frosty December evening, and seeing the poor people lined up for their soup and such.

<puffs pipe>

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at November 29, 2013 11:46 AM (8ZskC)

48 Thank God the NYT doesn't run any ads for Black Friday sales. Oh what's that you say? never mind.

Posted by: DelawareRed at November 29, 2013 11:46 AM (IEy0C)

49 I'd say this begs for the Horde to go jump in, but it would be lost on them. They'd take every absurd comment seriously.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at November 29, 2013 11:46 AM (GEICT)

50 "consumer electronics of dubious value" he wrote on his MacBook.

Posted by: Max Entropy at November 29, 2013 11:46 AM (Hc0n6)

51 Yeah, we fucked up.

Posted by: Montgomery Wards at November 29, 2013 11:47 AM (TmOOZ)

52 In before CheChe?

Posted by: garrett at November 29, 2013 11:47 AM (ts2EP)

53 addenda went to a BooksAmillion Joe Mugs and discovered....

1) latte sipping Luap Nor cultists decry the very corporation that brought them their latte in their rhetoric

2) idiots driving I almost had a 2 on 1 sandwiching of my car leaving the Forest Plaza parking lot...I felt like a waitress with Chris Dodd and Ted Kennedy afoot.

3) Joe Muggs' Spiced Cider is in point of fact Spiced Chai with apple syrup aftertaste

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 11:47 AM (9jfyN)

54 >>> I hate Black Friday. I always have. Something about people camping out just to spend their money on shit always rubs me raw. Just like when the new iPhone comes out and some asshole comes out all happy because Apple just ass-banged his wallet. To me it's a sign that society's priorities are completely fucked. The businesses are just providing what the people want - it's the demand of the people that creates this sort of environment. ... I don't know if I buy your idea that "society's priorities are completely fucked." People have a tendency to invent prior Golden Ages in which people weren't materialistic or this or that. My general assumption is "It Was Always Thus." People have always liked baubles, and shiny things, and prettily-colored fabrics. This is not new. I think the tendency towards misanthropism is caused by having an unrealistic expectation for people (or "society"), which of course can never actually be met.

Posted by: ace at November 29, 2013 11:47 AM (/FnUH)

55 Pretending to virtue is the central conceit of Progressivism.

Posted by: Harrison Bergeron at November 29, 2013 11:47 AM (JQuNB)

56
My only objection to Black Friday would be if EBT cards are being used to buy that big screen TV. Otherwise, spend your hard-earned money how ever you please.

Posted by: Retread at November 29, 2013 03:46 PM (IiAs3)


You're rayciss.  Beats by Dr. Dre headphones are human right.

Posted by: grognard at November 29, 2013 11:47 AM (/29Nl)

57 I am going to protest this heartless, capitalist crushing of the human spirit by going out into the natural forest and blowing some animal away. Later I will eat it.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at November 29, 2013 11:48 AM (l3vZN)

58 Oh, and that sanctimonious scrunt can call it "birding" if she wants . . . I prefer the term "avian voyeurism" and, frankly, it's an outrage!

Posted by: Peaches at November 29, 2013 11:48 AM (8lmkt)

59 49 I'd say this begs for the Horde to go jump in, but it would be lost on them. They'd take every absurd comment seriously.

I'm also sure they have someone poised over the smite key on their keyboard prepared to delete any unthoughts. 

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 11:48 AM (6TB1Z)

60 The existence of Starbucks belies the Lefty's cry of their higher emotional plane and a freedom from 'crass commercialism.'

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 11:48 AM (MMC8r)

61 Hey, well, at least Hanuka came early this year.

If you're Jewish, its too late for Black Friday!

Posted by: looking closely at November 29, 2013 11:48 AM (6Q9g2)

62 I may do some holiday shopping over the Thanksgiving weekend. I do not shop at big box stores, rather than that, I shop at small, unique, local shops. I also buy from artists, and often I make the gifts that I give.


------


6 "I's" in 2 sentences is impressive, and earns a perfect 10 in the preening category, but the concession that there will indeed be shopping over the weekend is somewhat disappointing.  I can only give this entry a 7.0, and this mark may be overly generous.  It was salvaged, in large part, by the mention of making their own gifts. 

Posted by: Dave S. at November 29, 2013 11:48 AM (UvR6d)

63 Just *thinking* this way makes them 'good citizens.'

Posted by: soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 11:48 AM (AYO1k)

64 I dislike the black Friday shopping thing. But, then I don't like crowds. However, this year our local Ace Hardware sent out coupons for a black Friday 20% everything that's not already on sale from 7 AM to 10 AM.    Got there about 9 AM. Me and about 4 other customers. Stocked up on some essentials and charcoal. Saved about 18 bucks. That I can do.

Posted by: Bruce at November 29, 2013 11:48 AM (6cgFD)

65 44 Paranoidgirlinseattle at November 29, 2013 03:45 PM (RZ8pf)

Quite in agreement.

We have a Trader Joseph's here...first exposure to it...I detect the aroma of Luap Nor and Libertard wafting in the air....

I may have to wear a Hartz two in one raccoon collar and brave it but not today.

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 11:49 AM (9jfyN)

66

Peanut Bomb.

That's genius!

Posted by: George Washington Carver at November 29, 2013 11:49 AM (ts2EP)

67 can someone check this SNL video for me? It's not playing for me, but maybe it's just my computer. http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/digital- shorts/video/black-friday/1261520/

Posted by: ace at November 29, 2013 11:49 AM (/FnUH)

68 When I first saw the thread title, I thought you meant they were doing moral preening over the ACTUAL Olympics, because of the whole Russia vs. The Gays thing going on, so I was picturing all of them going off topic saying how much they love gays, and have gay friends and everything. I'm honestly not sure which would be better. I went out around 11 am, because there were a few things I needed to get. A cable for my iPad, dog food, and something other than turkey for dinner. The mall I stopped at for the cable wasn't particularly busy... I've seen worse on a Sunday in summer. Kind of weird seeing an Apple Store that wasn't packed. The idea of going out at the crack of dark to save $15 on an item that's marked up $35, crushed jowl to jowl with other idiots, makes my skin crawl.

Posted by: nnptcgrad at November 29, 2013 11:50 AM (Opyrm)

69 People have a tendency to invent prior Golden Ages Yeah, so?

Posted by: Television at November 29, 2013 11:50 AM (TmOOZ)

70 Thank God the NYT doesn't run any ads for Black Friday sales. Oh what's that you say? never mind.

Posted by: DelawareRed at November 29, 2013 03:46 PM (IEy0C)


Oh, snap, DR!  Even Ace missed that.  Kudos!!!

Posted by: Peaches at November 29, 2013 11:50 AM (8lmkt)

71 If only there was a Black Monday for healthcare exchanges, the violence, the beatdowns, the bargains, - 50% off for pre-existing conditions, shoppers, until inventories run out.

Posted by: Fritz at November 29, 2013 11:51 AM (TKFmG)

72

Record Store Day is always on Black Friday.

I am not about to miss RSD.

Posted by: garrett at November 29, 2013 11:51 AM (ts2EP)

73 54 ace at November 29, 2013 03:47 PM (/FnUH)

I was a Curmudgeon at age 6 or so IIRC, BUT[/ib] I do think the bent for violence is new on the "mega shopping with triptophan palooza" day...

passing by the Best Buy on two notch road here there was almost a fistfight between two ladies on the US-1 highway...

charming stuff

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 11:51 AM (9jfyN)

74 I think the tendency towards misanthropism is caused by having an unrealistic expectation for people (or "society"), which of course can never actually be met. I thought it was caused by people generally being assholes.

Posted by: Insomniac at November 29, 2013 11:51 AM (UAMVq)

75 I make unique works of art out of my own feces and spray paint the pieces to make them even more special!

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at November 29, 2013 11:51 AM (oFCZn)

76 Out in the semi-affluent woodsy burbs of Boston, you'll spy many of the 'right' cars sporting an obama sticker on one side and an Apple sticker on the other. It's their SHIBOLETH, if you will.

Posted by: soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 11:52 AM (AYO1k)

77 I don't do Black Friday because I don't have to. But millions of Americans do, and need the bargains and low prices that efficient retailers provide. I do not give a rat's fuck for these preening asswipes who denigrate it so, with their puffy puffy faces. In their hearts they hate the poor, lower mids who shop today. Because they just fucking hate. There is no love in them for anyone or anything. Fuck em, barbed cock of Satan.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at November 29, 2013 11:52 AM (l7DqC)

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 11:52 AM (9jfyN)

79 People have always liked baubles, and shiny things, and prettily-colored fabrics. This is not new.

I think the tendency towards misanthropism is caused by having an unrealistic expectation for people (or "society"), which of course can never actually be met.

I read a lot of history, and I think the single biggest lesson I've taken away from all of it is that people really don't change.  Think things are awful now?  They've usually been worse.  Think people are much less ethical now than they were in the past?  No, they've always been greedy and self-serving. 

I suppose that explains why I'm a conservative.  Humanity is crooked timber, and anyone who thinks otherwise is fooling himself. 

Well, excepting me, of course.

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 11:52 AM (6TB1Z)

80 passing by the Best Buy on two notch road here there was almost a fistfight Cat Fight  between two ladies on the US-1 highway...

