intramuralist ™

With our eager return after respite, allow me first a keenly insightful multiple choice question. What should we entitle today’s post:

1. We are back!
2. Eat, pray, love
3. C’est la vie
4. Things That Make You Go Hmmmm….
5. All of the above

Alas, we’ll go with 5.

So 42 days ago, we began our annual Guest Writer Series. Kudos, friends! Oh, what wisdom it is to hear from voices other than our own… and… from voices that are different and don’t think like us. Thanks to all of our guest writers for your unique, insightful contributions.

I must also add, that I am absolutely thrilled to be back with you today! Long ago I learned the deep value of rhythms of intentional rest, and while for too many years it was too imperfectly observed, I am grateful for a season of life in which rest/leisure/Shabbat (the Hebrew root meaning to “stop for rest”) is more consistently applied. I am healthier because of it. I am more prone to recognize and embrace wisdom. Hence, our annual summer series is abundant in benefit for all.

Suffice it to say, time doesn’t stand still; lots happened while we were away. Here my family and I travel approximately 12,707 miles on a stupendous, awe-inspiring European vacation… what a joy to be immersed in cultures other than our own… what wonder!

And look what happened while away…

… Former Pres. Trump survives an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania… no one seems to see the gunman on a nearby roof… Trump then makes wearing an ear bandage some kind of not-so-chic fashion statement…

… Pres. Biden’s mental decline is no longer camouflaged… with poll numbers also in decline, the President drops out of the 2024 election, unable to reverse swelling sentiment that he’s too frail to serve…

… Granted, he’s still President now…

… VP Harris becomes a new nominee without a primary or a press conference… still no press conferences nor unscripted moments… 

… VP wannabes Sen. Vance and Gov. Walz are selected, with the race immediately on for the parties to paint the choices as moderate and opponents characterizing as extreme… “Hillbilly Elegy” and military records/statements become immediate places of focus…

… the media’s role comes increasingly under scrutiny in all of the above… “what is journalism” becomes far more than a question on Jeopardy…

… the XXXIII Olympiad takes place in Paris, beginning with 85 boats parading down the (still dirty) Seine… Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles shine… Stephen Nedoroscik makes us smile… breakdancers, hmmmm… Jordan Chiles, sigh… and two biologically male boxers won gold medals on the women’s side of the sport… 

A few more happenings from the “hmmmm” angle… 

… the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Vegas closes after 34 years… 13 sharks test positive for cocaine off the coast of Rio de Janeiro… the Israeli/Hamas conflict intensifies… Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress… more ships/fighter jets move to the Middle East… Google autocomplete prompts “Trump assassination attempt” to reference Harry Truman… Billy Joel performs the final show of his 10-year once-a-month practice at Madison Square Garden…… America’s debt tops $35 trillion… Google is ruled to be a monopoly… Debby becomes a hurricane… and USPS issues a commemorative stamp for Alex Trebek…

Looks like we have lots to discuss, friends. Albeit always respectfully.

So where do we start? … What is true? What is not? What is good and right in addition to true? …

Here we go…

May our discussion never pave the way for disrespect. May we never be blind to the truth. And may we absolutely always honor one another.

Respectfully…

AR

I sit here today, next to one who is clearly one of my biggest life encouragers. He sharpens me. He makes me better. I think one of life’s greatest errors and omissions is we limit the ways in which we can wisen; we limit how and through whom God can speak. God speaks to me through Josh an absolute ton.

As we come to the close of this year’s Guest Writer Series, enjoy the keen insight shared by my budding 22 year old. He’s a special man with special needs, no doubt to whom God has blessed with an uncommon, contagious wisdom… 

AR: “Josh, where are we starting today? Do you want to first introduce yourself?”

JOSH: “Yes. Hello, everyone. My name is Josh. Some of you don’t know me. I really like to hang out, have a great time, eat pizza, nachos, and I have a thing for inspirational quotes.”

AR: “Excellent! We can’t wait to hear. First, tell us a little more about you.”

JOSH: “So when I was a baby, I had heart surgery. And from that moment, there was a mark on my chest. I call it my ‘brave mark.’ And that’s part of how God first started to change my life. I was sick and He healed me. To me, that’s amazing grace.”

AR: “How does that make you feel?”

JOSH: “It just shows that I have this special thing with God. Like someone to talk to, to open up to, and tell him what’s really going on in my head.”

AR: “So, let’s talk about what’s in your head. You said that you have ‘a thing’ for inspirational quotes. Why don’t you share with us some of your favorites?”

JOSH: “I always say ‘Boss up,’ because it means to go for it and work hard. When you feel really tired and your body is telling you ‘no,’ you gotta get up anyway, no matter how many times it’s a no. If you boss up, you realize you can do it.”

AR: “That’s great. I know we joke about it sometimes — and you do that a lot with Uncle Mike, too, which is funny. But I love it! What’s next for us?”

JOSH: “It’s important to honor other people.”

AR: “What do you mean by honor?”

JOSH: “It means you speak of them with mad respect. You are always kind. You treat other people like they’re in your family.”

