Sunday, October 14, 2012

The Big Day Ahead


It is my opinion that what happens on November 6th with the Presidential election will be a life changing event.  Others are watching it too as last week one of the monthly projection reports specifically focused on it as a reason for their results.  The Dodge Momentum Index slipped in August and has been struggling recently and the analysts basically blamed it on the election and uncertainty stemming from it.  There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the results that day, no matter what they are, will have a major effect on our industry and how we go forward.  Will the closure that comes from the election (or should come) make a difference?  I am hearing both.  From some sides, it’s a resounding yet, but others believe that the gridlock and malaise will continue no matter what. 

Elsewhere…

--  Last week Jenni Chase on the Glassblog on Glass Magazine had one of the best posts of ALL TIME… her piece on being a glass geek was excellent and if you missed it, please check it here.  My geek story is from when the new Pittsburgh Airport opened 1992, it featured TONS of glass.  It was the first airport to feature a mall in it and since it was pre 9-11, you could meet people at the gates, so you could shop while you wait.  Anyway, my brother and I went out there right after it opened, just to look at the glass- and see all the logos.  We were on our knees looking at logos on the glass by the automated walkways, and craning our necks to see logos up high on an all glass storefront.  Needless to say we looked like we were either idiots or casing the joint.  Obviously that could NEVER happen in our current world…   Anyway, Jenni’s piece and the great comments that came from it were excellent reading!

--  Yet another reason I struggle with the Department of Energy.  Last week the Pittsburgh Tribune Review ran a story about athletes getting special breaks from the government and the good ole DOE was at it again.  From the story:

Agassi's Las Vegas nonprofit took $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to help erect the "Alternative Energy School of the Future." According to the agency, the money was earmarked by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, solely for the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education -- no other schools need apply.

Wow.  Now politics aside… WHY is the DOE giving 1.5 million to anyone for something like this?  And not to mention a tennis player’s charity is the right place for that amount of money?  Really?  The rest of the story can be found here and it’s infuriating.

--  For those of you who have been in the industry a while, the name Jim Bradford will be familiar.  He is the former President of both AFG (before they were known as AGC) and the old United Glass Corp.  Bradford left the industry way back at the start of last decade and has been successful in his ventures.  This past week however he made news when he was embroiled in a mini controversy at Cracker Barrel where he is a board member.  Here’s the Cracker Barrel side and the very intense response from their largest shareholder who is not happy.

--  Last this week… the poor Washington Nationals… man who would think me picking them for the World Series would jinx them in the 9th inning of game 5.  Now it is obvious there is no more fortunate/clutch team in the world than St Louis.  Wow.  And as for the Yankees, losing Derek Jeter surely isn’t a good thing.  Ouch. 

LINKS of the WEEK

--  For the branding geeks like me…. Wendy’s is getting a newlook and logo.

--  And yet another frightening virus like program for you to be aware of.  This one is wild.

--  And only in Detroit is where you can have a squatter living legally with the real homeowner.

VIDEO of the WEEK

The Ohio University Marching 110 is the “best band in the land” but this effort from another college in Ohio… is pretty good…

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