intramuralist ™

In this wonderful week where an entire country is wholeheartedly encouraged to be intentional in their expression of gratitude, let’s keep it short, simple, and straight to the point… 

Let’s quote the quip from author John Ortberg in another one of his witty-titled books, “When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box.” Writes Ortberg:

“Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation.” 

And so this Thanksgiving, let us be honest with ourselves. Let us ask…

Where am I unable to see life as a gift?

What has gotten in the way?

Where am I (knowingly or unknowingly) preoccupied with self?

For…

A wise person is known for their gratitude.

A wise person is generous in their expression of gratitude.

A wise person knows a simultaneously felt emotion need not be cause to omit gratitude.

It’s that short. That simple.

So to the point, this Thanksgiving, may we be wise.

Gratefully…

AR

Right before the most recent election, Pres. Biden announced his intention to run for reelection. Right after the most recent election, former Pres. Trump announced his intention to run for reelection. Each, therefore, has now publicly stated they want the position. Hence, allow us a bit of an honest, raw conversation this day, for as a career human resources (HR) professional, one of my long term, ongoing tasks is to discern the best fit for a job.

Allow us first to reiterate an integral Intramuralist ethic. We will be respectful of each of the above and of their (dwindling?) ardent supporters. We will not ignore the truth nor be lured to deride any, even in passionate disagreement or potential disgust. Respect is a value we simply will not sacrifice.

Hence, when perusing wannabe candidates, I am always evaluating specific aspects. Such as…

Maturity… Are they both physically and emotionally mature? In one who is emotionally mature, there is no tit for tat, proneness to insult, nor propensity to lie. They can navigate conflict, communicate clearly, and acknowledge both error and responsibility.

Temperament… Do they show evidence of a healthy, general disposition? One with a solid temperament isn’t susceptible to mood swings nor fits of anger or fear. They are emotionally stable, work well with a team, and exhibit keen self-awareness.

Skill set… Do they possess the necessary abilities to succeed in said position? Every job description is accompanied by a set of unique prerequisites; not every person is qualified for every position. Hence, qualified candidates will have the job-specific, necessary combination of analytical, creative, leadership and more skills. 

Summarizing the above, for every professional fit, there is an evaluation of both character and competency. I’ll admit: it’s somewhat of a subjective process. I will also admit, however, that neither character or competency can be sacrificed if we are setting both the new hire and organization up for success. In order to be an effective, productive employee, character and competency must be consistently solid and unquestionable.

In truthfulness and respect, it is my sobering belief that with both presidents Biden and Trump, our country has sacrificed varying degrees of character and competency. It is thus no wonder why polls suggesting we’re headed on the right track or right direction are nonexistent. We’ve sacrificed what we cannot.

Let me add one more HR angle — and it’s a bit of a tangent, but still relevant and something I’ve long encouraged in those I’ve been honored to lead. While affirming each employee and their unique contribution, I also encourage each to think about how the organization would fare without them. In other words, one of the best, lasting marks of any great leader, is that the organization can both survive and thrive without them actually here. The employee has made their mark, stewarded their season wisely, and thus their physical presence is not vital. That is a key mark of an effective leader.

One of the disappointments, therefore, that I find with both presidents Biden and Trump is that I feel like, in their own way, they think we need them. My sense — from true, this limited vantage point — is that they each think they personally are what we need — like our country somehow can’t get along without them.

Sorry, but I don’t feel that way. One is 80 today; the other is 76. I deeply respect those who’ve gone before me, but clearly, at that age, there is some obvious cognitive decline — in some significantly more than others. I don’t think we need presidents Biden or Trump. In fact, I believe our country could benefit from a new generation of leadership.

Granted, whichever generation is next hired — hopefully a person who intentionally unifies more than divides — they must be far more than popular. They need to be one who is physically and emotionally mature, exhibits a healthy temperament, and possesses the necessary skill set. That means both character and competency.

Those are the people to hire.

Respectfully… 

AR

So honest question today… no need to tell me… I’m encouraging honesty with self.

In the most recent election cycle — and on the days you tune into the news — do you tune into a majority of the following resources:

• The Daily Mail
• FOX News
• National Review
• New York Post 
• Or Newsmax

If not the above — and again no need to be honest with anyone other than self — do you instead tune into a majority of these:

• The Atlantic
• CNN
• MSNBC
• The New Yorker
• Or The New York Times

Let me first acknowledge that there are some very gifted writers and journalists from each of the above. I’ll admit, for example, that The Atlantic’s Caitlin Flanagan, FOX’s Dana Perino, National Review’s Yuval Levin and NYT’s David Brooks each typically and often both get and keep my attention.

