workaholic's Blog

The year of 2012 is finally here.  I remember that Y2K year and the eve of the impending doom.  I had a part-time job in retail and remember that day like it was yesterday.  We sold every last battery, flashlight, and bottle of lamp oil.  The food was almost wiped out.  I remember the customer's comments as I rang them up, one commenting that he hoped it did happen.  I kept a diary that year--imagine that! LOL.  There were earrings that said Y2K and other momentos. 

So here again, there is another wonderful doomsday prediction that correlates with ancient calendars around the world.  And to top it all off the space weather is not helping to calm ones nerves.  Scientists have discovered this stuff they call space fluff hanging out at the edge of our solar system.  If you go to science.nasa.gov you can read for yourself about this solar fluff and what it is.  Here is a quote from the website article Voyager Makes an Interstellar Discovery 

"December 23, 2009: The solar system is passing through an interstellar cloud that physics says should not exist. In the Dec. 24th issue of Nature, a team of scientists reveal how NASA's Voyager spacecraft have solved the mystery..."Using data from Voyager, we have discovered a strong magnetic field just outside the solar system," explains lead author Merav Opher, a NASA Heliophysics Guest Investigator from George Mason University."  And so what--we got fluff a huge magnetic field hanging out at the edge of the solar system!  The trouble is that no ones knows how it will affect the space weather.  And so what--why do we care about space weather?  Well NASA says it should be monitored to watch those nasty solar flares that could be strong enough to knock out satellites and the electrical grid of the nation. To quote another article on the website,

"The National Academy of Sciences framed the problem two years ago in a landmark report entitled "Severe Space Weather Events—Societal and Economic Impacts." It noted how people of the 21st-century rely on high-tech systems for the basics of daily life. Smart power grids, GPS navigation, air travel, financial services and emergency radio communications can all be knocked out by intense solar activity. A century-class solar storm, the Academy warned, could cause twenty times more economic damage than Hurricane Katrina."

I read another article from Forbes dated 08/09/2011.  @ 4:11PM |6,635 views Sky Full of Trouble; Bracing for Super Solar Storms.  More interesting than the article is the exchange that follows between the author and a reader:

"<a>markgoldes</a> 4 months ago

• Called-out comment

So, let's see.  The nasty solar flares that are predicted to be a heightened threat this year could knock out our power grids and then what happens to those nuclear reactors.  Solar PV can save the day.  Hmm, well who knows how solar flares will affect solar panels.  Can someone tell me that?  They say the largest solar storm ever recorded that happened in 1859 caused sparks to fly off of telegraph wires and caused the skies to glow a blood red.  The same storm today would cause way more havoc.  I've been told that the panels being installed in California are not as effective as the temperature rises above 72 degrees.  I wonder that solar storms might fry the delicate nature of the panels.

We just aren't happy unless we have a monkey on our back.  Okay, so what will the momentos of this doomsday be?  A space doll named Fluffy that is magnetic or a weather radio that tells one of space weather alerts with emergency bulletins for solar flares. I can't help but think of a great uncle's bomb shelter.  It wouldn't have saved them at all, but, he sure did feel better and had a great time taking everyone on a tour in Hannibal, Missouri.  Well, the predictions come with the same precautions, stockpile food that doesn't need refrigeration and water.  Well, here's hoping for a "Happy New Year" filled with peace and good ole common sense!

Reading third quarter results for Walmart, Kmart, and Target.  Walmart and Kmart results were disappointing for analysts.  Target, on the other hand seemed to do better than expected. 

Walmart's CEO, Duke, states why, "Our shoppers want to save money. They're juggling credit cards, using coupons and skipping restaurants and vacations," said Wal-Mart Chief Executive Michael Duke in a conference call. "There is a real sense that that the economic strain is taking its toll." a quote from an article in the LA Times dated November, 15th.

Walmart has always offered the basics at the best possible price which has worked well as they are the biggest company in the world.  The trouble is when they try to go to a higher plane in the shopper's mind--it is not a fit.  As Abbazaba has wisely pointed out, you don't want to go to Walmart or Goodwill for higher end items.

Target's CEO, Steinhafel, talks about their success on the seeking alpha website article dated November 16th, "Like many of you, we've been disappointed by the absence of any meaningful improvement in the economy so far this year as the most recent U.S. unemployment rate of 9% was unchanged from last January. Until the U.S. begins to see robust improvement in jobs and signs of recovery in the housing market, we believe consumer spending will likely continue to be soft and uneven, requiring retailers to carefully manage their expenses while finding innovative ways to drive profitable sales and market share.

