Wizard of Id Friday was too good to pass up:
I'm here to do a survey
What's the biggest export in this Kingdom:
The educated
what's the biggest import?
The undeducated!

I've spent the last 2 days with one of the most unique men I've met in my business carrier: "Jud" Judkins. Jud is a close out,fixture sales man from Oklahoma. He's 31 yrs sober from any drugs or alcohol. He's closed out TG&Y stores, moved and sold off most of the fixtures when Neiman Marcus upgrades. The first time I met Jud was in Edmond in a 100' ft warehouse, it was 100+ degrees in it and he was selling off all the fixtures and shelving. Jud doesn't mind hard work. His dad was a horse trader and he remembers his dads most treasured quote: "never run down another mans horse or merchandise always speak positive about it".
Jud's liquidating a 58yr old wholesale distribution company in Lawton OK for about 3 months. Everything MUST Go.
Jud is one of a kind.
If you need something sold, Jud can do it--I guaranteeeee it!

The New York Times > Business > I.R.S. Says Americans' Income Shrank for 2 Consecutive Years: "The overall income Americans reported to the government shrank for two consecutive years after the Internet stock market bubble burst in 2000, the first time that has effectively happened since the modern tax system was introduced during World War II, newly disclosed information from the Internal Revenue Service shows.
The total adjusted gross income on tax returns fell 5.1 percent, to just over $6 trillion in 2002, the most recent year for which data is available, from $6.35 trillion in 2000. Because of population growth, average incomes declined even more, by 5.7 percent.
Adjusted for inflation, the income of all Americans fell 9.2 percent from 2000 to 2002, according to the new I.R.S. data. "

"I'm not a member of any organized political party: I'm a Democrat" Will Rogers

Yahoo! News - Oil Hits $43, YUKOS Told to Stop Sales
I remember one time when oil went almost this high our country went into
the highest inflationary period in history. Oil effects everything.
A friend of mine yesterday discovered that it takes 4.33% return to keep
ahead of "money rust" or inflation. This is the problem today, money is rusting
faster than one can prevent it!

Yahoo! News - Michael Moore Is Huge Draw at Democratic Convention
I'll make a prediction about the next Michael Moore film: Wal-marting of America!
It may not be the next but believe me he's working on one.

Yahoo! News - Report Says 195,000 Deaths Due to Hospital Error
Gary Ball a friend went in for a gal bladder liposcropic one day surgery
and after 8 weeks of staff infection he finally recovered.

Six rules for successful leadership from the CEO’s CEO, Jack Welch:
1. Control your destiny, or someone else will.
2. Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it were.
3. Be candid with everyone.
4. Don’t manage, lead.
5. Change before you have to.
6. If you don’t have a competitive advantage, don’t compete.

“The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.” -Max Depree
“Sometimes you need to look reality in the eye and deny it.” -Garrison Keillor

ThrillNetwork.com :: Whale attacks trainer at Sea World
I don't know if you saw this or not but it was kind of scary. A killer whale
started behaving funny at Sea World in San Antonio last week. I head that
they are attributing this behavior to "hormones." To me what was funny was the guy with the fish on trying to throw the whale a fish to calm him down--I wonder if that might work for all hormonal imbalances? Just throw your wife a fish!

"Strength and wisdom are not opposing values" Former President Bill Clinton

"What convinces is conviction. Believe in the argument you're advancing. If you don't, you're as good as dead. The other person will sense that something isn't there, and no chain of reasoning, no matter how logical or elegant or brilliant, will win your case for you."

Lyndon B. Johnson
1908-1973, Thirty-Sixth President of the United States

In Boston there's 5750 residents for every donut shop. I've noticed in Providence, RI and my Donut research indications are they beat Boston. Article in the Wall St Journal today about the pride Boston has in donuts. The Boston Cream! Get this 875 of Dunkin' Donuts 3900 US outlets are located in Boston.

The New York Times > Opinion > Guest Columnist: Wal-Mars Invades Earth We are about to add to Wal-Mart conquest in Abilene, and no one is upset. In fact its about the best news for our northside of town in a long time. Abilene is welcoming the news. Any job is welcomed. No protest no fights in what its doing to downtown or main street. I guess we're just glad to have the business. I suspect many will regret this in, lets say Stamford, Texas. There in a few years they'll be without a Wal-mart, after they Wal-Mart sees that they've moved those dollars to the Abilene northside Super Center.
Where do I stand? Wal-mart needs reigning in. Its time.
Wal-Mart is 1% of China's GDP, thats major for a retailer.
And its growing.
Part of me says: build it as big as the market will let you. But we've been down those roads before.
I filled out a vendor application one time for Wal-Mart, they asked me who my supplier was. Now that's a personal question, I'm reluctant to disclose that information.

