High Truths and Low Lies

The Death to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

November 10, 2023–Veterans Day

Corporations, businesses and organizations now realize that the pursuit of DEI is a waste of time and money. The fad is over.

There is no empirical evidence that a “diverse team” achieves higher goals and more success than a non-diverse team. The NBA is a grand example, 73% Black. Highly successful teams have individuals with knowledge, experience and functional merit. The major problem with “diversity” is that it subjugates merit. Gender and race are not qualifications.

Inclusion is nonsense. Give everyone a participation trophy. Stop the honors programs because it leaves people out! Recently a very large company in Charlotte stopped the “recognition luncheon” for Veterans because it left people out. This is madness.

The pursuit of equity requires the “dumbing down” of the standards. Making everyone equal in achievement, often called outcomes, can only happen with the lowering of acceptable results or output. There will always be the “lower 20%.” It is a mathematical fact. I am convinced that certain people, especially in the “lower 20%” make bad decisions early in life and are often lazy. The recent studies regarding the “laziness gene” are fascinating. Many scholars attribute achievement to effort applied. Why pay and promote everyone the same? Biden wants to promote military officers based on gender and race. How stupid is that? Men account for 80% of the active-duty military.

Lastly, for important decisions, merit must be the major factor. The decision to choose a heart surgeon, platoon leader, commercial airline pilot, investment banker, HS principal, family doctor, and to a lesser extent a roofing contractor must be made using merit. Merit is achieved through effort, knowledge, experience and intelligence. There is no other way.

Chasing DEI has not worked. Same with quota systems and affirmative action.

My Weekly Highlights-in case you missed!

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Peter Drucker

These are the lesser events but still important.

October 27, 2023

Las Vegas Aces won their second straight WNBA title. About 800,000 people tuned in. Can you name 3 players in that league? Soon, a biological male will win the scoring title. Hope not.

NYC has banned Airbnb for short term rentals. Plus slapped on new rules. Another example of government involvement in small business. This will result in a huge decline in rentals. Why does NYC care how long you rent your house? The hotel industry lobby hates Airbnb. Plus, they say it hurts the supply of “affordable housing.” Hogwash! Travel to NYC will be hurt.

The Nobel prize in Economics was awarded to American Claudia Goldin. She is a professor at Harvard. She studied the pay “Gender Gap” going back 200 years in the US. Although she did not offer many conclusions, she did note “Education and career choices as the main causes for the “Gender Gap.” She claims through research that men are often employed in “greedy jobs” like law and consultancy where the pay can be substantial. And she dismisses current claims about systemic employer-based gender bias. She also cautions about the “work from home” option being impactful on women. Last year’s NB prize winner was Ben Bernanke, Fed Chairman, who steered the US through the financial crisis of 2007-2008.

A record 2.6 million British workers have been classified as unfit for work. Those that apply for social benefits are accepted at an 80% level. In other wealthy countries the rate is 30-50%. British economists say this situation is a cause of the labor shortage. Plus, the cost to British government (lower tax payments and higher welfare spending) is significant. Those classified as permanently unfit get even more benefits (2X), so claimants tend to “expand” their ailments.

The NFL is Deteriorating!

October 20. 2023

“If it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score.” Vince Lombardi

The NFL is in the Sports Entertainment business. We watch to be entertained. The sport is very popular in the US, but I think the quality of the game has declined. Here’s why:

—Too many penalties and most are for boneheaded plays. The average number penalties per game in the NFL is 12. See chart above for the most common.

–players hold in every game, at least 4-6 times; players line up in the neutral zone; delay of game penalties are maddening, Taunting is just plain stupid.

-pass interference is called at least 3-4 times a game, same with off-sides. Running in to the kicker is dumb, same with ineligible receiver down field. Then, there’s too many players on the field.

–illegal shift penalties are called. Dumb. False start means a player moved before the ball was snapped!

There are 7 officials for each game. They watch the play carefully and enforce the rules. Penalties stop the game, and often erase a positive gain. At times, penalties are called on both teams or 2 on the same team. Sometimes the network will cut to a commercial while the officials sort things out. Maddening!

Players celebrate a score with an end zone dance, even if they are losing by 25 points.

Penalties are just sloppy plays. Period. Perhaps it is just bad coaching, or lack of discipline.