Within this climate, we're pleased that through the first 3 quarters of 2011, we've grown comparable store sales more than 3% while enjoying more than 10% growth in earnings per share even while performing a record number of remodels, moving www.target.com onto our own platform, preparing to open our first City Target stores in 2012 and investing in our 2013 Canadian market entry strategy." 

Reading the comments from the Executive Vice President, of merchandising, Kathryn A. Tesija, you begin to get a picture of how that success was created, "Throughout the season, guests in our stores and on target.com will be delighted by our unique merchandise assortments in every department..." and "...We'll build excitement throughout the fourth quarter with headline-worthy designer collaborations. Earlier this month, we launched collections by Josie Natori in lingerie and loungewear, Dana Kellin in jewelry and Albertus Swanepoel in hats. Initial response has been positive, and these collections will be available throughout the holiday season.

The first installment of Gwen Stefani's highly anticipated Harajuku Mini for Target collection sat in stores this week. This exclusive collection starts at just $3.99 and features affordable fashion-forward Apparel & Accessories with a unique design aesthetic for infants, toddlers and tweens.

And we'll kick off 2012 with another exciting collaboration. Target is partnering with celebrated women's wear and accessories designer, Jason Wu, to create a limited edition collection of women's apparel, handbags and scarves. Jason Wu is one of the most influential designers in the fashion industry today, and we are excited to bring guests a collection that embodies his signature style at affordable prices. The collection will be available in early February 12, 2012 at most Target stores and on www.target.com."

After reading these reports it seems to me that the folks at the bottom end of the food chain are suffering more and spending less overall,  Targets attracts shoppers at a higher level?  They are doing a great job of innovating, offering a unique shopping experience, more than their competitors and still offering a low price that seems to make shoppers feel they are buying luxury items or more upscale, when they are not really upscale items in quality or price--great job Target!  They are doing their best to create the best shopping experience for a lower price and it is working.  Innovation just oozes out of the doors in that place--I'm so jealous!!!  Sorry, can't help myself.

And so, here we are, Kmart, at the crossroads of our life again fighting for our very lives and our jobs.  Our market segment is hurting through this recession and we can't begin to compete with Walmart and their price match guarantees.  Although, I frequent their stores and often find we are cheaper than them on items--the same with Target.  We are not a destination for shoppers often enough and the condition of our stores do not help.  I don't suggest that I know the master plan for the chain. It may be that the stores fade away into oblivion and we become an online entity.  Where do we go from here?  What is our niche?  We can't beat Walmart at this stage.  We can't offer the same products that Sears does and benefit, nor will they.  Where have the designers gone and where is the innovation that we saw in the stores a couple of years ago--we were on the right track it seemed.  We have to differentiate, get rid of the shelf sitters--products that aren't going anywhere.  What are we going to offer that the others do not?  Thinking about brands and what we have to offer that the competitors do not?  It seems that we should offer customers a bigger and better lineup of a great outstanding Kenmore appliance line in our stores, not the same offering that Sears does--a line just for Kmart, and let customers know that we can handle the returns ourselves and not send them to a manufacturer somewhere.  A speedy reconciliation of their return everyday!  Maybe, Kmart, should become the destination for Home shoppers with a renewed focus on being the best and innovating.  Let's see what is the mantra of marketing gurus.  Know your market, focus, and dominate, dominate, and dominate.  We can't begin to thrive and dominate anything without more innovation and better stores--we have to be different and excel.

Sears, my trusted friend most of my life!  They do offer something different than what Macy's and JCPenney do.  The economy has been rough on their mainstays, appliances and tools.  Although, they are still number one in appliances. Why don't they have the best home department in the world?  Why didn't they choose to dominate the home category overall?  Why don't they offer ladies a reason to shop there?  They could totally dominate!