But let it be said if you watch solely from one of the above lists, you are succumbing to a limited perspective. Such was glaringly true in the last election cycle.

Let me not suggest that an always loyal landing on solely the Post or the Times or on CNN, MSNBC or FOX will provide you with inaccurate news. Perhaps the slant is accurate. Perhaps the slant is credible. But the slant is also known to be biased — which actually makes it more difficult to discern if the perspective is accurate, credible or true. 

Let’s keep being honest… to be biased is to be limited; by definition, bias means we’re actually “unfairly prejudiced against someone or something”… in other words, not ever something equated with virtue.

All said, AllSides released their updated Media Bias Ratings this week. Their conclusions are based on multi-partisan, scientific analysis. Note that sometimes the bias of some sites changes. For example, in the substantiating blind bias survey, The Atlantic moved from its previous rating of “lean left” to the more “left.” 

See more sites here: 

I see this simply as a tool. It’s a tool I appreciate as I believe bias — especially unacknowledged and unstated — can be manipulative and thus potentially dangerous. Why? Because bias makes discernment of truth harder… conversation and solution harder then, too.

Hence, I enjoy The Hill, Real Clear Politics, and The Wall Street Journal news with regularity. I feel like we get good news there. There’s no one on the other end attempting to rile us up or make us judge someone with an opposing perspective.

Just being honest, friends… trying to not be so limited either.

Respectfully…

AR

As of this week, the Intramuralist celebrated 14 years of existence. Thank you, readers! For the thousands of you who read weekly, I am grateful for your presence and participation. My intention has always been to honor you — in my words and in the sharing of my perspective — regardless of whether you agree or disagree. As has been said some three zillion times on this site (which may be a bit of an exaggeration, but it makes my point significantly better!), agreement does not matter. Agreement is not a prerequisite for respect.

That said, on Nov. 4, 2008, we ran a blog entitled “This is the Day.” It was Election Day, the year we saw the junior senator from Illinois defeat the senior senator from Arizona to become our nation’s 44th President.

In honor of that contest, we wittingly penned a top ten list of things learned from that election cycle. For example from that list, we observed:

• Jesus would not be a Democrat OR a Republican.
• Objectivity in the media cannot be assumed.
• And Tina Fey is a comedic genius.

Let me suggest that I believe each of the above is still true. However, in honor of our anniversary, allow us to pen this season’s insights…

TOP 10 THINGS I LEARNED FROM THIS ELECTION CYCLE:

10. We are sadly, a politically divided country. A wise leader would tackle that first.

9. Most people don’t want singular party government. Too/two many parties think they should control all.

8. Neither the Democrats or Republicans can walk away thinking the majority of the country really likes, supports, or agrees with them and the distinct radical aspect that each has allowed to be attached to their party initiatives.

7. Mail-in ballots make a difference. Voter suppression seems less an issue than a last ditch effort by the lost.

6. There were some really weak candidates; some of them won.

5. There were some really strong candidates; some of them lost.

4. The media often magnified or diminished the weaknesses and strengths pending the specific media’s agenda. The media may be the perceived “biggest loser” of the midterms.

3. Candidates only called out election deniers in the party opposite theirs.

2. Presidents Biden and Trump each had and may continue to have a negative impact on a significant number of candidates.

And last but not least…

1. It may be exhausting to do this again in 723 days. 

But let me close this post with words again written 14 years ago. As said, I believe they remain true…

“As this election cycle closes, I find myself thankful that it’s over, weary of what it entailed, and hopeful for what is to come – and that’s regardless of whom I voted for. Two years for a campaign is too much… too much money, too much mudslinging, and too much manipulation. Each campaign attempts to manipulate us by promoting desired images, but not necessarily reality…

Let’s move ahead, being respectful of our leaders. Let’s get rid of using the word ‘hate.’ And let’s engage in respectful dialogue in this country, remembering above all else that we pledge ourselves to be one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

Blessings, friends… Thanks for being with me all these years. It’s been a challenge, joy, and labor of love all rolled into one. It’s been a privilege to do this with you.

That’s the beauty of it. We are all in this together. No matter what.

Respectfully…

AR

Since Election Day has come and gone, let’s talk. Honestly. Unassumingly. And as always here, respectfully.

Now what?

Let’s start with arguably the most glaring slant of the season; our politics is bringing out the worst in us. Allow me to gently but unequivocally explain.

