This is how I won $129,000 in my 3rd ever poker tournament. Note: don't try this, it probably won't turn out well for you.
I spent about 6 months grinding up a $5,000 bankroll playing home/casino games ranging from .5/1 to 1/3. The week that I hit that $5,000 mark, Matt, one of my best friends from college informed me that his job had placed him in Las Vegas for the next month and that I could crash with him for a few nights if I wanted to come on out west. I had frequent flyer miles for the flight and some Mlife/Fremont hotel comps for the rest of the trip. My grand total for flight and lodging for 10 days came to $200.
Now, I’m not going to bore you guys with low-level cash hand histories. The next 10 days were filled with me playing lowstakes poker for 10-12 hours a day. It’s as fun as it sounds – it’s not. I was having a good time in Vegas otherwise – but towards the end of the trip I had a realization: 1/2’s the same everywhere. I didn’t have to fly out to the desert to raise to $7 preflop.
After 10 days, my grand total from poker (and a fair amount of dumb degenerate shit on Fremont) was -$186. That wasn’t what I came out to do — I knew that I was a better player than my recent results had indicated. The morning of my return flight, I decided I was going to play tournaments until I either busted my $5,000 bankroll or hit something worthwhile.
I impulsively decided to not get on my plane at 11:30am. Checkout time from Luxor was at 11:00 – and I didn’t know where I was going yet. I had 30 minutes to pack up my stuff and figure out where I was going before they’d charge me a fee. I sorted TripAdvisor by cheapest first – I’ve stayed in crappy hostels/motels before and overall am a very low maintenance person. I figured that by staying somewhere for $20 a night, I’d be able to maximize the amount of shots I could take before flying back home. I accepted that there was a real chance I’d go back broke – but I didn’t really care. If I didn’t take my shot now, then when?
I booked the cheapest bed in Vegas - a 6-person shared hostel just past the Stratosphere. Let's just say you get what you pay for — it was not a happy place. A fair amount of the people in there were bordering on homelessness and there was barbed wire surrounding their outdoor gym. In addition to this, I had the constant stress of knowing that all that separated my bankroll from the rest of my roommates was a tiny lock. I took the Deuce to the strip, lived off food comps, and turned down invites from my friends to hang out. I was in town to play poker, nothing else.
Disclaimer: I had never played tournaments prior to heading out to Vegas. My only knowledge of hand ranges was from watching televised events. I downloaded a free Nash chart app on my phone while on the Deuce to the strip and studied it for 5 minutes – whatever, I get the jist of it. Let’s play some cards.
The first day of doing this I played the $140 daily at the Aria. Top 13 spots paid -- I finished in 15th. It was depressing to say the least — I felt as if I was at rock bottom. Before the first night of sleeping at the hostel I called the airline to see if I could get on the flight that I had deliberately missed the day prior. I couldn't.
I made it my goal to at least cash something so that I could get a decent hotel room.
I couldn’t have slept more than 2-3 hours the first night there. One of my roommates was loudly vomiting all night, the sheets itched, and I was going through an existential crisis... like dude, you’ve got a finance degree and you’re really doing this shit?
While on the bus to the strip, I opened Poker Atlas and saw that there was a $200 satellite to win a seat into the $1,600 Venetian main event. I decided that I was going to go take a shot at that.
I was at risk twice in the satellite but after studying the GTO method on how to win coinflips, I persevered and won a seat to the main.
The first day was surreal – once again, I was running on minimal sleep due to my housing arrangements, but I remember the following hands from day 1:

1. Button opens to 2.2x, I’m in the BB with Q9cc. SB folds, we go HU to a flop of 832c. He c-bets, I call. Turn 4x, x/x. River Ax. I check, he bets, I x/r to like 3x his bet, he insta folds. I take it down and show air.
2. UTG+1 opens, MP calls, I flat on the button with K10ss. 3 ways to a flop of Qs43xx. UTG+1 bets 40% pot, MP calls, I call. Turn is the Js. UTG+1 bets 60% pot, MP calls, I flat. River comes the 8s. UTG+1 snap bets 80%. MP flats, I flat. I announce king high flush, they both muck.
3. Folds to the SB, he limps, I look down at Q10o, and check. Flop comes KQ6r. He leads 35%, I call. Turn 10. He bets, I call. River comes a J. He bets, I tank for about 45 seconds then flick in a call, he shows 76o… ship it.

The average stack after day 1 was around 40k, I bagged like 65k. I walked back to the Deuce stop outside of the Venetian and headed on my 30 minute ride back home. I kept thinking to myself, someone’s gotta win this thing, why not me?
I had to get in the money for this tournament to be able to get the fuck out of there. A min cash here was over $3k – that was more than enough for me to get a suite on Fremont for a few nights and party for a bit, then get home with my head held high.
Day 2: I get up at 7am after already being completely awake for the past 4 hours. There’s no way I slept more than 3 hours last night. I hit the Denny’s by the Stratosphere then get on the Deuce.
I get to the Venetian and feel like I’m about to fall asleep. I go to the self-serve coffee/tea dispenser in the middle of the room and make myself an iced coffee. I get to my table, and the cocktail waitress comes around. I ask for another iced coffee and toss her a fiver.
Here are some highlights from the 1st half of day 2:

1. I open 97ss on the button, BB flats. Flop comes AK3s. BB checks, I bet 35%. He throws out a 5k chip – which I interpret as a x/r to my bet. I groan, make a joke about it being the first hand of the day, and start to muck. The dealer stops my cards midway before hitting the muck, and informs me that he didn’t raise, that he called my flop bet. Everyone laughs, I go silent and wait for him to make change. Turn is the 2s. He thinks for a second and bets 30%. I tank for like 30 seconds, then flat. River is a blank. He thinks for a second, then checks. I bet like 30% pot. He tells me that I’m an angle shooter and mucks. I tell him I’m not an angle shooter and show my 9 high. Everyone laughs, we get on with playing.
   
2. CO opens, I 3b 87dd in the SB to 4x, he flats. Flop comes 1032d. I check, he checks. Turn is the 6d. I bet 55% pot, he flats. River comes the Kd. I bet 60%, he tanks, tells me he thinks I backdoored diamonds, then folds. Damn, these players are pretty good.
   
