Hi everyone,

Welcome back, and a happy, albeit rainy, Friday to you all.  What's on tap for the weekend?  I'm not sure what we'll be doing, apart from trying to make sure everything is ready for the big move next week.  Our crew is still feeling a little nervous about the switch, but BDH and Little Buddha are looking forward to hanging out with all of you on our Facebook page while we change locations.  Hopefully everything will go smoothly, and we'll be back up and running a week from Tuesday. 

Now, let's check out the headlines.  The guys made coffee, so grab yourself a nice medium DD, because it's time to clear out some Clutter.

REMINDER:  We are changing web host companies next week and expect to be offline from August 28 to September 4 and back on September 5.  Come hang out with us on our Facebook page while we move!

We have teamed up with Clearly Balanced Days, a NH-based/women-owned CBD company.  Enter promo code "cmoore" to get $5 off your next purchase!

Donald Trump surrendered to Fulton County officials yesterday after being indicted on racketeering charges related to his attempt to overturn Georgia's 2020 presidential election results.  After being criminally charged for the fourth time this year, Trump became the first-ever former White House occupant to have his mug shot taken.  Of course he used the later used the photo as part of a fundraising campaign as his return to Twitter.  The man needs to scam his followers like the rest of us need to breathe.

However, for decent Americans who actually support democracy and our legal system, yesterday was yet another reminder that the serial criminal must be defeated again in 2024.  The courts need to hold him accountable for his actions, and society must be protected from this national security threat.

Lock up inmate number P01135809.  (pic via pbs.org)

A new poll suggests that some Republican voters might reconsider their support for Donald Trump if he's actually convicted of a crime.  We're suspicious of that, but even if it's true, the results show Trump would remain as the front-runner of a crowded field.  Would his nominal opponents get their acts together in that situation to unify around a single challenger to the MAGA throne, or would they all remain in the race and still give him a clear path to the GOP nomination?  Our money is on the latter. 

Nothing to see here, folks:  Just Sarah Palin threatening civil war after Donald Trump's latest arrest.  The GOP is the party of violent criminals.

Investors will be listening carefully to what Fed Chairman Jay Powell has to say about interest rates during a speech today.  According to the linked article, Powell isn't expected to give any hints about upcoming rate hikes.  However, he might indicate how long rates will stay at their current levels.  The Clutter investment team has long believed the status quo will remain in place for at least the rest of the year. 

It's not complicated - the Fed has been consistent about their message:  Inflation is down, which is great, but 3% still isn't their goal of 2%, and policymakers are more concerned about not doing enough, as opposed to doing too much.  Our crew wouldn't be shocked to see two more rate increases in 2023, but at the very least, barring a shocking development, cuts aren't coming anytime soon.

Last call:  Today is the deadline to file your claim to participate in the Facebook privacy lawsuit settlement.    While you likely won't receive a life-changing figure, it takes less than five minutes to fill out the form.  Make Meta literally pay for their actions.

Today is August 25, but Starbucks just brought back its signature Pumpkin Spice Latte yesterday.  First off, pumpkin is a gross flavor that shouldn't be used for anything.  Second, it's annoying that food and beverage companies refuse to read the calendar anymore.  We're still solidly in summer.  Enough with pushing the fall editions of anything this far in advance.  We used to have this complaint with the Sam Adams beer company every year.  Don't tell us to buy Octoberfest when the high temperatures are still touching 80 degrees.

The Subway fast food chain is reportedly being sold to private equity firm Roark.  The move is said to be happening to help modernize the stores and assist with expansion efforts.  Roark has experience with multiple fast food companies, as well as Dunkin', so it will be interesting to see what changes come from this sale.

Officials say updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be available around mid-September.  They still have to go through the formal approval process, but they're not expected to face any obstacles.  Works for us.  We know no one wants to talk about this, but hospitalizations have been trending in the wrong direction for weeks, and protection from previous shots gradually declines, so tell us when to visit our local pharmacy.  That reminds us, we also need a flu shot. 

The Boston Red Sox crushed the Houston Astros 17-1 yesterday afternoon to spit their four-game series.  Did the Astros owe the Sox money?  Boston's lineup came out swinging right from the beginning, scoring 11 runs in the first three innings.  Someone should check to see if Houston's starter Jonathan France is okay. On the flip side, Boston's Brayan Bello lasted seven innings, giving the bullpen some much-needed rest.  This tied for  the worst loss in Houston's history, and it couldn't have come at a better time.  The 68-60 Red Sox are now 3.5 games back in the race for the final AL Wild Card spot. 

It will soon be time to start the countdown to the Red Sox securing a winning record for 2023.  You'd like to think that's a low bar to clear, but given the way this team yo-yo's from year to year, it's worth noting when it happens.

Next up:  Weather permitting, the Red Sox start a weekend home series against old friend Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers.  This is Mookie's first time back to Boston since he was traded, and we expect a standing ovation the first time he comes to the plate.  The Red Sox starting pitcher has yet to be announced, so it looks like we're talking about a bullpen outing.

We were stunned to hear that former WWE champion Bray Wyatt died yesterday at only 36 years old.  Wyatt (real name:  Windham Rotunda) was a third generation wrestler who made a name for himself with one of the most creative characters in recent memory.  He first joined the WWE in 2009, and then came back last September after being unexpectedly let go in 2021.  However, he disappeared from the scene again this past spring.  It was said that he was dealing wit a serious illness at the time. 

Wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp tweeted that the Rotunda family wanted it known that Windham had been sick with COVID, which exacerbated some heart issues, and while it was believed he was recovering, he had a fatal heart attack yesterday.  It's unfortunate that the family had to make that information public, but history shows, rumors would have spread like wildfire in the absence of an explanation.  Our condolences go out to the Rotunda family, as well as Windham's family and friends.  He's gone far too soon.

Barbie is now the highest-grossing U.S. movie of the year, with a current box office total of $575.4 million, topping The Super Mario Bros. Movie.  Congratulations to Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Greta Gerwig, and everyone else connected to the film on this well-deserved success.

Warner Bros. is pushing Dune: Part Two's release date back to March 15, 2024.  The film was supposed to come out on November 3, but the studio is apparently concerned that the current actors strike will keep any of the stars from promoting the movie for the rest of this year. 

The first official trailer for the new season of The Morning Show is here.  This is almost intriguing enough to get us to subscribe to Apple TV+.  The drama kicks off on September 13:

Hmm, the BBC deleted the announcement on their website that the new season of Doctor Who will begin next spring.  Did something change, or did that get out by mistake?  Maybe it's part of some elaborate P.R. ruse by boss Russell T. Davies?  Guess we'll have to wait and see.  All we know is that the anniversary specials are still scheduled to begin in November, and we're so excited to see David Tennant and Catherine Tate in action again.

Hey Prince fans:  A super deluxe version of the Diamonds & Pearls album comes out on October 27.  It will contain 47 previously-unreleased tracks, as well as two hours of concert footage.  The record will be available in a variety of formats at a cost ranging from $12.98 to $394.98.

Ed Sheeran has a new album coming out on September 29.  Here's hoping the struggling artist finally finds some success this time.

Okay kids, that's going to do it for now.  Not going to lie, we're still sort of thrown off by our upcoming semi-sabbatical.  Thus, it feels fitting to have Simple Minds close things out with a live version of, "Don't You (Forget About Me)" for today's, "Song of the Day."

Thanks for stopping by, folks.  It was great to see you, as always.  Enjoy your weekend, come hang out with us on Facebook next week, and we'll all meet up at our new location soon.  Until next time, that's today's Clearing out the Clutter, and we are outta here.