Did Someone Forget to say "Excuse Me"?

It looks like the family of the gentleman trampled to death when Black Friday crowds broke through WalMarts electronic doors at 5 a.m., is suing Walmart for "creating an environment of frenzy and mayhem". Huh?

While I sympathize with this man's family absolutley for their terrible loss, is blaming Walmart for man's inhumanity to man appropriate? I guess the absence of chestnuts roasting on an open fire outside the store at 5 am on Long Island and no Jimmie Stewart to claim "It's a Wonderful Life", while snow flurried down upon the cheery holiday shoppers was the catalyst for the frenzy and mayhem. That must be how a crowd of human beings devolved into animalistic behavior allowing them to knock down and trample a 6 foor 5 inch, 270 pound man eventually asphyxiating him?

What ever happened to common courtesy to others and respect? I'm not talking all out chivalry here, I'm not that naive to think that even comes close to existing anymore in the "me" world. I'm talking the basics: ladies first, respect for and assisting seniors, making way for those physically challenged, letting others pass, helping children and holding their hands in crowds, crossing the street, etc.

The New York Daily News reported that witnesses said shoppers continued to stream past emergency crews as they worked furiously to save the 34-year-old worker's life, before the Valley Stream, N.Y., store was closed.

I guess it's fortunate the emergency crews weren't also trampled but they probably dragged the fallen man out of the way of onrushing shoppers to work on him. These guys have seen the worst and obviously knew they were at risk too!

As many as six other people, including a pregnant woman, also suffered minor injuries in the incident, according to reports.

Hey, it was still dark and probably cold so if she had a coat on, how were dedicated shoppers to know that woman was pregnant and show her some courtesy? Her bad for being in the way I guess.

What happened was tragic. Suing Walmart for the abhorrent behavior of a crowd of moronic neanderthals is a sad commentary on the basic premises of right and wrong as well as the equally out of control, litigious society. But I guess in the end, somebody forgot to say, "excuse me"...