Even Thanksgiving cannot escape from the greed of big-box retailers

Thanksgivinghaslongbeenmyfavorite holiday because it was not commercial and focused instead on being with family and friends, giving thanks for the good things in our lives.

Christmas, on the other hand, long ago ceased to be a religious holiday in spite of its religious origins, a victim of crass commercialism.

But Thanksgiving is rapidly becoming like Christmas, just another opportunity for the big-box merchants to fill their coffers.

front-page headline on Saturday, “Shoppers happily jump the gun on Black Friday,” and an accompanying article, “They’re off! Shoppers racing to score deals,” both document Black Friday actually beginning on Thanksgiving.

The death of Thanksgiving as a day to give thanks and be with loved ones is a tragedy and a sad commentary on the values of Americans today.

— Chris Jensen,

Salesmanship was poor analogy

Regarding “Obama excels at salesmanship” (Opinions, Monday):

When you point a finger, you end up pointing three fingers back at yourself.

The letter comparing President Barack Obama to an insurance salesman who would sell you anything is a poor analogy.

First, all professions have some bad apples. Reporters from both the

and giarized. Does this mean all of

reporters “will promise you anything in order” to sell newspapers?

Second, sales professionals are not salesmen but salespersons.

— Stephen O. Rothschild,

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