Colored Pencils and Cowards

“The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance”

October 18, 2023

Crayola has been making colored pencils for 100+ years. The company was started by 2 cousins and is located in Easton, Pa. Originally, the company sold a box of 8 crayons for 5 cents! Crayola is a wonderful company with a huge selection of educational products. In 2007 the company was sold to Hallmark.

This Fall, my sister -in-law lead her company’s effort to collect school supplies for the local schools. She lives in a rural area of Virginia and the schools needed help with supplies, especially the schools in low-income areas. Many companies have such efforts. For years, her company and employees have donated supplies.

My sister-in-law sent several emails to employees with details regarding the collection drive, timing, and what the schools needed. In one of her emails, she highlighted the need for “colored pencils.” See image above.

About 2 days after her email, an employee (Black woman) complained about the use of “colored pencils.” She claimed the wording was racist. The loons in HR got involved and instructed my sister in law’s manager to conduct a formal, written disciplinary review, and to document the review in her employee file. My sister-in-law refused to sign the document. She will no longer lead the effort to collect school supplies.

The company and the manager acted cowardly. Her email was specific and correct and certainly not racist. This is a good example of what’s wrong in the US today.

My Advice to the “Golden Bachelor”

October 13, 2023

The Golden Bachelor is on ABC Thursday nights at 8pm. My wife and I watched episode 3. The show stars Gerry Turner, a 71-year-old widower, and 22 women all over the age of 60. The objective of the show is for Gerry to find his “new love.” I hope he does, so here is my advice below:

Never date a woman that has more issues than you!
Never pick a woman that cries on the first date.
Be cautious with woman that dress in long flowing dresses.
Avoid woman that wear 3-4 bracelets on each wrist.
Women with hyphenated last names are not much fun.
Never date a woman that can’t do long division!
Physical attraction is important. So are energy, class and manners.
Avoid women that use bad grammar. If they start a sentence with “me,” watch out.
Watch how much alcohol they drink.
I prefer woman that have skills and hobbies.
Avoid woman that read romance novels, especially about Vikings and cowboys.
“Blessed are the Pure of Heart” is an excellent pursuit when selecting a wife. Life with her will be wonderful!

Dogs on the Beach and Electric Cars

October 11, 2023

“When making decisions, “preserve optionality,” Ben Bernacke, Fed Chairman

I like dogs and dogs like me. We have family, neighbors, and friends that own dogs. I also like the beach for vacation and spend 3-5 weeks per year enjoying the sun and sand. We spend a lot of time fishing the surf. Great fun!

At our beaches dogs have to be on leashes and are restricted to specific times (after 5pm) during certain months. Some dog owners follow these rules, some do not. In the Fall, dogs are allowed on the beach and there are hundreds of them, big and small.

However, the problem is barking. A percentage of the dogs bark constantly. The owners have not trained the dogs to stop barking, and the noise travels far. So instead of having a quiet time on the beach, what we hear are dogs barking and sometimes fighting with each other. Some small dogs have a piercing bark.

Electric Car Rebates– The Biden Administration has issued new guidelines for EV car rebates. The US. Treasury will now give buyers $7,500 (tax free) which can be used as the “down payment” toward the new car purchase. So, with the purchase of a $50K car, the buyer puts $7,500 down and finances $42,500 for 6 years. The monthly payments at 5% interest rate will be $684.00 per month. This is a dangerous policy and certainly inflationary. The loan companies will be criticized in 2 years. Free money to make expensive purchases is a terrible policy. liken this to the sub-prime debacle. If a consumer needs $7,500 for a down payment, they cannot afford $684/monthly payment!

And-new EV buyers will need charging stations installed at their homes. That’s another $2,000. Plus $11/per charge on their electric bill.

And one more fact: Auto loan debt in the US is currently $1.5 trillion (historical record), credit card debt is $1.2 trillion (historical record), and school loans debt is $1.7 trillion.

Under no circumstances should Biden be encouraging more debt.

My Highlights for the Week

October 8, 2023

“A good story is often spoiled by the arrival of an eyewitness.” M. Twain

Hamas is a Palestinian terrorist group. This week they launched a surprise rocket attack on southern Israel, firing 5,000 rockets into civilian areas. 300 people were killed and another 1,600 injured.

Hezbollah, another terrorist group based in Lebanon also fired rockets into the northern areas of Israel. Israel PM Netanyahu says his country is at war.

The US is sending a carrier group to the Middle East to support Israel. I hope Biden has a plan.

