I'm probably not their Target (or Walmart) customer but I am interested in the trend for moving Black Friday up a day.
Part of me looks at this question and wonders what the draw is? Does the extra 4 to 8 hours of shopping really make a difference? If you really want to increase the shopping opportunities between Thanksgiving and Christmas, how about simply keeping doors open later? Open at 8 AM and close at midnight, or go 24 hours.
If you want to draw more customers in during those extended hours ... offer loss leaders on other days than Black Friday.
Then we get to the question of "Do we really need to sacrifice the family time of Thanksgiving so retailers can make a few more bucks?" Now I've shopped on Thanksgiving and Christmas and been very appreciative of the convenience stores that were open. But that doesn't mean I want the whole country going to work on Thanksgiving Thursday. I like the fact that my family gets together. I'm sure other families like this too.
The preference for retailers would be to have the stores open everyday of the year. This holiday thing just gets in the way of corporate earnings and profits.
My preference is to stage an Occupy Main Street protest and simply stay home. Shopping is crazy enough during the holidays. Doing it with crazed housewives focused on getting the best deals they can find is way more than I can handle.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Tebow Hater's
I find it absolutely hilarious that number of Sports Commentators that can't help themselves in telling us how bad Tebow is.
Al Davis -- Just Win Baby -- had it right. Would you rather have a 2 and 8 Bronco team without Tebow or a 5 and 5 team? Perhaps Tebow will never be the kind of QB that rewrites stat books on passing but you can't help but appreciate his drive for success. I'd rather have a QB that plays to win vs. one that plays for stats anyway you slice it.
They won't change their opinions but a nice cup of STFU would go a long way.
Al Davis -- Just Win Baby -- had it right. Would you rather have a 2 and 8 Bronco team without Tebow or a 5 and 5 team? Perhaps Tebow will never be the kind of QB that rewrites stat books on passing but you can't help but appreciate his drive for success. I'd rather have a QB that plays to win vs. one that plays for stats anyway you slice it.
They won't change their opinions but a nice cup of STFU would go a long way.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Herman Cain Thanks Perry
I'm guessing that Herman Cain was the biggest fan of Perry's 53 second brain freeze.
Finally the press found something else to focus on -- if just for a moment.
Finally the press found something else to focus on -- if just for a moment.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Talk Radio -- Mark Levin -- August 4, 2010
I was listening to Levin go off on the court decision overturning California Proposition 8 and in his attempt at belittling a caller almost started explaining a moral equivalency against slavery and gay marriage. Unfortunately he was saved by commercial interruption – thus missing the opportunity to sound really stupid – before going on to ask his caller what right the court had to overturn Proposition 8, ignore any response, and hang up on him.
So on to what Levin “almost” said.
From Levin’s comments, you get the sense that he is not an advocate of gay rights and considers it morally wrong. He supported Prop 8 because it fits with his view of the world. In setting up his argument against the caller, he suggested that both slavery and homosexuality are morally wrong and therefore the people have a right and obligation to express their outrage, disgust, repression, etc.
Does it strike anyone else that in both cases we have the will of the majority repressing the rights of the minority? It’s nice that Levin found slavery morally wrong – and it’s relatively easy to be against it 145 years after it was done away with. No such luck on the gay rights discussion.
Moving on to the legal basis for doing away with Prop 8.
Levin took huge issue with the use of the 14th amendment and the equal protection clause as the basis for overturning Prop 8. His argument was that the will of the people – those that voted for Prop 8 – should prevail. Levin then goes on to cite Dred Scot and Plessy v. Ferguson as bad court decisions. The irony – apparently lost on him – is that these were court cases the 14th amendment was designed to address and was intended to eliminate the kind of discrimination exhibited by Prop 8.
So on to what Levin “almost” said.
From Levin’s comments, you get the sense that he is not an advocate of gay rights and considers it morally wrong. He supported Prop 8 because it fits with his view of the world. In setting up his argument against the caller, he suggested that both slavery and homosexuality are morally wrong and therefore the people have a right and obligation to express their outrage, disgust, repression, etc.
Does it strike anyone else that in both cases we have the will of the majority repressing the rights of the minority? It’s nice that Levin found slavery morally wrong – and it’s relatively easy to be against it 145 years after it was done away with. No such luck on the gay rights discussion.
Moving on to the legal basis for doing away with Prop 8.
Levin took huge issue with the use of the 14th amendment and the equal protection clause as the basis for overturning Prop 8. His argument was that the will of the people – those that voted for Prop 8 – should prevail. Levin then goes on to cite Dred Scot and Plessy v. Ferguson as bad court decisions. The irony – apparently lost on him – is that these were court cases the 14th amendment was designed to address and was intended to eliminate the kind of discrimination exhibited by Prop 8.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Power of the Public Opinion
Should John Kerry pay Massachusetts taxes on his new yacht? Should BP pay Tony Hayward his severance package?
There is much heat and light being given to these topics because the "public" feels slighted and owed on both fronts. The challenge is that there isn't a direct relationship between the public and the questions at hand.