AR: “Is there anyone specific you want to honor here today?”

JOSH: “A shout out to my grandpa, Bob.”

AR: “Why him?”

JOSH: “Because we always had a special relationship. He would tease me because he loved me, even letting me sit on his lap when I was older, teasing me about how much I weigh. We were good like that.”

AR: “That’s great. So give us one more inspirational quote or encouragement.”

JOSH: “Never stop believing in yourself.”

AR: “Tell us more.”

JOSH: “It’s kind of like saying never lose faith. In God and in yourself. God will always be for you.”

AR: “What does it mean that God is ‘for’ you?”

JOSH: “He’s writing your story. And it’s not done.”

AR: “Knowing that about yourself — brave mark and all after all these years — how does that make you feel?”

JOSH: “Amazed.”

AR: “Love it, Josh. Thanks.”

JOSH: “Always.”

[From Guest Writer #9 in our annual summer series…]

Recently there was a trial where the prosecutor didn’t come close to proving his case, but a partisan jury reached a verdict against the defendant anyway because they didn’t like his political beliefs and wanted to send a message.  No, I’m not referring to New York vs. Trump.  I’m talking about Mann vs. Steyn.

This story starts with two blog posts from July 2012.  The first was written by Rand Simberg, at the time an adjunct fellow with the Competitive Enterprise Institute.  The second was posted two days later by Mark Steyn, then a writer at National Review.  Simberg connected two scandals both tied to Penn State University.  In June 2012, assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was convicted of showering with and sexually abusing boys over a fifteen-year period.  A month later, former FBI director Louis Freeh released a devastating report, showing that the Penn State administration was well aware of Sandusky’s criminal activity and covered it up.  The university’s president was even convicted of child endangerment in 2017 and spent time in prison.  The Freeh report is what prompted Simberg’s blog post.

The second scandal involved Michael Mann, then a Penn State professor.  Mann was the co-creator of the “hockey stick” graph made famous by Al Gore’s 2006 documentary, An Inconvenient Truth.  It purported to show global temperatures over the last thousand years, with a gradually cooling for the first 900 years and then a spike the last 100 years correlating with increased burning of fossil fuels.  Obviously, thermometers didn’t exist a thousand years ago, so Mann and his colleagues reconstructed estimated temperatures from tree ring data.

In 2009, there was an e-mail leak from the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in England with whom Mann regularly corresponded.  One document referenced using Mann’s “nature trick of adding in the real temps to each series…to hide the decline.”  Messages showed Mann intended to “destroy” skeptics of global warming.  Most concerningly, Mann and others conspired to avoid sharing their source data which had been requested under the Freedom of Information Act.  Penn State conducted an internal investigation of Professor Mann’s role in “Climategate” and in July 2010, cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Simberg’s point was straightforward.  The Penn State administration was demonstrated to have zero credibility in July 2012.  It stood to reason that its internal investigation from two years prior should not be trusted.  If Penn State would provide cover for a pedophile to protect their reputation, what would stop them from doing the same for another employee who potentially committed the far lesser offense of manipulating temperature data?  The original version of Simberg’s post referred to Mann as the “Jerry Sandusky of climate science, but instead of molesting children, he has molested and tortured data.”  A rhetorical flourish for sure, but it’s clear Simberg was not suggesting Mann was a pedophile.  He was calling for a new independent investigation of Mann’s statistical techniques and unscientific behavior.  Steyn relayed Simberg’s argument to a larger audience and described the hockey stick graph as “fraudulent.”

Mann sued both blog authors for defamation in October 2012.  Years of legal wrangling followed.  The defendants attempted to have the case dismissed.  A number of media companies across the political spectrum in addition to the ACLU filed an amicus brief in support of Simberg and Steyn, understanding the threat to First Amendment rights.  An appeal went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to get involved, meaning the trial could proceed.  A jury trial finally commenced in February 2024, nearly twelve years after the two blog posts at issue.

To prove defamation, a plaintiff must show that they were injured by the statements made.  Over the past twelve years, Professor Mann left Big Ten Penn State and is now employed at Ivy League Pennsylvania with a higher salary.  Per his bio, he has received numerous awards and honors.  His career has clearly advanced considerably.  At trial, Mann’s lawyers tried to show harm from a few denied grant applications, but acknowledged they could not prove the blog posts caused the denials.  Embarrassingly, Mann also claimed that a man in a grocery store gave him a mean look.

A plaintiff must also prove that the statements made were false.  However, when the allegedly defamed person is a public figure like Mann, the plaintiff must go further and prove that the person making the statements knew they were false.  The defense called witnesses who spoke to how the hockey stick graph was manipulated to show a predetermined result.  Regardless of whether you agree with the statements or not, there is no question that Simberg and Steyn thought them to be true (and still do today).