3. I open KK UTG to 2.5x, UTG +1 flats. Heads up to a flop of K43r. x/x. Turn 8, I bet 40% pot, he calls. River 3, I bet 80% pot, he tanks, then calls with AK.
   

I bring my 3 racks of chips to the new table and immediately get some comments – whatever, I’m just on a heater, it happens. At this point, my body was giving out. I was trying my hardest not to fall asleep in between every hand.
Cutoff opens, I’m in the SB, I look down at KK. I put in the 3b, folds back to him. He puts in a healthy 4. We’re the two big stacks at the table – I’d guess he was 50bb effective while I was around 65bb. God damn, am I good enough to fold kings here? No, I’m not. I shove, he snaps, I know that I’ve just fucked up my tournament. He shows the aces. The dealer puts a king in the window, and I hold. I’m for sure the chip leader now.
I lose a few 40/60 and 60/40 flips and chip down a bit. I still have a very healthy stack, probably around 80bb.
The next 3 hands are from the second half of day 2:

1. Aggro Asian guy on the button. Folds to him, he opens to 2.2x, SB folds, I look down at 43ss and raise to 7.5x, he flats.

Flop comes 894cc. I check, he bets, I call. Turn’s another 9. I check, he bets 75% pot, I call. River’s the 10c. I check, he bets 1.2x pot. I ask the dealer for a count of the bet – meanwhile, villain looks like he’s going to shit himself. I flick in a chip, he throws down KcQx. I laugh a little, show my 43ss, and obnoxiously say ship it.

1. I open KQo UTG+1, MP 3bets me. I figure that a 4b from UTG+1 could take it down a fair amount of the time, so I decide to go for it. He thinks for a second and flats.

Flop comes AK4r. I check, he checks back. Turn is a 6, goes x/x again. River’s another brick. I put in a 30% value bet. He does a little grimace and tanks for like 20 seconds. It looks like he’s going to fold so I start verbally telling him that his queens are good. The dealer informs me that you’re not allowed to talk about your hand to another player. I inform him that I’m not talking about my hand, I’m talking about villains’ hand. Dealer laughs and lets me continue to antagonize villain. MP starts talking back, asking if I’m really bluffing. I inform him that once he folds, I’ll show the bluff. He ends up calling, I snap show, he pays me then gets up from the table to go for a walk.

1. We’re playing 6 handed. UTG opens, MP flats, I flat TT on the button. 3 ways to a flop of AT9ccc. UTG bets 50% pot, MP folds, I put in a medium sized raise. He thinks about it and flats.

The turn is the Kd. He pauses for a second then checks. I figured AxKc was his most likely combo. I didn’t think he could fold AxKc to any sizing – I decide to overbet jam 2x pot. He tanks for like 5 min and eventually lets it go. He tells me later he folded AxKc. Nice fold sir.
I finished day two 2nd in chips out of the 64 players remaining. More importantly, I was in the money. My friend Matt offered to give me a ride to the hostel to grab my stuff.
On the way to the hostel I’m telling Matt how trash the place is and he’s kind of like yeah man, whatever, it can’t be that bad. We gather my belongings and head on out. Matt remarked to me that the hostel reminded him of jail mixed with a summer camp.
I open a same night hotel app and see a room at the Four Queens available for $110. The lady at check in was nice enough – however, she informed me that the only room they had available at my price point was a smoking room overlooking the Fremont St. experience. I paid the $20 to upgrade to a non-smoking in the quiet part of the hotel. Vegas man, I swear.
It’s like 2am at this point -- I get to my room, sit on the bed and close my eyes. I open them and it’s 11:00am. Ah fuck man, I gotta get to the Venetian. I hop in the shower, brush my teeth, and freshen up. Even if I don’t have clean clothes, whatever, I’m second in the main, who cares.
Some interesting hands from the first part of Day 3:

1. I had two inexcusable punts in this tournament. This is the first one: I open 5h5c from LP, BB calls. Flop comes J62hhh. x/x. Turn is a 4x. x, I bet 50% pot, BB jams 15bb. I called – and immediately realized I fucked up, big time. He had 2 big chips in his stack that I didn’t see, making his shove effectively like 25bb. In addition, I didn’t have the 5h, I had the 5d. I really didn’t ask for a count or double check my hole cards. Villain turns over 64o and holds. In my defense, I literally didn’t know what ICM meant at the time. Whoops.
   
2. Someone who I recognize from poker TV jams 22bb UTG. I’m in the CO with JJ, I ask him how much it is, he’s talkative and seems genuinely comfortable/down for me to call. I fold – I run into him a few days later at the Aria, he tells me he had AA there. I believe him.
   
3. CO opens, button instantly jams 30bb effective. I’m in the SB with TT and 25bb – live reads, we’re flipping. I call for all in my effective stack, CO folds, button has AQ. I hold. He’s not happy I called with tens. Oh well, sorry bro, gg.
   
4. MP opens, CO 3 bets to 7bb, button jams 20bb. I look down at 2 black aces in the big blind. I reshove, MP folds, CO calls off his 20bb stack. I’m up against AQ and QQ. I hold.
   

Even with my atrocious punt earlier in the day, I’m the chip leader again.
We’re down to about 15 left in the field. UTG opens, I 3b AKo on the button, he jams 20bb, I call. He has 99, a king comes on the flop and he’s gone.
It’s day 3 of the main and we’re playing 5 handed with 12 people left. Let’s fucking go.

1. Button opens to 2.5x, I’m in the BB with A8dd, I flat. Flop comes A104r, I check, he bets, I call. Turn is a 7, x/x. River A, I bet 1.2x pot. He tanks, calls, I show, I’m good.
   
2. CO opens to 2.5x, I’m in the BB with 108dd, I flat. Flop comes Kd4x2d, it goes x/x. Turn is a Kx, I check, he bets 60% pot, I flat. River is the 4d. I check, he bets pot. I tank and let it go. He tells me later he checked back a weak king on the flop.
   