Posted by: garrett at November 29, 2013 11:52 AM (ts2EP)

81 Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 03:51 PM (9jfyN) I seem to recall fighting back when the Cabbage Patch kids thing was a big deal. Someone ended up with a broken leg too and that was back in the 1980s.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at November 29, 2013 11:52 AM (oFCZn)

82 Yes I don't know about folks around here but flat screen televisions are never on our Christmas list. And as someone pointed out on an earlier thread, you can often find them for pretty close to the Black Friday discounted price without having to fear for your life to get one. If you absolutely have to have one for Christmas.

Posted by: Paranoidgirlinseattle at November 29, 2013 11:53 AM (RZ8pf)

83 6 "I's" in 2 sentences is impressive, and earns a perfect 10 in the preening category, but the concession that there will indeed be shopping over the weekend is somewhat disappointing. I can only give this entry a 7.0, and this mark may be overly generous. It was salvaged, in large part, by the mention of making their own gifts. Heh. I caught all those self-aggrandizing "I"'s too. I wouldn't cut her a break on making her own gifts though (I'm going with "her" even if it's a guy) because the "gifts" she's making are sure to be horrible.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at November 29, 2013 11:53 AM (7ObY1)

84 #19 I hate Black Friday. I always have. Something about people camping out just to spend their money on shit always rubs me raw.
===

I don't "hate" it, I just have no interest in participating. (Even assuming I could, which I can't. . .because of that "job" thing) .

Personally, I find the aggravation of tramping through crowded shopping places with crazy shoppers more than outweighs any benefit.   As you say, usually there are other chances for good deals.

But hey, if people want to make their sport shopping on Black Friday, more power to them.  I don't mind.

 


Posted by: looking closely at November 29, 2013 11:54 AM (PwGfd)

85 Black. Horrible. Like disease, doom, and death.


------


This entry in particular, I find degrading and racist.  Associating the word black with horrible?   Utterly disgusting, and not befitting the comments section of the NYT.  I award this a 0.0, and may Gaia have mercy on your soul. 

Posted by: Dave S. at November 29, 2013 11:54 AM (UvR6d)

86 never mind about that link. I finally got it to play, and embedded it.

Posted by: ace at November 29, 2013 11:54 AM (/FnUH)

87 "can someone check this SNL video for me?"

Won't load on mine either.

Posted by: lowandslow at November 29, 2013 11:54 AM (IV4od)

88 80 garrett at November 29, 2013 03:52 PM (ts2EP)

Heh nice correction, but I would not have enjoyed petting either of the kitties so to speak...

81 Dack Thrombosis at November 29, 2013 03:52 PM (oFCZn)

That is true as was some Beanie Baby induced psychosis of course I don't recall gunfights in the 80s over Colecovision

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 11:54 AM (9jfyN)

89 I think the tendency towards misanthropism is caused by having an unrealistic expectation for people (or "society"), which of course can never actually be met.

Posted by: ace at November 29, 2013 03:47 PM (/FnUH)


You're right, of course.  Humankind has always been thus.  However, there was a time when we weren't barraged with rioting and violence over cheap merchandise.  I can't find any examples of retail rioting and line ups for new product releases prior to about 1995 or so.  I will stick by my assertion -  I think this is a symptom of society becoming far more materialistic and callous, on the whole.



Posted by: grognard at November 29, 2013 11:55 AM (/29Nl)

90 44 By the way that isn't an insult to horde people who shop at Trader Joes. I understand it has low prices and some tasty food. But the cultists here have made Trader Joes their latest altar to worship at and it annoys me. Wellshire leaner (shut up) bacon is excellent. The employees are very nice. I know the joint is all trendy 'n' shit, but I just like food and saving money.

Posted by: fluffy at November 29, 2013 11:55 AM (Ua6T/)

91 Bah!  Humbug!

Posted by: Scrooge at November 29, 2013 11:55 AM (BAS5M)

92 That is true as was some Beanie Baby induced psychosis of course I don't recall gunfights in the 80s over Colecovision That's 'cause the controller sucked. And Atari was cheaper.

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 11:55 AM (MMC8r)

93 Humanity is crooked timber, and anyone who thinks otherwise is fooling himself.

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 03:52 PM (6TB1Z)

Yes, but if you only listened to me, and did exactly what I have in mind for humanity, you will no longer be at the mercy of base human desires and there will be peace on earth and good will toward all.

Posted by: Preening Progressive Pipsqueak at November 29, 2013 11:57 AM (oJ5Fd)

94

Every year on this date, I am reminded by people who would know, that this is the one time "black" is associated with anything  good.

 

Black licorice, blackened Cajun chicken, and black coffee could not be reached for comment. 

Posted by: BurtTC at November 29, 2013 11:57 AM (TOk1P)

95

Which is how almost all cons work, you know: The target is made to feel like he's swindling someone else.

***************************

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited about my free birth control, courtesy of Obamacare.

Posted by: Warden at November 29, 2013 11:57 AM (HzhBE)

96 Black licorice, blackened Cajun chicken, and black coffee could not be reached for comment. Don't forget black rifles!

Posted by: Insomniac at November 29, 2013 11:58 AM (UAMVq)

97 "If the total brain power of the U.S. was consolidated, there would not be enough energy to build a bomb that would blow up a peanut." The former residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki would disagree. Also: how come we've won far more Nobel Prizes than any other country (real ones, I mean...physics and chemistry and shit, not "literature" or "peace").

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI at November 29, 2013 11:58 AM (TTKzZ)

98 >>>Personally, I find the aggravation of tramping through crowded shopping places with crazy shoppers more than outweighs any benefit. As you say, usually there are other chances for good deals. i think they're exploiting a part of our psychology, that goes like this: There is a cost to things. That cost must be paid. If it's not being paid in money, it must be paid in some other way -- such as getting up at very early hours, standing in the cold, braving frantic crowds. I think all these things make people *feel* like they've gotten a deal (or at least paid a price in something other than money), but again, it's largely an illusion. There's an old principle that if something costs more than something else, people will *feel* the higher-priced good is better than the other one. Even if they're the same thing (they do this trick with expensive wines and premium vodkas). I think "The Gauntlet" of Black Friday makes some people feel as if they must be getting high-priced goods for low prices.. even though that's really not true. So I think "The Gauntlet" effect is important for sustaining the illusion of Black Friday. And I think by opening their doors at convenient hours (6pm on Thanksgiving), they've actually harmed the illusion. I think people have to feel like they've done something *hard* to get a steal. By making it easier, they're working against that bit of psychology.

Posted by: ace at November 29, 2013 11:58 AM (/FnUH)

99 I seem to recall fighting back when the Cabbage Patch kids thing was a big deal. Someone ended up with a broken leg too and that was back in the 1980s.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at November 29, 2013 03:52 PM (oFCZn)




I can remember that.  I remember fights over Furbys too.

I also remember how damned ridiculous those stories were, and how nearly everyone acknowledged them as insane.  And now we get the fights and near riots every year, over general things, not a specific and rare product.

Posted by: grognard at November 29, 2013 11:58 AM (/29Nl)

100 >>>By the way that isn't an insult to horde people who shop at Trader Joes. I understand it has low prices and some tasty food. But the cultists here have made Trader Joes their latest altar to worship at and it annoys me. Tell them that there pre-made stuff is filled with salt and that if they want to be healthy they should make everything from scratch. It's fun to hoist them with their own petard.

Posted by: taylork at November 29, 2013 11:58 AM (ppNDn)

101 95 Warden at November 29, 2013 03:57 PM (HzhBE)

Obama is simply a risen installment plan grifter who would have been hawking vacuum cleaners in the 40s...

I'll give you 200 bucks of Ginny pills for just 2400 a year!

//Barack Mutually Omaha Obama

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 11:59 AM (9jfyN)

102 Yesterday they had half price VIP Lounge dances at one of the whore shack "Gentleman's Clubs" here about. A notorious democrat legislator hang out here in the Capitol City

Posted by: Dept. Of Acuracy at November 29, 2013 11:59 AM (MhA4j)

103 MHO Black Friday is the high holy day for the state religion of over-consumption.

Nonsense.  Everyone knows the state religion is worship of the state.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ at November 29, 2013 11:59 AM (hO8IJ)

104 Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI

Which one have you been watching, the one with Jeremy Irons, etc., or the other one with nobody famous, and lots of mismatched accents.  I've watched the latter, and have enjoyed it quite a bit. 

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 11:59 AM (6TB1Z)

105 I'm headed to Aldi's for milk and eggs. 'Cause I'm a greedy capitalist oppressor. Bitches.

Posted by: Harrison Bergeron at November 29, 2013 12:00 PM (JQuNB)

106 The Tickle Me Elmo Wars were hell. Pure hell.

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 12:00 PM (MMC8r)

107

wait, I have a new thought about all of this progressive hand wringing over Black Friday this year, what if it is the new "prosperity montage?" Stick with me here, everyone knows the economy is in the toilet and thanks to Obamacare there are a lot of people with a whole lot less to spend this holiday season. So, the retail sales will be down for the holiday season. But, what if instead of it being due to the economy, it is due to the fact that everyone is so into "getting back to the spiritual" for the holiday or "supporting small business" or "rebelling against corporate greed." See, then it isn't about Obama tanking the economy for the 5th straight year, instead it is about all of us becoming more enlightened about our spending.

Posted by: ParanoidGirlInSeattle at November 29, 2013 12:00 PM (RZ8pf)

108 I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited about my free birth control, courtesy of Obamacare. Posted by: Warden at November 29, 2013 03:57 PM (HzhBE) Personally, I don't know how I lived without my pregnancy bennies all these years.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at November 29, 2013 12:00 PM (7ObY1)

109

There's an old principle that if something costs more than something else, people will *feel* the higher-priced good is better than the other one. Even if they're the same thing (they do this trick with expensive wines and premium vodkas).