Despite no proof that Mann had suffered any injury nor that Simberg and Steyn knowingly made false statements, the jury ruled in favor of Mann.  He was awarded one dollar in compensatory damages from both defendants.  However the jury also awarded punitive damages in the amount of a $1,000 from Simberg and a $1,000,000 (?!?!) from Steyn.  The punitive damages are likely to be reduced on appeal, as precedent dictates a ratio of ten to one is unconstitutional, let alone a million to one.  Nevertheless, Mann’s lawfare tactics were successful.  It was revealed during testimony that Mann has paid nothing for his twelve years of legal representation.  Third-party climate change advocates have likely picked up the tab.  Even if the million dollars in punitive damages are overturned, Simberg and Steyn have had to spend at least that much in attorney fees to defend themselves.  The legal process itself is the punishment.

If climate change advocates wanted to convince skeptics that fossil fuels are causing the planet to warm, wouldn’t it be more effective to be fully transparent with all data and calculation methods?  The past twelve years would have been more than enough time for an open, collaborative dialogue.  Instead, Mann and others’ message has been, “trust us, we’re scientists.”  Haven’t I heard that line somewhere before?

Respectfully…

FAH

[From Guest Writer #8 in our annual summer series…]

I am from a very large family of people that was not born in the United States of America. With me there is a kinship and a bond that I feel towards my family and its name. Although there are some aspects of mine as well as all other families that are not good, my loyalty is still to them — very much as that feeling to my nuclear and extended family, I have the same affection for my American family as a nation. I have a similar love for the country where I was born, but this is about the uniqueness of American Patriotism. The American patriotism is a unique force, shaped by the nation’s diverse history, ideals, and challenges. Since the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to the present day, the spirit of the USA has been defined by a commitment to freedom, equality, and continued opportunity. Indulge me as we explore the unique elements of American patriotism.

To do justice to this point of our Patriotism we must consider all the positive and some very negative aspects, such as slavery and how we treated Native Americans. Also in that consideration of negative things must be how we treated our female population. 

The American Revolution laid the foundation for a nation committed to liberty and democracy. As imperfect as we are, the Declaration of Independence, with its assertions that “all men are created equal, and the pursuit of happiness” sent a powerful message to the colonizers and those who were being colonized to rise up to their potential. The document became a symbol of the nation’s central values and ideals. It has inspired generations to strive toward an ideal that, while not always achieved, remains a guiding light. I believe one writer said these are “noble” concepts. The word ”men” here is not just referring to the male gender but to both men and women under God’s watchful eyes. Admittedly, this has not always been the practice shown to those who were not males of European descent. The pursuit of happiness is unique in any document across the world. It is not to say that every day is 24 hours at DisneyWorld; rather it gives everyone that “by the sweat of their own brows” they can help themselves and achieve things for self, their families and communities. 

Our American history is marked by significant scars. Some of those scars still cast a shadow as we see today. Those scars include slavery and the battle against it. The U.S. Civil War between the Union States and the Confederate States was a major factor in the abolition of slavery. The subsequent Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 and the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865 officially closed chattel slavery in the USA. As we know, the legal change still today in 2024 cannot alter the hearts of those who will not accept the equality of race. This major triumph over one of the darkest chapters in American history is a testament to the nation’s capacity for self-correction and moral progress. 

In the true sense of the word Patriotism, it is rooted in the Latin word for father. Society has broken down words in male or female qualities. So Patriotism implies loyalty to one’s father land. But it really is non-gender in its meaning here. So it refers to both the Fatherland and the Motherland. Just as how the word “mankind” refers to all humanity. So because it should mean both male and female, why were women given a sub role in society? This brought about the fight for women’s suffrage culminated in the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote in elections with all the same rights and privileges as their male counterparts. This milestone was achieved through many years of activism, marches and protests. This represented a critical expansion of our democratic (small d) principles. The women’s suffrages are a huge part of testaments to the nation’s ability to evolve and embrace inclusivity.

American patriotism is also closely tied to a tradition of innovation and hard work. From the Industrial Revolution to the digital age, American ingenuity has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible. The nation’s work ethic, characterized by determination and resilience, has driven progress and contributed to global advancements.

Technological innovations, such as the development of the internet and space exploration, have not only shaped the modern world but also reinforced a sense of national pride. Organizations such as NASA, Apple Computer, Microsoft, Google and many others add to our achievements as a nation. Our highway system and infrastructure is a model for the world to emulate. Our Entertainment industry’s leaders in Hollywood also highlight America’s role as a leader in technological advancement and a hub of creativity as well.

We in The United States are often referred to as a “melting pot,” a nation enriched by the contributions of various cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. My family and I both gained and contributed to this great melting pot as have others and feel the same Patriotic swells when the National Anthem is played or America the Beautiful and other songs and hymns like those. We have been woven into the fabric. This diversity is a cornerstone of American identity and a source of strength. Immigrants from around the world have brought unique perspectives, skills, and traditions, enhancing the culture of our nation.

The Statue of Liberty that stands in NYC Harbor, a gift from France in the 19^th century to the U.S.A., stands as a symbol of welcome and hope for many immigrants such as myself. Inscribed with a great message it tells of the great opportunity that defines America. It is the reason people still come and try to move here in all manner. This statue is not only a monument to freedom but also  tells of the diverse contributions that have shaped us as a nation.