3. SB completes, I’m in the BB with J9o and I check my option. Flop comes Q108r. The SB donks out into me for 60% pot. I flat. Turn comes a brick and he leads into me for 60% again. I raise to 3.5x his turn bet, he thinks for a while then flats. River is another brick. He bets 80% pot into me. I tank for a while, then shove. He starts laughing and folds QQ face up.
   

Less than a week ago I was grinding buffet comps at Planet Hollywood. Now I have guys correctly folding top set to me.
I’ve made it to the final table. I pick up a few small pots and the two shortstacks at the table get eliminated in quick succession.
This is without a doubt the most pointless and just plain out stupid punt of my entire life: I open J2dd on the button into a ~18bb SB and a GTO robot with mid 7 figures in career earnings in the BB. Don’t do this, this is quite literally lighting money on fire. SB folds, BB flats. Flop comes Kh8h3d. I cbet, BB calls. Turn is the Kd, goes x/x.
River comes a 7h, he leads into me for half pot. Whatever, I’m going for it – I put in a raise. He thinks for all of 5 seconds then calls me with KQh. Wow, I just punted away $50,000 in ICM. Jesus Christ dude, what the fuck.
For the next orbit or two, I’m clearly pissed at myself. I get up after my button and do a lap around the poker room – I’m good. The monkey tilt is gone, and I’m ready to get back to playing normal ranges.
Anyway, nothing else really happens for a while – I look down at AKo UTG and raise it up. Folds around to the BB, he thinks for a while, then jams for about 20bb. I snap, he has AQo. I hold. I’m now second in chips. We go on a 10-minute break.
When I get back to the table, the prospect of a 5-way chop comes up. We’re all tired – and the pay jumps are very significant. If you couldn’t tell from this story, I’m a degenerate, but in this spot, I’m willing to reduce variance a bit. We run the numbers and come to an agreement – we all agree to take a very slight ICM bump to give 1st place a bit more money than his stack is worth.
I just won $129,000 -- huh? This was my second tournament cash – not too bad considering that it was my third tournament ever. Maybe I should start learning how to play MTT’s now.
I take $124,000 in a check and $5,000 in cash. I’m leaving Vegas in 4 days and don’t plan on coming home with any of the cash.
The winner of the tournament’s a pretty cool guy and he asks if I want to crash in his guest room tonight… like yeah, if that’s a real offer, I’m down. I pick up my toiletry bag from the Venetian concierge and we hit the Uber.
The next morning Matt picks me up at his house – I hit the Chase bank and deposit the $124,000. I take Matt and my other friend, Spencer out to the Sterling Brunch over at Bally’s – the entire time, Spencer just kept repeating “Davis, what the fuck”. I don’t know dude, seriously, what the fuck.
I get a suite at the D downtown that night and (very) long story short I end up hitting $100 on a number at roulette at 5am. It’s time for bed.
Here’s a link to my Hendon Mob, verifying my tournament result. Hopefully I see some of you guys at the WSOP in 2021.
https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=783521
Davis

