Uncategorized

First Presidential Debate

The first presidential debate went off largely as expected with Trump doing some bulldozing while Clinton exalted in elitism. Unfortunately for the campaigns, neither attribute is appealing to the undecided. Advisors will be reeling in frustration wondering what it’s going to take for their candidates to draw affinity from swing voters. Much of Trump’s message has been strong but his propensity for wielding insults is a simple character flaw unfitting of the presidency. This messenger does in fact “live in his own reality” as characterized by Mrs. Clinton last night.

Of course in the interests of national security, the thousands of emails produced by Mrs. Clinton from her private server should not be released and suggesting their release as a predicate for Trump releasing his tax return is exemplary of poor mental capacity.  Trump appears to lack the ability to hold his tongue long enough to formulate cohesive strategic remarks.  He is reactionary and boorish. His manner suggests that every conceived action is perpetrated from any and all perceptions of another’s weakness.  Although at times expressing empathy for the underprivileged, one is left curious about his sincerity.  I contend that one massive ego at the helm of the world’s largest military power is not a formula for long lasting world peace.  The conservative message was squandered in a fashion similar to substantial tax receipts entrusted to Washington and those would be tax receipts from Trump had he not had access to loopholes for the wealthy.

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Robyn Hood Chronicles Beginnings

Robyn Hood Chronicles, Beginnings, is a masterful work in adventure written by the mysterious Cam Clark.  I’ve always known Cam to be this quiet spoken fellow with some kind of bottled up force awaiting release. He had told me of a project some four years ago over lunch and despite my prodding, the evolution of this book stayed as serene as his disposition.  It has been very well worth the wait.

The architecture of this craft has many moving parts dealing with the present and the past.  The writing is eloquent and characters are illuminated in terms that radiate emotion.  Particular characters are awarded their own voice providing opportunity for apt reflection.

It’s riveting because of the proximity you feel to the action.  What you and I take for granted becomes an obvious challenge for actors enlivened by peculiar circumstances.  Value inscribed motives are inherent to decisions sought by the protagonist.  Interpersonal subtleties among players have implications as we learn late.  Intense moments of drama recede but take precedence in the ultimate unfolding of Robyn’s quest.

I highly recommend this book!

Lifes Lessons

Social Decline Amid Technology

I’m no sociologist but I did take a course in deviance during my third year at the U of A.   Anthropology also ranked highly on scholarly pursuits so don’t ask why I practice accounting today. This affinity for the liberal arts spurns frequent deliberations on the pervasion of interpersonal indifference witnessed by all in the form of the cell phone first phenomenon. Perhaps, you’ve sat down to a meal with a close friend only to be disturbed by the cell phone chime reminding one that a new facebook post has arrived. Or, perhaps you’ve experienced something similar to my peaceful wait for a fireworks presentation only to be interrupted by a pit bull on extendable leash let loose by an owner preoccupied with his “device”. Thankfully, in the darkness I had the presence of mind not to startle this supposed best friend of man. Then the kids came flooding over waving cell phone flashlights frantically unbeknownst to the notion that the fireworks backdrop was being compromised. Some may not have heard of the good works of Emily Post on the topic of etiquette. You can’t blame them really because home life structure is so informal nowadays that a lesson outside the classroom is for most too tough to deliver. How successful is mom and dad at mandating family meals three times per week where an occasion kids can pick up some tips and tricks on how to operate in the context of other’s interests as well.  Mom would do good to win time over Pokemon, violent video games, and instagram.

You’ve likely been at the other end of an email provocation whereby your heart rate instantly jumped and your trust in a relationship was questioned through a few trite words when in contrast you know full well those same words would never be spoken in person. The email twist which entertains most is a convenient contextual omission thereby tilting an agenda in the favor of the provocateur.

Of course, there is the opportunity to “unfollow”. It’s an online slight that humorously some perpetrators apparently are naïve enough to think that the unfollowed will never know.  However; it’s a real stain and has real world implications. Note to self.  If I over post – I deserve to be unfollowed.

The internet is not going away anytime soon. Hence I defer to a friend who is all over “social media” for its positive attributes.  She says, “you will leave a ‘digital footprint'”.  So, perhaps it would be prudent to leave a good one.

Politics

To Gavel Or Not To Gavel

Oh, you neither knew this was a verb.  It’s interesting how particular words take on verb form when a subject is overly introverted and obsessed by an operating environment.  Here we have outright bias exercised by the ex-chair of the Democratic National Committee and then residual bumbling discussion still ensues whether she should gavel or not gavel and speak or not speak at this week’s convention.  In business and in life there are consequences to our behavior.  Particular forums leave no room for second chances when the public’s trust is at stake.  If you malign your behavior when bestowed a position of authority, it becomes apparent that your character is unfit for the office and hence you must seek work elsewhere.  Somebody may give you a second chance and in fact the lesson could very well be learned and demonstrated in ones new role.  A character can be rehabilitated.  It really is this simple but when a process of rationalization muddies the scene and contextual actors acquiesce to excuses, pandering or self righteous demands of entitlement, then the ethics of a whole organization come under question.

Uncategorized, Politics

Latest Scoop from DNC

The Democratic convention ratings are bound to tick up in lieu of today’s Wiki Leaks divulgence. Although Debbie Wasserman Schultz will be stepping down as DNC chair due to alleged favoritism exercised during the nomination process, apparently as reported by CNN today Hillary Clinton will award her as an “honorary chairwoman with a 50 state program to build the party in every part of the country”.  I know you’ve never been cynical about politics? One would think that Mrs. Clinton would at least wait a day before announcing such a reward for Wasserman Shultz’s behavior in the context of her portrayal by the FBI:

“Although we did not find clear evidence that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information, there is evidence that they were extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information.”

Suddenly, Trump’s projection for picking up Bernie Sanders supporters is not looking so far-fetched.