 

 

There's an interesting clip from an old (1987?)  interview with Paul Reed Smith where he discusses how increasing the price on his guitars actually brought more customers to his fledgling company. 

Posted by: garrett at November 29, 2013 12:00 PM (ts2EP)

110 It wouldn't be a Black Friday without 50% of the country getting all judgey and sanctimonious about it.

Posted by: taylork at November 29, 2013 12:01 PM (ppNDn)

111 I am really pissed that once again the evil capitalists have forced me out of my nice, warm home into their super strong retail clutches. Dammit I hate, and look down my nose at, them!

Posted by: steve walsh at November 29, 2013 12:01 PM (Uz7J+)

112 I've always hated Blue Monday.  Fuck New Order.

Posted by: Baron Von Ottomatic at November 29, 2013 12:01 PM (kUgpq)

113 Some nincompoop put up a picture she took of protestors at her local WalMart. I got to add the first comment: Because low-income people need to pay more for the things they need!

Posted by: Meremortal at November 29, 2013 12:01 PM (1Y+hH)

114 I don't understand why anyone would "hate" black friday.  If you don't want to shop, don't shop!  If other people do, then shut the hell up and let them!

Posted by: BurtTC at November 29, 2013 12:02 PM (TOk1P)

115 Shouldn't this be 'African-American Friday,' anyway, h8rs?

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 12:02 PM (MMC8r)

116

Moral Preening Olympics

 

In lieu of a  Black Friday purchase, a  donation has been made in your name to the Human Fund.

 

 

That's gotta be good for the silver medal at least!

Posted by: Count de Monet at November 29, 2013 12:03 PM (BAS5M)

117 Does the SNL video work for any one else?

Posted by: lowandslow at November 29, 2013 12:04 PM (IV4od)

118 I think people have to feel like they've done something *hard* to get a steal. By making it easier, they're working against that bit of psychology.

Posted by: ace at November 29, 2013 03:58 PM (/FnUH)

This makes sense. It's the hidden Puritan in all of us.

Except for me. I'd rather sit on my fat ass in front of my computer and shop from home.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 29, 2013 12:04 PM (oJ5Fd)

119 Just saw a Denny's commercial featuring a Hobbit tie-in peddling Smaug's Fire Burger.  Curious to see how they work a Denny's into the latest Hobbit movie.

Posted by: Baron Von Ottomatic at November 29, 2013 12:04 PM (kUgpq)

120 116 Count de Monet at November 29, 2013 04:03 PM (BAS5M)

I'm pretty sure Mike Mann is gonna take a medal in the Moral Aspersion Hammer Throw this winter...

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:04 PM (9jfyN)

121

112 -

 

Oh, now those are fighting words.  There are some things, up with which I will not put!

 

My second  will contact your second, Baron.  If that is your real name. 

Posted by: BurtTC at November 29, 2013 12:04 PM (TOk1P)

122 If the leftists understood just how desperately they need retailers to do well over this stretch, they'd have a different tune.

I think it is going to be miserable despite today's crazy, and the reports will be very thickly coated with sugar.

Posted by: grognard at November 29, 2013 12:04 PM (/29Nl)

123 112 I've always hated Blue Monday. Fuck New Order. How does it feel, to pay more than you should? When you've laid your hands on TVs And you know the price is good. And I still find it so hard, to pay full retail price, Tell me how does it feel, tell me now how does it feel?

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at November 29, 2013 12:04 PM (7ObY1)

124 Does the SNL video work for any one else?

Posted by: lowandslow at November 29, 2013 04:04 PM (IV4od)

#twoweeks

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 29, 2013 12:04 PM (oJ5Fd)

125 If other people do, then shut the hell up and let them! Posted by: BurtTC at November 29, 2013 04:02 PM Since when have they ever left others to their own business while getting all screamy about their choice?

Posted by: Dept. Of Acuracy at November 29, 2013 12:04 PM (MhA4j)

126 Because low-income people need to pay more for the things they need! Posted by: Meremortal at November 29, 2013 04:01 PM (1Y+hH) And they need to buy their ckufing food at a Farmer's Market BECAUSE I DO IT AND THAT MEANS IT'S BETTER!

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at November 29, 2013 12:04 PM (oFCZn)

127 I'll believe Lefties don't like consumerism when Apple comes out with a new iWhatever and no one gives a shit.

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 12:05 PM (MMC8r)

128 119 Baron Von Ottomatic at November 29, 2013 04:04 PM (kUgpq)

The Hobo....

wife and lad keep trying to get me to watch Dr. Watson indulge in the AosHQ lifestyle...

tell them I see drinking, barefooted posters everyday....

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:05 PM (9jfyN)

129

I guarantee those people taking time from sipping their lattes and logging on to the internet at Starbucks or Whole Foods (or wherever they want to be seen) to complain about how beastly Black Friday is are the same jackasses who believe that the recession ended 4 years ago. Me, I LOVE watching idiot LIVs fighting over tvs and other things, and am always disappointed when there aren't enough shootings or stabbings. ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?

Posted by: The Spaniard at November 29, 2013 12:05 PM (i+tu4)

130 I'm spinning yarn out of fur brushed from homeless kittens and making sweaters for homeless people living on the streets!

Posted by: Astrid at November 29, 2013 12:06 PM (6fSty)

131

Just saw a Denny's commercial featuring a Hobbit tie-in peddling Smaug's Fire Burger. Curious to see how they work a Denny's into the latest Hobbit movie.

 

I finally sat through most of 'The Hobbit'.  Peter Jackson should be raped, flayed, and quartered for that piece of shit.

 

...and there's nothing wrong with New Order.

Posted by: garrett at November 29, 2013 12:06 PM (ts2EP)

132 The U.S. has 350 Nobels (all kinds, I'm too lazy to throw out "peace" and suchlike). The runner up is the U.K. with 120. Germany has 104. No other country has even broken a hundred. China only has 11, and that's if you count two white guys who were born in China to missionary parents, and one Japanese guy who was born in a Japanese colony.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI at November 29, 2013 12:06 PM (TTKzZ)

133 To me it means getting in the car with my spouse and adult daughters and
heading to Cape May...Birding! None of us buy into this nonsensical
consumer binge day.

So, no kids then? I'm sure little Bobby and Jamal would be thrilled to go birding in Cap May in lieu of getting a Xmas present.

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 03:39 PM (6TB1Z)


I wouldn't mind a little birding on T-day, either. Take the 12-gauge down to the slough, and come back with a brace of nice plump Canada geese.....oh, wait.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 29, 2013 12:07 PM (8Fl6F)

134 It's fine as long you remembers Soothie's First First Principle: It's all bullshit.

Posted by: soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 12:07 PM (AYO1k)

135 129 The Spaniard at November 29, 2013 04:05 PM (i+tu4)

No I'm not entertained, but I am indulged.

I'd be entertained by a humming vibrant economy with full employment generating actual wealth and an American economy geared towards lifting the third world up by its bootstraps with good cheap products and energy...

instead I have my ObamaFo

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:07 PM (9jfyN)

136 That comments thread is like one long Bob Dylan song from the Sixties.

Posted by: Caliban at November 29, 2013 12:07 PM (2ArJQ)

137 ...and there's nothing wrong with New Order. Posted by: garrett at November 29, 2013 04:06 PM (ts2EP) "Power, Corruption and Lies" and "Low-Life" are two of the best damn albums released in the whole sorry (musically) Eighties.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at November 29, 2013 12:08 PM (7ObY1)

138 I posted this at the end of the Black Friday thread. Wal Mart is evil because they won't collude with labor to allow parasitic unions to suck the wages of their workers into corrupt union execs' pockets or Dem coffers. If they did that Walton family could be worth a trillion and unions wouldn't say boo. But what really gets me is the hipster "come the revolution" dude. Are these people so reality oblivious tht they don't realize that if their precious revolution comes, they will most likely wind up in a gutter with a .45 caliber hole in their head? Do they really believe that they are even remotely equipped to survive the breakdown of civil society and rule of law? Really?

Posted by: Weirddave at November 29, 2013 12:08 PM (N/cFh)

139 The abundance of scientific research showing we have pushed nature beyond its limits does not just demand green products and market-based solutions; it demands a new civilizational paradigm, one grounded not in dominance over nature but in respect for natural cycles of renewal—and acutely sensitive to natural limits, including the limits of human intelligence.

In addition to reversing the thirty-year privatization trend, a serious response to the climate threat involves recovering an art that has been relentlessly vilified during these decades of market fundamentalism: planning. Lots and lots of planning.

Solutions over greed
People above profit

The people that wrote those comments in the NYT, buy, read and believe the drivel I write. How about that you greedheads

Posted by: naomi klein at November 29, 2013 12:08 PM (4eNxd)

140

Soothie's First First Principle: 

 

 

So the Second Principle is the one about Monkey Fucking?

Posted by: garrett at November 29, 2013 12:08 PM (ts2EP)

141 I don't understand why anyone would "hate" black friday. If you don't want to shop, don't shop! If other people do, then shut the hell up and let them!

Posted by: BurtTC at November 29, 2013 04:02 PM (TOk1P)


It's not the concept, it's the behavior, and what the general trend means for everyone.

Someone who goes out during the day and does some shopping - I personally wouldn't do it, but have at it.

Someone who lines up at 6 AM on Thanksgiving for a doorbuster on Black Friday?  This is a seriously fucked up set of priorities.

