An Ornery Thanksgiving List

Obnoxious things I read in the newspaper today (the ads outweighed the news sections about 2:1):

1. Incredible holiday savings starting at 6 a.m.!
2. Open Friday at 5:30 a.m. - Thanksgiving Super Sale!
3. Earlybird specials, Friday only, 4 a.m.!
4. Open Thanksgiving Day 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.!
5. Super Black Friday Savings!
6. Over 599 Black Friday Doorbusters!
7. Starts 4:00 a.m. Friday!
8. Shop us first for UNBEATABLE PRICES!
9. Gooblepalooza! Open Thanksgiving Day at 12 p.m.!
10. Why wait? Shop Thanksgiving Day!
11. Family Gatherings begin at [name of retailer]!
12. Our lowest prices ever! We're open at 5 a.m. Friday!
13. Open 5:00 a.m. - doorbusters until noon!
14. Santa's discount shop opens on Thanksgiving night at midnight!
15. Gobble up the savings!
16. Line up early - get 'em before they're gone! Friday doorbuster specials!
17. 20% off when you shop 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.!

When did Thanksgiving become merely a prelude to what seems to now be the "real" holiday of retail insanity?

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