While the United States has faced significant challenges, including systemic racism and inequality, the nation’s commitment to progress and justice remains steadfast. Movements such as the Civil Rights Movement inspired by people such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. and other recent social justice initiatives demonstrate a continuous effort to address past injustices and strive for a more equitable society. Those who know it will never be perfect and are not deterred from continuing to always be better. 

American patriotism is not merely about flying the Star Spangled Banner flag on days like July 4^th, but while celebrating achievements we recognize our shortcomings and working towards a better future. This resilience and dedication to improvement and continuing with the idea of the  pursuit of happiness are some of the things that I believe make American patriotism unique. As the nation moves forward, the spirit of American patriotism remains a guiding force, inspiring citizens to uphold the values of liberty, equality, and justice for all.

Respectfully…

DG

[From Guest Writer #7 in our annual summer series…]

The following is a recent question that was posed to me:  “What advice would you give to a young person today?”  Well, I suppose that as a mom of three, a grandmother of thirteen, and the many students who sat in my high school classroom during my  career of 30 years were ample qualifications.  

The first advice that came to mind was to be sure to observe the three rules of speech before speaking:  Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary? Oh, what problems would be avoided if these rules were observed.

Next came: Live simple so that others may simply live. What a difference that would make in our consumption of stuff!

Then:  Love it the answer; never mind the question. Less judgment and more compassion.  Less criticism and more caring.

Now where do I go?  Yes, I could write a narrative of advice based on my own experiences, but then I thought that young readers are not interested in any narratives.  And then, do only young people need advice?  Can we all learn from adages we come across, adages that stick with us as we journey through life?  So, no narrative, but just a list that may apply to any reader, regardless of age.

The list is in random order written upon my own reflection, and it is a list I could add to often. So I begin:

Make wise decisions… remember that every decision has consequences, so consider them. A poor choice can have life-long impact and regrets.

Just because you can does not mean you should.

Put your phone away when you are talking with others. It is rude and disrespectful.

Be kind. Be truthful. Be honest.

Listen to others, even those with whom we disagree. When all think alike, no one thinks. We do not learn when we can hardly wait to hear what we will say next.

Build bridges, not walls.

Children deserve parents who are mature adults and who love them unconditionally for who they are, individuality included.

You can be right but still be wrong.

Love, support, and encourage your family. They are there for you…all the time. Be there for them all the time.

Use your talents to serve others. Be as generous as you can be. Selfishness is a loser.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Forgive… carrying a grudge/anger is a heavy burden that only hurts the one who nurses and rehearses it. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.

Begin your day with prayer. Close your day with prayer.

Drive safely…full attention on the road…watch the speed limit…for yourself and the precious cargo you may have with you.

John 14:6.

Make the most important the important. Faith and family come first.

Marriage is a gift to be treasured and nurtured every day.

Be the best version of who you are wherever you are.

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Scripture tells us our bodies are a temple, so don’t abuse it. That means committing to healthy diets, exercise, hydration, sleep, limits on alcohol consumption… any indulgence that affects our health physically, spiritually, or mentally. Moderation in all things!

Practice gratitude.

Keep learning. Manage money carefully… spend some; give some; save some… this works.

And…

Marriage and parenting are both rewarding and challenging. They bring unbelievable joy and effort. Commitment is needed through its joys, tears, hugs, hurts, smiles, laughter, time, attention… and sometimes commitment to commitment to navigate any or all of the above. Love faithfully and completely. I have been blessed beyond measure to be both wife and mother. That would be my hope for my readers!

Thanks, Intramuralist; maybe other readers will add to the list.  I invite sharing.  And have a good break!

Respectfully…

DDL

[From Guest Writer #6 in our annual summer series…]

$10,000,000… That’s the annual losses of the Women’s National Basketball Association. In fact, the WNBA has never turned a profit since their inception. Admittedly, in a country filled with a diversity of opinions, this issue tends to turn political, with pundits arguing over the legitimacy of the league and women’s basketball. What we tend to avoid is talking about the WNBA as a business and their ability to provide sustainable value to their customers. That’s the goal for today.

First off, I think it’s important to note that the WNBA represents a noble cause. Sports have been traditionally dominated by men, and the WNBA is offering women the same opportunity. The problem, however, is that they’re not doing it very well. Their losses are expected to increase, with the WNBA and its teams expected to lose $50,000,000 in 2024. A major factor in this is the WNBA’s relationship with the National Basketball Association. The NBA owns about 60% of the league, and receives about 40% of revenues from the WNBA, while outside investors also get a cut. This model is not one that sets up the organization for success.

The league has also fallen victim to many political pressures over the years. For instance, players in the WNBA versus those in the NBA make a strikingly different income. The average WNBA player makes around $100,000, with the NBA average being approximately $10,000,000. Just recently, WNBA players have started taking charter flights, though this has not been the norm. WNBA teams and their players have typically flown commercially for their travel needs. All in all, many have scrutinized the WNBA’s treatment of their players, as the players seem more like employees than celebrities. 