I am in my fifth year at Kmart.  I haven't ever called in sick; but, I felt rough today!  It's a good thing that I was off today. The news is not good; especially, when you are into rooting for underdogs.  I went by the store and drove into the shopping center and saw the Jiffy Lube sign being taken down and workers clearing out the building.  I asked them where they were moving and why; the reply, "there is a Lowe's going in here."  Bad news and a new neighbor to boot.  I read the press releases and just want to go out back and start kicking boxes--only problem--it would make my head hurt worse than it does.  And then, I start thinking of the definition of insanity, "doing the same thing expecting a different outcome."  A part of me thinks Sears should have it all.  I mean, they have the Craftsman and Kenmore brands.  Why didn't they create a divine shopping experience for the ladies, too--why don't they want more of my money?  They have had the same dowdy perfumes for the last twenty years. Why can't they have everything for men and ladies!  I mean if you can't figure it out go see where the ladies are going and copy that experience--it's not that hard!!  Kmart is the same, many of the things that rock a woman's world are gone or left to decay.  It's that same cliche' "they forgot they were in the retail business and thought they were in the tool business."  A sleek image is not that hard to imagine offering the latest and greatest in men's fashions, business and casual, tools and appliances, and automotive and the best in women's styles, a perfume and cosmetic presence, and a wonderful home department--maybe work out a deal for furniture with Warren.  One store at a time!  Maybe, they already have a dream store like this in New York.  I hope so.  So come on--do it!  Yes, execution is paramount; however, more important is execution of the right strategic plan--somethings have to change.  Executing the same tired plan faster isn 't going to make sales better.  We have to become America's Favorite Store--not JCPenney--and, we should have more to offer America!  Okay, I can't stand it anymore, there goes the first box up in the air about 20 feet---OMG---that felt so goood!!  Come on SHC---get up and get it---maybe, the front line folks working all the hours in the heat and cold, unloading trucks trying to work all these different departments and still take care of customers and be gophers just aren't moving fast enough.  Well, come on down out of the board room and try it.  the race is on, we will see how long you last in one of our days!  The box is coming back your way--now, let's see if you can kick it!!  Get up and get this company moving in the right direction--you are calling the shots!!  Bang, there went another box, so sad to see something great die, because some lack vision or just don't have the passion!!  Kick there went another one!  I know the economy is rough, but so are we, just do it!

I am dreaming about settling in for a long winter's nap, when out in the store, I hear a page for a 410.  I pickup the phone and what do I hear, "We have another Secret Santa wanting to pay off some layaways!"  The Secret Santas make merry and seem to enjoy the spirit of the holidays by giving rather than receiving. Layaway angels as we have referred to them in the past seem to come in all ages and from all walks of life.  I have had shoppers wonder if it is Kmart doing it and can honestly say that no one organization is responsible. 

A TV station visited our store this weekend and caught one Secret Santa in action,  He declined to go on the air, and another person in line after him asked what was going on and decided that they would like to pay off someone's layaway as well.  One Secret Santa was a five-year old boy.  His parents were helping him find the joy of giving.  Yesterday, a Kansas City mother brought in her two teens and paid off three layaways.  They plan to do it every year, now! 

It is refreshing to see that the nation as a whole has pulled together and seems to be determined to make this a great holiday season despite the economic conditions and how can one enjoy their holiday if others are not.  I am still dreaming about sleeping for a month after the holidays.  I don't want much for Christmas--maybe, a new fluffy pillow--but, this will be a year I will remember!  

"The best pleasure is creativity..."

Ralph Lauren

Listening to Adele this evening, "...there's a fire starting in my heart," and reading that Miss Martha is headed to JCPenney and what others think about Penney's CEO's plan to revive the stores.  It seems that executive Ron Johnson, former Apple CEO, had a fire start in his heart when he visited Martha's showroom.  This relationship seems to be part of the core plan to make JCPenney Americas favorite store.  I remember what products she had that sold well in my store and the things that did not.  Some Martha items will not be missed and others filled the void that shoppers looked for everywhere.  Some comments questioned the choice, if Johnson were looking to build a new image to reach younger shoppers and some doubted that the Apple genius bar concept could be translated to Martha wares. 

I did like it that Martha had a line of summer tabletop that coordinated with her patio furniture and summer linens as well.  We did get some bright colored pillows for the patio furniture this year at Kmart; however, I still dream about shoppers being able to buy pillows that coordinate with our patio cushion designs and then being able to walk over to our summer tabletop and buy dinnerware that coordinates. Nothing seemed to mesh this last year.  Patio sets will be arriving soon at Kmart and I hope someone noticed this last year and made some changes this year.  Martha's Christmas designs were usually quite nice as well.  I did like her red and white candy tree at Macy's.  Christmas at Kmart is usually a traditional feeling of special and this year everyone wanted the Cashmere tree.  I have noticed that many of the Jaclyn Smith designs have sold better than Martha's though, in different areas of the store.  I hope we get aprons this year for men--maybe, a simple black, not everyone is into ruffles.  And if we can have Hello Kitty toasters and microwaves, why can't someone in America make shelf liners that are fun like pink, purple, or even yellow?    

