Out of the blue and into the black

Black Friday is coming, and that means fabulous savings for America's consuming public (and sometimes even a free breakfast).

More importantly, though, it means hope for a few faltering retailers.

For instance, Wal-Mart is practically begging for some of that old black magic. Sears and J.C. Penney are so desperate for a hit of Christmas green, they even cut prices early.

And the entire retail industry is watching to see what how it goes. The National Retail Federation does not expect good things, you see.

"A combination of many factors, including energy prices, the job market, disposable income, and consumer confidence will ultimately affect retailers' sales this holiday season,'' NRF's chief economist Rosalind Wells, said in the group's annual holiday sales outlook.

For those out there who are planning on pumping something back into our economy this season, there are some legally dubious scans of leaked Black Friday circulars at this wonderful site.

So yee-haw, good citizen. Now you can save money, help our economy, and stick it to the man all in one fell swoop.

I love this time of year.