Opening Stuff:
I remember writing about 9-12 months ago recommending that Netflix takeover and run all administrative functions of the government. Now they are the government, blundering along to the tune of a $45 Stock price collapse yesterday. The poster child for arrogance undercutting rational intelligence.
I see where the Hospital Industry association just reported that total operating revenue growth is down to an all time low. That's fine, but what about ER, ICU, Imaging and Rehab revenue growth?
Just when you think that science is losing its touch, along come the Chinese who have determined that before Cricket Fighting matches (Very popular in China), the warriors need lots and lots of sex! These male crickets are fed a diet of soya beans, carrots and corn and are weighed before each fight on little scales. And, just before the fight, they are thrown in a cricket sized room with females. eeehah! A man likened to a sports psychologist continuously monitors their moods. Every word of this is true. They are not taught sex education in cricket schools. It just happens.
The Question:
As Domino's Pizza Chief Marketer says, "(We're going artisan) as an excuse to charge a lot of money." With tongue cheek he explains why his company is getting on board with his new (Wink-Wink) artisan pizza. But three food group manufacturers take artisan very seriously. Name them.
The Headlines:
--Market Healthier Again On Good Earnings Reports; Durable Goods Orders Up.
--Panetta Calls North Korea A Serious Threat; Increases US troops In Region.
--Former Goldman Board Member Rayat Gupta Surrenders To Feds; Details Of Charges Still Unknown.
--IBM Names Female CEO.
--Nokia Unveils 2 Windows Smartphones.
--Libyans Seek Further NATO Help.
--The 0-Man Continues Is Presidential Campaign Today With The Announcement Of A New Student Loan Reduction Program; Once Again, Prez Finds Way to By-Pass Congress.
--Pathologists Confirm That Amy Winehouse died from Over Consumption Of Alcohol.
Just when you think you have heard it all, the US Justice Department announces it is seeking to Legalize a Rule that essentially says it's ok for the Government to "Lie"! Yikes! But, I guess we shouldn't be surprised since laws about Truth in Advertising specifically do not apply to Politicians. Sinatra was singing about the Government -- "...my, way...".
The new reports on car reliability are out. The big gainer is Mazda and the overall standout is Jeep! Chrysler made great inroads and Ford faded significantly, although the Fusion is still solid. The Japanese cars are over all the best, and many European cars are at the bottom.
But...I prefer dealing in superficiality. Car logos. My choice for worst logos are Hyundai, Buick, Chevy (Not for memorability but because it conflicts with the car design. Ditto Buick), Subaru, Cadillac (Much too gaudy) and to a degree Honda. The best in this shallow person's heart are Saab, BMW, Nissan, Audi and Mercedes. I also like the letters only logos, particularly Volvo, Jeep and Land Rover. This brings me to the new Hyundai Equias, which at nearly $65 k is in the market to compete with cars like the $78K Mercedes. It has tons of great features, drives beautifully and is a significantly great automobile...but that logo says cheap and down and dirty to me. It doesn't say to the prestige driver, "I'm not my low cost step brother."
The Netflix case is a great example of the power of the free market place and why we don't need the Government to step in and fix business injustices. The people will walk away, just as they are now starting to find humanized banks beyond B0A. It has always worked and will as long as the formula remains pure. And bailouts will do nothing but preserve the idiots, inane and thieves.
Hey, speaking of runaway cost escalation, why isn't the Prez castigating Universities for greed like he is Wall Street and oil companies. Has there been more inflation than that in the cost of a college education. The average price of homes is falling beneath the cost of a 4 year education. So what does he do, he bails them out with a loan abatement program.
Oh yeah, and why are students with big loan commitments protesting Wall Street anyhow? They should be protesting the Colleges and professors.
Talk about One Hit Wonders -- a performance artist in NYC gave birth on stage in an Art Gallery! What do you do for an encore? Have sex on stage in a few weeks to preduce props for next performance? Wadda a country!
I see where United Kingdom scientists have produced "Super Broccoli". Sounds like a great sequel to "The Killer Tomatoes That Ate Chicago."
Almost Near: Chapter 46 continues. --"Samantha!" Sam looked around and saw Dante's assistant Mary walking towards her.
Samantha smiled. A friend she thought. I could use a friend. "Mary, a sight for tired eyes." Mary smiled back frowned as she glanced towards the policemen. She slowed her pace. When she reached Samantha, she hooked her arm, suggesting they walk down the hall and not into Dante's room. "What's going on." Mary was silent.
They turned a corner and after a couple of yards. Mary stopped and turned towards her. Sam immediately started rambling. "How is Dante? What happened? Did they catch the driver? Why's there a cop at the door?
"Shh!" Mary looked back at the main hall. "First, Dante will live. But, it will be a while until he comes out of an induced Coma, It's a good thing." A tear rolled down Mary's cheek. Samantha shuddered.
In a voice you could barely hear. "Thanks. I'm happy that he will be all right." I'm very happy. She felt a little beating in her heart.
"The police came to the office right after the "accident". They wanted to know about who he had been with that day. And then any known enemies. You know the usual stuff. Then they asked if I knew or Samantha Jergens. Or, Samantha Wilcox."
"They asked about me?"
"Yup. Apparently police departments send out notices about incidents to home towns of crime victims. You know, as a way to undercover suspects. Well, Dante you may remember was mugged in the town where your parents lived and died. And you are a suspect in that. And having two names makes you even more suspicious."
"So..."
"So, I didn't want you to walk into that room like a dummy."
"Oh, that's me alright. But, Mary, this dummy is getting smarter." She hitched up her skirt and stood taller. "It sounds like the Police think this may not be an accident."
"Dante called me just before he was hit, saying he and Tucker were looking for you, and that you seemed to have some kind of breakdown. But, he added that he felt for you, like a man in love would! That's what he said. Like a man in love would. He smiled through the phone. I could feel his happiness."
Samantha was quiet fro a while. Mary could see she was enjoying what she heard about Dante. "I came back here because I trust Dante. I needed him." Mary reached over an squeezed her hand.
The Answer:
The chips and snack industry is definitely one. In fact Frito-Lay's Doritos Artisan chips are out of sight. The Spokesman says we're going all out -- well, maybe not Cheetos, he ads. BTW, have you noticed that Cape Cod which initiated great "Kettle Chips" now has repackaged using the word "Kettle" on their bags. Next are sandwiches in chains like Starbucks. They are quite proud of their "Veggie & Monterrey Jack artisan breakfast sandwich. Really? Boxed chocolate manufacturers are developing lines that are pieces of art in a box. But Domino's Russ Weiner says Artisan equals expensive
Whatever happened to the great institutions?
No comments:
Post a Comment