Kubrick apparently experienced directing the Apollo 11 scam as boring work. In the film, he therefor makes Jack play with a tennis ball, instead of attending to his creative (writing) work. By choosing King’s “The Shining”, Kubrick found exactly the right storyline to make his hidden confession about his involvement in the staged moon landing of Apollo 11. On top of that, the numerological “coincidences” are that the value of “Jack” is 7 (representing the control freaks), and the value of “Danny” is 22, meaning communication!
SLIDE
PHOTOGRAPHY FILM
THE VEGAS CONNECTION AKA HOW TO PULL IT ALL OFF Once the decision to simulate all moon voyages was made, NASA and the Defense Intelligence Agency moved swftly. A code name was created : ASP (Apollo Simulation Project), and the effort was divided into the following tasks : 1. Secret top level organization and management 2. Intensive security, including counter-intelligence 3. Undercover procurement of personnel 4. Clandestine equipment design, manufacture, installation and operation 5. Coverup communications, including wiretaps and taping 6. Covert planning and special projects (Aerospace "plumbers")
SECRET TOP LEVEL ORGANIZATION & MANAGEMENT After all, as most aerospace insiders know, the Apollo project was actually a military mission to determine the feasibility of using the moon as a military base of operations against foreign powers. Furthermore, almost 75 per centof all NASA effort was basically military - not space! When the capability of controlling orbiting H-bombs became a reality, the moon became far less important to the Pentagon's planners. Who needs a moon base when it's possible to destroy any or all of the planet with bombs disguised as communications satellites that orbit the earth 24 hours a day, they reasoned. However, despite this diminishment of interest, the military was still strongly supportive of any activity that would enhance U.S. prestige worldwide. Thus, the DIA was structured to provide services to NASA, as shown in the chart. How these various departments or divisions functioned is described in the interpretive tabulation.
Although more than 300,000 persons were directly involved in the building of the atomic bomb (1942-45), no significant information whatsoever reached the public. Thus was established a viable precedent for ASP. The ASP managers could not only point to the Manhattan's success in secrecy, but could use their methods. After all, in an America which has been sliding towards a police state for years (wiretaps, no-knock, civilian surveillance), it was a relatively simple matter to apply these techniques of cloak and dagger to ASP. Rigidly tight security develops Itself a perfect position. Anyone can be excluded by the principle of "need to know". Since NASA has always been 75 per cent military and certainly ASP was in this catagory, preventing anyone high or low from seeing certain hardware, data or locations, was as easy as dropping a thick curtain.
Further, anyone who comprised a threat or knew too much could be taken care of In a number of interesting ways. And all of these measures were justified as being the protection of the national interests. One of the first security measures undertaken by the ASP Security Staff was the establishment of a base of operations.
It was the exciting appeal of a nearby resort city. Thus, it was no accident that the ASP base was located 32 miles east of Mercury, Nevada. The land surrounding the base has long been controlled by the U.S. Air Force and the Atomic Energy Commission - a double threat to any Interlopers. In this view of the region it may be seen that any trespassers would show up instantly on the screens of the constantly-on TV monitors. Also, control of personnel through the few checkpoints could be accomplished with efficiency and dispatch.
The Mercury ASP base was desirable from a number of security-related standpoints: 1. Strange shipments could be delivered inside trucks marked with the dreaded "radiation" sign. 2. Staff could come and go via the heavily guarded airfield. An elaborate warning-wave-off radioradar protection system prevented any private planes from using the field except for dire emergencies. Even then, strangers were prevented from actually seeing anything of a compromising nature. 3. Odd noises, weird devices, excavations were permissible since no outsiders had visual or audio 4. Coded communications could be made by regular or incredibly high frequency microwave radio. 5. Tensions could be relieved by making the less-than-one-hour trip to Las Vegas, a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week, anything-goes resort boasting more than 30 large casinos. Last but far from least, a liason was established with the hidden rulers of Las Vegas, the crime organization chieftans. When needed, services could be exchanged on a mutually beneficial basis, Le., large sums of money for use of expert "button men". The Cosa Nostra staff presented no problems for ASP Security; they had centuries of practice in remaining silent. U.S.-Mafia criminal cooperation was hardly new. Mafia chieftans aided American troops. During the invasion of Sicily during WWII
Staffing ASP was not as difficult as it might appear to the layman. First, everyone has a price although sometimes the price is one's life. Notwithstanding diehards, recruiting of ASP people went swingingly. People love to know secrets and they also love to have lots of money to spend. ASP provided both. Salaries of $50,000 for minor technicians were not uncommon. We have deleted the pay of higher staff personnel out of sympathy for the taxpayer who might be reading this chapter. In addition to salaries, expense accounts for "rest and relaxation" were virtually unlimited. It is interesting to note that during the build-up of ASP facilities near Mercury, income for many of the Las Vegas casinos hit new highs. Three major categories of ASP personnel existed: 1. Top level management, including DIA and supplemental agency support. 2. Interface personnel, many on "need to know" basis. 3. The astronauts themselves.
Recruiting of the first two categories was done on a money first, patriotism second, basis. It was eminently successful. More descretion was required in obtaining the cooperation of astronauts. For these dedicated and brave men, the following arguments were used: A. The moon mission was tremendously important to the continuance of the United States as a (or THE) power in political, military, scientific and technical areas. B. Billions of dollars and several lives had been spent so far; to scratch the mission at this point (1983) would be disastrous to the administration from a public relations standpoint. NASA was in the same position as a Vegas gambler who is in too deep to quit. (NASA's self-interest was also a strong influence: it is a truism that all bureaucracies seek to expand or at least perpetuate themselves.) C. There would be no danger since the men would not exit the earth's gravitational field. D. Fame and fortune would be theirs, tarnished only slightly by the fact that the voyage would be illusionary. slide E. Intimations that refusal could bring reprisals ranging from demotion to in-flight "accidents". There was no need to remind the candidated of the eight astronauts who had died accidently during the early phases of Apollo slide NOTE: Thomas R. Baron, an employee of North American Aviation, Apollo's prime contractor, submitted a 500 page report on the inadequacies of the program following the fatal fire on Pad 34. Shortly thereafter, Baron was killed when his car apparently stalled in front of a locomotive. In addition to these cogent persuasions, the men approached had lifetime histories of obedience. All were or had been in the armed forces and were accustomed to accepting assignments regardless of risk or rather, in spite of risk. Most pilots are extroverted, game-playing individuals. Thus, it was a relatively simple matter to train the astronauts to play their respective roles in the high drama of ASP.
As with most machinery, strains may develop in humans under stress. The recent breakdown of Edwin A. Aldrin, the lunar module pilot, could be an indication of second thoughts. In summary, ASP recruitment was an unqualified success. That no information has been revealed to this day is not surprising. A CIA-sponsored group known as Air America is noted for its two distinct types of alumni: The silent and the silenced. SLIDE Once a base was established and security ineffect, the preparation of simulation equipment could begin. A complete set of the moon was built in an underground cavern at the ASP base. Every location that would be used for landings was created in exact detail. This elaborate sound stage was code named Copernicus, after one of the lunar craters. It soon earned the name "Cuss" because of problems in lighting and sound. In addition, scale models of the earth, sun, moon and other bodies were carefully built and mounted within a planetarium-like device so that they could be positioned and photographed with accuracy, repeatability and believability. The underground sound stage resembled those at a major Hollywood studio complete with overhead catwalks for lighting, camera dolly tracks and other basic filming and TV equipment. In addition, there was a plethora of special effects tools, including high intensity lighting to imitate the harsh glare of sunlight on the airless moonscape. All scenes of the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM)were filmed on this set with the astronauts as "stars". There were no more problems than would appear during the filming of "Star Trek", "2001, A Space Odyssey", or "Silent Running". After all, Hollywood grips and gaffers, cameramen and directors had acquired long experience in science fiction film production. A plus for the project was the advantage of filming silent. All voices and equipment sounds were dubbed in by an elaborate sound creation and dubbing studio immediately adjacent to the moon set. SPECIAL NOTE: In the film "Diamonds Are Forever", with Sean Connery playing the role of Agent 007 - James Bond, there is a curious and unexplained scene. He enters a secret research facility in the Nevada desert by ruse. Suddenly he finds himself in a large room in which there is an authentic moon landscape. Lumbering about in their clumsy space suits are two would-be astronauts. Nothing happens, the scene is not explained, and the viewer is left to ponder Its significance. Could it be...? Yes, it could! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJSvQ80p1ks
SIMULATION PROPULSION HARDWARE SLIDE
The term "hardware" became a standard term in the aerospace Industry for anything that was not stored in a file cabinet or recorded on tape. In short, it meant anything that was manufactured: from an Automatically controlled solenoid to an IDIOT (Intermediate Digital On-Line Transducer). From the date of the decision to simulate, a modified hardware program was conducted. For example, the Saturn C-5 moon rocket assembly was built to specifications with one major modification: instead of the totally unreliable F-l engines, five booster engines of the more dependable B-l type as used in the C-l cluster for the Atlas missile were used. Although a cluster of five B-l engines produced only one-half of the output of a single F-l chamber, the power (750,000 pounds thrust) was sufficient to launch the virtually empty Apollo vehicle. If the rocket had been in its designed form it would have weighed 6,000,000 pounds, or 3000 tons fully loaded. This is the weight of a U.S. naval destroyer, further pointing out the total impracticality of the venture.