Supporters of the league often attribute the league’s lack of company success to the presence of misogyny in American sports. There is little doubt this exists, but this claim does little to actually solve the issue. Any political discussion of the WNBA tends to start with a comparison of such to the NBA, in that there is little difference between the two. For instance, Caitlin Clark, one of the league’s brightest stars, has been heralded as the next Steph Curry, a legend in the NBA. In actuality, Caitlin Clark isn’t the next Steph Curry; she’s the first of her kind. More broadly, the WNBA is not the same as the NBA, but that does not make it inferior. There are beautiful parts of each sport that do not need to be compared, but that can be celebrated individually. If the WNBA was presented like this, it could work to decrease misogyny as a barrier to the league’s popularity.

The good news for the WNBA is that league viewership is increasing. Clark, along with an influx of new talent in the WNBA, has seen the league reach record viewership. This gives the league more leverage in their negotiation of television contracts. These currently sit at around $60 million, but it is expected that these deals will at least double (if not triple) in value in 2025. The league is also adding expansion teams in the coming years, which will pay record high expansion fees to join the league.

With an influx of revenue on the horizon, it seems the WNBA could be on its way to turning a profit. But why should that belief be strong? Executives in the WNBA (and in the NBA, given their stake in the league) have not proven they can make the league a success. These individuals undoubtedly have had a chaotic environment when trying to achieve such. However, business leaders are not spurred to blame their environment for their success or lack thereof. A business leader must capitalize on their ability to drive success within their organization. For the past 28 years, the WNBA and its investors appear to have accepted their poor financial results. That acceptance will not last forever, and it is time the WNBA starts being a catalyst for women’s athletes. The question is, are they really fit to do so?

Amidst this discussion, it is important to point out that profits should not be the first goal of an organization. As the respected author Frederic Laloux puts it, “Profit is like the air we breathe. We need air to live, but we don’t live to breathe.” The WNBA may be in business primarily for the opportunity to expand female opportunities in professional sports. Given females’ historic exclusion from such, that is understandable. However, if they want to continue providing that opportunity, the WNBA must begin to turn a profit. 

With respect,

Serg

[References utilized: https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/wnba-losses-2024-media-rights-deal-cathy-engelbert-adam-silver-caitlin-clark-nba and https://greenlight.com/learning-center/earning/nba-vs-wnba-salary.]

[From Guest Writer #5 in our annual summer series…]

We make decisions that are selfish, selfless, in our own interest and sometimes a combination of them all. Decisions people make have caused me to raise many questions. For example, what influences the way we make decisions? What level of people pleasing is involved? Are we afraid of what others’ opinions so we shy away from difficult decisions? How do we articulate our needs? Are our professional decisions made with the same motivation as our personal ones are made? Why is there a difference? Do we know when there should be a difference? When do we learn our decision-making skills or do they evolve as we change due to stress, wisdom, experience coupled with patience? Are we willing to make hard decisions due to life circumstances? These questions led me to think about three types of decision making. 

Making selfish decisions can be viewed as small-minded, greedy, even egocentric. At times we are selfish making sure we get what we want without consideration if the decision is wise or if it hurts others. Egocentric decision makers think of themselves first with little consideration for the consequences of their actions on others. We have all done this, but do we do it with regularity?

Selfless decisions are considered to be humble, caring, kind, altruistic. They are the kind “do-gooders” make. But when we are selfless to a fault, our good intentions may interfere with our closest relationships destroying our inner circle  of support. At what cost do we help others?  We are taught that we should be selfless, taking no credit or consideration for the things, but we may be harming ourselves. There are times our selfless decision making is necessary. For example, a sick family member needs our constant attention.  But there are times we volunteer so much of our time to organizations and/or work that we don’t notice how our actions contribute to the deterioration of our most important relationships. At some point we need to deal with our own needs and the needs of others. 

Decisions that meet our self-interest require us to think about ourselves in relationship to our own need and others. Circumstances are woven into how we recognize our own self-interest, others’ self-interest, and how they are mutually beneficial or exclusive. Our faith, family, community, cultural influence and personal circumstances are part of our decision making. Finding the balance of what is our best interest is not easy but essential to our long term well-being. Decisions can have consequences, so our self-interest needs to be a part of our decision-making process.

Traveling abroad for over 50+ years has given me many opportunities to observe how people make decisions for themselves and their families. Extended stays and living briefly in another country provided me a glimmer into what it is like to not speak the language or know the cultural norms. The value of these experiences helped me to learn the importance of learning how to temper what I do as an individual when interacting with others. In short, my decisions do make a difference. We need to take responsibility for our decisions but don’t want to be falsely blamed for others.

One European trip taken pre-covid had a strong impression on me on how I view citizens of other countries. We need to make sure we don’t make sweeping statements. We must remember to separate decisions made by a nation’s government from its people. Sometimes they align, but often the people are not a reflection of the decisions made by leaders. There are times countries don’t have popular leadership either in their own nation or internationally. The nation’s people are not always reflective of those in power. Our own country is divided. We as voters do not always agree with whom is elected when they do not reflect our views or attitudes. But that doesn’t mean we are bad Americans; it just means we are exercising our rights, and we collectively live with the decisions of others.