I grew up in a very political place: Uvalde, Texas. Uvalde was the home of John Nance Garner Vice President with FDR in the early 30's. As well Dolph Brisco former Gov. of Texas. We used to go down to the Uvalde Leader News offices and watch the election come in on a black board--as the results changed someone would erase the numbers and put them up in chalk on the board. That seems like yesterday. Dolph won the governorship in the late 60's and we'd watch him at conventions as he pledged our delegates to whichever candidate won the nomination. One of us. Republicans were scarce then in Uvalde. Down the street from my grandfather one man had Goldwater signs out in front of his house. That was abnormal--you didn't see many Goldwater signs in Uvalde.
This will be a very political week. I like politics.

The power of the Internet. I've got most of my vendors in China and India on instant messaging. Its like having a daily visit with them. I'm thinking how small will this world be when Hannah grows up. The communication is instant. In 1988 I bought a fax for about $2000. A very small fax that operated at 9600 baud rate. It was cutting edge. Instant communication anywhere in the world. That seems like yesterday.

Jamon Iberico - Iberian Ham from Spain: "Will the bone-in hams have hooves?
At this time, FDA and USDA have indicated they will not allow the importation of the hams with hooves at this time. Of course, we will strive to have the hoof included and policy may change in the months to come. Either way, rest assured that each ham will be certified as genuine �pata negra.� "
One of the features of this ham is that they come with the hooves on them--seems to give the USDA problems and most health departments--
in the WSJ article a Spanish national was quoted as saying in over 2000 years NO one has died of eating this Ham.

Jamon Iberico - Iberian Ham from Spain
There was a front page article about the type of Jamon (Ham) in the Wall Street Journal. A lot of people want to buy this but the USDA will not approve or has not approved a processing plant in Spain. I've never tasted this Jamon but I am very interested in it--it cures from 1 -3 yrs, and they pigs eat a special kind of acorn that ads to the flavor. Makes me hungry just thinking about it.

Ed Zore CEO of Northwestern Mutual Insurance gave a talk the other day in which described "The Picture of a Leader"
1. Good idea of where you're going to go.
2. Good idea of how you're going to get there.
3. The ability to communicate effectively.
4. A life of integrity.
5. Supportive of the rest of the team.

"I never knew a man that was good at making excuses who was good at anything else" Benjamin Franklin

"Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory."

Betty Smith
1896-1972, Novelist

Yahoo! News - Microsoft Plans $75 Billion Payout: "Microsoft, which generates about $1 billion in cash per month, said it would still have sufficient funding for research and to make acquisitions. "

I'd call Microsoft a Cash Cow!

Yahoo! News - Greenspan Expected to Say All's Well
Allen is not at the same Atlanta Mart I was at 2 weeks ago. People commented
that this was the slowest market they had ever seen. Buyers did not show up.
I found a blank Incident Report form in the back of the building and filled it out
to report: No Customers in Sight!
There's a great disconnect from what Allen will say and what's really
happening on Main Street USA.
Its my belief that consumers have tightened up and a spirit of pessimism has developed.

"One today is worth two tomorrows; never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today."

Benjamin Franklin
1706-1790, US Statesman, Diplomat and Inventor

No More Pat at the Pump!
I stopped in a Love's the other day in Weatherford, Texas. Wanda who was on her 2nd go around at Love's reminded me of an air traffic controller. She takes money, cards and turns pumps on and off through a highly sofisticated gas pump monoriting system. She makes lots of commentary on all her transactions, she's a running commentary on everything happening. She will always give you a word about something. She appears to like and enjoy what she does. She has to be present to work where she does, one or 2 mistakes and she's cost Love's a lot of money. I engaged a conversation while waiting for Cuin to fill up the truck---- She said corporate had cut all pay at the pump off because they had--$1000 in drive off gas in one week. I've heard a Love's will do about $100,000 per week in gas average. So 1% drive off is not bad but when you consider the margins is very bad. When gas hits $2 per gallon it becomes a much more "stealable" commodity.

The New York Times > Business > Stewart Sentenced to 5 Months in Prison for Lying to Investigators
I just realized Martha was sentenced to 5 months of jail and 5 months of home confinement. I'm sure there's a reality TV producer working on this Martha AT HOME AND JAIL show. It should be good!

Yahoo! News - Bush, in Florida, Assails Castro on Sex Tourism: "'The regime of Fidel Castro has turned Cuba into a major destination for sex tourism,' Bush said, adding that the Cuban president 'welcomes sex tourism' as a source of hard currency for his governme"

I wonder if Mr. Bush has been to Dallas recently, and seen what they are doing in
his backyard?

