Sometimes, I have no faith in mankind. Sometimes, I think that mankind's extinction should happen. Sometimes, I worry it won't. Today was such a day.

This morning, at the store, we sold the latest "it" bag. For those of you who are not sure what I am talking about, try googling "I'm Not A Plastic Bag." People are going bananas over this bag that is supposed to be a substitute for using a plastic shopping bag. Almost all of the people purchasing the bag are not using it as a substitute. As a matter of fact, a whole lot of them want a plastic bag for each bag they purchase.

It's sad to me on several levels. I am not sure why my company, who claims to be very environmentally-aware, has chosen to feed into this hysteria. Not sure how selling thousands of canvas totes that will be used as purses helps the planet. We didn't make any money of any sales because we bought them at cost and sold them at cost. The only people truly making money are the people selling the bags on eBay. Which will need to be shipped via fossil fuel transportation. Before we got the bag, the hysteria surrounding it was well-known. Personally, we should have refused to feed into the stupidity of using what is meant to be a way of helping our planet as a status symbol. I am truly embarrassed that we have taken part in this stupidity.

It saddens me because people fought over these bags. Strangers going at it over a canvas tote. Which they probably will not be using. Could you imagine what we could accomplish if we put this much effort into electing our leaders? My friend Yolanda put it well: If we put this much effort into electing our leaders, we would all have a bag. I agree.

I am especially sad about a complaint we got before I left work today. Some regular customer has accused us of feeding into this insanity. Said customer was mad because we were selling these canvas totes to people who were not at all "green". Not sure how she knows they aren't but maybe the fact that these people left a massive mess of coffee cups and litter in their wake or maybe because they demanded a plastic bag to put their new canvas totes into. She was mad because we did something that she felt goes against what we preach. She has a point. She was especially mad because her and her girl were not able to get a bag. I wonder if she would have written the complaint if she did get a bag?

Hypocrisy seems to be fashionable lately. Later.  ¶ 8:06 PM