However, by eliminating every apsect of the moon voyage - fuel, heavy engines, LEM vehicles, etc., the total weight of the modified, shortrange, simulated voyage Apollo was less than one-twentieth of the original, or about 150 tons. This loading was well within the capabilities of the B-l propulsion units. Also, since the originally planned two million parts were reduced to a mere 150,000 gadgets, the success of the limited mission was virtually assured. However, even C-l Atlas engines were known to explode on the pad or shortly following launch. Thus, the escape module for the astronauts was left intact and functioning. If there had been an accidental loss of thrust or other mishap, it would have been simple to have the "saved" astronauts merge from the escape module after its recovery.
COVERUP COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING WIRETAPS AND TAPING
Although the most critical element from the standpoint of press and public relations interface, simulated communications and printed data were technically the simplest to produce. 62 First, an agreement was obtained by DIA and ASP representatives working with and through the semisecret Council on Foreign Relations. This agreement being a reciprocal one that would ensure silence on any revelatory Apollo Information by major foreign powers. Russia was the only nation that had the,sophisticated tracking radar capable of foUowing Apollo and thus sabotaging the simulation. But Russia was planning extensive commercial exchange with the U.S. and intelligently recognized that they would gain no real advantage by destroying the U.S. myth . After all, their space program had always been ahead of ours and this fact was weU-established worldwide. Actually, there has never been a real problem between or among major nations where control of the masses has been a consideration, i.e., cold and hot wars to keep the masses occupied while they are being fleeced before slaughter. . The presentation of "on-scene" data was divided into these categories: 1. Visual presentations to the public or uncleared personnel. A. Launch B. Re-entry (although out of sight of carrier crews) 2. Radio transmissions during launch, trip to moon, exploration and return. 3. TV transmission from the moon. 4. Still pictures; black and white and color.
VISUAL PRESENTATIONS Hair-raising for the simulators but most convincing to the public were the launches. After all, if people could drive to the Cape, park and see an immense rocket lift itself off the pad, was this not the ultimate proof that a trip was, indeed, being made to the moon itself? The fact that once out of sight, the vehicle traveled a sub-orbital trajectory to the south polar sea (and jettisoned), did not diminish in any way the blazing glory of the launch to the moon. The return to the earth by the astronauts in their re-entry module was far less risky than the launch. This was true since it waseffected by dropping the module from a C-5A cargo plane. Just prior to this drop, they were picked up at a super-secret, well camouflaged island south of Hawaii. It is interesting to note that the module was always dropped out of sight of the carrier's crew. Had the simulators desired, it would have been possible to drop the module into the Pacific from a far-ranging nuclear submarine. However, the plan method was chosen since it required a smaller crew "in the know" and ease of security that evolves from a hidden air base (Tauramoto Archipelago.)
They are then flown back and sent to Las Vegas to party for two days then flown to the live set to do a taping of the moon landing with kubrick (why do this live?)
Was the Apollo project, real or otherwise, simply a gadget? Was it really one of the means that the controllers use to retain their control? I think the answer to that is yes. However, it was more than just a 30 billion dollar astrophysical toy; it was a replacement for a shooting war. As Shakespeare so wisely said, "Sweet are the uses of adversity." Although the Apollo project was adverse In the sense that it did little more than give employment to many people and advance certain sectors of science, it did allow the present warfare state to maintain the economy without killing a lot of people. In that repect, the Apollo was a "good" project. But viewed from the present day of $1 per loaf of bread and 50 cents a pound of sugar, It was really only a stopgap measure; one designed to maintain control for a few more years while the controUers worked on more lasting schemes . Apollo was a part of the economic disease that now threatens to create monetary havoc not only in the U.S., but worldwide. In that sense, it was genuinely adverse, but only for a limited time. It has been obvious to many that the American standard of living could not continue forever in the midst of abysmal poverty In many other parts of the world. Even though we have been able to live affluently in a wartime of quasi-wartime economy since about 1939, it was inevitable that one day we would no longer be able to borrow to support an unreal and profligate way of life. Ultimately, the pyramid-building phase (throwing money into unproductive projects) had to come to an end.
RADIO TRANSMISSIONS Of utmost simplicity, once installed and checked out, was the radio data transmitted "from" the moon vehicle. Secret, leased and well-secured telephone lines were connected to the antennae inputs of all space communications centers. These included the major tracking stations in Australia, Africa and the west coast of the United States. To accomodate amateur radio operators who might want to tune it, identical broadcasts were made from an orbiting satellite. So perfect were all of these simulations, that the momentary blackout when the module was supposed to be behind the moon was faithfully reproduced.
TELEVISION BROADCASTS Unquestionable the most interesting and entertaining for all concerned (simulators and fools alike) were the scenes of astronauts gamboling about the lunar set. In addition, these delightful frolics were really elementary exercises for the stage crews. After all, decades of special effects development for the motion picture industry preceded the need for this expertise . A curious anomaly occured with respect to this phase of the simulation. The set had to be photographed through filters and electronic "noise "had to be added to avoid a too-perfect picture. Otherwise these scenes would resemble too closely the action from "Star Trek" and other science fiction presentations. Even so, many viewers in bars and country clubs all over the U.S. suspected rather loudly that the scenes were a fake. Little of this reached the newspapers. Note in this montage of photographs of the astronauts "at work" on the moon that the simulation was simplicity itself. With a totally black space background, a rough but firm moon surface and the LEM featured prominently, the reasonably authentic lunar scene was well within the capabilities of motion picture set designers and special effects experts. The range marks lend an uncanny resemblance to reality - a tribute to the painstaking work of the simulators on an unlimited budget The simulators had a choice of several expensive earth models for their "blue-green-island-in-space" photos. Again, highly developed Hollywood techniques allowed many types of pictures to lie with great believability
PLANNING AND SPECIAL PROJECTS This department was charged with the overall responsibility for planning and direction of the simulation. They also undertook (an appropriate word) to cover up any errors of theirs or any other ASP group. It included such elements as: FAVORABLE PUBLICITY RELEASED THROUGH ALL MEDIA The astronauts and their families as viewed through a bottle of syrup. The success of various flights and tests, heavily colored. Advantages of space flight. Many articles were ghostwritten for such characters as Wernher von Braun and appeared in popularized science magazines. Diagrams of space trips. Photographs of lunar landing vehicles, space suits, food and drink, including a new radiator cleaning agent called Tang. Puffery for such over-fed NASA pontiffs as James E. Webb. . Another example of the work of the PASP Group. APPENDD( SCHEDULE AND CHRONOLOGY OF SIMULATED MOON FLIGHTS ITEM REMARKS CLIPPED TIMETABLE FROM EVERNOTE Once the Saturn was out of sight and until the capsule "returned", all evidence of the "flight" was in the form of electromagnetic wares. These, of course, are simple to simulate and transmit. Any or all of the four systems described below could have been employed. Others may have been used but these appear to be the most logical.
LEASED PHONE CONNECTIONS The basic system was provided by direct wire connections interspersed with microwave transmissions. All were basically Bell System communications on a CIA basis : no monitors, or total "hands off*' by the lessors. At the input were, of course, the synchronized tape decks that provided the complete moon landing simulation. It should be noted that these included the response and "recommendations" of Mission Control at Houston. In other words, these tapes were not just transmissions from the moon — they included all audio and the simulated video from the moon set. Thus, Mission Control at Houston and all other communicators were speaking into essentially dead mikes. Data sent into oscilloscopes, graphic recorders and TV screens showing data displays, computor recording banks, were all from this one master tape. Again, there could be no error since all events had been meticulously recorded even to the "boo-boos", jokes and seeming improvisations of the astronauts and their counterparts on earth. Experience for this masterful presentation was derived from decades of sound track effort for both motion pictures and TV presentations of science fiction adventures.
LOW FREQUENCY TRANSMITTERS Unknown to most Americans is the existence of an ultra-low frequency transmission station in a northwestern state. This facility is used to broadcast messages to submerged nuclear submarines. The radio waves sent by this station are so long they are lethal to humans if the latter are adjacent to the transmitter. This permits automatic security. Also, the receivers are of special design and few amateurs would even dream of receiving this type of broadcast. Therefore, ULF was used as a backup to the other methods of transmitting Apollo simulation data of all types . SATELLITE The most sophisticated method was microwave satellite to microwave. As a backup, a special satellite contained a tape unit that could be triggered by the ASP control station at Mercury. Thus, there was redundance to the redundancy Buzz Aldrin was a Manchurian candidate? Research into his nervous breakdown

