The 34-year-old worker, employed as an overnight stock clerk, 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.

What a tragedy. Discovered via Reddit.

Black Friday/Boxing Day sales should be held online these days. Beyond that, require a line to be formed and hand out vouchers for people to fill out. First come, first served until there is nothing left.

His message of hope has already been vindicated, let’s just hope he can deliver on his promise of change.

Indeed, Obama will have to start managing his electorate’s, and indeed the world’s expectations. The recession, the American involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, global warming—none of these issues will respond to campaign rhetoric alone, beautiful as it is.

There is no doubt in my mind that, in order to take on the issues, Obama will need bi-partisan support. It was a sentiment underlined by John McCain’s eloquent concession speech, wherein McCain acknowledged the historic significance of Obama’s victory and urged Americans to put aside their differences in order to reach mutually beneficial goals. Obama shouldn’t hesitate to embrace any of McCain’s good ideas. For his part, McCain can help Obama bridge the partisan divide in Washington.

I am hopeful because this week, I am part of a generation of young people that is bringing a message of hope and change to the world and, while not American, I share in the joyful anticipation of the possibilities of an Obama administration and its implications for the entire world.

A joke, but with a hint of truth. People around the world are hoping a new president in the White House will bring positive change to US foreign policy — and more trust Sen. Barack Obama rather than Sen. John McCain to “do the right thing” in world affairs, according to this international survey of 24 countries by the Pew Research Center.

Foreign audiences perceive Senator Obama as giving them what they want — a change in US policy. Those people around the world who support Senator Obama believe his promise of change — and want him to make good on it.

“I’m asking you to believe, not in my ability to bring about real change in Washington. I’m asking you to believe in yours.” —Barack Obama.

“We did it, myself and my tour guides,” said Sam Porpora. “It was a promotional idea. We made it up, never dreaming it would go worldwide.”

Porpora is an energetic, dapper fellow in a newsboy cap and a checked suit with a bolo tie. He’s got a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile, and he tells his tale in the rhythms of a natural-born storyteller. No one has ever claimed ownership of the legend. So why is Porpora coming forward now?

…

“I don’t know what to say,” said Jeff Jerome, curator of the Poe House in Baltimore, who has nurtured for years the legend of the so-called Poe Toaster. Confronted with Porpora’s assertion that the whole thing is a hoax, Jerome reacted like a man who’s been punched in the stomach by his beloved grandfather. He’s sad. He feels betrayed. But he’s reluctant to punch back.

“He’s like a mentor to me,” Jerome said of Porpora. “And I can tell you that if it weren’t for him, Westminster Hall may not be there. But to say the toaster is a promotional hoax, well, all I can say is that’s just not so.”

Click here to read more. Discovered via digg.

People mistake her for a pitbull with a pinhead, but Wendy the whippet is one rare breed. So rare that the Central Saanich dog recently graced the New York Times. She also had several of her photos shown on The Today Show, all because of a rare genetic mutation that has led to her being the Incredible Hulk of dogs.

Read the rest of the article here.