Does it seem like biz journalists are just getting lazy in reporting trends, now that we're all recessiony (or not)? Sure, it's fine and good to talk about how local businesses need to scrimp and save and can't get loans, and maybe even how the face of advertisement has shifted to appeal to more frugal-friendly consumers, but is it worth a whole trend report to say that marketers are using Halloween as a time to promote special deals? Using Hallmark holidays as a way to bump up consumer spending is as American as apple pie(TM), and the fact that Papa John's is promoting "'spooky specials' along with 'deals so good they’re scary,” isn't a sign we're in the middle of a major crisis of faith as a country (we are), but rather that Papa Johns has really unoriginal ideas.

Now, if we could get a story on the rise of little hobo costumes this Halloween, maybe it will finally hit home that the salad days are over.