An individual I met who owns a small business with his wife in Canada immigrated from South Africa when the violence there became so intense the father was stabbed in the neck when sitting at a stop light. The perpetrator took his cellphone as he stabbed him.  The individual and his wife then made the decision it was in their family’s best interest to move because they no longer felt they could safely raise their children there. They had considered the United States because they felt the freest there but chose Canada. Both parents are highly skilled professionals who excelled in their fields. They felt it was in their family’s best self-interest to reestablish their new life in Canada because the supports new families need were in place and the cultural attitude towards their family would be more positive. They made their decision based on their self-interest. It has worked for them. 

As we move through our next year, I challenge everyone to examine their decision-making style. Think about if you are making your decisions based on being selfish, selfless or on your self-interest. Then determine if making decisions on your self-interests moves you forward in a more balanced, healthy way. You are worth it.

Respectfully…

VEE

[From Guest Writer #4 in our annual summer series…]

Picture this scene: You are on your way to work / the doctor’s office / church / your kid’s soccer match / a date / the airport / lunch and the person in front of you is driving at or just below the posted speed limit, which is 40 MPH.  The gall!  You are already running late because you overslept / you had trouble putting your dog in the crate / you had to change an unexpected diaper / you had to stop to put gas in your car / life.  I’m not sure about you, but for me, this plays out in my life on a weekly basis.

Every time I get into my car, I do my best to drive with intent and purpose.  I am typically focused on where I am going, the best route to get there, and the Estimated Time of Arrival, especially if I’m using the navigation app on my phone.  I’m in my own little galaxy jamming to my awesome 80s alternative rock playlist or I’m chatting with my son / daughter / wife about school / e-sports / scouts / soccer / chores / vacation / work / money / etc.  I’m engaged within the confines of my car and keenly aware of the traffic around me at the same time.  Full transparency: I am not, however, always in tune with the “things” in my world that might be impacting my mood and emotions.  Maybe there was a recent death or illness in the family, perhaps a friend is struggling with an addiction, my spouse and I just had a disagreement, I am worried about my kids, I am just hangry, or a million other things that impact each of us.

Often, I “vent” my frustration about the other drivers, such as someone on their phone that is slow to proceed through a stoplight and I am in jeopardy of missing the green light and then having to sit for an extra 75 seconds, by saying out loud “Come On People!”… as if my urging can be heard or will impact what they do or not do in front of me.  My family has become so accustomed to hearing this that every now and then my son will say it for me.  But what am I really saying?  Underneath it all, I’m saying that my time is more important than theirs or I am more courteous or that my driving is more effective.  This is nothing but simple pride.  OUCH!  This was a difficult pill for me to swallow the first time I really reflected on my attitude.

I consider myself an above-average, considerate, conscientious, observant driver.  I endeavor to do things like leave space for drivers entering from side streets, pulling forward if I see that it will make enough space for another car to be able to enter a turn lane or make a turn, moving out of the left lane if someone behind me wants to drive faster than I am, and always using my turn signal. Do I do all of these things 100% of the time… nope.  Maybe I’m a tad bit absent minded thinking about the new job my wife has been offered, or maybe I’m thinking about that “thing” that I need to do for work tomorrow, or maybe I’m just daydreaming of my retirement, or fill in the blank about anything else banging around in my subconscious.  

When I’m with my 15-year-old son, we often talk about how each person’s driving impacts the other drivers in the immediate area.  Over the past year he has blessed me with a few thoughts that have provided me with valuable perspective:  1) you never know what is going on inside of the other cars around you; 2) you never know what is going on inside of the head of the drivers around you; 3) not everyone is comfortable with how to navigate a roundabout.

Unfortunately, not all drivers are “good” drivers.  Perhaps they don’t understand the “rules of the interstate,” that slower traffic should vacate the left-most lane if there is space available.  Perhaps the driver has only been driving for a few months and is simply not as comfortable behind the wheel as I am after driving for 40 years.  Maybe the driver is distracted by a text message, on a Bluetooth phone call, or even holding the phone in their hand.  With all this in mind, even if you were the average driver, 50% of the other drivers around you are below average.

Have you ever heard of or read Stephen Covey’s book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People?  One of the habits, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood,” encourages the practice of “assuming positive intent” when interacting with others.  What this boils down to is if you can choose between the negative or positive intent of someone else’s actions, defer to assuming that everyone has good intentions.  Oh… if I could only embrace that more readily while I am in my car… not to mention in my marriage / friendships / family / workplace.  This is easier to say than to execute simply because at our core we are all selfish… at least to some degree.

What if every time we got into our cars, we specifically concentrated on being polite?  What if we intentionally looked for opportunities to let someone change lanes / merge where there was not actually sufficient space to do so?  What if we treated other drivers as if we were having a face-to-face discussion?  (I know I am less likely to yell at someone standing in front of me.)  What if, instead of using hand gestures, we smiled and gave a friendly wave?  What if we extended grace to the driver who cut us off?  Does it matter whether it was intentional or not?  I suggest it does not.  I would also be willing to wager that my blood pressure goes down the more I concentrate on “being nice” to every other driver around me.  What could we gain if we took a few seconds to exercise empathy and compassion?

