Be INFORMED

Friday, November 28, 2008

Black Friday: Shopping Deaths At Wal-Mart And Toys 'R' Us

  The way that some people will stand in line for hours while waiting for a certain store to open its doors is amazing to me. The worst part is that some of these waiting customers will run over anyone who happens to be in their way when those doors do open.

  USAToday

NEW YORK (AP) — A Wal-Mart worker was killed Friday when "out-of-control" shoppers desperate for bargains broke down the doors at a 5 a.m. sale. Other workers were trampled as they tried to rescue the man, and customers shouted angrily and kept shopping when store officials said they were closing because of the death, police and witnesses said.

At least four other people, including a woman who was eight months pregnant, were taken to hospitals for observation or minor injuries, and the store in Valley Stream on Long Island closed for several hours before reopening.

Police said criminal charges were possible in the case, but Fleming said it would be difficult to identify individual shoppers. Authorities were reviewing surveillance video.

  Do we no longer have any sense or decency in this country?

   Meanwhile, violence broke out between what could possibly be gang members at a  Toys 'R' Us in California.

PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) — Two people were shot to death in a crowded toy store Friday in a confrontation apparently involving rival groups, city officials said.

The violence erupted on Black Friday, the traditional post-Thanksgiving start of the holiday shopping surge, but accounts of what occurred inside the store were fragmentary or second hand and it was not clear whether it involved any shopping frenzy.

"Some people got into a fight," said Splain, who spoke with some of the customers. "One of the guys here thought it was over a toy but it got louder and louder and then there were gunshots."

  Tis the season, I guess.

Wachovia Executives Will Be Paid Handsomely

Wachovia execs make out like bandits

by Dollars & Sense

Don't worry about the bankers. They'll be alright.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wachovia Corp (NYSE:WB - News), which lost $33 billion in the last two quarters, said 10 top executives may be entitled to $98.1 million in severance pay after the bank is acquired by Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC - News).
In a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Wachovia said the executives would receive severance under their employment agreements if the merger closes by December 31, as expected. Wachovia said shareholders will vote on the merger on Dec 23.
The 10 executives do not include Robert Steel, who in July replaced the ousted Ken Thompson as Wachovia's chief executive, and does not have an employment agreement.
Wachovia also said a closing would entitle its 11 executive officers, who include Steel, as well as Chairman Lanty Smith to $2.5 million in equity-based awards under existing stock incentive plans. But the executives' stock options are worthless, the bank said.

  I want a bailout too! I know that this isn't a bailout, but since I am not a bank CEO and can't get stock options and the other perks, I want a bailout!!

   If the banks and all of those Wall Street firms can get a government bailout for purposely running their companies into the ground and for ripping of many retiree's, then I should be able to get a bailout since I at least try to make money for my business without stealing it.