In the US, House Republicans ousted Speaker McCarthy. All Democrats and 8 Republicans voted for his removal. Madness!

Democrats now control the FCC. Their plan is to use Federal tax $$$$’s to put Wi-Fi on school buses. They claim students will have more time for homework. Their plan is so stupid, I don’t have the time/space to explain why!

Finally, a famous and award-winning movie director, Martin Scorsese has spoken out against all the “comic book” movies. He claims these movies have a negative impact on today’s youth. I agree.

A group of protesters in NC is calling for an end to evictions. They claim housing is a Human Right. It is not. Housing is purchased or rented. Biden has doubled the mortgage interest rate to near 8%. And landlords have much higher expenses. If people do not pay their rent, then landlords have no choice to evict. Sad but true.

Henry Rogers (aka Ibram X. Kendi)

October 6, 2023

See quote to the left. What the hell does this mean????

Henry Rogers grew up in NYC. His mother and father were well educated. Henry attended private school early in life and graduated HS in Manassas, Va.

Henry went to college at Florida A and M University (HBCU) and majored in African American Studies and magazine production? His out of state tuition was $35-$45K per year.

In 2006 to 2010 Henry attended Temple University (private school) and earned an MA and PhD in African Studies. Temple tuition is about $60K/$70 per year.

I wonder how Henry Rogers paid for all his college education.

For about 10 years Rogers taught African Studies in NY and Fl. During that time, he married a doctor and changed his name to Ibram X. Kendi. The wedding ceremony was in Jamacia.

Kendi has written many essays, articles and books about America’s racism. He is a racial activist. One of his most outrageous quotes is below:

No Bail in Illinois!

October 1, 2023

On September 18, 2023, the State of Illinois became America’s first state to completely ban cash bail. No incarcerations. Criminals will not spend any time in jail after arrest. See list above. A person may be charged with aggravated battery if he/she intentionally causes serious bodily injury, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. This person is released.

Police will arrest murders, kidnappers, robbers, arsonists, and those threatening public officials but those arrested will not spend a day in jail. In one incidence, about 12 people arrested for possession of illegal guns were not jailed. One man threatened to “shoot everyone” in the store he was looting! Another man pepper sprayed a police officer.

Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities in the US. In 2022, Chicago had 695 homicides. And Chicago had 2600 shootings last year, an average of 7.2 each day.

Chicago is in Cooke County. The Chief Prosecutor is Kim Foxx. Her election was funded by George Soros. She is a far left liberal and her office has been investigated many times. This summer the police were called to her home to investigate a domestic violence charge by her husband. He claimed she got physical and slapped him in the face. No charges were filed.

FILE- In this Feb. 23, 2019, file photo, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx speaks to reporters at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago. A grand jury revived criminal charges against Jussie Smollett on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, just weeks before an election in which Foxx’s opponents are using her handling of the Smollett case against her. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)

The goal for the police and the criminal justice system in Illinois is to protect the people. No cash bail will not serve that goal. The no bail system has already been tried in parts of NY and crime levels rose. Crime will get much worse in Illinois.

My comments for the Week

September 27, 2023

President Joe Biden joins striking United Auto Workers on the picket line, in Van Buren Township, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The United Auto Workers are striking 38 auto production facilities. Biden joined the picket line and condemned Wall Street. Biden is a fool. His job is to help mediate the labor dispute. A sitting president never “takes sides!”

Note to Biden-“For as long as it takes,” is not a strategy. US support to Ukraine is now $113 Billion. Joe-what’s the plan???

Got my annual insurance enrollment package this week. My prescription plan “annual notice of changes” is available in 16 languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, French, Vietnamese, German, Korean, Russian, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese, French Creole (really), Polish, and Japanese. Can you imagine what this costs?

Senator Menendez (D/New Jersey) Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has been indicted on bribery charges. Police found $500,000 in cash stuffed into his clothing at home along with gold bars. His wife is also charged.

Coach Prime’s Colorado Buffaloes lost 42-6 to Oregon. Deion Sanders (Prime) is a world-class ” showboat” but he delivers. I like him and wish him well.

Taylor Swift at KC Chiefs game sitting with the Kelce family. Rumors are flying. I wish Travis luck.

Target announced the closing of 9 stores. One in Harlem, 2 in Seattle, 3 in Portland, and 3 in San Francisco/Oakland. Company cites organized retail theft and employee safety as the reason for the closures. Too bad!