To Trust or Not

The Tweet reported a news item. It shocked the reader. Their emotions spiked.


The news item was small and quiet. It reported on the same subject as the Tweet, above. No reactions to the item.


The topic was the same. Handled differently. Which one is believable? Which one is not? Why does this matter?


Because today’s America appears to rely more on Tweets and Facebook reports than news reports researched, studied and written carefully with supporting facts and logic. The news item is fact checker. The news item is reality. If it is doubted, check on their research. Then draw a conclusion.


The Facebook and Tweet reports may be true. Mostly they are not. They are not even news. Why? Because they report only emotion and opinion. If a happening – event, trackable and recorded – has occurred, then the opinion that accompanies it seems true, but it may not be accurately recording what happened.


Cause, effect, result. That is fact. That can be checked. That is embedded in context, too. The context can be checked. The combination of all these factors can be weighed for relationships that produce a clear statement of Cause, Effect, Result.


Then a judgment, your judgment, can be formed. Even then, context extends itself and morphs due to many factors. Does the occurrence now change in meaning and impact? Maybe. Maybe not.


This is why the historian's job is never done. Evolving events, relationships with a widening reach of facts and relationships, all point to why something happened and why it is important for us to know.

We all remember the old story about the King who lost his kingdom because of a lack of a nail. The horseshoe loosened on his horse’s hoof. The horseshoe fell off. The horse became lame soon after and shied from battle. The king fell off and was slaughtered on the battled field. All because of a nail.


What is the nail in today’s newscasts? What is the source of the news you are hearing or reading? Is it opinion or fact? Is it exaggerated or true to scale? Is the voice calm and balanced? Or is it excited and foreboding?


What we read or hear is input to our brains. What we accept as truth and fact is processing by our brains. Meaning is subjective. Fact is objective. Knowing the difference is vital to knowing what is true.


And it is not easy to know the difference. It takes work and concentration. Those who do this are accurate reporters. Those who don’t are creators of non-news, or fake news.


Guess who has lied more than 10,000 times in a little over 2 years? Taken as gospel but truly not fact.

Who is the producer of fake news, now?


I ask: who do you trust? Why?


April 30, 2019

Late Snow

Early am. Sunday. Sky is clear. Black blue, before dawn. Snow on ground. Temperature is 31 degrees. No melting. Yet.


An hour later, sun is up. Early green leaves on trees. Small. Just beyond bud stage. Contrast with snow-covered landscape below.


Streets mostly clear of ice and snow. So, too, the parking lots and sidewalks. Everywhere else is covered in two inches of slush-ice. Temperature now 32 degrees.


In another hour or two, temps will rise to 34 or 35 on the way to a high of 50 today. Full sun and these temps will melt all the snow. Another storm – this one quite small – is due to sweep through our area later this evening. Monday will be 50 degrees, too, and any snow that falls will be out of sight by evening.


Rest of the week will be moderate temps in the 50’s and 60’s. Rain will continue to wash our landscape. Daffodils and tulips are abundant. Hardy. They smile at each new day. They say: ‘Spring has come.’ They are right.


Green grass returned before the snow. We saw it. We know it is there waiting for it’s second appearance. Will we suffer a third?


The winter was not hard. But it is nearly May. A long winter always seems harsh and withering. It wasn’t, really. This was a mild winter with snow and deep cold accents that did not last more than a day. Mild. But now long to us.


We are ready for spring. Wafting warm breezes, not hot. Just above cool. Maybe 66 degrees or 68?

That would be perfect. I know they are near. I can smell them.


Can you?


April 29, 2019

Wither Free Press?

Complicated question. Here’s why.


The Free Press is a freedom enshrined in the US Constitution. It means no government in the United States shall interfere with the free flow of or reporting of events, people, issues of any kind. This freedom provides access to the information that is currently distributed throughout our society. It becomes the fuel for critical thinking, evaluation and adoption as needed. The process is supposed to be self-governing in the pursuit of truth and fact-based knowledge.


The truth is this: the free press is not truly free.


Someone has to pay for it. That may be the reader who pays a small price for the right to read the news in a newspaper, or to view a news program on a TV channel, or read printed matter in a magazine or journal organized for that function. The subscription fee will be minor compared with the actual cost of producing the news content.


Hence the development of advertisements. Those are sold to organizations and commercial enterprises needing to attract attention of users and customers to the firms’ products and services. Some of those advertisers represent enormous revenue streams to news organizations. Those revenues are the primary means of supporting the cost of reporters, editors, printers and all the rest needed to produce and distribute the news.


Historically, the primary news distribution network has been newspapers, thus ‘press’ for printing copy on paper. Modern technology is replacing the daily newspaper with cable TV news and internet programming. News summaries available over the internet creates an immediate and sharable distribution of news and freshly discovered facts. Advertising is becoming much more obvious in electronic media, and it is replacing marketing channels in newspapers and other print journalism.


Print journalism has been the mainstay of news gathering. Other than scoops, most content is readily shared in syndication channels. Sharing agreements and payments for use are widespread. This supports the expense of the reporting and editorial staff. All that is changing, however, and quickly.


Having co-founded a local newspaper and running it for seven years, getting advertisers was an ever-present chore. It was also unsuccessful in quantity; we rarely ever earned enough to pay the full cost of an edition of the paper. Donations from readers were relied on to break even. And this was done with an all-volunteer staff and writers.


We learned first hand that only digital news gathering and distribution would be the norm of the ‘free press.’ That is more evident today than just a few years ago.


Cable news networks are spending huge budgets to gather news. Large regional news organizations do the same and continue to print the major newspapers of our nation – New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc. Competition among all of these players in the news market creates anomalies within each news organization. Some will avoid news that a favored supporter or advertiser dislikes. Others will concentrate efforts on news items that will attract the most attention rather than the importance of the item. The result is a skewing of the message. It may be minor, but any warp is misleading. It damages the credibility of the publication or network.


Fox News is a paragon model of the twisted news organization. But it is not alone. Others are suspect, too. The reader must beware of sources and context. Always.


PBS and NPR are great sources of news. They also present both sides of most issues so the consumer can think about it and make up his/her own mind.


In truth we all should question resource credibility before making up our minds. It places truth and fact back on the individual. Meanwhile, we await the death of most newspapers and hope for a day when digital media firms can earn our trust in their content.