WHAT IF WE TRULY GAVE EVERYONE THE BENEFIT OF DOUBT?  EVERYWHERE!!!

Respectfully,

CA

P.S.A. For the benefit of everyone around you, please use your turn signals!

[From Guest Writer #3 in our annual summer series…]

After national disasters, our government will typically convene a commission to investigate what happened so that it doesn’t happen again. Think JFK assassination, Challenger explosion, September 11^th, etc. The COVID pandemic was an unmitigated disaster, so when are we going to do a post-mortem on the long list of things we got wrong? 

• Overestimating the death rate – The initial mortality rate provided by the World Health Organization in early 2020 was 3.4% (or 1 of 30 people who caught COVID died) which caused undue panic. However, the virus spread faster than anyone realized, as many infected persons were asymptomatic and thus undetected. As such, the actual death rate was closer to 0.2% (or 1 in 500). 
• Not differentiating by age – We did know early on that there was a vast difference in the COVID death rate based on age. Children were simply not at any risk greater than the common flu. There was a significant risk for the elderly, though, and yet places like New York state sent infected patients into nursing homes resulting in thousands of needless deaths. 
• Silencing opposing views – In October 2020, a group of epidemiologists and scientists published the Great Barrington Declaration calling for focused protection for the elderly and other vulnerable populations. The rest of us should resume life as normal. Government officials immediately conspired with social media companies and others to bury this story and discredit these respected professionals. 
• Pretending COVID could be eradicated – I still don’t understand why the shots were called vaccines. They were effective at lessening symptoms (and saving lives) in the case of infection. The “vaccines” did not prevent transmission. COVID is never going away. We will just have to manage it, similar to how we deal with the flu. 
• Ignoring natural immunity – Once you have COVID, you are protected against re-infection to a degree equal or greater to getting the shot. Nevertheless, companies across the country mandated that their employees get vaccinated. Workers were fired for no reason, as the vaccine offered no additional benefit for those who had already been infected. 
• Denying the possibility of a lab leak – Even comedian Jon Stewart famously knew in June 2021 that if a bat coronavirus emerged from city where a lab was known to be doing research on bat coronaviruses, odds were pretty good the lab was the source of the leak. It took the Department of Health and Human Services three years to agree as it recently cut off all federal grants to the nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance who had conducted gain-of-function research in Wuhan prior to 2020. (You read that right…your tax dollars may have funded the creation of COVID.) 
• Demonizing Ivermectin – When the FDA approves drugs, it tests for two things: safety and efficacy. Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic and has been taken routinely by humans since 1987. It is unquestionably safe. How effective it is at combating COVID is an open question as studies have shown varying results. Still, what is the harm in allowing doctors to prescribe it in case it does work?
• Making inflation worse – I’ve covered this topic on these pages before. Our COVID response was not the sole cause of rapidly increasing prices coming out of the pandemic, but it was a big contributor. The lockdowns killed our supply chain for all kinds of goods and services, and showering the country with stimulus checks devalued the dollar. 
• Putting the wrong people in charge – There is plenty of material out there cataloging the flaws of Anthony Fauci, so I don’t need to pile on. Deborah Birx was similarly unqualified to wield the power that she did. If you have a spare 25 minutes, this YouTube video is worth your time. 
• Contaminated vaccine production – When Pfizer and Moderna obtained regulatory approval for the mRNA vaccines, they used one manufacturing process. When they mass produced the vaccine that got put into our arms, they used a different manufacturing process. There is hard evidence that the second process led to contamination on a broad scale. This podcast explains this shocking finding in layman’s terms. 
• Adverse effects of the jab – Given these impurities, it is reasonable to postulate that the vaccine caused a variety of side effects. The link to myocarditis in rare cases is well established. More widespread fatal reactions have been alleged but not proven (nor disproven). Wouldn’t you think our government would want to find out the number of deaths caused by the vaccine itself?

Hindsight is 20/20. Early on, when we didn’t know what we were up against, it is understandable that our public health officials erred on the side of caution. What doesn’t make sense is after new information came to light, those experts and the political leaders they advised neglected to re-evaluate their assumptions and craft a new playbook.

When you don’t know the answer to something, the best answer is, “I don’t know.” Instead, the supposed experts wanted to reassure the public and provided advice based on educated guesses at best. Furthermore, there was pressure to do something to protect society, so directives were issued, some of which were a colossal waste of resources (contact tracing, masks, social distancing) and others (school closures) were downright destructive.

When the next public health emergency arises, those in positions of authority should communicate the known risks and let people make their own decisions about how to respond based on their life circumstances and risk tolerance. Trying to protect people from themselves rarely works out well.

