Wearing thin; getting old.

Today's Tids Issue 3,947

For not getting too excited:

$1,000 always sounded like a lot of money to me until Apple came along.

For some reason, a White House leaker reminds me of a shoplifter.

US Debt is beginning to rise noticeably. This is something to keep an eye on as the stock market soars.  

The death of Eric Bowling’s son is very sad. Regardless of what you think of the dad let go by Fox after some sexual harassment issues, the main guy at the popular show “The Five”, loved that boy as much as anybody could love another. A young boy is dead because he couldn’t bear to see the pain being inflicted upon his dad who he adored. Is high profile politics really worth it anymore?

The Question:

Branding is a key strategy in entities from packaged goods to politicians to athletes to churches (packaged gods). Name the top five company logos.

The Headlines:

--Florida Beginning Recovery; 6.1 Million Still Without Power.

--Lack Of Power Causes Five Hollywood Florida Nursing Home Deaths From Heat; Taking Care Of Elderly In High Rise Homes Without Elevator Or A/C Service Is Becoming Problem.

--Market Lower As Apple iPhone “X” Delay Weighs Heavily On Profit Estimates.

--Sanctions Already Hurting NK Economy; NK Hackers Targeting Bitcoin Exchanges To Fund Government.

--Sanders Socialist Medicine Program Attracting Dem Congressional Support.

--Hillary State Department Told Benghazi Contractors Told To Keep Quiet About Lax Security; Contractor Said That Hillary Asked That Embassy Security Personal Not Carry Guns.

--Jami Dimon Calls Bitcoin A Fraud.

--Equifax To Wave Credit Freeze Charges For 30 Days; Company Responds To Irate Customers Who Were Madder Than Hell At Fees For Protection Against Company’s Own Grievous Incompetence.

--MRC (Media Research Center) Says 3 Major Networks Trump Coverage 91% Negative.

--“Hand-in-Hand” Telethon For Harvey And Irma Victims Raises $44 Million.

I didn’t recognize more than one or two of the celebs on last night’s fundraiser for hurricane victims. I’m definitely of an era that no longer exists. Frankly, I thought it a little too Maudlin. I got tired of watching after 15 minutes.

I’m so delusional that I think my hair is turning blond.

If Gold is so good for a portfolio, why do they have to spend so much time selling it so hard.

I’m thinking of turning the Tids into a Pod cast. It’s good to be a part of growing trends. The only problem I have is my voice, which might be a significant turn-off.

Those Volvo X90 TV commercials are just a little too precious.

I have to apologize for occasionally talking about Rhode Island problems. While it may be significant to many RI readers, it could also be an example of something you in other states have faced. The basic theory is: When things get screwed up in states, its generally because of ineptitude in State governments, mischievous politicians or, more likely, misguided, unworkable ideologies.

I try to avoid restaurants with the word “Harvest” in their names.

Hillary seems to be digging an even deeper hole with her “Excuse Book”. The latest has her blaming Benghazi for her loss, which has victims’ relatives Irate, and talking back.

I hear that 400,000 cars were ruined in Florida, and probably an equal amount in Eastern Texas. That should be good news for auto factory employment.

Paint manufacturers are having tough time right now as more of the millennials would rather hire a pro than do a lot of house painting on their own. It is in the process of becoming a big problem for retail paint shops. If there isn’t an App for it, it probably isn’t going to get done.

Martha Stewart is taking aim at Blue Apron and several others in the food in a box business with her new and fast-growing Martha & Marley Spoon food at your door prep service. The Biz just began and she already has heads spinning with the sales success. The Martha Celeb effect gives M&MS an edge. Personally, I think it’s too expensive, and I can see many meals which I, as King of Picky Eating, would shun. But, big urban populations will make these companies work for a while.

The Answer:

Number one is now Apple! Next s the old reliable Coca Cola followed by Nike, Batman, Mercedes-Benz, Adidas, Worldwide Fund (Cute Panda), BMW, Firefox and #10, Pepsi. The next ten are VW, Warner Bros, Micky Mouse, Shell Oil, Google, Twitter, Facebook, Microsoft, Starbucks and FedEx. The old Lacoste alligator is still hanging in there at 38 and mighty McDonalds surprisingly is down at 50 just before Lamborghini. Another surprise to me has Ford away down at 65. Ralph Loren’s famous Polo Pony and rider is even further down at 86. Go figure. The last entity listed at 188 is Hardees/Carl’s Jr. Interestingly, the fast food  companies are all a lot lower than I would have thought, considering how their signs blot the highways.

I’m just waiting until cooler heads prevail. And they will. The vast majority of people are not angry, and will tire for sure as others see the illogic of uncontrolled vehemence. So, I’m just hanging in there.