Many people with little or no talent are quite successful. This is true in the sports world, industry, entertainment and especially our political scene. Now I am not saying talent is not hugely important, I’m saying not all people possess talent. Yet, many of these folks go on to have highly successful careers. And I know why!
The successful, low talent people tend do the following things:
“The most basic question is not what is best, but who shall decide what is best.”
What a better way to sum up this week’s political drama than to offer some astounding quotes from Professor Thomas Howell. All of the below comments are direct quotes.
“Affordable” is another popular word that serves as a substitute for thought. To say that everyone is entitled to “affordable housing” is very different from saying that everyone should decide what kind of housing he or she can afford. Government programs to promote “affordable housing” are programs to allow some people to decide what housing they want and force other people-taxpayers, landlords, or whoever-to absorb a share of the cost of a decision that they had no voice in making.
People who fail to meet the standards for anything from college admission to a mortgage loan are often said to have been denied “access” or opportunity. But equal access or equal opportunity is not the same as equal probability of success…. if everyone is allowed to apply for college admission, or for a mortgage, and all applications are judged by the same standards, then everyone has the same opportunity.
Those blacks with less education and less job experience-the truly disadvantaged-have been falling further behind their white counterparts under affirmative action, during the same years when blacks with more education and job experience have been advancing economically, both absolutely and relative to their white counterparts.
Amnesty is not some esoteric concept. It means that you are not going to be punished for breaking the law-and that simply brings laws into contempt. Denying citizenship is not a punishment because crossing the border illegally does not entitle you to citizenship. Providing a legal status short of citizenship is not punishment either.
The Constitution cannot protect us and our freedoms as a self-governing people unless we protect the Constitution.
Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges in Russia. She could face 10 years in prison. This week the Russian court sentenced her to 9 years in prison!!! I hope Biden can get her home.
Brittney Griner is a 32-year-old Black lesbian. She is an outstanding athlete and plays basketball for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. She was the number 1 draft pick in 2013. She has a net worth of $5 million.
Her career in the WNBA has been outstanding! She has made the All-Star Team many times, led the league in scoring and blocks and won the WNBA championship in 2014. She also holds 2 Olympic gold medals.
Over the last 9 years, Griner has played professional basketball in China and Russia during the WNBA off-season.
Her personal life has been a little rocky. In 2020, she failed to take the basketball floor during the playing of the US National Anthem as a protest over racial injustice. In 2015, Griner was arrested on assault charges and disorderly conduct. She got into a fight with her partner, Glory Johnson. Both were injured. The WNBA suspended Griner for 7 games and ordered her to take 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling. Griner married her partner in May 2015. On June 8th, Griner filed for a marriage annulment citing fraud and duress. The judge denied her request. In October, Johnson gave birth to twin girls. Eight months later the couple got divorced. Griner was ordered to pay child support.
Twin girls and a 1-year marriage
Griner is now in big trouble!
In February 2022, Griner was arrested on drug charges in Russia. Apparently, she arrived at the Moscow airport with hash oil in her carry-on luggage. Russia has a zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs. She could get 10-15 years in prison. What the hell was she thinking! I hope this situation is not true.
Of course, many pundits in the sports world blame pay inequality as the reason for Griner’s arrest. They claim she is under-paid in the WNBA, thus “forced” to play basketball in China and Russia to make ends meet! What a complete crock! I think Griner wanted to make $600,000 playing basketball in Russia. She has played there many times. She knows Russia and the laws. She made a huge mistake. Period!
This week the WNBA players association president said “gender issues” was the reason Griner was arrested in Russia. Griner was in Russia to play basketball and earn $600-$700K. My wife is a BS degreed nurse and would have to work 6 years full-time to earn that amount of money.
Professional sports should never make excuses for the bad behavior of players. Gender issues my ass!
PS-Every year thousands of Americans are arrested and jailed in other countries. Places like Hong Kong, Tijuana, the Bahamas, UK, and Toronto have hundreds of Americans locked up. Almost every one of these people broke local laws. The US Dept. of State has on their website warnings to Americans traveling aboard. Obey local laws!!!! The site also says the State Dept. cannot get Americans out of jail in a foreign country!!!
In a recent court ruling, about 184,000 NC residents can have their driver’s license restored. Originally, these people had their license revoked for failure to pay fines, court fees and other related costs. Most did not even show up for their court date. All of these people committed traffic violations like speeding, failure to yield, driving while impaired, running a red light, etc.
Apparently, these people argued that they could not afford to pay the traffic fines. Recent articles in the Charlotte “fishwrap” showed that majority of the violators are minorities. Thus, a new term has been created, “Driving Injustice.” Yes-the real problem is racism. Really? Reports show that many minorities do not show up to court nor pay the traffic fines. Many claim they did not know about the court date. Hmmm?
In a study released in 2019 covering the years 2013-2017, the data showed that Blacks accounted for 47% of the license suspensions, while only representing 21% of the population. Majority of these suspensions were for lack of payment.
Perhaps these violators do not have $180 to pay for a speeding ticket, but what exactly should the law require? It seems reckless to me to “forgive” fines due to income problems. What then is the penalty? Pictures shown in the newspaper show these violators reading their $800 cell phones……
The NC DMV has agreed to better inform these drivers as to their court dates, then they can appear in court to argue their lack of funds. I hope that is a “high bar.” And-not applicable to repeat offenders. Tickets issued to traffic violators show court dates and court location.
And another point-one local DA says the courts should separate financial debt from driving eligibility. Exactly what does that mean or lead to! Does that mean a low-income speeder does not have to worry about tickets and fees??? That sounds crazy! What then is the downside to breaking the law and endangering others??
