@Justin,
Wow. This is truly pathetic; a sad indication of the screwed-up priorities of our modern day society, where shopping for more unnecessary junk takes precedence over basic respect/care for others. Even more pathetic, it does not in the least surprise or shock me, and it is probably something "to be expected" in the eyes of many Americans. We are so used to this culture of unrestrained greed for the material goods that we continue to tolerate and accept this behavior when it occurs.