The press is neither free of cost or of effort. For anyone.


April 26, 2019

Press Secretary or?

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the White House Press Secretary. Or is she?


She stopped hosting White House press briefings nearly a year ago. She even stopped holding press sessions. Now she only speaks off the cuff while walking through halls or across lawns. She still speaks to the press or anyone who will listen.


One wonders why she is pulling a full salary for the titled job when she doesn’t actually do the job.


Taxpayers still fund her paychecks and benefits. We still provide office space in the White House complex. Her staff continues to churn out materials for public consumption. The only doubt is in the truth of such material.


Odd, isn’t it? The nation built on free speech, free press, and freedom of assembly, religion and all the rest – there is a lot of speech spread around but little of it is true. Mostly spin; a lot of outright lies.


Credibility has not been a strong suit of this president or his White House team. The People’s House is temporarily out of order and certainly not within reach of civil governance. If you doubt that, read the Mueller report and draw your own conclusions.


Meanwhile the loyal opposition in the press examine the details finely and agree among themselves who and what is believable; they then report it with their own misgivings. I’m not sure this has happened before. Certainly not in my lifetime, perhaps in a presidency long ago in American history?


Sanders should resign her position at the very least. At the best, she should be fired. I doubt the Liar in Chief will do that, though. Just saying….


April 25, 2019

International Cooperation

Iran is a rogue nation. It inserts itself in Middle Eastern affairs and disrupts normalcy. This is their region. It is a neighborhood they desire to influence. It is right they be involved. But it is wrong for them to create strife, enlarge strife, and manipulate delicate relations certain to cause war, civil strife and chaos. They do this in Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Syria and others. They know what they are doing. Their keen understanding of religion, sects and history is the fodder of their travail. Shameful behavior. Yet they continue but deny doing it.


Russia is much the same. It partners with its own mafia organizations and then networks with international criminal organizations to further its own design for hegemony in the world. If they cannot be the power of it all, then they disrupt those who are. Regardless of the suffering and chaos created, Russian ideology and pre-eminence is the goal. Over all else. Sick and twisted. Instead of serving the better ends of mankind, they undercut it. And claim otherwise. Hollow phrases, indeed.


China is more sophisticated, but hopes to replace American influence throughout the globe. For some reason they are offended that they are not more respected. Yet they focus on their own self importance and national needs instead of global partnerships. Oh, if the partnerships furthers their own ends, they will participate; but not until that is realized.


China could do much better. By doing so, they would earn the privileges that would benefit them greatly: access to more energy sources; expanded markets to supply their goods; access to natural resources to fuel their own industries, and so forth. They know what they need. Instead of cooperating to get that access, they blunder through and play political games. So unlike their calm demeanor. Such a waste of intellect and the natural power that comes from it.


With Trump in the White House the bullies of the world see their opportunity. Chaos and distraction in America serve the interests of those who wish America ill.


For those among us who think Trump does no damage, think again. The damage has been done. It continues to mount. Time for Plan B. That is not just for Democrats to handle. It is a job each of us must do.


It starts today.


April 24, 2019

Mueller Report

Long hours spent reading major sections of the report. Reading commentaries from trusted researchers and legal minds. Looking for core findings, not anecdotal notes. What’s the primary meaning of the report? And what is its likely impact?


I’ve followed the Trump Administration from its beginning. Not much of it was supportable. Clearly all efforts were made to make Trump look good, even when the facts did not support that. For proof, inauguration day reporting was spun, puffed up and laughably inaccurate. It was clear for all to see that a marketing job was in full bloom. We wondered if this would become the normal method of operation of the administration. It did. It is.


The independent investigation by Mueller was welcome if for no other reason than it would put to rest the nonsense and establish factual bases for reporting all matters of the administration. To the extent that it could, the Mueller Report does just that.  It doesn’t establish court-legal issues, of course; those must still be processed through Congress and the courts like any other matter. The seriousness and likelihood of successful prosecution of those matters, is well supported. That is the nature of an indictment. The report is not an actual indictment; it is the precursor to one and only needs the acquiescence of the DOJ to make it a reality.


Now, on with my review.

1.      Campaign irregularities: Russian interference with our election was identified. It was then real and remains so to this day. Russia was sanctioned for it by the Obama Administration. That did not deter Russia from pressing forward with their shenanigans. They chose Trump as a candidate they could work with better than Hillary. So they created blogs, computer hacks and a host of other forays into American life to disrupt it, twist it, and propagandize it. The proof is there from the CIA, FBI, Mueller Report, Wikileaks and Microsoft, Facebook – all investigating what had happened, and how to control it from wreaking havoc on American society. Trump’s campaign knew this was going on. They abetted it (Manafort) and encouraged it. They knew they would benefit from this interference more than the opposition. So, they allowed it to happen and progress.

2.      Cooperation with investigation: the administration said they would cooperate and did make their staff available to the investigating team. At the same time, however, Trump did everything he could to disrupt and throw doubt on the investigation. He attempted to fire key people, so he could control the outcome. Such firings would also create more tension among staff, so they would be guided toward a common message of loyalty. It did not work. Mueller’s team saw through that quickly and documented it. Did it rise to the level of criminal obstruction?  Yes. But indicting a sitting president for that unless it is egregious, is folly, time consuming and a distraction extraordinaire. Best to keep on working.

3.      Treatment of DOJ: at every turn suspicion was dumped on the Department of Justice and all of its working parts. Personal attacks were common and frequent. Embarrassment of key people went on for extended periods to encourage resignations. The smoothly operating machine of the DOJ was challenged in major ways many times. Propaganda was created to magnify the damage. Twitter accounts of sheer opinion and nonsense were shared many times a day by the president himself. Obstruction? You bet. Impeachable? Yes. But the process of impeachment is horribly disruptive. And costly. Might there be another means to achieve order, truth and stability?  We shall see.

4.      Presidential behavior: well, the behavior we have observed since his inauguration speaks for itself. It is neither principled or presidential. It is his behavior, so it is Trumpian if not presidential. Bloviation is the base of all propaganda. It is what it is and plain for all to see. Just because it is common in this administration does not make it a norm for the nation to follow.