Someone who drags a cop, punches an old woman, shoots a guy who got to a TV first...

The video of what happens when these stores open, the people getting trampled....

Let's just say no one is ever surprised this happens, and that's not a good thing.

Posted by: grognard at November 29, 2013 12:08 PM (/29Nl)

142 Are these people so reality oblivious tht they don't realize that if their precious revolution comes, they will most likely wind up in a gutter with a .45 caliber hole in their head? Do they really believe that they are even remotely equipped to survive the breakdown of civil society and rule of law? Really? Posted by: Weirddave at November 29, 2013 04:08 PM (N/cFh) We're sure there will be a strong demand for estrogen boys dressed like Where's Waldo in the post-revolution utopia, comrade!

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at November 29, 2013 12:10 PM (oFCZn)

143 Posted by: Caliban at November 29, 2013 04:07 PM (2ArJQ)

Whining, pompous, out of tune and irritating.

Yup!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 29, 2013 12:10 PM (oJ5Fd)

144 I think anyone who lines up for 5 hours in 30 degree weather to save $200 on a TV is an imbecile. But hey, it's your right to be an imbecile, so go crazy.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 29, 2013 12:10 PM (0LHZx)

145 I don't shop on Black Friday. It's only meaning to me is laughing at all the nicompoops who bitch about it because they don't have any disposable income and are jealous of those that have earned some.

Posted by: Meremortal at November 29, 2013 12:11 PM (1Y+hH)

146 And, in case you missed it, check out John E.'s hilarious timeline from last night. Lots of cries of rape and pillaging there. https://twitter.com/JohnEkdahl

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at November 29, 2013 12:11 PM (DmNpO)

147 I went to a Tractor Supply this morning to get some dog food and deer corn - and it was a madhouse. TRACTOR SUPPLY. Full of big ol' women grabbing John Deer playsets out of each other's hands.
My husband points out that "if there wasn't any interest in Black Friday (as well as Tryptophan Thanksgiving Thursday), it wouldn't exist." So, as far as I'm concerned, if y'all want to go to all the trouble of getting trampled to death over a $5 crock pot, have at it. I'll wait for the REAL sales - say, about 5 days before Christmas...

Posted by: antisocialist at November 29, 2013 12:11 PM (eGr8Z)

148 Start the Revolution Against Capitalism by stealing your copy of the New York Times today!

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 12:11 PM (MMC8r)

149 You damn well know it's not monkey fucking. Make jokes now but you too will hate fucking monkeys when they rip off your face.

Posted by: soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 12:11 PM (AYO1k)

150

The Wall St Journal did a piece on how most of these deals aren't really deals at all. A lot of this is just mark-up to mark-down pricing.

You can probably get better deals on some things in early February.

I'm always interested in the illusion of "deals." A few years ago, my wife and I hit a Sears appliance outlet, looking for a good deal on a scratch 'n' dent washer. You know what? They don't discount those much at all. Fifty bucks, maybe.

We actually found a better deal for a new washer at Lowes.

Protip: If you're in the market for a major appliance, stop by the post office and ask for a change of address form. They'll usually hand you a packet of coupons from retailers trying to sell things to families who are switching homes. Chances are, there'll be a Lowes or Home Depot coupon in there.

Posted by: Warden at November 29, 2013 12:11 PM (HzhBE)

151

Well according to the advertising on my teebee, the only people who shop at WalMart are African American. Kmart too. Now Target, Target is where the whites shop, especially the hip whites who do weird things with their holiday turkeys and throw better than you parties and dress in designer, yet inexpensive duds.

 

 

 

Holiday advertising is really rather enlightening these days...

Posted by: ParanoidGirlInSeattle at November 29, 2013 12:12 PM (RZ8pf)

152 I clicked on the SNL vid and got signed up for Obamacare. WTF?

Posted by: Dr Spank at November 29, 2013 12:12 PM (xlX1p)

153 For sheer buying frenzy, Black Friday has nothing on the now defunct Running of the Brides at Filene's Basement. That was horror in sports bras.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 29, 2013 12:12 PM (g1DWB)

154 Make jokes now but you too will hate fucking monkeys when they rip off your face.

Posted by: soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 04:11 PM (AYO1k)

You should always fuck them from behind...less chance of injury.

Posted by: typical disgusting Moron at November 29, 2013 12:13 PM (oJ5Fd)

155 THIS is where the revolution begins!!!!! Prank intercom calls at Walmart. http://t.co/MgnvHkpeaT That was tweeted out by Anonymous. Let the revolution begin!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at November 29, 2013 12:13 PM (DmNpO)

156 >> and often I make the gifts that I give. Because that's what's important when giving a gift. Utility to the recipient? Bah! It's that I made the dream catcher I dropped in the Goodwill box. Yay, me!

Posted by: Andy at November 29, 2013 12:13 PM (0ZQCB)

157 151 ParanoidGirlInSeattle at November 29, 2013 04:12 PM (RZ8pf)

Target is pronounced [Tar-jay} in honor of the effete Frenchonian Wanna-Be status of the Executives therein....

happy holidays

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:13 PM (9jfyN)

158 All these 'issues' that Leftists care about are manufactured 'issues' created and cultivated to funnel money into someone's pocket.

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 12:13 PM (MMC8r)

159 I went to a Tractor Supply this morning to get some dog food and deer corn - and it was a madhouse. TRACTOR SUPPLY. Full of big ol' women grabbing John Deer playsets out of each other's hands.



I don't care who you are - this type of thing isn't a good sign for the future. 

Posted by: grognard at November 29, 2013 12:13 PM (/29Nl)

160 We tried.

Posted by: Woolworths at November 29, 2013 03:42 PM (TmOOZ)


Interesting you should post that. Back in the late '60s, F.W. Woolworth and company, famous for their "5 and dime stores", re-invented themselves as "Woolco", and opened a huge (by the standards of the day) outlet in North Vancouver, B.C. Woolco occupied exactly the same niche in the retail ecosystem as Wal-Mart does now.



And Woolco was hated by the exact same demographic that now lurves them the Wally World hate. The more things change, the more they stay the same.



And get off my lawn!

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 29, 2013 12:14 PM (8Fl6F)

161 "they will most likely wind up in a gutter with a .45 caliber hole in their head?" Only the ones that don't look like they'll be useful for stoop labor on the collective farm. Of course, they'll still have to shoot a few of them from time to time to encourage the others.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI at November 29, 2013 12:14 PM (TTKzZ)

162 Personally, I don't know how I lived without my pregnancy bennies all these years. Which reminds me: Remember the OFA or some such encouraging people to use their talking points to defend Obamacare with relatives at Thanksgiving? I don't think that worked out too well. I learned that my brother has an individual plan that costs $479 per month. In his cancellation letter he was told that an ACA-compliant plan with only slightly reduced benefits was available...for $960 per month. He can't afford that and has decided to go without health insurance. He's also planning a vacation to Costa Rica where he already has a job interview lined up.

Posted by: Harrison Bergeron at November 29, 2013 12:14 PM (JQuNB)

163 re: "mark-up to mark-down" pricing Heh! Sorta like how obama cut the deficit in half...after he tripled it in the previous years. And his in-his-pocket Media will Never question obama on it.

Posted by: soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 12:14 PM (AYO1k)

164 I refuse to participate in the orgy of consumption that is black friday . Not for reasons of anti corporate morality but because after 5 yrs of obamas economy I have no Fuckin' money . Merry Christmas 52%,, you sanctimonious fucks .

Posted by: awkward davies at November 29, 2013 12:14 PM (WK8VM)

165 Make jokes now but you too will hate fucking monkeys when they rip off your face. Eh. I still say Dr. Zira was hot.

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 12:14 PM (MMC8r)

166 Black. Horrible. Like disease, doom, and death. ------------------------- She should get together with the hipster pussyboy above. He could make artisanal, handcrafted, micro-publishings of her collection of shitty goth emo poetry and give those out as gifts. Or they could both choke to death on an elephant's dick. Either way.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 12:15 PM (CJjw5)

167 148 Start the Revolution Against Capitalism by stealing your copy of the New York Times today!

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 04:11 PM (MMC8r)


nice. I don't the irony will occur to them

Posted by: ed gibbon at November 29, 2013 12:15 PM (4eNxd)

168 so I am about to endure or enjoy Defiance....any tips from the Horde on enjoying the show?

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:15 PM (9jfyN)

169 Are these people so reality oblivious tht they don't realize that if their precious revolution comes, they will most likely wind up in a gutter with a .45 caliber hole in their head? Do they really believe that they are even remotely equipped to survive the breakdown of civil society and rule of law? Really?

Posted by: Weirddave at November 29, 2013 04:08 PM (N/cFh)

When the revolution comes the lower class will surely band with the elites who wish to take away their tobacco, saturated fats, V8 engines, Big Gulps, and guns.

