[JustPiper]

While They are Shopping "Black Friday"

I am angry watching the news and the 'insanity' of all those greedy buggers with dollars to waste sit at "Best Buy" to buy their electronic toys while THIS is going on!!!

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) Iraqi officials now say 202 people died and 252 were wounded in the attack on Baghdad's Sadr City.

Bombs Kill 22 After Deadly Day in Iraq

Shiites Burn Six Sunni Worshippers Alive

Shoppers leave a Best Buy store with their purchases in Chicago November 24, 2006. Americans shook off their turkey-and-cranberry hangovers and hit the stores early on Friday, anxious to start holiday shopping and take advantage of deals offered by retailers including Gap, Macy's and Best Buy

Mosques torched after worst Iraq bombing

Female bomber, 68, wounds 3 IDF troops

Best Buy slowly figuring out the best buyers are women.'Hi! Welcome to Best Buy! Cute sweater! Banana Republic, right?" No, Best Buy did not pull a Freaky Friday with sales associates from Express. Not yet, anyway. But this rather uncharacteristic greeting, delivered when I entered the store last week, was no accident, either. Best Buy is trying to soften its image. It's easy to understand why: Women now outspend men on electronics

Death toll from Iraq Sadr City bombs up to 202

[Cindy]

I understand JP.

A blessed Thanksgiving weekend to you.

[raybbr]

I am angry watching the news and the 'insanity' of all those greedy buggers with dollars to waste sit at "Best Buy" to buy their electronic toys while THIS is going on!!!

It's just entertainment, folks. Nothing more. Just don't forget to spend all your money. It's the patriotic thing to do.

"Some retailers are trying to find a way to take advantage of the fact that once dinner is over, many families are looking for some kind of entertainment," said Ellen Davis, spokeswoman at National Retail Federation, a trade group.

[WestCoastGal]

Hi JP.

It is very maddening!!

I watched a special show yesterday about a lady and her Golden Retriever that visit Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio to bring a little happiness to the wounded soldiers.

Here is a short story I found about them.........

• Carol Triesch and Jasmine volunteer in a number of facilities in San Antonio, most
notably Brooke Army Medical Center. There, they work with soldiers returning from Iraq
with burns and amputated limbs. “Carol and Jasmine touch the lives of countless soldiers and their families every day,”
says Gen. Mark A. Graham of Fort Sam Houston, citing their “immeasurable impact in
meeting the needs of the soldiers and comforting broken hearts.”

---

It was heart wrenching to watch these heroes suffering as they do. I pray for their recovery, we always salute them on the Nascar thread for their bravery. Also pray for the safe return of all those in Iraq and Afghanistan along with the medics who care for them and save so many of their lives.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=hamas

---

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/11/24/business/briefs.php

"Briefly: Hamas cameraman killed by Israeli troops"

The Associated Press
Published: November 24, 2006


JERUSALEM: INTERNATIONAL

[blackie]

Hi JP ~ Bible Prophesy is just being fulfilled.

[SeaBiscuit]

Happy Thanksgiving JP, good to hear from you, the message is loud and clear.

Prayers up for our Troops.

[Donna Lee Nardo]

I must concur with your thoughts, JP. We are so cushy here in the U.S. We have much to be thankful for and we are thankful for the most part. The commercial form of the upcoming holidays is mainly for kids.

I ran out to a few stores today (just to get water and some more things to spoil my pets! and I just wanted to run away to someplace quiet after only a few minutes. I detest the holiday music playing over the store stereo systems and every stereo everywhere and I detest all the glitz and cheap decorations everywhere... I think holidays should be more private.

I am not celebrating too much this year. One manger and one menorah and THAT'S IT! So much for my $500 beautiful but artificial Christmas tree and all my antique ornaments; they haven't seen the light of day in a few years. But they are not "Christmas" anyway. And no gifts! Everyone gives to animal rescue organizations in my name like in prior years. I am sending supplies and gifts to our military people like in past years.

I do not mean to sound like a grinch, but this is what I am comfortable with. For those with children, I see why it is different and I understand and support them.

