The Top 40

In the Church of the Pious Wealth, the only Sacrament is Sanctimony. The symbol for it is the scapular, worn as a monk would wear his, for all the world to take note. Otherwise, why bother?

"I don't believe I want to be that civilized, but thank you anyway." - Hoot Gibson.

If people like that, who have such wealth and manage to keep it by not doing dumb things, if they make a move as described it is to gain in some other way.

The tobacco industry did something like this some years ago because public opinion was turning against them. Perhaps the oil giants sense something coming along that we peasants don't see yet. Lookee here:

Keep in mind that the tobacco industry is still powerful.
What most people don't know is that each time they buy Post Grape Nuts, they're supporting Philip Morris, one of the largest tobacco companies in the country.

Cigarette companies aren't stupid. As America learns to kick the habit, they've moved to diversify. Food and alcohol aside, Saks Fifth Avenue, Marshall Field's, Ivey's, Peoples Drug stores, Swingline staplers, Jergens lotion, Loews hotels and theaters, Regal china, Bulova watches, and Yardley cosmetics are just a few of the products or businesses affiliated with the cigarette sellers.

The spate of mergers has turned the large tobacco companies into corporate octopuses. Philip Morris spent over $1.3 billion on advertising in 1986, more than any other company except Procter & Gamble. RJR (R J Reynolds) Nabisco is the fourth biggest spender (Sears is third), with an ad budget just under $1 billion.
With that stupendous size comes undeniable power. It's advertising that supports most magazines, newspapers, television and radio. A magazine that depends on cigarette--or food--ads is going to think twice before running a story on the evils of smoking. Advertising fees buy journalistic complacency.

The above was quoted from a top research site, voted best in the universe by a panel of international experts and with which nine out of ten doctors agree, namely:

http://dpjk.blogspot.com/2014/03/walk-mile.html

They goddamn well better diversify! Those stocks are paying handsome dividends and I don't want some fool CEO or COO messing that up.

So chasmatic, those evil tobacco companies are using other holdings as HUMAN SHIELDS or something! Good on them.

Oil companies are also diversified, but if they want to be real cunning, they would acquire, or get major shares of companies in the "ethical" funds, especially the ones owned by those Rockefellers.

well, wouldn't you?

Monopoly:
1-Never give anything away for nothing;
2-Never give more than you have to give; (always catch the buyer hungry and always make him wait)
3-Always take everything back if you possibly can;

My uncle Letsgo, he made a good living selling eggs.