Good morning traders of the StockMarket sub! Happy first trading day of 2018! Here are your pre-market stock movers & news this morning-

(CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL SOURCE!)

Frontrunning: January 2

• President Donald Trump issued a strong statement of support for protesters in Iran as a crackdown intensified against anti-government demonstrations. Police have arrested more than 450 people and there have been at least 20 deaths. (WSJ & Reuters)
• Democrats in high-tax states are reportedly plotting to blunt the impact of the Republicans' newly passed tax bill. Officials object to the law's cap on state and local tax deductions, in particular, which were previously unlimited. (NY Times)
• New year, new tax brackets. Here's where you stand (CNBC)
• Bone-chilling cold gripped much of the central U.S. as 2018 began this week, breaking century-old records, icing over some New Year's celebrations and leading to at least two deaths attributed to exposure to the elements. (AP)
• Powerful Hollywood women have formed an initiative called "Time's Up" to fight systemic sexual harassment in Hollywood and in blue collar workplaces nationwide. It came after a number of sexual misconduct allegations against men in the entertainment industry. (NY Times)
• Chicago, the nation's third-largest city, ended 2017 with 650 murders, 15 percent fewer than a year earlier. It's a sign of improvement as Trump has ridiculed Chicago officials for doing too little to stem the violence. (USA Today)
• South Korea today offered talks with North Korea amid a standoff over the latter's weapons program. It came a day after Kim Jong Un said he was open to negotiations, but that his country would push ahead with "mass producing" nuclear warheads. (Reuters)
• Kim Jong Un declares North Korea is a nuclear power, says 'button' is on his desk (AP) Immigration desk computers at various airports went down for about two hours Monday, which caused long lines for travelers coming into the U.S. Customs gave no explanation for the disruption and said travelers were processed using alternative procedures. (Reuters)

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THIS WEEK'S ECONOMIC CALENDAR:

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NONE.

THIS WEEK'S EARNINGS CALENDAR:

($RAD $WBA $STZ $MON $CMC $UNF $NEOG $RPM $LW $ANGO $SONC $CALM $GBX $RECN $LNDC $AEHR $PSMT $FC)

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THIS MORNING'S PRE-MARKET EARNINGS CALENDAR:

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EARNINGS RELEASES BEFORE THE OPEN TODAY:

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EARNINGS RELEASES AFTER THE CLOSE TODAY:

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THIS MORNING'S ANALYST UPGRADES/DOWNGRADES:

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THIS MORNING'S INSIDER TRADING FILINGS:

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TODAY'S DIVIDEND CALENDAR:

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THIS MORNING'S MOST ACTIVE TRENDING DISCUSSIONS:

• GPRO
• CRCM
• TIVO
• SBGL
• SVXY
• MJX
• JNUG
• BGNE

THIS MORNING'S STOCK NEWS MOVERS:

(source: cnbc.com)

Johnson & Johnson – The stock was downgraded to "neutral" from "overweight" at JPMorgan Chase. The firm's view on J&J is still upbeat, but it sees more upside potential in other large-cap names.

STOCK SYMBOL: JNJ

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Lennar – Wells Fargo upgraded the home builder to "outperform" from "market perform," citing both tax law changes and prospects for improved profits from its planned purchase of CalAtlantic.