5.      Lies: documenting lies is the function of fact checking services. They have been hard at work ever since Trump was nominated for the office of president. Nearly 10,000 lies factually proven to be actual lies have been laid out for all to see. Then the Mueller team went to work and noted the same with respect to the specific arena they were charged with investigating. Over and over again the report lists the lies. Intentionally and misleading to the max. The man and his staff seem intent on creating an image of the nation and its challenges – its agenda – counter to a factual representation of reality. Theirs is an ‘alternate universe.’ Scary but true.

In the final analysis the Mueller Report is an indictment of a president’s administration. It has failed the American people. It has failed American allies. It has disappointed expectations of decent people – both citizens and immigrants. To some Mr. Trump seems an outspoken critic of ‘business as usual.’ To the rest of us he has acted the role of a boor and hollow man. He has no plan for the nation, just play acting.


The issues of our country remain unchanged. Healthcare fairly available and affordable to the masses. Education and personal development supports to the extent each needs to live fully both for the self and society. Economic development that is long-term and sustainable. A focus on the health of our planet so it, too, is sustainable for generations to come. And finally, to recognize that America’s promise is its diversity which truly makes it a great citizen of the global community. To address these issues takes research, collaboration among many disciplines and the leadership resolve to make good things happen for all of us. That is the secret to peace and long-term quality of life. All of us, working together on the things that matter. Chosen by democratic voice in an open society. So that One from Many can live its fully potential.


E Pluribus Unum.


April 23, 2019

  

Education to Rebuild Middle Class

Education should be available to everyone to the extent they want it and are capable of doing the work required for degrees.  This is true for college and university programs, as well as trades skill training. What each of these two segments contain is as open as possible. There may be another category of training as well: medical technology occupations.


These programs are needed for the following reasons:

a.      Not everyone wants a higher education degree

b.      Not everyone needs a higher education degree

c.      Not all degree recipients use their degrees for their chosen careers; the degree is important for other life-quality reasons, just not for the career in all cases

d.      Trade vocations remain an important part of our economy and social fabric. Plumbers, electricians, heating, ventilation and air conditioning tradesmen, carpenters, painters and a host of other trade skills are needed everyday in our complicated economy

e.      Other vocational training can be included in this overall approach to post-secondary education; exactly what they may be I’ll let others identify.

f.       Medical technology has provided huge gains in employment and career development. The education is of critical importance; and it is costly. It should be provided readily to those who have an interest and ability to excel in this arena. They need us and we need them.

g.      Ability and intelligence is not limited by family income or culture. Many of our greatest creators, inventors, statesmen and businessmen have come from poor or modest backgrounds. Education should be free or low cost to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. It benefits all of us.

The middle class is hurting. It’s quality of life has suffered. Cost of living continues to rise while household incomes have stagnated. This situation has been with us for almost a decade. It’s time to solve the problem.


Unlimited education opportunity based on ability and interest should place people where they want to be without economic barriers.  The result should be a vigorous employment market in which career compensation grows and career evolution takes place naturally. As careers come and go, educational programs remain in place to help displaced employees retrain for the next career they are interested in and capable of.


Clearly the current system frustrates low and middle income families. Also, employers have not stepped up to train the next generation of workers. They benefit from the public education sector; they don’t pay for it. Decades ago employers did train and develop their personnel for major changes in technology and skillsets needed for a rapidly changing workspace. Not so much today.


There are people who make a class distinction between higher education grads and skilled tradesmen. That is nonsense and discriminatory. A person’s worth to a society is more than the job performed. Support of family, relationships, art, governance and intellect are all a part of our lives. We need each person to be gainfully employed and happily so.


The income generated will be taxed and should more than amply pay for the education programs in the long-term.


Change has already happened. When will we prepare our people for it? Is the classroom open to all or not?


April 22, 2019

Open Mouth

Free speech? Opinions at the ready? Advice to everyone, anyone? At any time of day or night?

Yep to all those questions. The Occupant in Chief of the WH evidences this behavior. Every day. Without fail. Amazing chutzpah. As though we all want to hear his drivel.


But wait! This comes from his being on television programs, sought after and paid bunches of money to appear and say, wait for it – “You’re fired!” The reality actor finally found his niche in life. Firing people at will and random; the dirty work, though, is not to his liking so he normally has someone else do it. Interesting fact, that.


Boeing has a problem with their latest and greatest product line. Two crashes uncover a problem not foreseen and left unchecked. This is on Boeing. They have earned the bruises and brand image from this. I shudder because I am a fan of Boeing. They have minted new advances in aviation for decades. Taken huge risks to do so, but won almost all the time. This time was a dud; hope they straighten it out quickly now. We owe them a lot as a nation and economy. But such trust is earned over and over again. Work harder Boeing! We need you. More importantly, you need us, the American consumer.


So Trump’s advice to Boeing is to rebrand the shaded plane model. He should know all about rebranding. His is tattered and torn. Best he keep his mouth shut.


Freedom of speech is his and our right. We also have the right to keep silent. He should try it.


A position of privilege as an infant, young boy, and then a maturing boy to teen and finally to an adult. Trump’s personal journey was greased and led for him. Responsibility and accountability were rarely required. Just motions and fun. Many mistakes and gaffes along the way – like all of us as well – but we paid a price for our gaffes. Evidently he didn’t. He used his father’s money; later conspired with his siblings to use more of his father’s estate without paying proper taxes, amassed real estate profits along the way but using other’s people money instead of his own. Bankruptcies were legion and noted. So too the moments of cheating and poor manners. His has not been a life of honor.


His own business is his own to command. No negative voices allowed. It’s his show or the road for the others. Seems he views the White House in the same way. But it is not.


The White House is the People’s House. Most of us – a solid and growing majority – want it back.

For him that’s the price of an open mouth. That’s different from free speech, I think.


And you?


April 19, 2019

Note: I'll have comments on the Mueller Report and its value once I've had time to digest it.

Sanctuary Cities

Thank God some of us remember we are a nation of immigrants. “The tired and poor yearning to break free…”  They are always with us. They are us. This is our story. This is your story.


America and its origins. America with its diversity. This land is my land; this land is your land; this land is OUR land.  Because we are each unique, because we are all from everywhere, we indeed are the past, present and future of this nation.


