Numbers

$798. I believe that was the price of a human life on Friday. That was the price of a 50-inch plasma TV at a New York Wal-Mart that contributed to the stampede that resulted in the death of an employee.

195. The last count of the deaths in the terrorist attack at Mumbai. It could be higher now but I haven't checked the news.

60. The number of hours the siege lasted at Mumbai.

I probably shouldn't mix the two. One was an act of terrorism, the other an act of ordinary citizens. Although a mob of citizens pushing on glass doors so hard that they were cracking and then shattered could probably be classified as terrorists. I feel certain the employees on the other side trying to delay the inevitable probably were terrified.

But the common thread is that innocent lives were taken. People minding their own business. Doing their jobs. And lost for what? Greed. Cowardice. I don't believe that the terrorists had just lofty ideals that we could say it was for a greater good. And saving a few bucks on a Christmas gift? Please! If your economic conditions are good enough that you can pay $800 for a gigantic television that you probably don't need anyway then you could spring for a few extra bucks.

Is this what society has been reduced to? I heard one witness refer to the shoppers as "savages". Pretty apropos. And to add insult to the whole matter, some were heard to complain when asked to evacuate the store so the incident could be investigated. They couldn't believe they had to leave after all the hours they waited on line. Sad, really.

As to the Wal-Mart incident, one family's Christmas, and all future holidays, has been ruined by the thoughtless, inconsiderate actions of a few. I know they didn't mean to cause a death or any injuries to anyone. But it doesn't really change the end result, does it? They let greed be their guide.

As for the terrorists acts, what can I say? So many lives shattered by the acts of a radical few.

I guess this is what can happen when we start to let things - like thoughts, greed, radical ideals - take over our lives and quit thinking with our hearts and good reason.

1. The number of people it takes to start making a difference. Let that one be you.