David Simon, hero.  So, the sick irony of my off-handed comment
regarding our favorite Big Box store yesterday has just settled
in. But moments ago, I heard this absurd piece of news relating
the tragic death by trampling suffered by one Walmart seasonal
employee yesterday morning at a Walmart in Valley Stream, NY.
The anxious crowd of shoppers apparently grew so out of control
that the police had to be called in and even they could not
assuage the near-rioting people. See, kids? Rampant capitalism
is dangerous! Now it has claimed yet another life.  And in such
cynical holiday spirit, I happened to watch the end of Season 3
of the Wire last nigth and man. Much as I feel like a chump for
writing about television here, I make exceptions for things
exceedingly relevant and exceedingly worthwhile. And frankly, if
you haven't seen this genius show yet, I feel it my duty to
persuade you: this show is one of the greatest things television
has ever seen.  Since relocating to the West coast, I am
constantly grasping a