An orderly process of new faces coming to our shores would be nice, but not required. Come as you are. We will do our best to be hospitable and welcoming. Of course we will fail at this from time to time. Welcome needs energy, openness and good spirit. Like most human beings, we are not our best all the time; we have ups and downs. We make mistakes. We err. We do not know we have erred. But we do, and we will, and we hope you will understand this.


Not all of ‘us’ are benign, open, or thoughtful. Some of us are selfish. They claim this is our land and you cannot come in until we say so. But then they don’t have the inalienable right to make that happen. Only all of us together can do that. Last I looked, all of us didn’t agree with them. So come on in, friends!


I know the primary sanctuary cities – New York, San Francisco, Chicago – are waiting with open arms. We will find beds, clothes and food for you. We will help you find a job. We will help you fit in.


We will love you, too. We were taught these things. It is a big part of America’s soul. Love. Acceptance. Diversity. It is what makes us great. It is what will make us greater still.


All are welcome in our homes. And our land.


Kindly remember this is Holy Week for Christians. We are trying to live our faith as best we can.


Indeed. Welcome!


April 18, 2019

Law and Government

I understand. Some people distrust government. They and others are very uncomfortable with others having authority over their lives, any part of their lives.


The answer for them is no government. None. But then that is the definition of anarchy.


There are those who do trust government. Especially those who count themselves as Americans (USA citizens, not Canada or Mexico). Americans who pay attention to the news, the processes of government and all of its workings, know government is made up of people like themselves. These are people who care about their nation, their form of government, and its processes. Many of the key individuals in the government were elected by the democratic process. And those folks are responsive to citizen inquiries, conversations, and transactional interactions. More so than not.


This description is the embodiment of government ‘of, for and by the people.’ Because we are included in the process and make it happen with our votes, it is our government run for what we all believe in. So we trust it.


Some people will think on this as Congress and the White House. Yes, that part is true, but there is so much more.  All federal agencies employ professional staff who oversee the work, the policy formation, the actual workings of the government. These people are not elected, but they are supervised by elected hierarchies that are accountable for the results at agency level. Again, this is government of, for and by the people.


And there is more. States operate much the same as the federal government. Elected officials and representatives who are held accountable by the people. Or they lose their jobs at the ballot box.

State agencies are run by professional staff. Like federal agencies, state agencies perform their function under the supervision of elected people who are held accountable for desired outcomes by the voters at election time.


The same is true at the county level, municipal/village level, too. Good people elected to office doing the work of the people. Of course, those elected see to it that professional staff are hired to do the nitty gritty.


Yes, there are lots of levels of government. The closest to home is observable the most and best. We see very clearly what is accomplished and what remains to be done. If priorities shift, we speak up and ask our local officials to address those higher priorities. If there are questions as to what is and is not a proper priority, the voters and officials sort this out. It may be settled by a referendum or an election and change of personnel. Or just a town hall meeting.


The farther from home our government is, the more difficult the voter supervision role. But it is in place. If you do not trust this, then you don’t trust yourself. The duty begins and ends with each of us voters.


Law and laws form a system of order and process. This is both skeleton and glue of government. It is the basis of our trust. If it is broken, then all is broken.


Might that be what is happening at this very moment?  


I think the State of Illinois is in the process of fixing its very dysfunctional government (decades of it). But the federal government is currently being twisted into something clearly the US Constitution did not prescribe. The Constitution did provide for its own repair, and redress of a system gone awry.

I humbly suggest to all that our federal government has gone awry and is not speaking the soul and value structure of the American People.


I wish this broken government to be fixed.  I trust the law and the Constitution. I also trust many of our elected officials. It is time for the law, the Constitution and trusted elected officials to step up and use the Constitution to repair our broken system. Now.


A clear and present danger is obvious for all to see.


The alarm has sounded. Who will respond to it?


April 17, 2019

Assange

This man – Assange – is a conspirator to capture security data from US government data systems. His sources hacked into the confidential data files. They did so via secret and conspiratorial contacts. Once obtained, they were released to distributors in the news industry. News industry, not journalism industry. The public soon learned what had been purloined without any filters to understand their context, or historical meaning.


This data dump was controlled so Assange and his organization could maximize remuneration for their illegal cache. They also manipulated many international governments to embarrass them in complicated issues not easily explained. How much money changed hands has yet to be determined. Plenty of red-faced diplomats and heads of states were left exposed.


That is not to say that what was exposed was wrong, morally or legally. A lot of activity is done by governments to protect their interests. Same with businesses, large and small. Nefarious dealings happen all the time for one organization/nation or another to survive another day, to look good to political supporters, and to embarrass competitors.


Assange moralistically claimed this data all to be proof of skullduggery and wrong. So he did more wrong, stole the data, and controlled its release where it would seemingly do the most damage. On whose side was he in each release? Was he trying to win a point, earn more money, or simply be a professional imp?


Whatever, he gathered and held ill-gotten materiel. It was protected information. It is not his to have or to judge. He does not have all the facts to understand the full meaning of the information.

Nor do we.


It will take expert historians and archivists to piece all of the data together into a cohesive whole. Only then will the importance of the data be understandable and worthwhile. Meanwhile, it is a gambling chip for unprincipled players. They seem to have outplayed their role.


They are now the crooks and dishonest extortionists they thought they would uncover.


Surprise. It is they.


April 16, 2019

Thinking. Thinking.

Discrimination. Exists. Raw. Hideous. Against women. Against gays. Against immigrants. Against gay women immigrants. We don’t see this readily. Now and again we catch glimpses. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, or that it is so minor that it doesn’t matter.


Mostly our society confronted these ills. Not all the time. Not great enough to erase discrimination, but we worked at eliminating it all the while reducing its effects. It didn’t work totally. Tried, but failed.


Generations have repeated this work. They, too, failed. Discrimination continues to be. Those who are in targeted groups, know this. It is their reality, their truth.


Those who have resisted continue to resist. We write, speak up, donate time, effort and dollars to fight the fight. Heartbreakingly we continue to observe the stubborn social illness that debases human spirit. It remains in the hearts, souls and brains of countless tens of millions.


Ask a woman if she agrees with that statement. Ask an immigrant, too. Of course, ask a gay if you find one open enough to be identified. In the America of 2019 nasty business is everywhere.


