Keeping it Civil in Congress: Sign of the Times....Forgiveness Can Go a Long Way!

Words have meaning and I believe the leadership on both sides should push people toward the center. But that is just my opinion. Sometimes we say a little too much and we walk that back. It happens  because people are passionate and sometimes fail to role reverse. However, right now as things stand in our nation keeping the inflammatory rhetoric to a minimum is important. I kind of watch the news and see how people are acting and reacting to each other and scratch my head. We see how these beliefs play out in our hometowns all across America. Words have meaning. 

I consider myself an "Old Guard" Republican that sticks closely to the central values and beliefs that made our country great (Perhaps I'm not far right enough for some people's tastes but I think the rational center is where we should be and likely where the best solutions come. So I guess I'm a light right). My believes include the sanctity to practice any religion you want (why we started this country), fiscal responsibility, the right to responsibly bear arms (meaning for hunting and peaceful purposes and not for intimidation or antagonism), support our police with accountability for "bad apples" to maintain societal trust, diversity in people's and human capital, local governance that is in line with our Constitution, civil rights and freedom, a strong military with the best (equipment, people, tactics, training), creating economic opportunities among ALL our people, developing an American "family", leading other nations through example, as well as the right to voice one's opinion with good taste in mind. Of course one side could make jokes of "backpacks" and another of "swastikas" but at the end of the day it gets us nowhere....and makes it difficult for people to compromise on important issues. 

I'm happy Rep. Lauren Boebert apologized because we are human and we all make mistakes (I have made so many I can't even count them on a 100 hands). Its time for us to sort of agree that our nation has a bigger purpose than the anger and rhetoric of the times. We should work on focusing on our future and the ability to create a stronger connected nation for the the next generation; no matter what their religion. We are going to need all types of people to face the challenges the next 20 years is likely to bring as radical change and technology merge to transform our world as we know it.

www.postermywall.com

Rep. Lauren Boebert

@RepBoebert

I apologize to anyone in the Muslim community I offended with my comment about Rep. Omar. I have reached out to her office to speak with her directly. There are plenty of policy differences to focus on without this unnecessary distraction.

9:46 AM · Nov 26, 2021·Twitter for iPhone

Honesty, Respect and Collaboration in Politics (What?) Its the Holidays! 🎄 🎅

Twisted "Grinch" Tree of Wisdom

When we read through the news we seem to run into the sensationalism, hyper politics and a laser focus on conflict. At times we come across what appears to be a "feel good" article that is easily discarded as news rubbish. Religion, civil behavior, and reflection are about thinking before acting and learning to treat each other in a way that leads to "togetherness". Everything else lacks time honored wisdom and leads to conflict in its subtle or overt form.

Its hard do sort of get it through people's head that the best way to lead is not always to be louder and demand that either "you are with us or against us" mentality that seems to pander to the radicals on both sides of the isle. Sometimes its about leading people to new conclusions through new knowledge...and a reflection on old knowledge.

Long-term solutions almost never come from galvanizing sides and hyping up distorted beliefs to get one's way. (I have seen that false rhetoric play out through radicalization and spreading of rumors that still create risks for my family and I years after the people intentionally spread them. Laws are sort of thrown out the window when convenient!👿 No embarrassment, no apology, no accountability. Shifting of Risk). We have seen that on a national scale when people busted down the doors of our capital, attacked our officers, and nearly set the nation ablaze. Others are damaging property and getting violent in protest while others are bringing their "guns" to create "peace". (It happens in the context of hyper politics so both sides own some of the blame. I understand that some think its "good fun" and "tail gaiting"!😮)

There are still people in the news today talking about civil war and not embarrassed to say it publicly (Democrats and Republicans). There are people out there trying to "set each other up" with no accountability and even worse social approvals. Language and behavior has consequences, that lead to more consequences, that lead to different kinds of end results. Of which most are unlikely to be helpful or fruitful in the end. So its helpful to change the narrative and the rhetoric to a more positive future. 

Its the holidays and I think we should step back and take a look at where we are and whether or not there truly is going to be a positive outcome to the rhetoric or whether we are sort of stooges in someone else's (in this case some of our politicians) obsession to feel "validated" (Not party specific). 

Anyway....contrary to the normal headlines....there is an opinion article that has a positive message in the Gainesville Sun by Michael Raburn entitled 'Honesty, respect, collaboration and joy should be core values in our politics' that is worth reading. Some might think of it as "feel good" and others think of it as time honored truth. Your personality will likely determine how you interpret it. Just think about the kind of nation you want, how you want your family treated, and what strategically makes sense.