John Kerry doesn't owe taxes to Massachusetts. The boat is owned by a Pennsylvania corporation and docked/registered in Rhode Island. I don't care for Mr. Kerry's politics but he owes Massachusetts NOTHING. The responsibility of the tax payer is to pay taxes on what is legitimately owed. John Kerry isn't responsible for either the tax law or the taxes.
Tony Hayward apparently has an agreement with BP to collect a nice severance package. Bully for him. The fact that there a people hurting / suffering / struggling in the Gulf is something BP needs to address but there is no indication that money that goes to Mr. Hayward would be diverted to the Gulf Coast if he weren't paid.
Get a grip people.
There is much heat and light being given to these topics because the "public" feels slighted and owed on both fronts. The challenge is that there isn't a direct relationship between the public and the questions at hand.
John Kerry doesn't owe taxes to Massachusetts. The boat is owned by a Pennsylvania corporation and docked/registered in Rhode Island. I don't care for Mr. Kerry's politics but he owes Massachusetts NOTHING. The responsibility of the tax payer is to pay taxes on what is legitimately owed. John Kerry isn't responsible for either the tax law or the taxes.
Tony Hayward apparently has an agreement with BP to collect a nice severance package. Bully for him. The fact that there a people hurting / suffering / struggling in the Gulf is something BP needs to address but there is no indication that money that goes to Mr. Hayward would be diverted to the Gulf Coast if he weren't paid.
Get a grip people.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Issues of the Moment
The Environment - How do we find the right balance of encouraging the use of environmental resources and protecting them?
Education - How do we create an education system that allows the United States to be competitive in a global economy?
Government - What should government be spending our money on?
Global Warming - How do you distinguish between plans to address a potential environmental catastrophe and a wealth redistribution act?
Fairness Doctrine - Does the government need to control what’s on radio and TV?
Illegal Immigration - Isn’t it called illegal for a reason?
Education - How do we create an education system that allows the United States to be competitive in a global economy?
Government - What should government be spending our money on?
Global Warming - How do you distinguish between plans to address a potential environmental catastrophe and a wealth redistribution act?
Fairness Doctrine - Does the government need to control what’s on radio and TV?
Illegal Immigration - Isn’t it called illegal for a reason?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Today's Stuck on Stupid
In the latest updates on racism in America we have the Tea Partiers and Limbaugh on Steinbrenner. Now why on earth would you indulge such sources as the NAACP and Rev. Sharpton that have a long histories of fostering racism to comment on it? It would be nice if they could be called out as the racists they are or fade in to history with their 15 minute having expired.
Speaking of 15 minutes, NBC Today had breaking news. It appears the Bristol and Levi are getting married but not having sex and Sarah and Todd have no comment. In further revelations Mad Max appears to fly off the handle and say things he'd prefer were not repeated when fighting with his ex (thank God I'm not aware of any recordings of my transgressions). I'm trying to figure out if NBC bought the Thrifty Nickel and/or the National Enquirer. In the meantime I'm sure that those are 15 minutes I won't get back.
Speaking of 15 minutes, NBC Today had breaking news. It appears the Bristol and Levi are getting married but not having sex and Sarah and Todd have no comment. In further revelations Mad Max appears to fly off the handle and say things he'd prefer were not repeated when fighting with his ex (thank God I'm not aware of any recordings of my transgressions). I'm trying to figure out if NBC bought the Thrifty Nickel and/or the National Enquirer. In the meantime I'm sure that those are 15 minutes I won't get back.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The Art of the Dive
Spain 1 - Netherlands 0
If there was a good part to the World Cup final it was that the better team won. Spain was just a step faster than the Dutch. They possessed better, they created better, and they put a lot of pressure on the Netherlands. Netherlands responded by stepping up the physical play and started racking up yellow cards and there were at least two cards that could easily have been straight reds. Definitely not football at its prettiest.
Somehow we get through the second half and then into extra time still tied 0-0.
And then Spain cheats.
Two yellow cards are given to the Netherlands for imaginary fouls. One is a second yellow, so the Netherlands are down to 10 men.
At some point FIFA is going to have to come up with something that keeps players from making a run at the Oscars.
Like I said ... the good part is that the better team won.
If there was a good part to the World Cup final it was that the better team won. Spain was just a step faster than the Dutch. They possessed better, they created better, and they put a lot of pressure on the Netherlands. Netherlands responded by stepping up the physical play and started racking up yellow cards and there were at least two cards that could easily have been straight reds. Definitely not football at its prettiest.
Somehow we get through the second half and then into extra time still tied 0-0.
And then Spain cheats.
Two yellow cards are given to the Netherlands for imaginary fouls. One is a second yellow, so the Netherlands are down to 10 men.
At some point FIFA is going to have to come up with something that keeps players from making a run at the Oscars.
Like I said ... the good part is that the better team won.