Our politics is bringing out the worst in us because we are using it to justify thinking the worst of other people. In fact, one of the things that bothers me most on this planet is the ease of that thinking — how willing we are to think the worst of another. 

And the behavior digresses sadly more…

Many who claim to be wise or upright people/many who seem to be wise or upright people, many who claim to love their neighbor/many who seem to love their neighbor, many who claim to promote integrity and virtue/and many who seem to promote integrity and virtue, totally throw all that out the nearest, convenient window during election season. In that so-called wisdom, uprightness, love, integrity and virtue they treat at least one third of the American population with an attitude that seems to care not if they would be silenced, disappear or — excuse my vulgarity for the point of this post — they care not if the other goes to hell. Worse yet, they seem to think they are somehow capable of discerning eternal damnation.

We justify saying the worst. We justify demonization. We justify sweeping, mass judgment. Not to mention the abundant fear mongering…

This is the most important election of our time! Only one of us is really a patriot! Only one of us believes in democracy! And those people?! Don’t get me started!!

If those people get into office, do you know what they’ll do?!… Do you know the evil they’ll cause?!… The hate they’ll spew?!

And we say all this because our political bias has blinded us to wisdom, uprightness, love, integrity and virtue.

Friends, I appreciate you much. I am also acutely aware that some read the above words and still mutter a definitive retort back to the screen saying “but they will cause evil!” … “they don’t believe in democracy!”

And just like that we justify the lesser once more. Let me boldly opine that we can’t denigrate, demonize and divide and then still claim to be acting consistently with any of the above. We have allowed our disagreement to blind us to what is good and right and true.

So what is good and right and true in our political perspectives, articulation and response?

I wish I knew how to solve; it’s complex. But I think I can encourage where to start…

Be honest. In regard to both dominant American political parties, both have leaders and voices within who are good, upright people. Both also have leaders and voices within who are not good, upright people. Sometimes we hear a call out of them as the “crazies.” Such isn’t my favorite word, but let us be honest enough to admit that both parties have their share of “crazies.” Be able to see it and admit it in both. Make excuses for neither.

Be a good listener. So many talk first and most. So many, too, immediately drown out dissent, as if dissent can’t and shouldn’t exist. That’s pretty hubristic, albeit perhaps, unknowingly so. But the wisest people I know always listen to the different. They know they have more to learn, and often, listening to the different broadens or sharpens perspective. Be willing to listen, even when it’s hard.

Be humble and kind. One of the reasons I think this particular election had some closer contests than expected is that I think too many people led with pride instead of humility. Who that doesn’t think like me would want to interact with me if I’m not humble and kind on the receiving end? My guess is none. My sense is many were quieter about their perspective, their wants, needs, and voting priorities, because shared opinion met with pride can be an explosive interaction. Hence, let’s be wiser. Always stay humble and kind.

Enough for now. It’s a little exhausting if I’m honest. I’m grateful for the soon-to-be, hopefully election season break. I’m grateful, too, to grow in the practice of what is good and right and true.

Respectfully…

AR

I love how we are given opportunity to learn the same lessons repeatedly. The environment is  different; the circumstances change; but the learning is the same.

If I’m honest, there was a time in my life when I found that to be more a frustration than opportunity. And then just like that, one of those silent, not so subtle, likely divine two-by-fours knocked me over the head, presenting indeed a place to grow.

A key learning occurred with the birth of our third son, one referred to oft here as young master Joshua. Josh is wildly gifted, a fantastic encourager, and really good with diverse people groups, especially with varied ethnicity. Josh also has Down syndrome.

My key learning was found in the heart of a brief letter from a friend, dropped at our door, when Josh was still in utero but his special, special need had been confirmed. Our wise friend penned, “Josh, I look forward not to what I will teach you, but to what you will teach me.”

For years I’ve pondered those words.

Last week I had opportunity to travel to the beautiful isle of Grenada. Dubbed the “Island of Spice” — known for its nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and more — this hilly terrain sits in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea at the southern end of the Grenadine island chain. It’s not far from Venezuela, hosts some 115,000 people, and is frequented by tourists primarily traveling via cruise ship. Noteworthy, too, is their national motto: “Ever Conscious of God We Aspire, Build and Advance as One People.” I love and admire their proclaimed national awareness.

My intention on this long planned trip was to meet with a specific group of people on the island — mostly women, but some men, too — authentically interacting, encouraging, and helping them grow in their life and faith.

But clearly, being on the receiving end of their extravagant welcome, overflow of gratitude, and abundant generosity, I would argue that it was they who encouraged and taught me.