Two new congresswomen serve perfect examples of this. They are immigrants. They are women. One has a religious heritage that many believe to be evil; those people are wrong because they make conclusions without facts or understanding. Just knee-jerk reactions to someone who is different.


Today these two women are being targeted with death threats. For standing up to entrenched views that have been disproven over and over again. Political manipulation is played out. False accusations are leveled at them.


Yes. Democracy is messy. Untruthful in the wrong hands. Dangerous and threatening as well.


I believe we can do better than this. Thunderous support for these two women should be evident constantly. I mostly agree with what they are saying, but the best part is they represent a view not heard often enough. That’s their beauty. They speak their truth. And we all must hear it. And champion their right to do so.


Civility. Hospitality. Welcome. Those are characteristics that we hope to give everyone. We withdrew those social graces from others only if they proved to be unfriendly and threatening.


We have an entire political party allowing this to happen. And an administration that glorifies it.


I hope the court system is up to the load that is coming. Further, I hope American voters will vote the rascals out of office. Meanwhile, we have much work to do.


April 15, 2019

Public Pension Crisis

I am a retiree of a public institution. We have a retirement fund created by the State of Illinois. The contributors to this fund are the employees themselves while actively employed (8% of gross salary), employing agency, University of Illinois (8% of gross salary), and the State of Illinois. The state was supposed to pay into the fund what was actuarily required (independent actuary calculated this), and guarantee payment of all retirement benefits from taxpayer funds if insufficient pension fund balances existed.


The funds have been actively invested and managed from the beginning. The managers have done an excellent job. Often the fund earned far more than average yields of similar funds. Professional management has been super good. What has been missing are the annual deposits by the state into the funds as agreed upon and contractually established. Such decisions by the state were made by politicians in the legislature and governor’s office. Sad dereliction of duty for decades by both political parties. That’s how we arrived at an unfunded pension fund crisis estimated at $100 billion.


That’s BILLIONS. Make no mistake, the crisis is real and its cause a deplorable political football. Of course neither party agrees with this assessment, but then, they are political parties and not expected to be honest and forthright about such matters.


On the other hand, the crisis is not as bad as $100 billion. That’s because people are prone to overstate the problem for whatever motivation they have. Again, this is mostly political, but then it is also ideological for some folks. They don’t trust government so they make the problem seem larger. Hell, they don’t trust professional public servants because they see them as tainted by feeding at the public trough. But the public trough is there to fund firefighters, state troopers, local police, teachers, professors, researchers and all the other service jobs citizens of the state rely on daily. Someone has to do this job. And if we expect good results, we hire the best, pay them market compensation, provide market standard benefits, and fulfill promises made by employers.


The actuarial position of the pension funds is in dispute. I suggest we ask the actuaries. They are the mathematicians who understand the high math involved in calculated sufficiency of funds for long-term pension investment funds.


Like a life insurance policy, there are mathematical odds that a person will work until retirement for the state agency. But there is a large ‘leakage’ of employees who move on to other industries, self-employment and the like, where the original pension agreement will not be fully earned by the employee. Also, some employees die or become incapacitated and other benefits fill in those gaps, but retirement funds are not used. They accrue to the investment fund to guarantee benefits to be paid to those employees who do make it to retirement age.


A lot of benefits go unearned. There are people who work for an agency or string of state agencies for a life-time career. They are very much in the minority. Ask the actuaries for an accounting of all of these calculations and simply ask the question, ‘how much forward benefits will our plans actually have to pay for, and are present funds at appropriate levels to produce the needed funds when they are needed to pay such benefits?’  My hunch is the actual number is far lower than the $100 billion shortfall. In fact, I’ll bet the shortfall is quite manageable given the number of years needed to generate the needed funds.


The time to panic is once we know the facts and can rely on them. Then we consider options that would likely improve on the current situation. Pick the best options, choose affordability, then fulfill the promise you made when you hired these good workers.


The state needs to step up to this problem and continue to do so for the entire future. This is long-term, not short-term. So, focus on easing the pension problem using strong data, and then focus on building the economy of the state so it needs good people to work for its agencies, generates revenues from those operations, and also creates a strong financial future for the state from which appropriate tax revenues are extracted. This combination of action will most likely cure the pension crisis.


Best we get started on fixing all of the problems. They are interrelated. Like most of life.


April 12, 2019

Warm Breeze

An early spring day. In Illinois. Surprising. Comforting. Aspirational!


72 degrees. And a bright light some call the sun. That’s the surprising part in Illinois. We’ve seen so little of the sun this winter season. Yes, I know we are in springtime but at times I thought it never would be. Also a part of being a flatlander resident. We do get used to it, don’t we?


Anyhow, there I was in midafternoon, sitting in my recliner near the open balcony window. Sunlight was strong. A wafting breeze rippled the air. Soft sounds of passing traffic and clanging trains. The temp was 68 outdoors; 76 indoors. The smells were delicious of simple fresh air.


I drifted. Drifted off to a treasured nap. The body slumped into the cushions deeply. More relaxed than possible. Drifting off to sleep to a soft symphony of sounds none too startling. Fresh air. Warm breeze, not hot. Comforting.


And so it went for nearly an hour. Drowsing awake slowly, I took in my surroundings and thought the moment ought not be disturbed. Let it be.


Of course it wouldn’t be left that way. Life goes on. The drowse melts away and senses come alive. The noise loudens. The temp seems warmer still. And the bright light keeps streaming into the room.

The island of repose is no longer.


But as I write this the morning after, the green horizon is made golden by the early sun. Promise of another midafternoon repose this day? It is worth hoping for. Cooler, but just as pleasant.


These are days we would likely miss if winter had not been so insistent. Contrasts makes for appreciation of the little things.


That’s a good thing.


April 11, 2019

Human Resources Problems

A person who has rarely answered to another person doesn’t have much room for disappointment from underlings. He says what he wants and your job is to make it happen. In a large organization there is a depth of field players in a host of departments. In a small organization there is no need for a deep field. Only a few people to delegate. You get what you want and expect, or…’You’re Fired!’


Narcissism is a condition where you are the focal point of everything that happens around you every day, all day. What you say goes. What you don’t want to happen, better not, or someone pays for it. And rule number one is ‘it’s not my fault.’


