The other day during the local news broadcast on the CBS affiliate in Philadelphia, the weather forecast dwelt lovingly on the conditions that would prevail today at each of the major shopping malls in the region, in turn. I kid you not.

Meanwhile at a sanctuary of Mammon on Long Island, the traditional throng of early-morning worshippers has led to disaster.

A Wal-Mart worker died after being trampled when hundreds of shoppers smashed through the doors of a Long Island store Friday morning, police and witnesses said.

The 34-year-old employee, a temporary maintenance worker, tried to hold back the unruly crowds just after the Valley Stream store opened at 5 a.m.

Witnesses said the surging throngs of shoppers knocked the man down. He fell and was stepped on. As he gasped for air, shoppers ran over and around him.

[...]

A 28-year-old pregnant woman was knocked to the floor during the mad rush. She was hospitalized for observation, police said.

[...]

Before police shut down the store, eager shoppers streamed past emergency crews as they worked furiously to save the store clerk's life.

No word yet on whether the golden calf was injured in the melee.

• greed
• Wal-Mart