There I go getting off track, this was supposed to be about Martha making JCPenney Americas favorite store.  I wonder what is so hard about figuring out what shoppers want and need.  I particularly get bored going to every store and finding the same thing on the shelf.  That is why I went to Kmart to look at Martha's stuff before I was an employee.  I wanted something different and Martha did offer that.  Martha needs to work at keeping fresh designs and get some youthful designers in her lineup of creative souls.  I will be watching to see what happens at JCPenney with some Apple DNA in the mix.  Does Ron have the passion to build a fire? 

I should be headed back up to the store this evening; but, I decided to finally make time to research an old photo of a man--looks like a gun slinger from St. Joseph, Missouri in the later part of the 1800's.  While flipping through some other old photos in a photo album I purchased in St. Joseph, at one of my favorite antique stores, I noticed some photos of a man drilling for oil in the early days in Kansas and many railroad scenes, probably, from Atchison, Kansas.  The next page in the album had Christmas postcard greetings from the Elbert Macy family.  I wondered if they might be from the retail family and turning the next page provided the answer as the Christmas photo had the Manhattan Branch printed right on it.  I didn't find any information on this family on the internet.  It was interesting to read up on the story about the beginnings of this retail chain and where the red star logo comes from.  It seems that the red star is symbolic as the founder, Rowland Hussey Macy, was a sailor when a teen and got the red star tattoo on his hand while working on a Nantucket whaling vessel,  The first Macy's store was in downtown Haverhill, Massachusetts.  I find myself wondering about the symbolism of the red star.  What is the story behind the red star?  And then, I read where later partners, Mr. and Mrs. Straus from New York were on the Titanic, from the White Star Line, and that Ida Straus refused to leave her husband behind and went down with him.  There is a lot to the story behind this chain and I will look at that red star a little differently, now.  I am glad I stumbled on the Christmas postcards from the Macy family and what a story.  I still don't know who the gun slinger was; however, it seems that he had the same last name as a man that was good friends with Randolph Hearst in St. Joseph, Missouri, at the time--oh, well, break time over--heading back for more retail excitement this evening. 

Solar power surfing this evening.  A federal tax credit of 30% of a residential system's cost is available.  My local power company suggested a solar payback formula: (Retail Cost - state tax credits = amount eligible for federal tax credit) - federal tax credit = actual cost / savings per year on electricity = payback period.  One couple, locally, has a meter that measures when they produce more energy than they need and how much they sell back to their local power company.  The same article also suggests that it is inconsistent power that is based on the amount of sunlight able to hit the panels and that a homeowner needs an appropriate south-facing roof.  The couple did comment that they wished they had installed a solar tracking device that would enable their panels to turn following the sun for greater energy capture. 

I am thinking maybe, it would be a good thing to have panels on both sides of the house as different times of the year the sunlight might be more conducive to a different position.  I hear that those expensive rods that were being produced are really the best; however, most can't afford them. 

In the same publication, it stated that electric cars were coming this fall to our city and that they would qualify for a tax credit of $7500.  It didn't specify if this was a federal or state tax credit.  I keep checking the dealership and still no cars.  I am ready for that test spin!!

Thomas Edison, 1931, "I'd put my money on solar power."  Apparently, he hoped that fossil fuels would last long enough to develop solar power.  That was eighty years ago in a conversation that he had with Henry Ford.  What happened to us, did everyone just stop thinking?  Reading of a Ugandan mission to make an electrical car.  What is remarkable about this story of innovation is that the car is being developed by students and faculty at Makerere University, in a country that has a poor power grid.  I was impressed with the photo.  I am trying to think what a car would be like if a group of friends got together and tried to build a car and know that it would more closely resemble a stitched together hodgepodge of car parts--maybe, a Johnny Cash version of his Cadillac--one piece of a time.  Come on, T. Boone, get excited about solar!  We need some excited leaders to get this in overdrive.  If not, y'all gonna get left behind in smoke with dwindling cash reserves.