I wonder if our news outlets took a minute to think about subtly promote positive thinking while still being accurate if it would have an impact on our political environment? It sounds stupid but its sort of a social psychology thing. A study entitled 'Plain Texts as an Online Mood-Induction Procedure' seems to believe that what we read  and the language in which we read it does impact our mood.

I know, I know, being thoughtful and saying the truth doesn't win political games! The problem is The United States and our future isn't a game (nor our lives)! Its serious business with serious consequences not only for us but also for the direction of humanity (We are supposed to be a nation of higher order thinking and values.). Where one person wins, everyone else seems to lose. Just a thought. 🤔 Happy Holidays! (Sorry playing with Gifs)

 

31 Quotes To Celebrate Teamwork and Collaboration from HubSpot

The Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program. Can it help communities in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan?

Upper Peninsula homes and business don't always have the best connection. Beyond being isolated by geography they are also sometimes disconnected by lack of Internet. As someone who does a lot of work in the virtual world I can say that slow Internet causes problems and that includes being kicked out of Zoom meetings, slow download/upload, and lots of other issues. I have the fastest Internet service in the area and still there are times when I get kicked off!

For small towns around the U.P. they may want to consider the benefits of the Rural Development Broadband Reconnect Program by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that has a $1.15 billion loan and grant opportunities for communities just like ours. 

"The Broadband ReConnect Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. The application window for the third round of funding is now open. Follow one of the links below to learn more about the program." (USDA, 2021, para 1.) 

You can learn more about that on the USDA website click below.....

St. Ignace Click Here jpeg. 
Linked to USDA site.

Michigan Has $18.5 Billion Coming-Lets Do Something Beyond Buying Christmas Presents! (Delta County Innovation Model)

Michigan is receiving $8.5 billion Covid Money and $10 billion or so from the Federal Infrastructure Bill. That is a whopping amount of money! What we should do with that money is highly depending on where we want to go and I'm sure there are lots of people out there that want to have a field day with that money. Putting more Christmas presents under the tree might not be the best use of the money if that spending has limited long term impact. 

What kind of presents
should we put
under Michigan's tree?

I have a couple of ideas on where I think some of that money should go and how that might help create a solid model of future prosperity (Trying to find a Christmas present that keeps on giving. Its kind of like giving a nice ham/turkey/lamb for Christmas which helps a starving family one day or giving someone tools, knowledge, and a job to help them feed their family everyday. Not that there is anything wrong with helping on immediate needs but long term plans are highly beneficial). Not that its a perfect model, or even a finished model, but that it may be one in which once successfully created and implemented could lead to reapplying in other areas.

I advocate for use of the money to develop hard infrastructure that leads to the fundaments that attracting more business. All of that is important for long term health. Putting that money into net positive returns can be helpful for state coffers.

For some time I have been working on a innovative transactional theory to help build a stronger society and have used Delta County Michigan as a focal point because of its unique characteristics (See innovative transactional cluster theory). Its semi isolated and many of the ideas and concepts could be observed developing in real time because of its smaller size. Large enough for some variability in industry but small enough to connect them to together into a shared brand.

Delta County has advantages that include infrastructure, a couple of anchor business, tourism possibilities, outdoor recreation, green living, small-medium town aesthetics and a skilled workforce. One thing that sets them apart is that the community supports each other (save a few selfish individuals) and have an active stake in each other's lives.

However, not much attention has been placed on the city and a little money in the right place could be used to attract businesses and ensure that the model could be applied and used in other places. While our economy is doing well today it doesn't mean that it will do well in a few years so we should think of long-term growth with this money. Trying out something new may not only be helpful but necessary. 

The Detroit Free Press put together a great article by Dave Boucher discussing how some of our officials want the money spent. Whitmer, Michigan lawmakers must agree on how to spend billions in federal aid

I understand its Christmas time but lets do something that could positively impact the nation for the next 50+ years and help to put our country on the path to a leading nation (assuming we can keep our politicians from splitting it.)!!! That will require more than just slamming our hands down and demanding our way louder and louder and louder. It requires a level of foresight and leadership that says, "Hey, if we can make it work here we can make it work in other places within the state...maybe the nation."

Possible answers usually start with a question!

via GIPHY

Happy Thanksgiving: Delta County Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy and spend with family and friends. Let us not forget the Native Americans that helped the new comers to shore and fed them. Do something good with your time. You can read about the history of Thanks giving HERE. 

Escanaba Community Thanksgiving Dinner had 300 people. They don't have an official website other then Facebook HERE. 

If you want to donate do so at .....