My time with the men and women and even children was wonderful; it was humbling and joyful with so much to take in. It is thus now making me take stock of perspectives and convictions I cling to fiercely, wondering where that fierceness has evolved into more of a detriment… I’ve heard this before… learned this before… a place where I went to give, so much was instead given…

I wonder… where else we could learn this… instead of walking into spaces and places and audiences with this inflated idea that we are the ones so richly imparted with great wisdom or so much to teach or so much to give, what would it change in us if we turned that around?

What if we walked into a room or relationship with the conviction that the person or persons standing before me had something to teach me?

What would that change?

What good would that do?

What better conversations could be had?

Perhaps it’s not a question of who will give or teach the most. Neither is it one in regard to who has most to learn. Rather it’s a recognition of the truth that we each have something to learn from the person on the receiving end of us…

No matter the room.

No matter the relationship.

No matter even the island, age, political persuasion, too.

Who are you unwilling to learn from?

Let me respectfully but bluntly rephrase…

Where has your fierceness in perspective or conviction blinded you, impairing you so much that you can no longer see what another can teach you?

We are no different, friends. Each of us have much to learn from one another. Thus, let me add… God bless you, young master Joshua… you, too, my new sweet friends in Grenada.

Respectfully…

AR

Years ago, I penned a version of this post. Fascinatingly— which doesn’t necessarily mean good — I think it’s still relevant. I reference the insights of self-described “professional truth sayer,” Matt Walsh, who suggested 6 years ago that “America Is Falling Apart And It’s Your [our] Fault.” Ponder the following brash but insightful excerpt — including a few embedded Intramuralist anecdotes:

“When deciding who to blame for the current state of affairs in our country, we always run through a familiar list of shadowy villains: the ‘system,’ the ‘establishment,’ politicians, lobbyists, the schools, the media, etc. [and also the Democrats, Republicans, Socialists, MAGA supporters, etc.] These are fine suspects in their own right, but I find it ridiculous that, somehow, we skip right over the first and most dastardly culprit: ourselves.

We never blame us, do we? We always get off the hook. All of the misery and misfortune in our culture have been hoist upon us from Washington, D.C. and Hollywood and Ivory Towers, and none of it from us, we claim. We’re victims. We had no say in any of this at all, according to us.

Well, at the risk of alienating literally every single person reading this, I’d like to suggest that you are an adult and a voter, and this is your fault. And mine. And your mother’s. And your neighbor Jim’s. And all of our accomplices who generally make up the club known as ‘We The People.’

Here’s what I know: If you and me and your mother and your neighbor Jim and the rest of them were prudent, rational, resolute, wise, well-read, morally courageous and intellectually engaged, we wouldn’t be in this fix. What’s more, we wouldn’t have the same sort of politicians because we wouldn’t vote for those sorts of politicians, and we wouldn’t have the same sort of media because we wouldn’t watch that sort of media. Right on down the line like dominoes, everything would change if we changed. Everything.

But there is no accountability. We all say we want accountability, but what we really mean is we want everyone else to be accountable. Very few people will actually hold themselves accountable for anything. Our Republic crumbles while we all sit around pretending we’re victims of a culture we’re actively creating and politicians we actively vote into office. We put torches to our own home and wonder why it’s on fire.

And then, surveying the destruction we wrought upon ourselves, we weep like damsels in distress, crying out for a white knight to save us. Inevitably, a charlatan in a suit of armor comes along and promises to do just that. We faint and fall into his arms, and he proceeds to immediately betray us. Then we weep again for another white knight to save us from the last one, and another comes along, and he betrays us, and we weep again, and another one comes, and so on and so on and so on and so on unto infinity.

In the midst of all of this, nobody ever says: ‘Hey American people, STOP IT YOU FOOLS.’ Instead, even the people who know better continue making patronizing excuses for us. They pontificate about how the ‘blue collar workers’ and the ‘middle class’ are feeling quite sad and angry at the moment, and we can’t very well be expected to take charge of our lives and make better decisions when we’re feeling this way. Nonsense. It’s all nonsense.

We vote for petty bullies, crooks, and charlatans [and those who clearly lack compassion or competency or even the good health to be able to run]. We vote for them. We select them. Our politics are a reflection of us. Just like the deterioration of the family, the divorce rate, fatherless homes, the moral bankruptcy of our culture, the decline of faith, collective apathy,  ignorance and intellectual laziness are manifestation of our choices, so is the political system. None of this was hoisted upon us by dark overlords or mystical sorcerers. We have made choices, we have done things, we have decided to be a certain way, and that way has proven poisonous to the future of our country…

So while I’m accusing the American public of wreaking havoc upon their own country, I’m not actually the one insulting the public. I do not believe that people are, by and large, stupid…

If a lack of intelligence were at the core of our nation’s problems, it might be true that our dear leaders in government, media, and education are solely to blame because they’re the smart ones taking advantage of a bunch of drooling imbeciles. But I don’t believe that to be the case. I believe at the core of our nation’s problems — especially our electoral problems, but also everything beyond that — are a collection of common vices, not mental deficiencies: laziness, apathy, greed, pride, envy, hatred, etc.