STOCK SYMBOL: LEN

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Abbott Labs – The drugmaker was upgraded to "overweight" from "neutral" at JPMorgan Chase, and also received upgrades from Morgan Stanley and Guggenheim. Analysts are encouraged by the prospects for Abbott's product pipeline.

STOCK SYMBOL: ABT

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BP — The British energy giant said it expected a positive impact on earnings from changes in U.S. tax law.

STOCK SYMBOL: BP

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Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts – These and other casino companies with operations in Macau could benefit, following news that gaming revenue in the Chinese territory rose 19 percent in 2017. That was the first annual revenue gain in three years.

STOCK SYMBOL: LVS

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STOCK SYMBOL: WYNN

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Sears Holdings – Sears has not run any paid national television commercials since late November, according to The Wall Street Journal. The parent of Sears and Kmart has run no national TV ads since late November, compared to $8.4 million a year earlier for the Sears brand and $6.5 million for the company's Kmart division.

STOCK SYMBOL: SHLD

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L Brands – The apparel retailer was upgraded to "outperform" from "neutral" at Baird, which said it believes the Victoria's Secret unit is turning the corner under new leadership.

STOCK SYMBOL: LB

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Altice USA – Altice pulled the Starz and Encore movie channels from its cable lineup after the two sides could not come to an agreement on a new carriage contract.

STOCK SYMBOL: ATUS

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Apple – Apple is offering $29 replacement batteries immediately, a month earlier than planned. That comes after Apple's admission that iOS software may slow down older iPhones in order to prevent spontaneous shutdowns due to battery wear.

STOCK SYMBOL: AAPL

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Alibaba – Alibaba's UC Browser is overtaking Alphabet's Google Chrome in some of Asia's fastest-growing markets, according to The Wall Street Journal. Users tell the paper that the Alibaba browser works better in companies where mobile service is spotty and low-end smartphone use is prominent.

STOCK SYMBOL: BABA

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Genesco – Genesco was upgraded to "buy" from "hold" at Jefferies, which also increased its price target on the specialty retailer's stock to $40 from $27.

STOCK SYMBOL: GCO

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Allstate – Allstate was downgraded to "underperform" from "market perform" at Keefe Bruyette & Woods, which also cut the price target on the insurer's stock to $93 from $103. KBW notes decelerating rate increases and auto segment profit margin pressures.

STOCK SYMBOL: ALL

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Walt Disney – Disney's "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" stayed on top of the holiday weekend box office, ringing up another $68.4 million in North American ticket sales. That brings its domestic total to $533.1 million.

STOCK SYMBOL: DIS

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Nordstrom – The retailer's stock was upgraded to "neutral" from "underweight" at JPMorgan Chase, which notes Nordstrom's strong finish to 2017 and the best holiday season in three years.

STOCK SYMBOL: JWN

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Planet Fitness – The fitness center operator's stock was downgraded to "hold" from "buy" at Jefferies, which calls the shares expensive and said that competition is increasing.

STOCK SYMBOL: PLNT

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Deckers Outdoor – Jefferies cut its rating on the footwear retailer to "hold" from "buy," citing the current valuation and saying that an upbeat winter season for the Uggs maker is already priced in.

STOCK SYMBOL: DECK

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Sirius XM – The satellite radio operator's stock was downgraded to "underweight" from "neutral" at JPMorgan Chase, following the assessment of higher royalty rates beginning this year. JPMorgan feels the higher rates will impact profit margins and possibly subscriber growth rates.

STOCK SYMBOL: SIRI

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FULL DISCLOSURE:

bigbear0083 has no positions in any stocks mentioned. Reddit, moderators, and the author do not advise making investment decisions based on discussion in these posts. Analysis is not subject to validation and users take action at their own risk. bigbear0083 is an admin at the financial forums Stockaholics.net where this content was originally posted.

DISCUSS!

What is on everyone's radar for today's trading day ahead here at StockMarket?

I hope you all have an excellent trading day ahead today on this Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018! :)

Good morning traders of the stocks sub! Happy first trading day of 2018! Here are your pre-market stock movers & news this morning-

Frontrunning: January 2

• President Donald Trump issued a strong statement of support for protesters in Iran as a crackdown intensified against anti-government demonstrations. Police have arrested more than 450 people and there have been at least 20 deaths. (WSJ & Reuters)
• Democrats in high-tax states are reportedly plotting to blunt the impact of the Republicans' newly passed tax bill. Officials object to the law's cap on state and local tax deductions, in particular, which were previously unlimited. (NY Times)
• New year, new tax brackets. Here's where you stand (CNBC)
• Bone-chilling cold gripped much of the central U.S. as 2018 began this week, breaking century-old records, icing over some New Year's celebrations and leading to at least two deaths attributed to exposure to the elements. (AP)
• Powerful Hollywood women have formed an initiative called "Time's Up" to fight systemic sexual harassment in Hollywood and in blue collar workplaces nationwide. It came after a number of sexual misconduct allegations against men in the entertainment industry. (NY Times)
• Chicago, the nation's third-largest city, ended 2017 with 650 murders, 15 percent fewer than a year earlier. It's a sign of improvement as Trump has ridiculed Chicago officials for doing too little to stem the violence. (USA Today)
• South Korea today offered talks with North Korea amid a standoff over the latter's weapons program. It came a day after Kim Jong Un said he was open to negotiations, but that his country would push ahead with "mass producing" nuclear warheads. (Reuters)
• Kim Jong Un declares North Korea is a nuclear power, says 'button' is on his desk (AP) Immigration desk computers at various airports went down for about two hours Monday, which caused long lines for travelers coming into the U.S. Customs gave no explanation for the disruption and said travelers were processed using alternative procedures. (Reuters)

STOCK FUTURES NOW:

(CLICK HERE FOR STOCK FUTURES CHARTS!)

FRIDAY'S MARKET HEAT MAP:

(CLICK HERE FOR YESTERDAY'S MARKET HEAT MAP!)

FRIDAY'S S&P SECTORS:

(CLICK HERE FOR YESTERDAY'S S&P SECTORS CHART!)

TODAY'S ECONOMIC CALENDAR:

(CLICK HERE FOR TODAY'S ECONOMIC CALENDAR!)