Read another article about whether or not we are smart enough to understand smart meters and their benefits."  Whew, ask the folks in Bakersfield, California what they think about smart meters.  I watched that one gentlemen's Youtube scathing description of what all they will track about us with their smart meters.  I am thinking are we smart enough to do away with the grid all together?  Another article headline suggest that Americans obsessions with gadgets are causing massive electric bills.

I am sitting here battle weary from Black Friday and that dog "Joe Black" had to come visit my store family this Thanksgiving and bring us down.  I have been trying to suppress thoughts of getting Dave's old 73' Chevy out of the barn and blowing the dust off, lately.  He tried to get rid of it once, but couldn't bring himself to do it, so he sent it home to Missouri--just a couple of thousand miles.  There is something symbolic about it.  He was down to his last couple hundred dollars, the old red truck, and his hopes of getting a contract that would change his life.  The call came from San Fransisco and he never came back home. 

Junior said I would have to drop a new engine in it.  I wonder, can I buy my own electrical engine yet?  Dave said I can't be free of the grid if I want to kick it in--still need 220 volts to do that.  I asked, "what if I have my own windmill generator, can I be free of the grid?"  He said, "it is possible."  Where he lives you have to have permission to turn any of this on.  I said, "What?"  I saw a sign on Metcalf the other day about electrical cars coming soon--maybe, I can get an engine from them.  Where's Thomas Edison when you need him?  I told Dave that when I am ready to ride my horse down, I will be getting the Chevy out and firing it up.

Called the Kauffman Foundation.  I actually called last year hoping to get with someone to help construct a website where average folks could get on and help each other with their ideas.  I never received a call back.  It just seems like someone should create a website for folks that want to try and invent something or pitch their idea to the general public.  A site where the masses could reach out to each other and help them get an idea off the ground.  I might be willing to send ten dollars to someone to help get a great thing going.  The question is would we be willing to help each other--would we forgo a dinner out to make someone's dream a reality.  It seemed like the right foundation could manage and validify the site and participants--like a grant project.  Oh well, there I go thinking again.  I would like to hear your thoughts on a project like this.

I heard on the radio, yesterday, a lady from Europe saying that they were joining the OWS movement.  Wow, a global movement.  Some seem to think it is against capitalism.  It doesn't seem that way to me as a lot of countries with dictators are changing.  It seems as though the world is so connected now and the people seem to be saying we are going to hold people accountable for how they treat others.  I can see that companies can be shut down over night by a concensus of shoppers.  Can you imagine if they decided to boycott a company.  It is scary and at the same time encouraging--the world is watching and changing! 

d

Heard some news on the wind.  Someone up home had their retirement plan come in--won 2.8 million in the lottery--small town of Princeton, Missouri.  Occasionally, I have to make a trip there--something speaks to me on that windswept hilltop.  It may be a faint heart song I hear in the distance.  It could be Iowa tribe, I saw a closed tribal office there.  They say Martha Jane Cannary started out life there.  I can't remember when the "Clamamity" hit in her life.  My granddad on my mother's side began his short life here.  I never met him.  He died when my mother was a babe.  I did hear the storms this weekend.  They make me shake my head.  I should probably stop reading--all it does is make me think--which usually just gets me into trouble.   I mean all this mess we're in and I just start thinking about things like fracking, wars over oil, folks trying to buy up all the water rights and then we have those trying to control the food supply, this long struggle between labor and companies, and heard that yet another bailed to Mexico.  Also, read where we are getting our tails kicked on solar panels--and think, no kidding!  I read one blogger's thoughts on our economic woes and was just about to hit the brilliant button as he described how our GDP had fallen and that everyone has to be productive and held accountable in society to do just that.  I was scratching my head as I pondered "doing what?" 

And then we have the Wall Street Crowd and all the really brilliant in the world running our corporations and they run through all these hoops trying to make money, keep the stockholders happy, and make some cake for themselves.  It is a tough job!  I keep thinking someone real sharp will come along to guide the mess to a better place because they already have a huge job and shouldn't be trying to run the country as well.  That said, it seems as though our country should be run more like a business.  Do they think that other countries will play by the same rules that America has?  Are they to blame, or is government policy, for the mess we find ourselves in.