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

912 7th Avenue South

Escanaba, MI. 49829

Facebook Page

Data Bus brings people. :)

Department of Defense Establishes the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group (UFO Hunters)

DOD Announces the establishes the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group. You can read the official memorandum HERE. Cool stuff! Nano Nano! Congress Electro Propulsion  

Just for fun you can see our half joking UFO video in Escanaba. Its probably a drone or balloon but fun to think about. 👽👾 Someone said maybe Chinese lantern. 🤔 Only one problem the wind at 9:30 pm was 4.6 mph NNW. These "UFOs" were heading easterly. However someone from our Xfile Community Team (just kidding) said that they let off some Chinese lanterns at that time so likely that is the leading theory. Its just good fun. 

The Importance of Accountability-The Danger of Radicalism in Politics and Life?

Knowledge and learning
 guides the path.

Hate is powerful and sometimes part of the way we think. It can impact a great many things in the way we approach the world. Over the last few years our society seems to be stretched at the seams by people who have something to gain (politically, financially, ideologically, etc..) by hyping up the problems to further their influence. Often the people who start these problems don't care about the consequences on others because that is not part of their "agenda". As a nation we will need to start tackling some of these issues and holding people accountable when they are trying to harm or hurt others; no matter their race, creed, or position.

Removing "bad apples" is important to ensure integrity in any system; that isn't unique to law enforcement. I think most reasonable people sort of agree that when people violate the law and constitution they should be held to account. Likewise, I would suspect most people would similarly agree that we also have a responsibility to hold criminals accountable no matter their race, creed. I suspect you can add friend networks and wealth to keep it fair. Sometimes that might mean a lighter punishment if they can be reformed without jail and other times it might mean jail time if they present a real risk to others. 

Politics gets involved and there a level of acceptance of bad behavior and in turn further encourages such bad behaviors to continue by giving troublemakers "cover".  If you notice in my writings I talk about national unity, wisdom in the judicial system, universal rights, and holding criminals accountable (Way way before our current national blow out.). You also see me write about opportunities and economic growth for all Americans. You may even see me give a few thoughts on building the strongest nation we can by encouraging motivation, business, and positive engagement with society. 

Of course I'm a single voice and that is drowned out by those screaming at the top of their lungs. Despite the whisper, I have experienced a fairly full array of life because I have met lots of people, know lots of great officers, spend time with Black people, have Arab Muslims friends, Jewish friends Christian friends, and spend time with White Americans, Africans, Europeans and lots of other people. I'm experienced in understanding culture and "open minded" enough not to judge too quickly small differences (I focus on character). Yet my voice is drowned out by those who already have the answers; sometimes without thinking about alternate explanations.

That doesn't mean I'm always right and it certainly doesn't mean everyone will agree with me. I've also been on the receiving end where someone makes up a story based in their bigotry and desire for financial gain and utilizes their close corrupted friend(s) (indicating a wider departmental problem) to put pressure my family to leave our home town. At the end of the day....no accountability is seen as dangerous as the disease of hate can easily spread and starts circumventing the law (sometimes with nodding approvals and sometimes covertly to avoid detection.) 

Where do we go from here? I can only say what I'm going to do. I'm going to stand tall against the power of hate and encourage people to "do the right thing". I'm going to support our law enforcement and support the removal of rogue or corrupted officers (for integrity and trust issues). I will be visible and not allow the power of hate to terrorize our population (meaning this probably wasn't the first time this happened.). I will also encourage people to come together and be fair, reasonable, and just with their thought processes....no matter what their political agenda (There is no better political agenda than national health...maybe some of our politicians should think about that.). 

If we do not stick close to our essential American principles we will have a hard time keeping the ship together. Look around and look at the hyper politics and the radicalism growing on both sides of the issues (mirroring our politics and politicians) and ask, "Who are we as individuals and who are we as a nation?" It looks like time and choice will answer that question for us. I think I know what we could be and perhaps I will play a small part in getting us there someday. No one knows the future...but certainly we can look into history to see what happens to countries that don't take these concerns seriously or when factions develop that can no longer compromise or be held to account. 

A couple of articles worth reading Philosophy Politics Governance, Standing for Ethics,  Playing it Cool, Memorial Day, Conflict Modeling,  Cost of Embedded Groups, Cost of HyperPolitics, Evolutionary Arms Race, Vervet Monkeys,  Road to Ultra Nationalism, Democracy Backslide,  Why I Write? and Dissertation Questions  (Disclaimer...don't judge too quickly yet. This is a good opportunity for people to learn...not saying I'm teaching here or know anything. Its just observations for self understanding. Just take a moment to check in with your personal values and envision the future of your country. What can you do to ensure its long-term health? How are your actions part of the solution or part of the problem? 🤔💗)