Our sin is our undoing. I’m as irritated with ‘the establishment’ as you are — or at least I would be if I knew what that phrase meant — but ‘the establishment,’ whatever it is, isn’t responsible for your sloth and your selfishness. Although nobody will acknowledge it, there is indeed a profound selfishness in the person who interjects himself into the democratic process yet refuses to think deeply, evaluate all the evidence, listen to opposing arguments, and scrutinize the principles, character, and integrity of the candidate he supports. To plug your ears and put on your blinders and plunge determinedly into the voting booth, having spent months aggressively refusing to apply any serious and considered thought to your decision, is an act of supreme self-centeredness. Even more so in the case of the people who vote for the politicians who promise to give them money appropriated from their fellow citizens. That’s greed and self-indulgence, not mere gullibility. In fact, these people are anything but gullible. They know exactly what they’re doing.

Ignorance, especially, can no longer be the stock explanation. We all carry around little devices that grant us access to all of the information in the world. The sum total of human knowledge is contained tidily in our pockets. We may choose to use this godlike tool to watch porn and take pictures of our own faces, but the fact remains that none of us have an excuse to be ill-informed. We continue to make reckless and shortsighted decisions as voters not because we lack information, but because we’ve seen the information and don’t care, or perhaps because we don’t care about seeing the information. In both cases, again, the fault is ours and ours alone…

Our bad choices and our flaws and our sins have brought us here politically, culturally, and in every other sense. That’s the truth. So if you want things in this country to improve, stop whining about the system and look in the mirror. We aren’t the victims, we’re the cause. If America is ever going to be ‘Great Again,’ it has to start with a little personal accountability.”

Respectfully… absolutely always…

AR

The Intramuralist loves questions! That’s no secret. It’s the only punctuation piece that invites a response. So for the month of October, we wrote down every news-oriented question from every site visited (capped after hitting 150). 65 sites are included — left, right and center. Note that not all sites utilize the approach; our objective response isn’t always invited. Hence, condensed are the questions news sites have asked this month:

1. After Leftist Threats, a Leak, and an Assassin, Will the Supreme Court Have the Guts to Follow the Constitution?
2. All that nuclear talk: Is the unthinkable suddenly possible?
3. Am I allowed to drop off a ballot for someone else?
4. An Epidemic of Cognitive Impairment?
5. Are Californians fleeing en masse to Texas?
6. Are Deficits Actually Going Down?
7. Are Democrats Heading For Another Disappointment In North Carolina?
8. Are Hurricanes Getting Worse?
9. Are Republicans Still Clear Favorites to Win Back the House?
10. Are the polls about to sandbag Democrats — again?
11. Are We Heading Towards a Global Recession?
12. Are We in a Recession?
13. Are We in a Recession?
14. Are We Seeing an End to the Age of AOC?
15. Biden’s destroying the economy. Is it intentional?
16. Biden’s economy: Are Latinos about to hand the GOP wins in AZ and NV?
17. Biden says he was “sort of” raised in the Puerto Rican community in Delaware and… what?
18. Bring Back Boris?
19. Can Democrats Talk About Inflation?
20. Can Diplomacy End the Ukraine War?
21. Can Focusing On Climate Change Help Win Elections?
22. Can the US Take on China, Iran, and Russia All at Once?
23. Can three SEC teams make the CFP?
24. Can Walker Survive the Implosion of His Heroic Image? 
25. Could Pot Be Decriminalized Before Biden Leaves Office?
26. Dear Elon Musk, Can You Buy PayPal, too?
27. Democrats losing ground with black voters?
28. Democrats Spent Loads Boosting Republicans They Thought Were Less Electable. Will It Pay Off?
29. Did Saudi Arabia Just Hand the Midterms to the GOP?
30. Did Stacey Abrams Suggest Abortions Can Ease Inflation?
31. Do Americans Actually Get Fed Up And Move To Canada?
32. Do the Lingering Protests in Iran Reveal Cracks in the Country’s Leadership?
33. Do Voters Care About John Fetterman’s Stroke?
34. Does America Need More Religion?
35. Drag for 2 year olds?
36. FAU poll: So much for Florida’s swing-state status, eh?
37. Harry Reid’s political machine is failing, can Obama save Nevada Democrats?
38. Has the Biden Admin ‘Not Stopped Or Slowed’ US Oil Production?
39. Have you applied for Biden’s student loan forgiveness?
40. Hey, Wasn’t Biden Supposed to Be the Democrats’ ‘Top Campaigner’ Right about Now?
41. How about a Noem/Gabbard ticket in 2024?
42. How do states ensure dead people’s ballots aren’t counted?
43. How Far Would a Republican Majority Go?
44. How Have The Georgia Polls Moved Since Herschel Walker’s Abortion Controversy?
45. How Is the Bobulinski Story Not on Every Front Page and Leading Every News Broadcast?
46. How Long Did The Great Recession Last In 2008?
47. How low can the Herschel Walker campaign go?
48. How popular is Joe Biden?
49. How unpopular is Joe Biden?
50. How Will President Biden’s Weed Pardons Impact Federal Drug Laws?
51. How’s Biden Doing? What about the GOP?
52. Hurricane Season: Is It Worse This Year?
53. Inflation is near a four-decade high. So why aren’t health care costs significantly higher?
54. Is AP a news organization any more?
55. Is it homophobic to not go see the gay romcom Bros?
56. Is ‘population collapse’ a bigger threat than climate change?
57. Is the Bottom Falling Out for Democrats?
58. Is the J6 Committee Decision to Subpoena Trump About to Backfire?
59. Is the Left Losing the Left?
60. Is the Midterms’ Republican Wave Back On?
61. Is the Red Wave Back?
62. Is the US economy in a recession and taking the world with it?
63. Is There a Future for Late-Night Talk Shows?
64. Is This the Condition Fetterman Is Trying to Hide From Pennsylvania Voters?
65. Isn’t it past time for America to have a female president?
66. Jim Crow 2.0?
67. Just how unpopular is Joe Biden?
68. Just how worried should you be about nuclear war?
69. Living paycheck to paycheck on $350,000 a year?
70. Liz Cheney: Right-wing icon, Trump critic… private citizen?
71. Liz Truss: How could the prime minister be replaced?
72. Kanye West keeps moving further and further to the right. Why?
73. Kill the babies to curb inflation?
74. NBC “News” host Mitchell to Pelosi: Why don’t voters appreciate all of the accomplishments of you and Biden?
75. Nevada Or Georgia … Which Senate Race Is Most Important?
76. NY Gov: Why won’t Joe Biden take ownership of the migrant crisis?
77. OPEC to Biden: Joe Who?
78. Red tsunami in the Midwest?
79. Should tech companies have immunity over problematic user content?
80. Should the West Seek an Off-Ramp in Ukraine?
81. The campaign ads are vicious, but do midterm candidates really hate each other?
82. The free world needs American energy. Will President Biden meet the moment?
83. The Kroger-Albertsons merger raises one big question: Why now?
84. The Supreme Court Is Broken. Where’s Biden?
85. Think Joe: Isn’t There a Better Way Out of Ukraine War Than Armageddon?
86. Three Out of Four Florida Looters Are Illegal Immigrants? Say What?
87. Time To Outlaw Counting by Race?
88. Waiting for a better time to buy a car?
89. Was DeSantis Shipping Migrants to Martha’s Vineyard a Crime?
90. What? Did You Think The Biden Administration Wasn’t Racist?
91. What caused Russia’s war in Ukraine?
92. What do experts get wrong about Latino voters?
93. What do you want for the holidays? How about a recession, CEOs say
94. What Does A Recession Mean For The Average Person?
95. What happened with Liz Truss in Britain? 
96. What happened with the L.A. city council president and racist remarks?
97. What happens if Putin decides to cut his losses in Ukraine?
98. What happens when public schools lose students?
99. What is martial law, and why did Putin impose it in Ukrainian areas?
100. What is the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?
101. What on Earth Is Kanye West Doing?
102. What Role Should Race Play in Admissions? 
103. What Should We Do About COVID-19 Fraud?
104. What Was That Badge Herschel Walker Flashed in His Debate?
105. What will a GOP majority actually do?
106. What Will Happen in Georgia?
107. What’s Really Going On With the Crime Rate?
108. What’s Putin Thinking?
109. When Is “Inflation Reduction Act” Going To Start Reducing Inflation?
110. When Will Prices Stop Going Up?
111. Where’s the outrage over Biden’s quid pro quo?
112. Who Denies Election Results?
113. Who Is James Biden?
114. Who Lost Saudi Arabia? 
115. Who might succeed Liz Truss as UK prime minister?
116. Who Sabotaged the Nord Stream Pipelines?
117. Who Will Control the House and Senate After the 2022 Elections?
118. Who’s Contending — And Pretending — Among The NFL’s Top Teams?
119. Who’s to Blame for Rising Energy Costs?
120. Who’s to Blame for the NFL’s Tua Tagovailoa Disaster?
121. Who’s to Blame for 2022’s Record-High Inflation?
122. Why are Dem leaders AWOL from the campaign trail?
123. Why Are Pollsters Disagreeing About the 2022 Midterms?
124. Why Are ‘Ten Million Jobs’ So Incendiary?
125. Why Do Blue States Keep Prioritizing Lawyers Over Low-Income Americans?
126. Why do labs keep making dangerous viruses?
127. Why Do Standing Ovations Now Seem Obligatory?
128. Why Does the ‘Strong Dollar’ Matter?
129. Why has Biden been delaying offshore oil permits? 
130. Why Have a Constitution If You Just Ignore It?
131. Why Have U.S. Natural Gas Prices Soared Since 2020?
132. Why Is High Inflation Proving So Persistent?
133. Why Is John Fetterman’s Campaign Telling Us about His High-School Football Days?
134. Why Is Putin’s Army Inept?
135. Why Won’t Dems Pass Ban on Lawmakers Trading Stocks?
136. Will Abortion Be Enough To Save Dems in November?
137. Will Asian Americans Swing Republican in Nevada Senate Race? 
138. Will China invade Taiwan?
139. Will Democrats Lose the West?
140. Will Election Deniers Deny Their Own Defeats?
141. Will Gas Prices Tank Electoral Prospects for Democrats?
142. Will GOP Call for Calm and Peace on Election Day?
143. Will New COVID-19 Subvariants Cause a Winter Surge?
144. Will Scandal-Scarred Hunter Biden Only Get a Wrist Slap?
145. Will the January 6 Committee’s Latest Hearing Have an Impact?
146. Will Trump’s Defamation Lawsuit Against CNN Succeed?
147. Will your tax bracket change?
148. Would Biden Run in 2024 Without Kamala Harris?
149. Would Putin Roll the Nuclear Dice?
150. Would Republicans really cut off Ukraine?