Posted by: Baron Von Ottomatic at November 29, 2013 12:15 PM (kUgpq)

170 doubt (not don't)

Posted by: ed gibbon at November 29, 2013 12:16 PM (4eNxd)

171 I saw Hate Fucking Monkees open up for Audioslave at The Paramount in 2001.

Posted by: garrett at November 29, 2013 12:16 PM (ts2EP)

172 The Wall St Journal did a piece on how most of these deals aren't really deals at all. A lot of this is just mark-up to mark-down pricing. You can probably get better deals on some things in early February. I'm always interested in the illusion of "deals." A few years ago, my wife and I hit a Sears appliance outlet, looking for a good deal on a scratch 'n' dent washer. You know what? They don't discount those much at all. Fifty bucks, maybe. *** I price-shop and research a product to death before making a purchase so I've always recognized that, with very few exceptions, the "deals" aren't really deals at all. I mean, sure, they'll offer a handful of items to get the masses into the stores, but it's a bait and switch game. Those jackasses who would fight to the death over an Elmo doll are insane.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at November 29, 2013 12:17 PM (DmNpO)

173 To me, Christmas is the time to give your loved ones, especially your adult kids, those little things that are nice to have, but not something the frugal spends their own money on. Like .50cal ammo boxes or basic AAA coverage.

Posted by: toby928© insists on talking about robots at November 29, 2013 12:17 PM (QupBk)

174 169 Baron Von Ottomatic at November 29, 2013 04:15 PM (kUgpq)

You know that is something I can't wrap my head around...

how Free Shit Army is allied with the people who want to prevent F$A from getting the things they desire.

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:17 PM (9jfyN)

175 That was tweeted out by Anonymous. Let the revolution begin! Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at November 29, 2013 04:13 PM (DmNpO) I wonder what happens when you issue a Code Ewok?

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at November 29, 2013 12:18 PM (oFCZn)

176 I've avoided shopping Black Friday like the plague for years, mainly because I can't stand crowds. But I've never been freakin' obsessed with it like these loons are.

Posted by: rickl at November 29, 2013 12:18 PM (zoehZ)

177 I'm just so impressed by the Times saint who chooses to buy "art" instead of a 60 inch flat screen

Nice if you're the typical trust fund or 6 figure Times subscriber who can afford to pay 5 grand for something that looks like it was done by chimps throwing balls of paint


Posted by: kbdabear at November 29, 2013 12:18 PM (aTXUx)

178 I don't understand why anyone would "hate" black friday. If you don't want to shop, don't shop! If other people do, then shut the hell up and let them! ------------------------------ I don't like the press of large crowds. Fucking hot, sweaty, shouting - guaranteed to make me blow a gasket. Not sure how people in big cities can stand it. I look at New Year's Eve in Times Square and think "Fuck that." Also, "what do you do if you have to piss?"

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 12:19 PM (CJjw5)

179 I don't shop on Black Friday. It's only meaning to me is laughing at all the nicompoops who bitch about it because they don't have any disposable income and are jealous of those that have earned some.



Posted by: Meremortal at November 29, 2013 04:11 PM (1Y+hH)


For the nincompoops who can't compete in the marketplace, seizing the moral high ground becomes important. It is their only accomplishment.

Posted by: Retread at November 29, 2013 12:19 PM (IiAs3)

180

From the Mikey Mann thread below, this LIV comments:

 

"Thank you, Mr. Mann, for helping us understand what is going on. I was already surprised when the New York Times dismantled its environmental coverage, because for many years, I thought it was the best paper in the country. Now I think they owe me (and all of their readers) a profound apology. Their long-respected journalistic integrity has vanished." - Jeanio       No no no, Jeanio.  I promise this time I won't  do that journalistic integrity in your mouth.  I'll pull back in time.  Trust me.

Posted by: Count de Monet at November 29, 2013 12:19 PM (BAS5M)

181 "Eh. I still say Dr. Zira was hot." She kinda was, actually. The voice had a lot to do with it, I think.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI at November 29, 2013 12:20 PM (TTKzZ)

182 178 Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 04:19 PM (CJjw5)

You'll always have *us*....

//Dixie cups, and uh anywhere in a city

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:20 PM (9jfyN)

183 I don't like the press of large crowds. Fucking hot, sweaty, shouting - guaranteed to make me blow a gasket. Not sure how people in big cities can stand it. I look at New Year's Eve in Times Square and think "Fuck that." Also, "what do you do if you have to piss?"

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 04:19 PM (CJjw5)



This.  And quite frankly, since 9/11, I don't particularly think it's safe, even if everyone in the crowd is on their best behavior.

Posted by: grognard at November 29, 2013 12:20 PM (/29Nl)

184 I price-shop and research a product to death before making a purchase so I've always recognized that, with very few exceptions, the "deals" aren't really deals at all.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at November 29, 2013 04:17 PM (DmNpO)

Eh...that's called being frugal....or Jewish.

But I'm all for these pseudo-sales. After all, somebody has to pay retail!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 29, 2013 12:20 PM (oJ5Fd)

185 Black Friday is like 9/11 to me.

Posted by: toby928© iwonders if he could make the cut at November 29, 2013 12:20 PM (QupBk)

186 If I could describe DEFIANCE in one word: pointless. So far, anyway.

Posted by: soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 12:20 PM (AYO1k)

187

  Fucking hot, sweaty, shouting - guaranteed to make me blow a gasket.

 

 

I was with you right up to 'gasket'.

Posted by: Bob Filner at November 29, 2013 12:20 PM (ts2EP)

188 when I grow up and kill the folks I will use the 'birding' defense

Posted by: Elvis Poisely at November 29, 2013 12:20 PM (P/zp9)

189 Is there any holiday that the preachy left doesn't try to ruin with their sanctimonious guilt trips while they're eating your food and shopping online for Christian Leboutier shoes?

Posted by: kbdabear at November 29, 2013 12:21 PM (aTXUx)

190

I didn't read the comments, but those people camping out in front of stores? Yeah they are all 100% Obama welfare recipients that get $100 gift cards and the marketing people budget for this every year. Then the local news media shows up to hype the "black Friday" nonsense. It's a big stunt.

 

Posted by: Jay in CDA at November 29, 2013 12:21 PM (+qoI9)

191 Someone who lines up at 6 AM on Thanksgiving for a doorbuster on Black Friday? This is a seriously fucked up set of priorities.

Maybe I've just never made enough money, but I have a hard time seeing "spend $50 for the thing my kid wants instead of $100" as a "fucked up set of priorities."  A penny saves is a penny earned, college fund, yadda yadda. 


Posted by: HeatherRadish™ at November 29, 2013 12:21 PM (hO8IJ)

192 Now you see me.  Now you don't.

Posted by: grease monkey at November 29, 2013 12:21 PM (qQk+U)

193 Is there any holiday that the preachy left doesn't try to ruin with their sanctimonious guilt trips while they're eating your food and shopping online for Christian Leboutier shoes?

Posted by: kbdabear

Ramadan?

Posted by: Bruce at November 29, 2013 12:22 PM (6cgFD)

194 Also, "what do you do if you have to piss?" Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 04:19 PM (CJjw5) If you're at Walmart, go on the floor and dial out a Code 20 on the phone.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at November 29, 2013 12:22 PM (oFCZn)

195 Is there any holiday that the preachy left doesn't try to ruin with their sanctimonious guilt trips while they're eating your food and shopping online for Christian Leboutier shoes? May Day.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 12:22 PM (CJjw5)

196 186 soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 04:20 PM (AYO1k)

Awesome,  I just look at it as my "Fuck you Family 10077 in your mad quest for decent entertainment!" Tax...

I got lucky with Elementary so I figure I am due a stinker or three

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:22 PM (9jfyN)

197
Friday Black, A Shame
With Rapes And Deaths Aplenty,
Rob Dem Homes Instead

Posted by: Dr Spank at November 29, 2013 12:23 PM (xlX1p)

198 I look at New Year's Eve in Times Square and think "Fuck that." Also, "what do you do if you have to piss?"

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 04:19 PM (CJjw5)

You pay the $10 cover at the incredibly shitty Irish pub on 44th St.

I did NYE in Times Square once, in my early 20s. It was fun, but I wasn't wowed.

Now of course it would take packs of rabid, hungry hyenas chasing me down the street to get me within 10 miles of Times Square on New Year's Eve.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 29, 2013 12:23 PM (oJ5Fd)

199 We're sure there will be a strong demand for estrogen boys dressed like Where's Waldo in the post-revolution utopia, comrade! Well, maybe, we don't know that Dingy Harry will survive the collapse.

Posted by: Weirddave at November 29, 2013 12:23 PM (N/cFh)

200 Oops.  Seems like the New York Times is running a special subscription deal during this "corporate" season too:

http://is.gd/UkChP6

http://is.gd/d8KrFd

Posted by: Will at November 29, 2013 12:23 PM (FdjiO)

201 174 sven at November 29, 2013 04:17 PM (9jfyN)

Amen, the Humongous didn't get where he was by telling people chaps were only to be worn over pants and under no circumstances will there be any raping.

Posted by: Baron Von Ottomatic at November 29, 2013 12:24 PM (kUgpq)

202 Daily reminder: Most liberals "sound" like homosexuals in their comments.

Posted by: WOW at November 29, 2013 12:24 PM (6j8ke)

203 The revolution will begin and end very quickly once people realize that no Wal-Mart means no food and no clothes.

Posted by: Lincolntf at November 29, 2013 12:24 PM (ZshNr)

204 sven, there's lots of gratuitous sex scenes in Defiance too. Too much if you ask me. do you like COPPER? Hell On Wheels? Longmire?

Posted by: soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 12:24 PM (AYO1k)

205 <i>"Plus, the Black Friday "savings" are largely an illusion. 40% off doesn't mean anything. These guys set the prices, for crying out loud. A sweater marked down from $200 to $110 was probably always intended to sell at $110."</i>

The 50" television I picked up for $45 always sold for $45? No, I think not.  My new sportcoat for one quarter of the price that I was considering paying last week? No, not illusory savings. Get a narrower brush before you start painting us again.

