Today's MOZEN: A Different Perspective.

F LoBuono

A society can often be judged by the days it chooses to honor something or someone and the way we elect to celebrate them. Let's take two of America's so-called holidays - one official and one not so much: Black Friday and The 4th of July (a.k.a. Independence day).

Let's take a look at Black Friday first.

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when most Americans are off from work and recovering from WAY too much food from the day before (the REAL holiday). It's not official, but many of us treat it as such. So, retailers decided to take advantage of our leisure time and general sloth to offer outrageous bargains, thereby luring us out into the frigid cold to shop until we drop. It is generally considered the kick-off to the Christmas shopping season.

Well, people often do drop - literally. And, not just from the exhaustion of too much shopping but also from others landing a good right cross to the jaw in an effort to secure that last wide-screen TV your neighbor might have gotten to before you. Or, perhaps, it never got that far - you simply stampeded their ass on your way INTO the store. It's often an orgy of grab-grab-grab. People have literally died in the chaos. In other words, the day highlights one of our strongest traits - GREED.

Yet, millions participate and retailers rake in  $ billions.

Next, let's look at the 4th of July.

The fourth day of July, the day the Declaration of Independence separating us from Great Britain was signed, is celebrated throughout the Country with fireworks and other grand displays of patriotism. Backyard barbecues are staples of the day. Taking advantage of this fact, Nathans Famous Hot Dogs of Coney Island sponsors an all you can eat hot god eating contest at their original venue on the boardwalk there. Contestants consume as many tube stakes as possible within a predetermined period of time. They soak the hot dogs in water to easy their passage from gullet to stomach. The participants usually gag themselves in their effort to ram as many down their throats in the time allowed. The results often show them spewing the macerated contents through their noses and other orifices. It's simply charming. It highlights another of the traits we can be proud of - GLUTTONY.

Yet, hundreds participate and millions more watch on TV.

Look, there are lots of great things about this Country. But, these ain't two of them!

Yes, let's make America Great Again - and, put things in perspective.

That is all . . .