Opinion

Health advisory for Presidential press conferences?

We have come to the point where dangerous and incorrect information is coming from the White House and Trump’s mouth. Nations, companies, and people around the world are stunned that the current president is so ignorant and unaware that he would recommend injecting yourself with disinfectant. At the same press conference yesterday it was also suggested that people put light inside their bodies. This was not the first time that dangerous statements and/or lies were propagated by the president. America has a severe problem that is not getting better. We spend trillions of dollars to maintain a government to make our lives better, and yet we have put a person in charge of it who appears to lack basic mental and character skills. Please research the candidates and vote in 2020!

Opinion

Leadership makes all the difference

President Franklin D. Roosevelt reportedly said that if you tell Americans the truth, they can handle anything. We live in a time of crisis where many do not believe national leaders to tell the truth, and rumors are widespread. I have heard many people say that when we elect a president we are choosing a crisis manager. Everyone should focus on the character and intelligence of the candidates in the 2020 presidential election. Your first tell is does the person believe in science and/or climate change. Vote like your life depended on it in 2020!

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Leadership pillars from the book Extreme Ownership

According to the book Exteme Ownership (by Jocko Willink and Leif Babbin) a Leader should do, or recognize the following:

1 – own it all (extreme ownership)

2 – no bad teams, only bad leaders

3 – have Clarity and Belief

4 – Manage your Ego

As I think about the situations I encounter in life and organizations these four pillars stand out as a framework for looking at behavior. Outstanding leaders are examples and not blamers. They ask for help and build people up. You don’t wonder where they are coming from or what they are about because it is clear they want to create solutions based on the truth. Great leaders are not the focus of the conversation and thought because they direct attention on the goal. They manage their own egos and help others to focus on working together for success. Whether it comes from national figures or local people the characteristics of good leadership don’t change. The first person a leader must lead is themselves.

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Survival prescription for pandemic and politics

I have written a lot about the current president and the COVID19 pandemic. I understand wanting to move on to something besides the current president and all the dysfunction that surrounds him. The fact that he is the president doing damage to our institutions, society, and security is a reality. In the face of a pandemic and a toxic presidency I thought that I would share some ideas for coping with the stress:

1. This cannot last forever and we should keep our faith in God. Better days are coming.

2. Relax and exercise with good audiobooks, music, podcasts, etc. There is a lot of really excellent edifying free content that will grow your mind and spirit. Get a library card if you don’t have one because there are free digital downloads available. Exercise will strengthen your body, improve your outlook, and boost your immune system.

3. Plan and enjoy good meals that include fruits and vegetables while consuming plenty of water. I try to drink a minimum of 70oz of water per day, starting with about 30oz before breakfast is done.

4. Seek to help other people while staying in touch with family and friends. During tough times there is nothing like being a support to others because it is an even greater boost to our own spirits. Just sharing talk about feelings, meals, events, people, or the day with someone else is a win-win activity.

5. Consume or create art of some sort. Whether it is a virtual museum, a movie, music, poetry, or music setting aside time to enjoy or make art is an expression of hope in humanity. Art is an expression of who we are and helps us to understand ourselves and each other.

I hope these unoriginal ideas are useful to you as they have been to me. Organize your day into blocks that provide some routine and variety of focus for your mind, body, and spirit. Remember as Jocko Willink says “Discipline=freedom”. We all need to develop and structure ourselves and our time to maximize enjoyment of life. I believe we will get to the other side of these dark times.

Opinion

A president of character is needed

Many Americans are looking for a president of character who can stand by his word and be what he appears to be. Trump represents the opposite of what built America and what an enemy of the country would want occupying the presidency. A man whose only consistencies are lying and covering up while saying one thing and doing another. The current president excels at turning Americans against one another and their own best interest. He openly has said that he believes foreigners over his own intelligence agencies as proven by the current pandemic; which he was warned about, but did nothing to prepare for. Many thoughtful and patriotic Americans wonder openly who he is working for; himself, foreign oligarchs, a foreign power? The upcoming vote is critical to Americans standing up for themselves and all those who sacrificed to create a nation of laws that was the envy of the world. Please research from multiple sources and vote in 2020.

Self improvement

An award for courageous journalism

America needs to develop a national award for journalist who step up to defend our Constitution and republic. We could call it the Defense of the Republic award or something similar. We have recently seen the current president claim that he has total power over the states and a reporter had to remind us of the fact that he does not. We have seen the president repeatedly assault the media for factually stating that he was lying about something while reporters continue to seek the truth. We saw the president saying he believed the Russian president over our own intelligence agencies and reporters get him to state this belief. Reporters have exposed the president’s refusal to share his tax returns, divert military crews to his resorts, and charge the secret service premium rates to provide him security. There are many more examples of the media providing a firewall to the assault on our republic. We need to recognize the hero’s amongst us, and make sure that there are more in the future.

Opinion

We have a candidate

The choice that we will have in November 2020 is shaping up as the Democratic primary ends today with Bernie Sanders’ endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden. Joe Biden or Donald Trump. I would assume that most serious people who have observed the current president have made up their minds already. It is important that every voter take a serious look at the positives and negatives for each candidate. Joe Biden has a long history of government service and Trump has more than three years in office for everyone to research. Trump is undoubtedly concerned about the many legal issues that would be in his future if he were not the president and will do everything possible to avoid jeopardy. Biden is a known moderate with tendencies toward social justice and fiscal responsibility. Trump is a mercurial liar who regularly pushes against the US Constitution, debt limits, science, and the idea of a republic. Get the facts and vote as if the lives of those you love depends on it.

Opinion, Words to ponder

Be a mountain, or lean on one – African Proverb

During the COVID19 pandemic we have seen governors and local officials rise to fill the breach left by the current president. There is a lot of discussion about when do we go back to work, and how will the decision be made. Trump says it is in his head and doctors say we need widespread testing and a plan. The African proverb “Be a mountain, or lean on one” tells us that under stress we need strength and resolve. If we cannot find strength in ourselves we need to seek it out as a critical resource. The current president says he is not responsible and that the states are on their own with the government as a backup. Many state leaders have accused the administration of playing favorites during a time of lethal pandemic. We need accountability if the nation is to thrive in the future. Vote in 2020.

Opinion, Words to ponder

Firing the Inspector Generals

Why would a president want to fire the inspector generals whose job is to make sure that the law is being followed? One inspector general who was fired had been in his job for the past two presidents; one democrat and one republican. Suddenly with 2 trillion American dollars to spend the current president feels it is a good time to appoint people loyal to him. Many people feel that they can no longer be outraged by this president and there is no floor to his destructive behavior. What we see in this presidency stopped being political a long time ago. The next election is about character and decency. Every American voter will choose between decency or indecency in the next election: no matter what narrative they want to believe. The choice we make will define each individual and the country. God bless America! Vote 2020!

Opinion, Self improvement, Words to ponder

“Power pollutes; obedience enslaves” – Unknown

The four words “power pollutes; obedience enslaves” remind us that in a republic we have a duty to pursue, find, and follow the truth; as this is our true north. Republics have been rare in human history because of our egotistical nature and weakness for sociopaths who tell us what we want to hear versus the truth. I believe Jesus words that “you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free”. The truth frees us and lies are meant to enslave us in one way or another. Today we see networks and political parties of people who regularly deny or obstruct the truth. Our duty as citizens is to question authority to make sure those claiming to be leaders remain servants of the people, and seekers of truth.