Having a narcissist in the top management position (owner of a company – large or small) amounts to the same thing. The top dog gets the first say and the final one, too.


The current occupant of the White House is a narcissist with a very powerful job. He says what he wants when he wants to. He also chooses the desired outcomes. He doesn’t make them happen; he orders others to make it happen. Then he sits back and expects the results to conform with his wishes.

So, what we get in the Executive Branch of the US Federal Government under such circumstances is what we are witnessing right now:

1.      Most cabinet heads have resigned or been fired; often the resignation has been requested, so in fact it is a firing. 

2.      Half of all cabinet head positions are vacant; acting heads are in place from among the professional career officers in place; or the second string appointees

3.      Women cabinet heads once touted as evidence of an open mind by the WH occupant are mostly gone. In two years’ time staff turnover has been horrendous. Replacing them has been worse. Experience in the position appears to be nonexistent. Diversity once prized is no longer present; it begs the question if it was prized in the first place, or only for show.

4.      The occupant of the WH changes his mind often and wants cover from his staff; often this is impossible to machine on a moment’s notice, so the egg on the occupant’s face does not readily get transferred to the firee of choice. 

Truth be told, policy is a weak suit for this WH occupant. He is wedded to public opinion which he thinks he actually makes and forms himself. He is fooling himself; and his supporters. The professional journalists have become aware of the depth and scope of the problem. They can no longer play along, even if they wanted to. Fox News is now caught in a bad place. The rest of the journalists are doing OK and holding up their end of the professional spectrum.


The ‘president’ is in trouble – legally, values, principles, Human Resources, you choose – and there is no end in sight to any of this. He cannot endlessly make up a false reality. 55% or more of the American adult population are on to him. So are our allies in the global community. Whatever happens – good, bad or ugly – the man cannot win this high stakes game. It is a house of cards that is certain to fall.


Americans may want border security, but they want this under controlled management which also supports our human rights values. Separating families is not in our political DNA. Neither is playing roughshod power games with our close neighbor, Mexico. And withdrawing aid from the three central American nations who rely on the funds to reduce the problems producing the caravans of escaping citizens in the first place. This is the opposite of what is needed. International aid is not a perk or a reward. It is funding to solve some problems and to ease others so native citizens can hope to remain safely in their own homes. They do not want to abandon homes, property and family members to trek over long distances on foot over deserts and mountains to reach America’s safety and hope for the future. Conditions must be desperate for them to take this action. They are placing themselves and their loved ones in great danger to make the trip north.


Saying it is otherwise does not make it so. Facts matter. Truth matters. An emergency does exist, but it is not on our border. It is in Central American nations who cannot govern well themselves. And it reflects on our own inept governance in Washington DC, too.


Who would have thought?!

And now, what is to be done?


April 10, 2019

Making a Difference

Doing something for someone else feels good. To me. You too?


The opportunity to do these acts is not always present, or seemingly so. Actually, the needs are everywhere and do not disappear just because we don’t see them.


I’ve thought about this from time to time. The do-good action needs some focus, either the person(s) in need, or the specific need I can do something about that others might not be able to do as readily. In other words, the opportunity presents itself with a focus of some kind and it communicates with me. Therefore, I know of it and am able then to respond.


I don’t look for these opportunities. Once aware of one or two, more come to my attention quickly. Then choices abound as to which ones to do something about. It can be overwhelming, but choosing limits that reaction. Then I can focus and maybe even program my responses efficiently.


Making a difference in someone’s life is good for them and for me. It takes me out of myself for a time. Life is not about me, but about us, the we of community. Many folks suffer the ‘me’ sickness. The cure, of course, is ‘we.’


Often getting outside one’s narrow confines opens broad horizons. All possibilities. Suddenly, good things happen and better ones are in the offing.


I remember when our kids were in elementary school. They were participating in a fundraiser for their school. I don’t recall what the money was for, but maybe early computers for the classroom? Just one computer?  Anyway, the project required collecting and recycling aluminum cans. After dinner most nights of the week we piled into our little Dodge Omni, and traveled area roadways with large garbage bags; stopped when we saw a glint of a can, jumped out of the car, picked up as many cans as we could, then jumped back in the car and drove down the road for more. We stopped when our bags were full and wondered if they would fit in the small car. Then home to the garage where the bags were stashed.


I remember the reek of the cans with their mixture of beer and soda dregs! Yuck! Double Yuck.

Anyway, we left many roadsides clean of unsightly debris. That became one of our rewards. Togetherness as a family was another reward. And often we had classical music blasting from the speakers and we all enjoyed that, or at least the kids said they did!?


Those evenings of can collecting were starkly different activities from our routines. They made us feel good in ways we didn’t expect. And that’s what I’m speaking of for everyone. We need to find outlets to work outside our usual frame of reference, to expand our horizons. To live for moments for other people and causes not our own. It refreshes us. It restores our sense of community.


And humanity.


I remember mentoring a woman who was newly retired and looking for something to do. She was a world travel fan and organized trips for others. These made money for her, too, but it gave her reason to travel as much as she wished. I suggested she combine those interests with a social service project, like clean water, fresh water well building in African villages. I don’t know if she ever did this, but I recall the expression on her face as she thought of this possibility. She radiated pleasure, happiness!


Making a difference in someone’s life is a triple reward: the person helped, we the doer, and we the community. It is so simple. And yet the calling goes unheeded so many times. Answering the call only takes a little focus, but the rewards are truly large.


April 9, 2019

What Unites Us?

Turn on social media and note the messages. Some are positive. Some are negative. Some are philosophical. Some are interest-centered – hobbies, photos, family activities – while others are raging debate hubs.


I’ve written this blog for 6.5 years. Longer. 2200+ postings. Two million words. I’ve explained issues that appear in news feeds that are grossly misunderstood – economics, biology, physics, history, etc. I’ve observed life in its enormity and at its cellular level. Poetry has been used when other words simply fail. Opinions are common, after all, this is a commentary blog.


I’ve shared my life’s activities on a daily basis. This blog is also intended to be a diary of sorts. From that perspective come many topics for discussion. And those topics have been handled in many ways. Hopefully they have been entertaining, thought provoking and insightful.