Lebron ... Looking for Class
Lots and lots of the talk about Lebron, what he meant in Cleveland and what he'll mean to the Heat is centered around the discussion of legacy. How many championships will he win? Has he got more game that Magic, Jordan, or Kobe? Does it matter if where he wins that them or who he wins them with? etc., etc., etc.
Talking about the legacy of a 25 year old is a waste of time. About the time Lebron gets ready to retire, then we can talk about his legacy and how he compares with the greats, what his contribution to the game was, and the impact he has had. Same story for Kobe.
Winning championships is just one component of the legacy -- just take a look at John Wooden if you doubt this. When all is said and done, if the only thing people can say about you is you were on the winning team, it will ring hollow.
The thing that Lebron was missing this week and that hopefully he'll find in Miami is class. It was obvious at the end of the playoff's that Lebron was done in Cleveland. He'd already decided they didn't have what he wanted and it was time to move on. Where to go next and what would be the best fit for him was a fair question and one he needed to explore.
But the way to do it ... the way to wrapup his time in Cleveland on a positive note and the way to find his best fit ... this would have been to do it quietly and with a touch of gratiousness.
Before you make a big deal of telling the world where you're going, take a moment to let people appreciated where you've been. Tell Cleveland what the've meant to you and make it about them, not about you. Then be honest and direct and explain you've been offered a great position in Miami and you'd be crazy not to accept it. Sure, some Cleveland fans wouldn't like it ... that's just the way of it ... but you'd keep more fans respect and admiration.
The spectacle that was Lebron on Thursday night did nothing to show what a great talent he is or could be in the future, and that was to bad.
Talking about the legacy of a 25 year old is a waste of time. About the time Lebron gets ready to retire, then we can talk about his legacy and how he compares with the greats, what his contribution to the game was, and the impact he has had. Same story for Kobe.
Winning championships is just one component of the legacy -- just take a look at John Wooden if you doubt this. When all is said and done, if the only thing people can say about you is you were on the winning team, it will ring hollow.
The thing that Lebron was missing this week and that hopefully he'll find in Miami is class. It was obvious at the end of the playoff's that Lebron was done in Cleveland. He'd already decided they didn't have what he wanted and it was time to move on. Where to go next and what would be the best fit for him was a fair question and one he needed to explore.
But the way to do it ... the way to wrapup his time in Cleveland on a positive note and the way to find his best fit ... this would have been to do it quietly and with a touch of gratiousness.
Before you make a big deal of telling the world where you're going, take a moment to let people appreciated where you've been. Tell Cleveland what the've meant to you and make it about them, not about you. Then be honest and direct and explain you've been offered a great position in Miami and you'd be crazy not to accept it. Sure, some Cleveland fans wouldn't like it ... that's just the way of it ... but you'd keep more fans respect and admiration.
The spectacle that was Lebron on Thursday night did nothing to show what a great talent he is or could be in the future, and that was to bad.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Embellishment and Cheating
One of the more frustrating aspects of the World Cup is the impact of embellishment on the game. Football is a physical game played at a fast pace. When running at full speed, getting bumped can take you down; when you get kicked, it hurts; an elbow to the face is going to leave a mark.
The result of this contact is that the referee blows his whistle and stops play. From here we get a foul, perhaps a card, and it goes from there.
So there is a big reward for a player that can appear to have taken the worst of it when they may not have been touched at all. At a minimum they get to stop the momentum of the game but the real payday could be getting an opponent red carded and ejected.
Technically, embellishment is a cardable foul but the speed of the game and the angles of the ref make the chances of getting it wrong as likely as getting it right. So it's a card that stays in the pocket most of the time.
In the fallout of Saurez's handball in the box, it turns out that FIFA has a disciplinary committee whose job it is to review games and player infractions and that FIFA also has rules that "call for suspensions of 'at least one match' if the panel finds a player guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct toward an opponent."
What can be more unsportsmanlike than faking something that didn't occur and deceiving the ref? Where the heck is the Disciplinary Committee on this topic? How many games would some of top players have had to sit out if the panel was watching the same game tape we do? What would the impact of this type of post game review have on the outbreak of acting we've seen at too many football games?
The result of this contact is that the referee blows his whistle and stops play. From here we get a foul, perhaps a card, and it goes from there.
So there is a big reward for a player that can appear to have taken the worst of it when they may not have been touched at all. At a minimum they get to stop the momentum of the game but the real payday could be getting an opponent red carded and ejected.
Technically, embellishment is a cardable foul but the speed of the game and the angles of the ref make the chances of getting it wrong as likely as getting it right. So it's a card that stays in the pocket most of the time.
In the fallout of Saurez's handball in the box, it turns out that FIFA has a disciplinary committee whose job it is to review games and player infractions and that FIFA also has rules that "call for suspensions of 'at least one match' if the panel finds a player guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct toward an opponent."
What can be more unsportsmanlike than faking something that didn't occur and deceiving the ref? Where the heck is the Disciplinary Committee on this topic? How many games would some of top players have had to sit out if the panel was watching the same game tape we do? What would the impact of this type of post game review have on the outbreak of acting we've seen at too many football games?
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