"We're opening more lanes than ever to make Christmas shopping easier!" This was the advertisement heard round the world when thousands of people across the country lined up, or rather horded, outside of their local Wal-Mart during the early hours of Black Friday. It was the same advertisement that lured an eager mob of shoppers outside of the Long Island store; and it was the same advertisement that led them, in a stampede, over the body of Wal-Mart employee Jdimytai Damour. Wal-Mart stands by their slogan, “Save money. Live Better.” But after last Friday’s incident, they should reconsider their wording. Perhaps “Save money. or Die Trying.” would be more suitable. Even after the death of Damour, Wal-Mart continued to run their fatal ad—real classy Wal-Mart. So, it comes as no surprise that the victim’s family has filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart, not only for their lax security, but also for the ad campaign. According to published reports, a complaint filed to the New York Supreme Court claims that Wal-Mart "engaged in specific marketing and advertising techniques to specifically attract a large crowd and create an environment of frenzy and mayhem."

I’m still embarrassed to say that I was merely 30 miles from the scene of mayhem on that fatal morning. How a person, individually, or submerged in that mob mentality, could trample a human body all for a discounted television is beyond me. I feel the need to apologize if someone steps on my foot. So Wal-Mart, keep those lanes wide open. Don’t even think about the employee that you flung in the line of fire while you were all still sweating off turkey and expensive booze from the comfort of your own beds. After all, Damour knew the risk that came with the job. I mean, come on, you can’t expect to get away responsibility free—especially with that hefty minimum wage salary they were paying him.