Respectfully…

AR

[Editorial Note: Sites referenced include AlJazeera, AllSides, AMAC, American Greatness, The American Prospect, The American Spectator, Associated Press, The Atlantic, BBC, Bloomberg, The Boston Globe, Chicks on the Right, Christian Science Monitor, Citizen Connect, CNET, CNN, Commentary, Daily Kos, Dallas Morning News, Deseret News, The Dispatch, DNYUZ, ESPN, FiveThirtyEight, Forbes, Fortune, Fox News, The Grio, The Guardian, The Hill, HotAir, Huffington Post, Intelligencer, Investing News Network, John Kass News, The Korea Times, Los Angeles Times, MSNBC, The Nation, National Review, NBC News, New York Post, New York Times, The New Yorker, Newsweek, NPR, NY Magazine, OilPrice.com, PJ Media, Project Syndicate, Quartz, Rasmussen Reports, RealClearPolitics, Salon, Slate, Thirteen, Time, Townhall, US News & World Report, USA Today, Vox, Wall Street Journal, Washington Examiner, Washington Post, and The Week.]

In a recent post I referenced this idea that we pick and choose what we care about. If it affects me, I care. But if it doesn’t directly affect me, it’s a little bit out of sight, out of mind, so-to-speak. I’m thinking that’s not always the wisest approach.

But I’m sensing we oft entertain an equally unwise approach.

Let’s get there. But first, allow us to acknowledge what pollster persons are suggesting we currently, collectively care most about now that election season is in full (sometimes a little even annoying) throttle. According to multiple polling outlets (including those sponsored by left, right, and center-leaning sites, such as the New York Times, Rasmussen Reports, and Reuters), the most important issues to Americans in order of priority are currently as follows: 

1. The economy
2. Inflation

Or…

1. Inflation
2. The economy

Those two issues are consistently, currently dominant.

Issues of significant, collective concern to voters across the country also include violent crime, immigration, foreign policy, the state of democracy, abortion laws, climate approach, and increased political polarization; however, each of these issues statistically pales in comparison to the above 1 and 2.