THIS WEEK'S ECONOMIC CALENDAR:

(CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S ECONOMIC CALENDAR!)

THIS WEEK'S IPO'S:

([CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S IPO'S!]())

NONE.

THIS WEEK'S EARNINGS CALENDAR:

($RAD $WBA $STZ $MON $CMC $UNF $NEOG $RPM $LW $ANGO $SONC $CALM $GBX $RECN $LNDC $AEHR $PSMT $FC)

(CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S EARNINGS CALENDAR!)

THIS MORNING'S PRE-MARKET EARNINGS CALENDAR:

()

([CLICK HERE FOR THIS MORNING'S EARNINGS CALENDAR!]())

NONE.

EARNINGS RELEASES BEFORE THE OPEN TODAY:

([CLICK HERE FOR THIS MORNING'S EARNINGS RELEASES!]())

NONE.

EARNINGS RELEASES AFTER THE CLOSE TODAY:

([CLICK HERE FOR THIS AFTERNOON'S EARNINGS RELEASES!]())

NONE.

THIS MORNING'S ANALYST UPGRADES/DOWNGRADES:

(CLICK HERE FOR THIS MORNING'S UPGRADES/DOWNGRADES!)

THIS MORNING'S INSIDER TRADING FILINGS:

(CLICK HERE FOR THIS MORNING'S INSIDER TRADING FILINGS!)

TODAY'S DIVIDEND CALENDAR:

(CLICK HERE FOR TODAY'S DIVIDEND CALENDAR!)

THIS MORNING'S MOST ACTIVE TRENDING DISCUSSIONS:

• GPRO
• CRCM
• TIVO
• SBGL
• SVXY
• MJX
• JNUG
• BGNE

THIS MORNING'S STOCK NEWS MOVERS:

(source: cnbc.com)

Johnson & Johnson – The stock was downgraded to "neutral" from "overweight" at JPMorgan Chase. The firm's view on J&J is still upbeat, but it sees more upside potential in other large-cap names.

STOCK SYMBOL: JNJ

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Lennar – Wells Fargo upgraded the home builder to "outperform" from "market perform," citing both tax law changes and prospects for improved profits from its planned purchase of CalAtlantic.

STOCK SYMBOL: LEN

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Abbott Labs – The drugmaker was upgraded to "overweight" from "neutral" at JPMorgan Chase, and also received upgrades from Morgan Stanley and Guggenheim. Analysts are encouraged by the prospects for Abbott's product pipeline.

STOCK SYMBOL: ABT

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

BP — The British energy giant said it expected a positive impact on earnings from changes in U.S. tax law.

STOCK SYMBOL: BP

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts – These and other casino companies with operations in Macau could benefit, following news that gaming revenue in the Chinese territory rose 19 percent in 2017. That was the first annual revenue gain in three years.

STOCK SYMBOL: LVS

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

STOCK SYMBOL: WYNN

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Sears Holdings – Sears has not run any paid national television commercials since late November, according to The Wall Street Journal. The parent of Sears and Kmart has run no national TV ads since late November, compared to $8.4 million a year earlier for the Sears brand and $6.5 million for the company's Kmart division.

STOCK SYMBOL: SHLD

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

L Brands – The apparel retailer was upgraded to "outperform" from "neutral" at Baird, which said it believes the Victoria's Secret unit is turning the corner under new leadership.

STOCK SYMBOL: LB

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Altice USA – Altice pulled the Starz and Encore movie channels from its cable lineup after the two sides could not come to an agreement on a new carriage contract.

STOCK SYMBOL: ATUS

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Apple – Apple is offering $29 replacement batteries immediately, a month earlier than planned. That comes after Apple's admission that iOS software may slow down older iPhones in order to prevent spontaneous shutdowns due to battery wear.

STOCK SYMBOL: AAPL

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Alibaba – Alibaba's UC Browser is overtaking Alphabet's Google Chrome in some of Asia's fastest-growing markets, according to The Wall Street Journal. Users tell the paper that the Alibaba browser works better in companies where mobile service is spotty and low-end smartphone use is prominent.

STOCK SYMBOL: BABA

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Genesco – Genesco was upgraded to "buy" from "hold" at Jefferies, which also increased its price target on the specialty retailer's stock to $40 from $27.

STOCK SYMBOL: GCO

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Allstate – Allstate was downgraded to "underperform" from "market perform" at Keefe Bruyette & Woods, which also cut the price target on the insurer's stock to $93 from $103. KBW notes decelerating rate increases and auto segment profit margin pressures.

STOCK SYMBOL: ALL

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Walt Disney – Disney's "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" stayed on top of the holiday weekend box office, ringing up another $68.4 million in North American ticket sales. That brings its domestic total to $533.1 million.

STOCK SYMBOL: DIS

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Nordstrom – The retailer's stock was upgraded to "neutral" from "underweight" at JPMorgan Chase, which notes Nordstrom's strong finish to 2017 and the best holiday season in three years.

STOCK SYMBOL: JWN

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Planet Fitness – The fitness center operator's stock was downgraded to "hold" from "buy" at Jefferies, which calls the shares expensive and said that competition is increasing.

STOCK SYMBOL: PLNT

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Deckers Outdoor – Jefferies cut its rating on the footwear retailer to "hold" from "buy," citing the current valuation and saying that an upbeat winter season for the Uggs maker is already priced in.

STOCK SYMBOL: DECK

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

Sirius XM – The satellite radio operator's stock was downgraded to "underweight" from "neutral" at JPMorgan Chase, following the assessment of higher royalty rates beginning this year. JPMorgan feels the higher rates will impact profit margins and possibly subscriber growth rates.

STOCK SYMBOL: SIRI

• CLICK HERE FOR CHART!

(CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STOCK QUOTE!)

FULL DISCLOSURE:

bigbear0083 has no positions in any stocks mentioned. Reddit, moderators, and the author do not advise making investment decisions based on discussion in these posts. Analysis is not subject to validation and users take action at their own risk.

DISCUSS!

What is on everyone's radar for today's trading day ahead here at stocks?

I hope you all have an excellent trading day ahead today on this Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018! :)