Evening News

Disney Profit Jumps 30% on Cable/Parks: Story ("Disney CEO: Increased ratings in DVR households", "Disney CEO: DVRs increase TV viewing")

E-trade Has Decided Not to Sell Itself: Story (I'd think a merger with an Ameritrade or other large competitor would be an antitrust issue)


Nordstrom Boosts Profit 7%, Shares Fall on Outlook: Story (Kohl's earnings were up 20% yesterday, Macy's also raised its outlook.) Black Friday is also coming earlier this year, with Wal-Mart and others providing deals either the night before or starting at Midnight.

Groupon Stock Among Most Expensive to Short: Story

Tokyo Stock Exchange Warns Olympus Could Be Delisted:Story

Wal-Mart Corporate Video on Black Friday Events:

Morning News Items

Caterpillar is in talks this morning to buy Chinese firm ERA Mining. This comes shortly after Yum Brands had their takeover of Mongolian Hot Pot chain Little Sheep approved. Story.

Bank of England leaves monetary policy unchanged. Story

Greece names Lucas Papademos new prime minister. Story

Viacom Beats Estimates, Boosts Buyback: Story

US Trade Deficit Narrows in September: Story

Ex Olympus Officials May Face Charges if Fraud Proved: Story

Solar Glut to Worsen After Prices Plunge: Story

Italy Sells Bills at Highest Rate in 14 Years:Story

An overview of a meal at a Little Sheep restaurant:

Self-Freezing Coke?

Self-freezing coke on the streets of Hong Kong. Why isn't this available in the US? It would be a huge seller during the Summer. Additionally, for those unaware to changes in hip lingo, "quaff" is the new "swig".

Somewhere Jon Stewart Is Pleased

This blog is not intended to be political and I won't comment much directly on this (because, well, no comment necessary, really), but geez. Somewhere, Jon Stewart is pleased - this is a couple of "Daily Show"'s worth of material right here. I'm sure a remixed, autotuned version will likely be posted somewhere online any day now. I especially like Ron Paul's "five" comment at 1:46 or so (which he also shows to the audience.) If you listen closely, Romney also shouts out "EPA" at one point in the background. Politicians can't seem to work together to solve major issues, but some of them are happy to work together when another one forgets his rather important speech.

The author is neither republican or democrat, but simply believes that both sides need to take the (unfortunately unlikely) step to put differences aside and work together, because the issues facing this country (and the world) are serious enough that putting them off or playing politics instead may lead to a worse crisis. Whether left wing or right wing (or "West Wing", "Wings" or "Wind Beneath My Wings"), at the core, everyone's just trying to make it through the day and despite people's differences, everyone would like to see considerable work done towards making this world a better place for future generations. We have to demand greatness and exceptional leadership from our elected officials (whether republican, democrat or martian), and expect no less.