<i>"Many Black Friday "deals" are basically exploiting people's desire to feel like they've gotten the better of someone, that is, that they've swindled someone themselves. That they've struck an unfair deal -- but unfair in their own direction."</i>

?? 

How about, "I got a GREAT deal!"  Can I not enjoy a satisfaction without it being at someone else's expense? They had too many sportscoats in stock. So, they sold one of them to me, for a very low price. They now have room for new items, while I have a coat I wanted earlier but for a very reduced price. Win/win.

Posted by: bobby b at November 29, 2013 12:25 PM (raEg6)

206 What is "birding?" Is that like duck hunting or upland bird hunting? Because I'd rather get up early to do that than get up early to go shopping.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 12:25 PM (CJjw5)

207 Just saw a Denny's commercial featuring a Hobbit tie-in peddling Smaug's Fire Burger. Curious to see how they work a Denny's into the latest Hobbit movie.

Posted by: Baron Von Ottomatic at November 29, 2013 04:04 PM (kUgpq)


I got breakfast at a Denny's in Yuma last week, and saw those items on the menu. "Tacky" doesn't even begin to describe it, IMHO.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 29, 2013 12:25 PM (8Fl6F)

208 When the revolution comes the lower class will surely band with the elites who wish to take away their tobacco, saturated fats, V8 engines, Big Gulps, and guns.

And if they don't, art boy will make an Abrams tank out of recycled coffee grounds and unicorn farts.

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 12:25 PM (6TB1Z)

209 I worked for Nestle foods. As big as they are, Wal Mart is the 10,000 pound GOrilla in the room with a flaming barbed cactus cock. You WILL do it their way and at their price, or they will not carry your products. Try to make you numbers if Wally ain't carrying your stuff. This goes for K Mart...Walgreens...the Dollar Stores. But Walmart wags all of the dog.

Posted by: Bruce at November 29, 2013 12:26 PM (6cgFD)

210 205 What is "birding?" It's a finger sport.

Posted by: Harrison Bergeron at November 29, 2013 12:26 PM (JQuNB)

211 203 soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 04:24 PM (AYO1k)

Love Longmire and Hell on Wheels have not perused Copper yet...

I am pondering converting an 1858 Target Carbine to .45 LC cartridge in honor of Hell on Wheels and Lad 10077 does a Longmire impersonation every now and again...

*mumble, mumble, mumble....Absoroka County..."

God bless the boy.

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:26 PM (9jfyN)

212 >>Also, "what do you do if you have to piss?" Clearly, you haven't been to Times Square on New Year's Eve. Or just about any other night for that matter.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 29, 2013 12:27 PM (g1DWB)

213 Billy Joel had the perfect song for those who always manage to be so outraged at others

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpMv76SIUhg

Posted by: kbdabear at November 29, 2013 12:27 PM (aTXUx)

214 Maybe I've just never made enough money, but I have a hard time seeing "spend $50 for the thing my kid wants instead of $100" as a "fucked up set of priorities." A penny saves is a penny earned, college fund, yadda yadda.


If you're lucky enough to get one of the 5 items in stock for that kind of discount in return for your 8+ hour wait, have at it.   Very very few items are on sale to that degree.  As I said on Twitter - the bargains are like scratch-off tickets - sometimes you get a really nice payoff, but most of the time, they let you win just enough so you keep trying.

My kids like a certain type of doll.  I can line up at Wal-Mart on Black Friday and get a mark-up-to-mark-down price.  They are in high demand, so they won't be marked down that much. Maybe a buck cheaper than on any other day.

Or, I can spend that day with the kids and pick it up the dolls for an extra buck when people aren't acting like apes.

My priority meter chooses the latter.

Posted by: grognard at November 29, 2013 12:27 PM (/29Nl)

215 The wife went out last night and bought herself a Kindle Fire HD (to replace her antique Nook Color) for $99. Then she called me and asked if she should go back and get another one for our middle son (we'd been talking about getting him a tablet). Retail for those has been $199 for quite a while. There are good deals, if you stick with loss leaders. But I still don't go 'cause I hate crowds.

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 12:28 PM (MMC8r)

216 Now of course it would take packs of rabid, hungry hyenas chasing me down the street to get me within 10 miles of Times Square on New Year's Eve.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Yeah, like we'd chase you down there. 

Posted by: Rabid, hungry hyenas who want no part of Times Square on New Year's Eve at November 29, 2013 12:28 PM (6TB1Z)

217 "To me it means getting in the car with my spouse and adult daughters and heading to Cape May...Birding! None of us buy into this nonsensical consumer binge day." So either the idiot doesn't buy presents for his family, or he does it on a different day. If he's Scrooge, well, okay. If he shops on a different day, what difference does it make? Only thing I can think, if he's not Scrooge, is that he's a capitalist, and therefore only spends money at the last minute, so as not to lose the interest that his money would accrue in the interim. Either way, he is a conservative jackass, and probably a racist, too.

Posted by: jbarntt at November 29, 2013 12:28 PM (UNFot)

218 There's a place in the world for the angry young man
With his working class ties and his radical plans
He refuses to bend, he refuses to crawl,
He's always at home with his back to the wall.
And he's proud of his scars and the battles he's lost,
He struggles and bleeds as he hangs on the cross-
And he likes to be known as the angry young man.

Thank you! Oh, oh, yo yo yo oh oh

Give a moment or two to the angry young man,
With his foot in his mouth and his heart in his hand.
He's been stabbed in the back, he's been misunderstood,
It's a comfort to know his intentions are good.
He sits in a room with a lock on the door,
With his maps and his medals laid out on the floor
And he likes to be known as the angry young man.

I believe I've passed the age of consciousness & righteous rage
I found that just surviving was a noble fight.
I once believed in causes too, I had my pointless point of view,
Life went on no matter who was wrong or right, ohhhhh

And there's always a place for the angry young man,
With his fist in the air and his head in the sand.
And he's never been able to learn from mistakes,
He can't understand why his heart always breaks.
His honor is pure and his courage as well,
He's fair and he's true and he's boring as hell!
And he'll go to the grave as an angry old man.

Whoa, and there's always a place for the angry young man
With his working class ties and his radical plans
He refuses to bend, he refuses to crawl,
He's always at home with his back to the wall.
And he's proud of his scars and the battles he's lost,
He struggles and bleeds ‘til he hangs on the cross
And he likes to be known as the angry young man.

Posted by: kbdabear at November 29, 2013 12:28 PM (aTXUx)

219 Defiance, alien on human lesbian action ain't nearly as erotic as you would imagine.

Posted by: lowandslow at November 29, 2013 12:28 PM (IV4od)

220
The 50" television I picked up for $45 always sold for $45?


I call bullshit.

Posted by: grognard at November 29, 2013 12:29 PM (/29Nl)

221 The frog on the beetle sidebar item is just intriguing. The humungus of the insect wasteland.

Posted by: toby928© iwonders if he could make the cut at November 29, 2013 12:29 PM (QupBk)

222 218 lowandslow at November 29, 2013 04:28 PM (IV4od)

Tell me about it....

//Hillary Clinton's Secret Service Detail

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:29 PM (9jfyN)

223 Clearly, you haven't been to Times Square on New Year's Eve. Or just about any other night for that matter. Posted by: JackStraw at November 29, 2013 04:27 PM (g1DWB) --------------------------- I went there in October of 2000. Going back to NYC in a couple of weeks and that is definitely not on my "must-see" list of places. Taking The Heir to the Rockettes Christmas show so he can see what 5 miles of legs looks like all lined up and kickin.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 12:29 PM (CJjw5)

224 Seeing yourself on the evening news pummeling the poor dumb bastard that tried to take away junior's X-mas gizmo?

Priceless.  These are the family moments to be cherished.

Posted by: Fritz at November 29, 2013 12:29 PM (TKFmG)

225 223 Seeing yourself on the evening news pummeling the poor dumb bastard that tried to take away junior's X-mas gizmo? Priceless. These are the family moments to be cherished. Posted by: Fritz at November 29, 2013 04:29 PM (TKFmG) I'd be more impressed if it was a moron pummeling a hobo for the last bottle of Val-U-Rite.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at November 29, 2013 12:31 PM (oFCZn)

226 My M-i-L wanted me to fight the walmart horde for her and get the 40" 1080p TV for $178. I demurred. I'd rather just buy her a $250 one online.

Posted by: toby928© iwonders if he could make the cut at November 29, 2013 12:31 PM (QupBk)

227 What is "birding?"

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 04:25 PM (CJjw5)

This explanation will sound like total bullshit, and you will laugh at how stupid it sounds. But I swear, I am not making this up.

"Birding" is a pastime for a certain type of person (remember that guy in that bar a few years ago who walked in and your first thought was, "Gee, somebody needs to knock his teeth in?") that entails getting dressed up as if they were going pheasant hunting or duck hunting, but instead of bringing a shotgun, they bring...get this....a pair of binoculars and a camera.

Then they look for birds to identify and photograph. At the end of the day they have some birds' names written in a notebook and some crappy photos. No ducks or geese or pheasant or quail.

I am not bullshitting you.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 29, 2013 12:31 PM (oJ5Fd)

228

Billy Joel was ok when he was trying to be a rock star.

'Glass Houses' is a nearly perfect LP.

Posted by: garrett at November 29, 2013 12:32 PM (ts2EP)

229 Went to Barnes & Noble; all was calm, all was bright. A little heavier shopping than usual but not much. Got my coffee and cupcake with my membership card, then bought a Nook on sale for $79 and a bunch of calendars and books for presents, with deep discounts from my card and a coupon.