According to the most recently released analysis from Pew Research Center, only 17% of U.S. adults say the economy is in excellent or good shape. Reports Pew, “As has been the case all year, the economy is clearly the top issue for voters; fully 79% say it will be very important to their voting decisions — the highest share among 18 issues included on the survey.”

It’s tough out there right now, friends. Only 21% of us say our personal finances are stronger than they were a year ago. 

But let us be respectful of all in different situations than self. Always. Which, therefore, leads us to the second, perceived equally unwise approach…

Not only do we tend to care most about the issues/law/legislation that directly affect us on a daily basis, we also get lured into this imperious idea that we know best what everyone else should most care about, too. For example…

Because my student debt is now forgiven, you should care about that, too.

Because I have a kid in Taiwan, you should care about that, too.

And not only should you care about it, you should care about it as much as I do!

Friends, I think we’re making an understandable, but unmindful mistake. And it’s a mistake that’s hurting us far more than perhaps we know. We keep falling prey to this perspective that we know best what another should care about… that we know best what another should care about most… that we can determine that for another!

Something seems so wrong in that to me. Something so shortsighted… non-empathetic… maybe ignorant, too.

No judgment, friends — we’ve all been guilty. But I’m thinking this side of eternity none of us are so discerning and capable to dictate what should be most important to another. A wiser approach would be to refrain from judgment, respect via empathy, and give each person — self included — the grace and space to be fully convinced and satisfied in their own mind.

Respectfully…

AR

As we near the 2022 midterm elections, some of our long-fueled societal weaknesses are becoming increasingly visible. For example, for the past half dozen years, the Intramuralist has been disappointed in our overall choice of candidates. It seems we oft have to choose between the lesser of two evils, so-to-speak. Allow me to gently assert that the “lesser of two” would still equate to evil. That’s not something I can authentically support. Sorry, friends, but as one who desires to promote what is good and right and true, I don’t believe either character or competency need be sacrificed. There are people running right now — from both parties — who are hoping we overlook one or the other.

But lest we digress, the new phenomena that seems to be surging as we approach November 8th is what is currently classified as something like the following:

“To Debate or Not Debate: That Is the Question”

We’re seeing it across the country. Candidates of all political persuasions are pondering the point. Granted, the last train wreck known as a presidential debate did no one any favors. I learned years ago, no less, as the leader of my high school speech team, that debate is to be a discussion or structured contest in which support and opposition of resolutions are respectfully articulated. My strong sense is that the words “discussion” and “respectfully” are absent from most candidates’ approach.

Nonetheless, allow me to suggest that the idea “to debate or not debate” is not really the question. It’s not the bottom line. And it’s not really what’s plaguing the candidate who chooses to refrain.

The more transparent question would seem to be this:

“How will I do in an environment I can’t control?”

In other words, as Liz Morrison, a leader of the highly respected No Labels organization, suggests, “One of the few things that unites politicians of both parties is the single factor they fear perhaps most of all: uncontrolled situations.”

And so what happens if a candidate is asked something they don’t have a sweet-sounding answer to? What happens if the words don’t flow smoothly off their tongue? What if they have to admit they actually don’t know the answer? What if people cheer for the other? What if they boo? What if they experience a major gaffe? What if they simply come off poorly? What if they’re even wrong?

The situation is out of their control.

Hence, what many candidates are showing us is only what they want us to see — not who they really are.

Because let’s face it; as a person wanting to represent us, we need to know who the candidates really are. We need to know what they are capable of. We need to know how they are when the situation is not controlled, as no leader gets the irrational privilege of determining ahead of time what they will face in their tenure. In fact, we could actually appropriately debate that the best leaders are those who thrive in environments out of their control.

I think of arguably the most attractive, influential moment of George W. Bush’s presidential term. It was three days following the unprecedented 9/11 attacks. Borrowing a bullhorn, standing atop the rubble, Bush addressed the rescue workers gathered at Ground Zero. It was perhaps the best speech of his career.

But it wasn’t scripted. It wasn’t written beforehand. And suffice it to say, the situation was totally out of his control. That’s when Bush led best.

Friends, we deserve to hear from those who wish to represent us. As Morrison states, “Debates are different than rallies, TV ads, and photo ops. They offer relatively frank and unpredictable forums that lead to the kind of dialogue we need to understand and evaluate those who seek to lead us and to get things done.” Debates help us know who the candidates are and what they really believe — not just the image their comms team has crafted and what they want us to think they believe.

If a candidate, therefore, cannot debate — if they are either unable or are unwilling — that’s insightful… not about the candidate’s opponent, but rather, about them… and about their potential future ability or inability to lead.

Respectfully…

AR