Respectfully…

PJM

[From Guest Writer #2 in our annual summer series…]

It’s late July in 2023. Southern Indiana feels like a sweatshop in New York City at the turn of the 19th century. You can feel the intensity simmering just below the surface. Despite the heat and humidity, the possibilities and dreams of what could be becomes the driving force that pushes one golden-haired boy with the curly locks. He has just turned 16, and running has been a part of who he is since the day he was born. This boy, so full of determination and drive was walking by 9 months old and running by 9^1/₂ months and 1 day. If he wasn’t going longer, harder, faster or higher, then he wanted no part of whatever “it” was. So, what happens when the very thing he loves to do is put on hold? Let’s start at the beginning…. 

It’s spring of 2023, and track season is in full swing. Cross country coach Barnett has come to his runners and asked them to help implement a new program for the future. Of course the boys were all in; they would do anything for Coach “Barney.” The new program allows Coach to monitor the runners’ heart rates during workouts as well as resting periods. Those resting rate periods threw a wrench into our well-oiled machine of faster, harder, stronger, and higher. Coach Barnett began to notice that his golden haired runner with the curly mop was tracking very unusual heart rate activity for a normal cross-country runner.

Coach then talked with multiple peers to find out if they had ever come across something of this nature. The answer was always the same: a solid “No!” followed by a solid “You need to have him get it checked out.” Ironically, when Coach finally approached us about the matter, it was the same week our boys were to see our pediatrician for our yearly well checks. This, of course, became another step in the journey we never anticipated.

At the pediatrician’s visit we shared with the doc what the cross country coach had found and his resulting concern. The pediatrician was very quick to get the orders for a heart monitor. Before the end of that week, Aden was fitted for a heart monitor that he would wear for 48 hours. Even with the heart monitor on, we truly figured things would come back easy breezy, Cover Girl beautiful. Less than 24 hours later, however, after turning in the monitor, we learned Aden had to stop running immediately; they were setting us up to see a pediatric cardiologist at Norton’s Children’s Hospital.

August came, and we are scheduled to meet with Dr. Roddy McDowell. On the day we met with Dr. McDowell, he performed an ultrasound of Aden’s heart and told us immediately what he believed. He told us there were three issues he saw, but the biggest issue was most troubling. He believed we were looking at an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery in the right coronary sinus. Our first thought: What did you just say? We would quickly learn what it was he just said and what exactly that meant.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery of the right coronary sinus would soon become a normal phrase that would roll right off our lips. Long story short, it is classified as a congenital heart defect. Aden was born with this issue. It wasn’t caused by anything that we did or did not do as his parents. There were other facts we learned along the way. For example, most infants born with this condition pass away before their first birthday. If the defect occurs on the right side of the heart, it does not pose as great a danger as on the left, like Aden’s was. For those who have the defect on the left, if undetected, they will have a 75% chance of passing away before the age of 35.

With surgery set for October 12th, we quickly learned just how precious our support system would become. They held a fundraiser to bring awareness to Aden’s condition, created a meaningful meal train, prayed countless prayers on our behalf, and checked on us consistently. We saw firsthand that people truly do have good hearts and really do want to help. We were also reminded that family comes in many forms. Family isn’t just those in your bloodline; family is those in your heartline as well. We learned that immediately through all the blood work, tests, and scans.

Surgery day arrived on October 12th. We were up and at the hospital by 5am, and by 6am sharp our boy was being wheeled to the operating room.  There were so many emotions in those first moments as he disappeared behind the cold, metal doors. Through it all we knew that Jesus was in control and that not any of what was going on was taking Him by surprise. We just had to wait. And wait. Three hours in, Dr. Alsoufi’s nurse, Lisa, brought us the first update. She said that everything was moving along fine and that when the surgery was complete, Dr. Alsoufi himself would come to talk with us about how things went. The 5-6 hour mark came. Just as nurse Lisa said, Dr. Alsoufi came to meet with us. He told us that the surgery was complete and everything went smoothly. He also made a diagram for us to show what exactly he did to Aden’s heart. And in the words of my house-building husband, who looked at Dr. Alsoufi: “So basically you re-did the plumbing?” The theme throughout the discovery, tests, scans, and surgery always was this: “It’s amazing that there were no other symptoms.”

Here now almost 9 months out from open-heart surgery, while not everything has been sunshine and roses, there have been a few more lessons learned by this heart-warrior Momma. Allow me to share a few morsels of radical truth:  

1. While the visible scar, as far as our eyes can see, is completely healed, there is a deeper healing that continues to take place. As Aden said to me once at around the 6-month mark, “Mom, I’m not the same person I was before my surgery.” On the outside he is still that golden-haired boy with the curly mop. Inside, there is clearly a deeper, stronger human growing… working his way to the top. 

2. With every major event that has come into our lives, there is a three-fold healing that accompanies it. That healing is of body, mind, and soul.  All of them happen. Maybe just not in our timing.  

And the final lesson…

3. We have to have the scars in order to have the healing. We are always going to have scars that come whether they are physical or those deeper scars of the heart. True healing cannot come unless we are willing to acknowledge the pain and hurt that actually caused the scars. It is then and only then, that we receive beauty for the ashes and can rise up, far beyond the scar.  

Hopefully….

LJ