WTF Stories of the Week

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

Worker dies at Long Island Wal-Mart after being trampled in Black Friday stampede

What the fück is wrong with those people!?! You're gonna kill someone to save 20 bucks? You can not tell me that people didn't know they were walking over someone. A human body does NOT feel like a level floor.

And of course, the family has already filed suit against Wal-Mart

While I typically am against lawsuits (not all: I just think this society files WAY too many), this is one instance where I am in favor of it (at least at first blush).

I have also heard on the news that they were reviewing the video to see if they can spot anyone in the crush who is criminally negligent in this case (although I couldn't find on-line corroboration).

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

While I typically am against lawsuits (not all: I just think this society files WAY too many), this is one instance where I am in favor of it (at least at first blush).

I very much agree!

[Disneyphile]

"When they were saying they had to leave, that an employee got killed, people were yelling, 'I've been on line since Friday morning!'" Cribbs said. "They kept shopping."

People disgust me.

Well, at least they saved a few bucks on a new TV to watch the news about the people they trampled.

I hope they can pick out the people who actually pushed him down. If they're going to act like animals, they deserve to be in cages.

I hate the way some people act this time of year, all over "stuff" that they can get any other time of year, and for the same price or much cheaper most of those times too! And, I don't want to hear that "people can only afford it this time of year". That's bull****. I grew up in a lower class family with only one working parent, and Christmas shopping started January 1st, and was usually completed by the end of October. If my family did it, so can others. If my siblings and I wanted a "hot item", we had to wait until after the holidays for it. And, because my parents spread the shopping expenses out all year, we often received more than a lot of kids.

There's just no reason or excuse for manic behavior this time of year, especially over material crap.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

I hope they can pick out the people who actually pushed him down. If they're going to act like animals, they deserve to be in cages.

IMO, the chances of being able to identify any one or two people is thin. This tragedy is born strictly out of the mob mentality. The person who may have actually knocked the victim over was probably being pushed from behind. More than one person contributed to the trampling; even people who did not come in direct contact with the victim are responsible for his death.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

IMO, the chances of being able to identify any one or two people is thin. This tragedy is born strictly out of the mob mentality. The person who may have actually knocked the victim over was probably being pushed from behind. More than one person contributed to the trampling; even people who did not come in direct contact with the victim are responsible for his death.

I know. And, that's why I'm not opposed to rounding 'em all up. As harsh as that sounds... if you're gonna play with the mob... be prepared to take the consequences with the mob.

When the chanting started to break down the doors, people had a choice to not play a part, and could leave. But, that would have meant giving up the chance for a "deal" on a TV.

I'm not going to hurt anyone or watch anyone get hurt over a stupid item. If I'm surrounded by any kind of hostile crowd situation, I'm going to remove myself from it. Nothing in life is worth that.

[Betty]

If you look up walmart trampling or stampede (I forget which - but saw it last night) on youtube you'll see another video of a different event.
It's true about the push of people. They all just start walking and when someone falls the people in the back just keep going causing the front people to fall on the person already on the ground.

What's disturbing is knowing that this has happened before and they haven't fixed it. Makes you sick to watch it.


They could pass out numbers and let people in 10 at a time until there was no longer a line out front. Of course, they may not make the same amount of money - but what price does WalMart place on a life?

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Betty

If you look up walmart trampling or stampede (I forget which - but saw it last night) on youtube you'll see another video of a different event.

Just curious: is the video you are referring to an actual different event? There was a Wal Mart trampling incident last year as well (but no one was killed in that one).

Originally Posted by Betty

They could pass out numbers and let people in 10 at a time until there was no longer a line out front. Of course, they may not make the same amount of money - but what price does WalMart place on a life?

Actual, a system like this probably wouldn't affect their bottom line as the loss leader items are limited in number anyways and they would still sell out. People would still come in the same numbers expecting to be able to get them and would still go in the store and purchase the same amount.

At least, I think that is what would happen.

[Betty]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Just curious: is the video you are referring to an actual different event? There was a Wal Mart trampling incident last year as well (but no one was killed in that one).

I'm not sure when it happened - but more then one person fell and those behind them just kept coming.

There's a cell phone video from this year that I chose not to watch. It was after the event and they were giving him CPR and I shut it off. Don't need to see that.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Betty

IThere's a cell phone video from this year that I chose not to watch. It was after the event and they were giving him CPR and I shut it off. Don't need to see that.

The real gem in the video was when someone blocked the cell phone's view and the guy holding the cellphone said, "This guy is in my ****ing view. Dammit." And, this was towards the end after they'd been trying endlessly to revive the victim, long after the severity of the issue was "portrayed". How much more did he need to see?

So, the guy with the cellphone doesn't exactly have my respect either.

It's a shame that the cops weren't immediately available when the crowd was chanting about pushing the doors down. In situations like that, I'm all for the beanbag guns, and the store refusing to open until people behave themselves. But, most stores probably wouldn't do that, because the money is more important.

It's just sad all around. How many lives have to end until people get a clue?

My heart is with the victims and their families. I have zero compassion towards the shoppers.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

It's a shame that the cops weren't immediately available when the crowd was chanting about pushing the doors down. In situations like that, I'm all for the beanbag guns, and the store refusing to open until people behave themselves. But, most stores probably wouldn't do that, because the money is more important.

The decisions were probably being made by lower level persons. I can't place too much blame on the people working the store that day. They were probably scared shytless looking at the lynch mob just on the other side of the door and honestly didn't know what to do. There was probably an element of "they are going to break down the door and kill us."