As for me, my family wants to disown me again this year when I tell them that I am already sick looking at the Christmas decorations everywhere; that I can't listen to my regular radio station this time of year; and that I again do not want any gifts except donations to animal groups.

I begged my roommate to do the same and not decorate overtly, but he wants to since he has only lived here for about 1 year and he has been looking forward to stringing lights...it's his house, so I told him if he decorated, I would not help him....still, I am hoping he will reconsider.

Thank goodness my current neighbors take their decorations down right after the holiday ends unlike some areas here... It is a somewhat patriotic area though, so at least that is good. Still, I can't wait to leave this area sometime in the New Year.

Oh, and did I say Happy Holidays, JP?!

P.S. Somewhere on FR there is an fantastic annual thread about giving to military members and their families. Gifts and supplies need to be sent by early December. It is a wonderful gesture to make.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=mexico
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=organizedcrime
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=gangs
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=illegalimmigration
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=drugs
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=illegaldrugs


===
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http://mensnewsdaily.com/2006/11/23/mexico-produces-most-of-methamphetamine-coming-into-us/

"Mexico Produces Most of Methamphetamine Coming into US"
November 23, 2006
NewsLog
By Jim Kouri, CPP

===
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http://www.dea.gov

http://www.dea.gov/meth_awareness.html
"NATIONAL METHAMPHETAMINE AWARENESS DAY"
NOVEMBER 30, 2006

[Donna Lee Nardo]

Here is the military gift giving thread run by Freeper patriciaruth
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1562436/posts?page=1469#1469

You can e-mail directly to patriciaruth with any questions.

She is the wonderful gal who knows everything about getting food and other items to the troops.

[SlowBoat407]

JP, don't forget that Kelly Ripa, Rosie O'Donnell, and Clay Aiken are having some kind of three-way feud, and that has gotten more ink than the fact that a russian whistle-blower has been killed with some kind of nuke device, a Lebanese Cabinet Minister has been brutally assassinated, and Iran is going full speed ahead on weapons development.

It's frustrating what people find important.

[all4one]

JP, your sentiments are known in my heart as well. I don't "get" the worship of "things" mentality...never have...thankfully. People are surprised when they talk about the things they need...need to get their children, etc. My answer is always the same...my family have all that we will ever "need" with our family, our health, our faith, our friends, and too many real blessings to ever count. We do give one another gifts at Christmas, but we celebrate the real meaning of the season.

In a recent conversation with a co-worker, we were discussing our 10 year old sons. I was telling her how my son asks where we will be volunteering during Christmas. And he and my 8 year old know that part of the money that they receive throughout the year they will donate to a needy family or local charity. With our help they can easily make the determination on where their donation will go. It helps them realize how blessed they are...and that in giving do they really receive. This is how I grew up and I think it has always kept me grounded in reality. I want them to be grounded and take part in these choices now while they are young.

While I know that in some way this shopping boosts our economy, creates jobs for those in the retail sector, etc. I find the coverage and over-the-top need for "things" very distasteful. Makes me pay more attention to keep praying for Iraq, our soldiers, their families, the middle east, our society, our government, etc.

[TAdams8591]

I'll be dammed if some store is going to manipulate me into waking up at 4AM to go shopping at 5AM. And I really do love electronics. But I can get by without them.

I agree with your take on this. Too many people could care less about death in Iraq, or elsewhere. They just can't survive without their toys.

[MamaDearest]

Best Buy slowly figuring out the best buyers are women.'Hi! Welcome to Best Buy! Cute sweater! Banana Republic, right?" No, Best Buy did not pull a Freaky Friday with sales associates from Express. Not yet, anyway. But this rather uncharacteristic greeting, delivered when I entered the store last week, was no accident, either. Best Buy is trying to soften its image. It's easy to understand why: Women now outspend men on electronics

Best Buy refuses to acknowledge Christmas again this year - using WOW as their advertising gimmick to collect those profits. Not a penny will be leave my billfold or check from my checkbook and find their way to the Best Buy cash registers.