KYLE ROMINE, Pasco

Black Friday, which used to mean the start of the holiday season, is now becoming a national phenomenon and is taking on a whole different role.

For one, stores are opening up earlier and earlier. In fact, many stores in the Mid-Columbia were actually participating in the Black "Friday" sales the day before.

This seems just ridiculous to me, and it seems we have all forgotten the purpose of Thanksgiving, which is to spend time with your family and friends and remember all the things you are thankful for.

I have seen shoppers camped out on the Wednesday before just for a deal on a TV. Thanksgiving should not be spent in the line of a store to buy something we don't need. I have also seen families walking out of the store with 5 TVs, which just shows how materialistic of a nation we have become. Maybe it's time to re-think our priorities?