This has been a fun experience. It has become self-propelled; never a day when no topic came to mind. I have not suffered writer’s block. Pages have filled quickly. Sometimes I’ve probably filled pages too quickly, without thinking through finer points, or gone on too long. My first efforts at blogging found me writing essays of 1200 to 2000 words. Way too long! I’ve slowly cut these down to 400 to 500 words. In doing that I’ve found more efficient means to state a point. That’s good for the reader, too; less time and distraction.


After all of this experience, though, I’m continually struggling with this question: What Unites Us as Human Beings? As a nation?


I care that Americans know who they are, but these days definitions are nuts. There are most likely a thousand or more ways to define what an American is. Even then, more descriptions would be offered in a trice. Most of the identification would center on how groups of people are different from one another. From there we show the full panoply of differences writ large.


Too bad, I say. I think we should focus more on what unites us. That is the core of defining a people.

Life is filled with opposites. Those are handy to help us understand situations and individuals. But it doesn’t often help us move on to a constructive behavior. That’s what we need, though, isn’t it?

Shouldn’t we be figuring out how to live well and together simultaneously? Shouldn’t we be free to be ourselves while allowing others to do the same? And respect those differences, maybe even celebrate them?


Meanwhile, what do we believe in together so we can move forward with purpose and vigor? And find happiness through this shared activity. Helping neighbors dig out of a snowstorm is an iconic image to think on. Same with helping people recover from floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters. Helping others is a way to heal one's own inner soul.


We say we are a people living out our freedoms. Yet we quickly slam others with restrictions or insults about their freedoms. Anger follows. More insults, too. The positive turns ugly and negative.

Whatever happened to loving thy neighbor? Or treating others as you want them to treat you? Isn’t this the center of everything we believe in as humankind? Are there any borders between nations on this issue alone?  I doubt it.


So why are we arguing about every little thing all the time? Are we that unhappy? Do we feel that weak and powerless? Or must we lord something over another person in order to feel good?


I think we’ve been at an important crossroad for our society for a long time now. Best we get on with fixing this elemental pivot point lest we lose ourselves forever.

Or maybe we already have?


April 8, 2019

Personal Space

How close is too close? Who defines it? Is there a norm? Can physical space be replaced by words, looks or action? Subtle? Bold? What?


A president of the united states makes claims of 'pussy grabbing.' He is also accused of groping, fondling and outright sexual acts. No repercussions. He gets elected. But others accused of lesser behavior are grilled and shamed. Those accused are asked for resignation from jobs, elected office; some even are sued, charged with criminal behavior and suffer the consequences. Even without conviction.


But the not the president.


I guess it all depends on what political party you belong to?


Joe Biden is a glad hander and an emoter. He is a people person – happy, greeting, embracing and welcoming. In our current ethos of sexual separatism, Biden is held to a different standard of behavior, one that suggests friendliness is the entry to prurient behavior?


When and how did we get to this place?


I still hold doors open for the people behind me, man or woman. I greet people when entering an elevator. I smile at strangers. I wave at people lest they think I’m unfriendly and cold. In this day and age do they think I’m a pervert with ulterior motives? If so, who is the afflicted person? Me who is now the victim of such thoughts, or the other person who may be suffering a slight case of social fear or paranoia?


I’m perplexed by this. I have no fears of Joe Biden’s intentions. I trust him and his general demeanor. I am not a woman, though, and that makes all the difference, I suppose. Does this mean all men are suspect these days?  Even gay guys like me?


And women candidates for public office hold up Biden as an example of bad behavior? Really?  That quick judgment causes me to doubt on those candidates. What other conclusions might they jump to with horrific results?


I think we have entered an age where sensibility, clear thinking and deep breaths are needed.  Not every smiling Joe is a creep just because he smiles. Nor is a frown the look of displeasure or evil intent; it may just be a look of thought and curiosity being worked on.


I’m a fan of Joe Biden. I am not a supporter of his running for president in 2020. I think he would make a great team member in coaching other candidates toward a successful run for president, though. I hope he chooses to do this rather than running. He deserves retirement and a reflective future for his edification and ours.


Meanwhile, can we all just step back and consider the path we are on? Just maybe we will learn that men and women can get along without fear and suspicion. At least I hope so.


April 5, 2019

Eye on the Prize

Through it all – the hubbub, media noise, screeching protesters, ugly videos for newscasts – words are said, actions on view. What does it mean? What is the purpose of all this? Is it leading toward something? And is that ‘something’ of value.


Value? What value? Whose value? Yours? Mind? Ours?


Good question. Value. Values. The end result we hope for. The prize. No; The Prize.


What is that? Can you define it? How does this definition fit with what we think our society has valued in the past? Is it the same, or similar? Might it be starkly different? If it is, why is this so? What was so off-base about our past value that it needs to be supplanted by the new? And is the new acceptable to me, you and all of us? Who is to say? How do we know consensus is present?


I deeply care that the people I know are respectful of differences and diversity among us. Each helps the other know themselves. It is the contrast of difference that makes me understand me. You don’t even have to teach me. It is an evident reality creating friction that teaches. Unbidden. Insistent. A dichotomy needing resolution. In my mind, not yours. Diversity matters. It enriches my life.


So, I value diversity – of gender, of gender orientation, of political views, of ethnicity, religious views, artistic sensibilities – anything that displays something different than my own reality. It stretches the brain. Challenge does that. It pulls me toward a fuller consciousness. My being expands, breathes.


So too a nation, its culture, sensibility and humanity. I treasure this sort of social awareness and value structure. It augments each person’s worth and, in turn, my own. This is my America. This is my reality, hope and aspiration. Respect. Perspective. Honesty. Freedom of thought and wonder. Maybe even love of stranger, for the kernel that is a different treasure?


Democracy is messy. The striving for democracy is worthy. So too, the messiness. But are we heading in the right direction? Are we still honoring individuality and intellectual curiosity? Do we value these things?


Is America still the America we grew to know? Or is it morphing into a an unknown ogre? Was this always true? Or am I just awakening to a hideous truth?


April 4, 2019

Immigration

I recognize that everyone who lives in the United States, is an immigrant unless they are a native American descendant. Anyone who is a citizen of the US is an immigrant unless they are a native American descendant. That’s it. There are no alternatives.