Yahoo! News - Martha Stewart Gets 5 Months in Prison
I guess I'm asking does the Crime fit the Time? Well I like Martha's work, she's
a great "embellishment person" and I'm sure in 5 months she'll transform the
Federal Pen wherever she is.

Clark Howard Show Notes Wednesday, July 14
Clark Howard has some of the most sensible advice I have ever heard, he's heard on AM radio across the country.
He's an adovate for saving money and spending right.
Notice this post:
Politicians boosting property taxes in many areas
Politicians are sticking it to us with rising property taxes. According to a recent analysis, property taxes are up just under 25 percent in the past four years. The Wall Street Journal shows that just in the past two years taxes are up more than 10 percent. School districts, special tax districts and local governments are all reaching into our pockets. The trouble is that people’s salaries are not increasing at the same rate. Many politicians are using rising assessments as a way of doing hidden tax increases. You may remember there was a property tax revolt known in 1979 as Proposition 13. We are going to see sons and daughters of this revolt doing the same thing this year. You will see it either at the ballot box or with initiatives that will change how property is assessed. The sad part is that the people really getting clobbered by these assessments are senior citizens. More and more seniors are carrying mortgages, and some are struggling to put food on the table. They may not know there is special property tax relief for seniors in their area. So, if you are concerned about your parents look around. And tell those politicians how you feel about increased property taxes by voting against them!

Yahoo! News - House Votes to Block Aid for Saudi Arabia: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lawmakers cheered as the House of Representatives voted on Thursday to strip financial assistance for Saudi Arabia from a foreign aid bill because of criticism that the country has not been sufficiently cooperative in the U.S. war on terror.

The vote was a stinging defeat for the Bush Administration which had strongly opposed the measure saying it would 'severely undermine' counterterrorism cooperation with Saudi Arabia and U.S. efforts for peace in the Middle East.
The House voted 217-191 to remove $25,000 in the $19.4 billion 2005 foreign aid bill earmarked for Saudi Arabia. "
I don't know about you but cutting $25,000 out of a $19.4billion dollar doesn't seem like very much punishment to me?  I guess it would be like rufusing to buy them a Snickers candy bar or some M&M's.
And why are we sending $19.4 billion to Saudi Arabia in the first place? Look at the price of gas these days, they are rolling in the dough.

The other day we sold a piece of furniture in River Oaks: www.hannahjanecollection.com
I had no idea where or who lived there. Today I read:


Lea Fastow grew up in River Oaks, Houston's wealthiest enclave, and is the prep school-educated heiress to a grocery and real estate fortune amassed by the Weingartens, one of the city's most respected old-line families.


Lea is now in a federally funded suite near Houston. She worked for Enron.

"It is good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it's good too, to check up once in a while and make sure you haven't lost the things money can't buy."

George Lorimer
1867-1937, Editor of "Saturday Evening Post"

Waffle House: Raisin Toast and No quota!
Jesse and I visited a Waffle House for breakfast the other day in Atlanta. I like Waffle House's usually. We turned in our lite order,the lady loudly proclaims to the little waitress: "How we gonna make out $1000 quota with raisin toast and one waffle" I looked a Jesse in amazement that our order made such a statement. It was amazing. We stayed and the service went downhill from there.

Perfect purr
Elegant Pet Dishes
In the Atlanta market there's a whole 1/2 floor or pet products.I had to be careful walking through the gourmet section and then walking throughout he pet section, you find yourself wanting a gourmet doggie biscuit. I had to laugh seeing some of these products. FiFi never had it so good.

Have you seen the Six flags Dancing man Ad? This fits the BANG
ad description--really catching. The dancing man is now a national icon---getting attention and FREE PR in the 100's of millions.
This breaks all rules.
Get the book BANG: how to get your message out in a crowded world.

Blind leading the Blind
Yesterday Jesse and I were taking the MARTA-Atlanta metro train back to our hotel, a lady traveling with a group of people with a see/eye dog---said that she tought they were supposed to get off at the next stop, everyone said, yea that's right--I said now I've seen the blind leading the blind.
We are in Atlanta for the AmericasMart gift show. A very large show.

Yahoo! News - Deadly Bird Flu Erupts Again in Thailand, China
I've wondered at times, "Why are US Customs so interested in my travels abroad-
like Have you visited a farm recently? Here's another good reason to ask.

"It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen."

Claude M. Bristol
1891-1951, Author of "The Magic of Believing"

"My greatest point is my persistence. I never give up in a match. However down I am, I fight until the last ball. My list of matches shows that I have turned a great many so-called irretrievable defeats into victories."

Bjorn Borg
Professional Tennis Player