If you are going to buy stuff anyway, why not buy it on sale? I did well today.

Yes, it all did make me happy.  So there, libtards.

Hey, have you ever noticed the only time it's acceptable to say the word Christmas is when you are criticizing it?

Posted by: PJ at November 29, 2013 12:32 PM (ZWaLo)

230 226 CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 29, 2013 04:31 PM (oJ5Fd)

Yeah...I used to do a derivative game of this called..."Loss Prevention" it is really similar....


Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:32 PM (9jfyN)

231 At the end of the day they have some birds' names written in a notebook and some crappy photos. No ducks or geese or pheasant or quail.

I am not bullshitting you.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Sometimes you end up with a burr in your ass that you can complain about for weeks.

Posted by: Bruce at November 29, 2013 12:33 PM (6cgFD)

232 >>Taking The Heir to the Rockettes Christmas show so he can see what 5 miles of legs looks like all lined up and kickin. Lucky kid. My mom and dad took us when I was a kid. The memory is seared in my brain. When I was a wee lad, in a much simpler time, that was as close to porn as I got. Whole lotta legs.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 29, 2013 12:33 PM (g1DWB)

233 do you like COPPER?
Hell On Wheels?
Longmire?

Posted by: soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 04:24 PM (AYO1k)


Could not get into Copper myself.


HoW and Longmire push the limits of reasonablilty but are good popcorn fare IMHO.

Posted by: Hrothgar at November 29, 2013 12:33 PM (XdnQT)

234 At the end of the day they have some birds' names written in a notebook and some crappy photos. No ducks or geese or pheasant or quail. Ah, but its enough smug to last a year.

Posted by: --- at November 29, 2013 12:34 PM (MMC8r)

235 Then they look for birds to identify and photograph. At the end of the day they have some birds' names written in a notebook and some crappy photos. No ducks or geese or pheasant or quail. ------------------- What the fuck FOR? This is fun? That's just gay.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 12:34 PM (CJjw5)

236 232 Hrothgar at November 29, 2013 04:33 PM (XdnQT)

Longmire is mostly ok...

Hell on Wheels is okay if you just accept that Common was sent back through time in a space/time machine and is a tourist from the 1990s....

no really

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:34 PM (9jfyN)

237 Maybe a buck cheaper than on any other day.

You're talking about something completely different than I was.

It's nice that you've got money to burn, but that doesn't mean people who don't are "fucked up" for trying to maximize how they spend theirs.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ at November 29, 2013 12:34 PM (hO8IJ)

238


I am not bullshitting you.

 

 

You forgot the Journal.   They carry a Journal to enter their 'sightings'.

 

Had one of these guys in a boat, once. 

 He got quite upset when I yanked a shotgun out from under the seat and  shot a pair of  passing Wood Ducks. 

 

 

Posted by: garrett at November 29, 2013 12:35 PM (ts2EP)

239 234 Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 04:34 PM (CJjw5)

as was alluded to upthread the objective is Smug cup filling Jeff...

you know what I call "birding"?

Fucking taking a hike or a walk...

save the shitty pictures.

Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 12:35 PM (9jfyN)

240 re: Common Eddie Murphy did a bit on how he'd behave if he were a slave back then. He was all like "Fuck Y'all motherfuckers, I ain't doing that!" I think that's where Common got his act.

Posted by: soothsayer is connectin the dots at November 29, 2013 12:37 PM (AYO1k)

241 Whole lotta legs.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 29, 2013 04:33 PM (g1DWB)

Several years ago we took the brood into NYC for a couple of Broadway shows. The first one was Chicago. I had resigned myself to two hours of screeching and a miserable time.

It was two hours of gorgeous women dancing in lingerie.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 29, 2013 12:37 PM (oJ5Fd)

242 This is fun? That's just gay. You say that like it's a bad thing. You'd change your mind if you ever once experienced the ecstasy of the Prothonotary Warbler. Nazi.

Posted by: Alger Hisss at November 29, 2013 12:37 PM (JQuNB)

243 Yes, it all did make me happy. So there, libtards.

The best revenge. Well done, PJ.

Posted by: Retread at November 29, 2013 12:38 PM (IiAs3)

244 Billy Joel was ok when he was trying to be a rock star.

This is probably my favorite of his songs. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNZeGnV43ys

Reminds me of my yoot, when women could crook their fingers and I'd get all funny feeling.  Don't make it dirty.

Posted by: pep at November 29, 2013 12:38 PM (6TB1Z)

245 When I was a wee lad, in a much simpler time, that was as close to porn as I got. Whole lotta legs. Posted by: JackStraw at November 29, 2013 04:33 PM (g1DWB) -------------------------- Yeah, he likes the ladies. Bug, Pigpen and The Barnacle are looking forward to seeing that "Wicked" musical and the American Girl store. And they all want to see FAO Schwarz. I kinda do, too, since I recently re-watched "Big."

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 12:38 PM (CJjw5)

246 Posted by: sven at November 29, 2013 04:34 PM (9jfyN)

Yeah, that about covers it.  My complaint with Longmire is the old "noble savage in tune with nature and the universe" saving the evil white man's butt.

Posted by: Hrothgar at November 29, 2013 12:38 PM (XdnQT)

247

Reminds me of my yoot, when women could crook their fingers and I'd get all funny feeling

 

 

I know that twick!

Posted by: Barney Frank at November 29, 2013 12:39 PM (ts2EP)

248 If you are using EBT cards on Black Friday you need to be seemed with a 4" wide concrete drill bit. That's my money you are spending Homey. Otherwise, one is free to with their hard-earned money as they see fit. Oh, and the day the NYT does not print Black Friday advertisements is the day I take them and their hipster hippies seriously. Most probably do this: BIL is union and does not shop at Wal-Mart. He asks his folks to go their for him.

Posted by: The Man from Athens at November 29, 2013 12:39 PM (RXQ2T)

249 Copper was good originally as a period Police procedural show but they turned it into a period soap opera.

Posted by: lowandslow at November 29, 2013 12:39 PM (IV4od)

250 191 Someone who lines up at 6 AM on Thanksgiving for a doorbuster on Black Friday? This is a seriously fucked up set of priorities. Maybe I've just never made enough money, but I have a hard time seeing "spend $50 for the thing my kid wants instead of $100" as a "fucked up set of priorities." A penny saves is a penny earned, college fund, yadda yadda. Posted by: HeatherRadish™ at November 29, 2013 04:21 PM (hO8IJ) ____________ Do the math. You spend 24 hours to save $100. That means you're paying yourself $4.16 an hour to line up in the cold.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 29, 2013 12:40 PM (0LHZx)

251 Here was my comment: "On Black Friday I give thanks that I have worked hard enough and been successful enough that I don't have to go out and battle and jostle amongst the peasants for discount presents." I wonder if they will publish it.

Posted by: Kasper Hauser at November 29, 2013 12:41 PM (7x9pP)

252 I have no problem with Birders. At least they get out in the muck and mire and develop some photography skills. It's the doucheknuckles with the Outdoorsy coffee table books who couldn't tell a grackle from a gosling that bug me.

Posted by: Lincolntf at November 29, 2013 12:42 PM (ZshNr)

253 251 Moo Moo just stepped in it .. Posted by: grease monkey at November 29, 2013 04:41 PM (qQk+U) When has ever not stepped in it? Now that I see him here I'm off for a time.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at November 29, 2013 12:42 PM (oFCZn)

254 I worked for Nestle foods. As big as they are, Wal Mart is the 10,000 pound GOrilla in the room with a flaming barbed cactus cock. You WILL do it their way and at their price, or they will not carry your products. Try to make you numbers if Wally ain't carrying your stuff. This goes for K Mart...Walgreens...the Dollar Stores. But Walmart wags all of the dog. *** Long story, but I heard it about 12 years ago and it still sticks with me. A former VP of Sales at Yellow Freight was teaching a negotiations seminar when he told the story about negotiating with Walmart. He said that he prepared for months for the upcoming contract renewal. He had all his ducks in a row and knew that Yellow was barely breaking even on the deal. A few days prior to his scheduled meeting with Walmart, he was called in by the big guy to ask for his final proposal. He said he was quite proud of the research he had done and the nerve he had gathered up to tell Walmart to go pound sand if they wouldn't agree to an increase. He said his boss listened patiently to his entire speech and then calmly explained to him that, due to Walmart, x000's of people at Yellow had good paying jobs. That xoo's of millions of dollars were pumped into the local economy due to the wages they supported at Yellow. He explained that, sometimes, breaking even is good enough. And, then he told him that if he didn't come back with a signed contract, not to come back at all. He was floored because he had never looked at it that way. Then, he arrived in Bentonville and learned another lesson. He had expected that there would be a meeting in a big conference room somewhere but that, instead, he was escorted into a tiny little room with no windows and only a table and a couple of chairs. There were no pictures on the wall and the entire room was white. However, there was a t.v., and on that t.v. played endless 'Go America!" and "Thanks for being part of the great American dream!" propaganda. He said he felt like he was there for hours. Then suddenly, the door swung open and in walked Sam Walton. Before he could stand up Walton had grabbed his hand, shaking it vigorously, and thanked him for his contribution to keep America working, blah, blah, blah and, then... he was gone. Poof! He said that, despite the fact that he knew he had been manipulated, he was blown away by their audacity and the brilliance of their tactics and, in truth, he knew he was doing the right thing. So, he renewed their contract and even managed to eke out slightly better terms. Yes. I've heard of other, more base tactics at Walmart, such at the crap they pull with making suppliers sit in low-slung beach chairs at meetings but, the truth still holds: They contribute enormously to the health and welfare of this nation. I am a fan.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at November 29, 2013 12:43 PM (DmNpO)

Posted by: Billy Joel at November 29, 2013 12:43 PM (ts2EP)

256 couldn't tell a grackle from a gosling ---------------------------- We got your point. You don't have to go making words up.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 12:43 PM (CJjw5)

257 You spend 24 hours to save $100. That means you're paying yourself $4.16 an hour to line up in the cold. Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 29, 2013 04:40 PM (0LHZx) -------------------------- Incorrect. You're spending your time and your money however the fuck you please.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 29, 2013 12:47 PM (CJjw5)

258 Incorrect. You're spending your time and your money however the fuck you please. *** Is it wrong to have a crush on a married man?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at November 29, 2013 12:49 PM (DmNpO)

259 It's funny. On Thursday night I was so bored and restless I went out driving around just so I could be doing something with an audio book playing. One particular chain of supermarket, Ralphs, was the designated player to be open this year until 9 for last minute grocery shopping.