America is a land of immigrants with the sole exception of those who are descended from native Americans. Our family roots may go back a few years, or hundreds of years. The length of time has no bearing on our citizenship. Or our personal worth. The root of the point is we are all immigrants. It is the DNA of our nation from its inception. I’m proud of that; hope you are, too. It is the foundation of our diversity. It enriches us like no other nation on the planet.


In my own case, my patriarchal roots come from England. Several family members crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the early 1600’s. Documents show evidence of their settling in Connecticut in 1630. Marriage documentation shows generations of family living in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Then they ventured west through New York, Ohio and Illinois. They helped settle the Midwest – Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska. Farmers, preachers and teachers in the main. A lot of preachers.


I take pride in the stories these family records share. The daily routines were arduous in the earliest of American days. Hard labor. Living with little convenience. Thought out routines and consistent daily action. The days of their lives were basic and busy. From diaries their social activities and happiness show through. They valued their days and relationships. They relied on one another to make communities.


In one such diary my 19 year-old great grandfather moved with his parents from Darlington, Wisconsin to Rockford, Illinois. They traveled 6 days to cover 60 miles. Horse-drawn wagon with all their worldly possessions. Along the way they stopped at farms and asked for overnight accommodations. No motels dotted the dirt paths and trails in those days. Hospitality was readily available as farm families welcomed unexpected visitors. Community was built in little bits like this over many years. Think upon that and compare it with today’s insulated life in hotels, restaurants and quiet, sealed cars. The 60 miles today would take about an hour, not 6 arduous days.


The communities back in 1862 were sparsely settled with miles between them and other communities. Swedes, Finns, Germans and other nationalities were represented in these communities. Later other ethnicities would be welcomed to share their communities. Italian, Irish and other Europeans would migrate to America and add energy to the building of America.


Not all newcomers were made to feel welcome. Differences in language and culture are often difficult to accommodate in our busy lives. But opportunities popped up to share simple human needs. In those moments people became acquainted in ways that enlarged communal hospitality.
Understanding. Acceptance. Welcome.


Today we welcome African, South American, Central American and Mexican immigrants to our national culture. It is normal. It is also much needed.


The need? Reminders that we are not alone on the planet and that we all share this space. We also need fresh vigor and energy to do the work of supporting a complex society with a big job to do. We need to enlarge our thinking by learning new cultures and languages. These expand our horizons and understanding of the world.


Immigrants make our nation greater. They meld their futures with ours. Together we are much more than if we kept separate. One is expansive and vital; the other is crimped and stunted. Giving others freedom to be makes my freedom even larger. Yours as well.


I am proud that our nation and its people still welcome newcomers to our shores and homes. May it always be so.


April 3, 2019

Think you know?

Good question. So, you’re chatting with colleagues and an issue arises that smacks of politics. Well, it’s not pure politics, but ideology that suggests handling a public problem in a specific way. Is this discussion valuable in understanding the issue? Or is it of value in understanding the colleague, and the others who jump into the fray?


Participating in the discussion is low risk as long as proclamations of truth aren’t spouted. Once they are, the discussion becomes a debate and sides chosen. Not much good happens after that.


I read Foreign Affairs, a bi-monthly journal of academic political scientists focused on international affairs, also a good number of professionals in the field or retired from active international diplomatic circles. Yes, the material is a dense read. Concentration is required to make sense of it. On the other hand, concentration breeds questions and humility in my level of understanding the material. That humility turns out to be a saving grace.


I admit I don’t understand. Later, reading the material a second time helps cement basic understanding. Still later, melding several articles together provides a perspective that heightens more understanding. These are complex issues. They take time to think about. Time needed to weigh ideas, alternative ideas, desired outcomes defined, long-term results of experimenting with one solution over another. Are such efforts working or making matters worse?


The struggle to understand; struggle. An earnest attempt to grasp complex facts with an intention to solve related problems. The struggle is human. It is honest labor in coming to terms with complexities. The idea is not always opinion; it is an attempt to solve human suffering in the main. That honesty is what we need if we are to trust decisions made on our behalf in international relations.


Having said that, think about these terms: nationalism; supranationalism; liberalism of diplomatic relations; illiberalism of the same matters; immigration; refugees. I could go on with this list. But for now, think on those terms and jot down a short definition for each. Then scan what you have written. Do you understand how they are related?


If you don’t, it’s time to sit down with people you like and trust and start a conversation on such matters. Only then will we capture the essence of what we know, what we don’t, and how to move forward to understand these complexities better.


If you are interested, comment on this blog. Maybe we can establish a clearing house email hub with which we can help each other gain perspective. I’m feeling hungry for this. Anyone else feel the same?


April 2, 2019

April Fool

Just so many jokes and puns can be made this day. I’ll let the opportunity die quietly…….


April. A new month. Rabbit! Rabbit!


Hope this first full month of spring is pleasant. Warming. Sunny. Greening, too. Unfolding drama of Mother Nature is always fascinating to watch. Already at the tail end of March trees are budding and leaf bursts are near. Very faint hints of green buds line many tall trees. The reddish bud coverings are more easily seen this time of year. But all naked branches are thickening and preparing. For the day. Leaves will pop.


Peeping plants are already in view in gardens. Poking above the surface, they promise full leaves followed by flower buds, then full, opening flowers. Then aromas. Entrancing aromas and visions of beauty. A great time of year. The mud recedes. The green lawns stir back to life. The snow has melted. Frozen soil will soon thaw and the hungry earth will open to breathe and drink in fresh spring rains.


Life will happen. Sprout. Push up for sunshine. Plants will mature and leaf out, even bloom some of them. The trees will boisterously puff themselves up. And stretch their limbs to the sky. To capture more of the sun’s rays. And whisper the possible shade of hot days to come.


It is the lawn that attracts my attention. Mealy, broken, patchy now. Mud showing. Scraggly plants of poor lineage still dot the landscape – we call them weeds. And sickly pale green, only a faint hue of what they once were but will yet be again. Spring will bring new growth. Warmer temps and rain will build the green to a crescendo of lush. Yes, the lawn will reappear from winter’s cruelty. The dog will appreciate it in her own way, but for me, the green will restore my sense of peace.


Spring is here. Or soon will be.


Aaahhhhh!


April 1, 2019