Money: What would Jim Cramer think?

Am not a financial analyst but I do try pick some stocks along with leaving a good portion to the "index ETFs" so I don't have to think too hard.

Currently, have long positions in these 4 companies:

Verizon (VZ) - Wireless is huge and will keep getting bigger. Of the 4 biggies in the USA (Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile, Sprint), I went with VZ because its a big Dow30 stock with solid dividends. I've been surprised at the run up in the price since I picked it up a while back so does that make this a growth stock?
Disclaimer: I use ATT Wireless because I signed up with them eons ago and am too lazy to change. Also, since I do travel to Europe occasionally, Verizon's CDMA phones probably don't work in GSM Europe. But many of my friends like their Verizon cell phones because of good coverage in a wide range of locations.

Whole Foods (WFM) - With the increasing health consciousness of Americans, WFM is positioned for growth. Also, I like CEO John Mackey's free market perspective. And finally, by all accounts, the company treats the employees well and they provide good responsible products.
Disclaimer:  I do shop at WFM as well as Trader Joes and Sprouts and Ralphs and I'm not vegan or vegetarian but am trying to be more health conscious about what I eat and also how its produced.

Time Warner Cable (TWC) - Its a risk I admit but I think their aggressive moves to lock up LA Lakers and LA Dodgers and LA Galaxy to form Time Warner Sports Channel will boost them.
Disclaimer: I am a subscriber to TWC because they are the only service where I live. So far I have been pleased with their cable TV and broadband internet.

Union Pacific (UNP) - Sometimes, you just got to buy the big dog in the industry. Of the US rail companies (UNP, CSX, NSC, KSU), UNP has the most total revenue. Rail isn't a glamourous business but they move a lot of goods and materials around the country.

Would these pass Cramer's critical eye?

News: Politics of coverage

Time now Wednesday 10:04AM PDT. Just checked ABCnews.com, NBCnews.com, CBSnews.com, CNN.com, Foxnews.com ...

Four of the five news sites have the Ohio kidnap story as the main story. I define main as big fonts with prominent photo at the top of the web page.

One news site has the Benghazi hearings as the main story.

The other four that have the Ohio story prominent do have "watch live" links.

What does this say about the editorial decisions at the major news sites?

Aging Parents - Random things from this season of life, part I

A handful of years ago, I entered the phase of life of helping out in looking after aging parents.  At this moment in 2024, my dad passed on...