So I went around to the various Ralphs stores to see if there were any good markdowns. My sister and mother had gone to a movie (Philomena) but I just don't have the patience for movies these days, with no pause button. So I found a few good items for lunches in the next week and generally walked around the nearly empty stores a lot.

But the big sales? I just stayed in bed. I looked at all of the ads and didn't see anything I really wanted. A few good price on some video games but nothing I couldn't expect to match later on and hardly worth making a special trip for today when I have so many games yet unplayed on a shelf.

I guess I'm too worried about finances for frivolous stuff and if I had more money I would rather pay a bit more than deal with traffic and crowds. Also, I'm trying to get rid of excess stuff right now so I can stop renting a storage locker. I've made a lot of progress but it's emotionally wrenching, having to decide what really matters and what is just clutter. Another part is looking at a pile of stuff I paid good money for years ago and finding it is now worthless or nearly so. I probably have close to four 'book' size moving boxes of DVDs I bought in the period from 1998 to 2002 that I should really get rid of. The space they take up could be reduced to a single hard drive. The market for used DVDs is such that I'd be lucky get 50 cents for each one. If I made enough to use the tax write-off I'd donate them to the library but I don't.

The real problem is letting go.

Posted by: Epobirs at November 29, 2013 12:50 PM (bPxS6)

260 I prefer to spend my Fridays daydreaming of gladiators. Thrusting, always thrusting.





Posted by: Oozra Klown at November 29, 2013 12:50 PM (6jI2x)

261 Any Black Friday ads in the Times?

Posted by: eman at November 29, 2013 12:54 PM (AO9UG)

262 I am a fan.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at November 29, 2013 04:43 PM (DmNpO)


Fits with what my salesman nephew has told me. For a while his (only) account was Walmart. 'They tell me what the payment terms are, I say OK. It's what you do if you want them to sell your products.'


For all people denigrate Walmart, they sell at lower prices than any place else around here. Del Monte canned corn tastes the same whether I buy it at Walmart or the chain grocery store, which charges more, btw.

Posted by: Retread at November 29, 2013 12:55 PM (IiAs3)

263 They didn't publish my first comment, so I submitted this oneÂ… "On Black Friday, I like to eschew crass commercialism and spend the day thinking about ways to help my fellow men and womenÂ…. I don't actually do anything for them of course--They are nothing but a bunch of pack animals driven to frenzy by discounted TVs--but I like to spend they day THINKING about doing somethingÂ…." Wonder if this one will make the cut?

Posted by: Kasper Hauser at November 29, 2013 01:02 PM (7x9pP)

264 I love AoS for threads like this here. Cracks jokes about people pointing out the scam and impropriety of Black Friday and then... points out that Black Friday is a scam and indecent. Stay Stupid, AoS. Couldn't live without the unintentional hilarity.

Posted by: Palooka at November 29, 2013 01:02 PM (f8Sgo)

265 #249

Not quite accurate. Many people pay good money to attend events whose main draw is the social contact it encourages. From what I've seen, for many of these shoppers, it is a social event as much as an opportunity to score a bargain.

And I'm in Los Angeles County. It was a bit chilly this morning but nothing I'd be concerned about if there were an item I really wanted at the advertised price. But I'm only shopping for myself and I haven't seen anything I need or really want at an especially good price.

Posted by: Epobirs at November 29, 2013 01:04 PM (bPxS6)

266 I think its sucky for Wal*Mart to be open on Thanksgiving, and I suspect Sam would have never done it. They make plenty of money otherwise. But its their business, and if people think its lousy, they can vote with their wallets and stay home.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at November 29, 2013 01:12 PM (zfY+H)

267 I've heard of other, more base tactics at Walmart, such at the crap they pull with making suppliers sit in low-slung beach chairs at meetings but, the truth still holds: They contribute enormously to the health and welfare of this nation.

I am a fan.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at November 29, 2013 04:43 PM (DmNpO)

Awesome story, Niedermeyer!!!  I can't count the number of times I told a contractor to bid a job just to keep his crew working.  The days of the fat, fat profit margin had ended and, to their credit, they all "got" it.  While I don't shop at Walmart (if you ever want to laugh like a hyena on crack, check out the yelp comments on the one store in LA), I am also a fan.

Posted by: Peaches at November 29, 2013 01:15 PM (8lmkt)

268 Next year, the NYT will run an article on the Christmas that was eaten by the Grinch of Obamacare. No one can afford presents, and people are at home wrapping up and hiding all the leftovers and fighting off the bandits out robbing homes for food and electronics. Stores will be closed of course, per the pan-employer union contract.

It will bring families together; no one will be obese any more. And Friday, we will all go stand in line for our free flu shots.

Utopia will have arrived.

Posted by: PJ at November 29, 2013 01:16 PM (ZWaLo)

269 So which of them called in the terror threat to Wal-Mart in White Plains?

Posted by: Dept. Of Acuracy at November 29, 2013 01:20 PM (MhA4j)

270 TL;DR.

What movie did Ace review?

{Just kidding)

Posted by: butch at November 29, 2013 01:21 PM (EV3Uf)

271 Haven't seen Pookie in these parts for a while. He must have the O'care blues.

Posted by: toby928© iwonders if he could make the cut at November 29, 2013 01:29 PM (QupBk)

272 /corrects lazy sock

Posted by: toby928© wonders if he could make the cut at November 29, 2013 01:30 PM (QupBk)

273 So Teh Ewok didn't like this movie either.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at November 29, 2013 02:09 PM (c2oll)

274 Why, it's it's palooka! hey, palooka, did you get to lecture anybody at Thanksgiving about the wonderfulness of Obamacare and the greatness of Obama? Did you then get a pumpkin pie in your face? Or are your relatives also all drooling libtards?

Posted by: Donna V. at November 29, 2013 02:10 PM (R3gO3)

275 "jealous"? FYNQ.

Posted by: nip at November 29, 2013 02:13 PM (jI23+)

276 Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians are free to beat grandma to lining the pockets of the evil price-gouging money changers.

There is a pestilence upon this land.

As I rise above it all I pity my poor countrymen.

Posted by: Pity for Those That Know No Better at November 29, 2013 02:20 PM (RqvKn)

277 >I always say that the unexpressed Main Point of 70% of communication is "I'm better than You" or "I'm better than these Other People."< Dammit. He nailed this Moron. 'Cept I'm right.

Posted by: Golfman in NC at November 29, 2013 02:40 PM (YVXLf)

278 Hate Black Friday? Raaaaaaacissssssst!

Posted by: whatmeworry? at November 29, 2013 02:48 PM (dZGNV)

279 Everclear lyrics: "I hate those people who love to tell you Money is the root of all that kills They have never been poor They have never had the joy of a welfare Christmas"

Posted by: Cameo Appearance at November 29, 2013 03:06 PM (R8yKQ)

280 So, I take it there will be no "shops" or "merchants" in Liberal Utopia?

That should not surprise me. Liberals are generally "takers" not "makers" aren't they?

Posted by: shibumi at November 29, 2013 03:12 PM (25HWz)

281 Note that Wal*Mart's strategy is to reduce prices to the lowest possible level-- that is, to attain the lowest "corporate mark-up."

Not true.  Walmart's gross profit margins are pretty much the highest in the industry, and if you are capable of keeping track of specials on a week-to-week basis, even their prices are not the lowest.  And I am not talking about burning gasoline running to three different stores in a day...if you rotate between Safeway, Kroger and Costco on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, you can beat a Walmart bill every single time.

I used to buy the bulk of my groceries at Walmart, but started to notice some suspicious pricing patterns and started comparison shopping.  Changed my whole retail consumer strategery.

There are still some items that I will buy at Walmart (they are across the street from my favorite grocery store, so it's not out of my way), but they are definitely not worth a separate trip.

Posted by: HTL at November 29, 2013 03:58 PM (d6iMX)

282 "Illusory savings"? I used my smartphone to check the Internet prices, and the $350 laptop I bought today is $450 on NewEgg with an IronEgg guarantee (a promise that no other Internet dealer has a better price). Some deals are real.

Posted by: mr_jack at November 29, 2013 04:57 PM (8Mehd)

283 I like how grognard spends this entire thread doing his very own moral preening and doesn't realize it, which sets him up for the EoJ death blow.

Posted by: Ian S. at November 29, 2013 05:45 PM (102Hx)

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