heh, listening to a report about "black friday" in the US on the radio right now. apparently they have to call in the police to keep the crowds under control !!
they interviewed some shoppers, now they're interviewing a guy who lost his job and now is homeless ; they asked him if he wasn't a bit sickened to see such rampant consumption in his situation, and he said no, but if he gets another job he'll hold on to it with his teeth.