I mean does anyone else wonder things like--what if we could have our own solar stations at our houses to charge batteries for our electrical cars and what if our homes became solar stations themselves.  What if we don't need the fracking oil wars at all and the air becomes cleaner--or gasp of horror, what if we don't need the electrical companies at all.  Whew, that would just blow some minds.  The railroads, some say, went by the wayside because they didn't realize they were in the transportation business and not just the railroad business--they couldn't visualize the future.  And then we have good guys that run and buy the railroads because they see a bleak future ahead for us.  And others that see the world for the less fortunate become harder and harder. Well, come on and be creative folks--think--we used to be good at it.  What if we can grow food in skyscrapers--those smart buildings that become more like a living organism.  I don't know--I'm not a rocket scientist--but some things just seem like common sense, or maybe, it is the heart song of others I hear blowing in the wind and then, I think when will we wise up and not wait for corporations to make our nation for us.  If we want certain things in our lives we have the power to make it happen; however, we will have to work together to make it happen.  If we need or want products that they are not willing or smart enough to go after, then what is stopping a group from doing their own start ups.  Empty buildings abound and minds set idle--let's get cracking and we will see what happens.  Yep, you might have to do without all the cake, but won't it be exciting!!  And they say we won't be having cake--anyway.

Words to remember--"just because you read a lot, doesn't mean you're an economist."  What does make one an economist or for that matter what makes any of us bonafide at anything?  Okay, now, I am worried because I did that four-year stint and did a lot of reading during that time.  They promised me that I would be something when I finished and I have all my awards and my diploma.  I did a great job filling in all the circles with my no. 2 lead pencil and now what--all that reading and it doesn't make me anything.  And what about those folks that skipped the Reading Railroad altogether, passed go, and collected $200.  Whew, some of them are so sharp!  Who told them they could be millionaires--anyway?

Listening to an interesting discussion--the Nantucket Project.  The guest panelist were Larry Summers, Eric Schmidt, Mellody Hobson, Stephen Deberry, Eddie Lampert, and the moderator was Tom Stewart.  The project to quote the article and video on "Big Think" is a festival of ideas contemplating "short-termism."  "With the global financial crisis ongoing, the concept of “short-termism” has emerged as one underlying explanation for our current woes. As the argument goes, the increasing emphasis on quarterly reports and returns can drive CEOs and investors to make decisions that are not necessarily in the best, long-term interests of companies or the economy as a whole."  I would encourage you to listen and form your own opinion.  My take from the panel rings true that people are watching and that companies will be held accountable for their short term and long term policies; however, money is the motivator or causation that creates action in our society and market.

The downside of money diminishing has the same affect on society, as we see society taking action and demanding change.  Some short termism may not seem to matter and then again, people are watching--no money--tain't nothing better to do!  It would be interesting to see these folks put their brains together in a big think and develop a plan to create what they want--not just demand it from others.  Let's take something away from all this!  I want to see what they would do to make things better if they could.  Get the reporters out there and make this really interesting.  Well another day of my vacation spent.  Hope you all had a great day!~~Wayfinder Workaholic heading out for that pumpkin pie blizzard from DQ.

My identity stolen.  I checked my email this am to find someone checking out materials at the library under my name.  Well, this will be interesting.  I thought I would check out some articles on food hedging to see what is going on in that realm, while waiting for a call from the library director.  I read several online articles and I just don't get it.  The World Bank is getting involved and JP Morgan all to aid the farmers and producers in small and undeveloped countries around the world.  Hmm, price hikes hurting farmers--not usually.  I can see where they hurt consumers that have to pay the huge prices at the market for food; hence, we see angry protests and riots.  So, how, is food hedging going to help farmers?  I just don't get it.  I remember putting the crop in the grain bin hoping for a better price at a later date.  Very few farmers have the funds to speculate or buy futures.  Consumers get angry at the stores and markets and they are very often not making much in profit from the sale.  Sooo, where does all the jump in prices go.  Not usually, the farmer, they are barely eeking out a living.  Something in this model is not making sense to me at all.  What am I missing?  The farmers should become wealthier as food becomes one of the most valuable resources.  The whole thing seems like a load of bunk.  I sat in a hospital room not long ago and found myself next to a commodity buyer for the US Dept. of Agriculture.  I listened to her talk about the crops she would buy the next day.  I guess to sure up the price of those crops for American farmers.  It was all I could do to not ask the questions I wanted to.  I know what message I am taking from all this and where the real profits will be going and I find it troublesome.  Anyone want to enlighten my way of thinking, I am listening.