Seriously folks, news breaking first thing this morning were reports of a woman shopper gone mad at a Los Angeles Wall Mart last night, who used pepper spray on fellow shoppers who were near game electronics she had laid claim to, causing immediate crowd movement away from the spray, resulting in injuries to about 20 people, according to police.  The assailant remains at large.  Shootings have also been reported in Fayetteville, North Carolina mall and in Northern California, a shopper was shot in the parking lot, by a would-be robber.  No deaths have been reported, thank god.

“Black Friday” has become ubiquitously associated with increased violence in recent years by people who are hell-bent on purchasing good deals, commonly referred to as “competitive shopping,” even by the police.  Only in America would violent acts of shopping become redefined as “competitive”.

Egypt Activists Erupt Again, Demanding Military Leaders Step Down

Tens of Thousands of protesters returned to Tahrir Square again this week, responding to “The Last Chance Million-Man Protest” called by activists who are demanding that military leaders step down immediately. Jay Carney, the White House press secretary issued a statement early today:  “The United States strongly believes that the new Egyptian government must be empowered with real authority immediately...we believe that the full transfer of power to a civilian government must take place….as soon as possible”. The military issued a statement of apology yesterday for the deaths of 40 persons that occurred during the past week.  The military ruling council announced that parliamentary elections scheduled for Monday would proceed and have thus far refused to step down.  The civilian ministers of government offered their resignations earlier last week in a tacit nod to the displeasure of the Egyptian masses.  Presidential elections are currently scheduled for June 2012. Three American students arrested during the protests have been directed to be released by a judge.  Their release is considered imminent.

Gabby Giffords Out and About

Great sighting of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), serving Thanksgiving dinner to the troops at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson at midday Thursday wearing a ball cap.  Giffords appears to have lost use of her right hand and arm.  But in just 10 months, Giffords is speaking, engaging with the public increasingly and appears committed to rehabilitation that is simply inspiring.

Wire Fox Terrier “Eira” took Best in Show at the National Dog Show, out performing 1500 dogs, including an adorable Bernese Mountain dog which has become very popular in New York City.  Eira, who goes by the AKC name “Grand Champion Steele Your Heart”, a sassy little girl, seemed to not only win the hearts of the Thanksgiving Day crowd of dog lovers in Philadelphia, but clearly rose to the top according to Karen Wilson, the judge, who called Eira a “spectacular show dog, with a beautiful coat”.

The Packers Remain Undefeated

The NFL’s Greenbay Packers football team remain undefeated by whipping the Detroit Lions 27-15 in Detroit’s annual Thanksgiving Day hosted contest.  The Pack boasts an 11-0 record rolling into December, when NFL teams compete for the playoffs, dividing the men from the boys.  For those recovering from a turkey dinner, watching the Pack was a treat to relish, topping off the end of Turkey day.

Small Business Saturday

Black Friday morphs into “Small Business Saturday” an initiative branded by American Express with support by government leaders, from President Barack Obama to  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  But my vote is not with the politicians this weekend, rather I will take a stroll to my neighborhood hardware store which is owned by “Larry the Locksmith” the guy who sells everything from kitchen ware, to keys, come pepper spray, hell or high water.  Happy post-Thanksgiving hangover, shopping or otherwise!

Tanya L. Domi is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University who teaches about human rights in Eurasia and is a Harriman Institute affiliated faculty member. Prior to teaching at Columbia, Domi worked internationally for more than a decade on issues related to democratic transitional development, including political and media development, human rights, gender issues, sex trafficking, and media freedom.