The economy is in the tank, unemployment is inching upward, the domestic auto industry is circling the drain, businesses are cutting costs, and consumer confidence is at its lowest point in decades.

Retail analysts have predicted a lackluster holiday shopping season, and merchants are bracing for what they believe will be their worst Xmas sales year ever.

But you’d never know it by the looks of this festive, day-after-Thanksgiving Black Friday crowd, assembled outside a Circuit City store that will likely be tits-up in a few weeks. All awaiting the opening at 6:00 AM, patiently anticipating some slashed-to-the-bone closeout bargains, like a Wii, a flat-panel TV, or perhaps a new iPhone 3G.

Like vultures. Let the feeding frenzy begin.