The first priority of the government of NC is the protection of its citizens. I do not believe this action will protect our safety.
Just got back from a long weekend at the beach. Stayed in Cherry Grove, SC. Weather was great and so was the surf fishing.
On Friday night we dined at Snooky’s. That restaurant is located about 4-5 miles north of Cherry Grove in Little River, SC. We had an outstanding dinner! Period. And the restaurant was crowded.
The seafood was excellent. Absolutely no negative comments. Plentiful serving of fresh flounder, scallops and pan seared shrimp. Wonderful! The sweet potato fries and cole slaw were great, too!
The servers, Chella and Nicole were all over it! The restaurant was short of staff, but all employees were really hustling and “pitching in” to help each other. Somehow, the restaurant manager John, orchestrated the whole place. He kept everyone focused and also provided help himself. My compliments and thanks to John and to the Staff!
Since I teach Operations Management in college at the graduate level, I intend to use this restaurant as an example of how to run a small service business.
Lack of affordable housing is not the problem. The problem has always been income!
Over the last 20 years the city of Charlotte has spent $215 million on 139 housing projects for low-income people. More recently, the mayor and other city leaders have raised an additional $200 million for “affordable housing.” The city council has approved many new parcels for development.
But the housing problem has not improved. The cost of land, construction materials, labor, taxes, utilities, etc. has increased. According to our local “fish wrap” after 20 years and mega $$$$$’s, the overall problem is worse.
The county’s medium income is $68,000. Using the rule of 30% of gross income for housing expense, the average family can afford rents of $1700/month. The average rental rate in Charlotte is $1400. So, what’s the problem?
Blacks earn an average of $40,000. That means they can only afford to pay $1,000 in rent. That is the problem! Only 1-2% of rental units in Charlotte have rents at $1,000 or below.
There is not a major city in the US. that can fund inner city housing to meet the demand! The problem is not “affordable housing.” The real problem is income!
If a dam is leaking water and flooding the city, you do not spend money building boats!
The city has too many single parent families with low incomes. It is not realistic to expect the local government to provide housing for all these families, especially when the number of low-income families is growing. The price of land and construction materials is high and not expected to decline. Lenders and investors cannot “make this happen.”
There is a better approach!
A large portion of $$$’s must go toward education. Income is the real problem. City apartments are not affordable to a single parent making $15/hour and never will be! The working parent(s) needs at least $50,000 in annual income. Education is the surest path to a higher income and multiple wage earners in a family also helps. There are plenty of job openings. Two wage earners in a family each making $20/hr. will have an income of $83,000 per year. That should be the goal!
Our city leaders must direct funds to better educate the adults in low-income families. That is the only sustainable solution to the “affordable housing” problem.
ONE FINAL THOUGHT: Illegal immigrants coming to Charlotte seeking housing also hurts low-income families. Illegals also need education. The average illegal has the equivalent of an 8th grade education. Education $$$$’s are spent on their education. And-illegals need low-income housing. I cannot understand why Black leaders do not speak out against illegal immigration!
About 3 weeks ago, the NC State Superintendent of Public Education, Catherine Truitt, wrote an article in our local “fish wrap” about the major problem in NC schools. She called it “diploma integrity.”
What the hell does that mean???? Why can’t she use common language? Maybe that is the problem?
The entire article was filled with “loopy” words and sentences. One sentence was 49 words long. But, after reading the article 3 times here is my effort to decipher her word salad in common language:
NC public education is not preparing kids for college or jobs. Education is the surest route to prosperity, (we all know that). She does not like end of course tests. I guess tests are racist!
She is proposing more flexibility in teaching and curriculums focused on workforce skills. Seems like a good idea to me. But she includes “durable skills” like persistence, collaboration, and creativity in the list of job skills. What about math? Computer skills? Reading and writing? Science?
And-of course she is proposing a “new accountability system that is more than grades.” How will she measure creativity or persistence?
What is wrong with testing students in K-12 to determine math and English skills? Same with reading comprehension? Keep the approach simple. If a 6th grade math class has 30 students and 10 can’t pass a simple, one-page, year-end math exam, then those students need summer school, tutoring, or extra help. And one last thing, that 6th grade teacher should know within the first month of class which students need help. It should not be a surprise which students fail the end of year test, but if 1/3 of the students fail the exam, shame on the parents, the teacher and the school.
Professor Heckman
FOOTNOTE: Professor James Heckman from the U. of Chicago, won the Noble Prize in Economics for his work on racial inequality data analysis. He has published many studies. One of his major conclusions regarding racial disparity centers around minority family structure and parenting skills. His massive research reveals these 2 areas as the major cause of inequality amongst the races in America. Of course, education, especially K-6 is extra important to give the child a good start. This too, is an area of deficit among minority groups, especially Black families. This is an area of his specific research, and one that is not improving. Schools alone cannot fix this problem.
Kamara played in the Pro Bowl after he assaulted man!!!
The NFL has suspended Kamara for 3 games starting with the 2023-24 season. Kamara and 3 other men beat a man half to death in a hotel lobby. See injuries below. Kamara was charged with a misdemeanor and ordered to serve 30 hours of community service and pay $105,000 in medical bills. No felony assault charges. Kamara punched and kicked he man while the man was on the floor. Kamara is a thug and should be in jail. See orginal report below.
Another NFL player arrested! Kamara is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. He made the NFL Pro Bowl last year. Kamara signed a 5-year contract with the Saints in 2017 for $75 million including a $15 million signing bonus. He is 26 years old.
On February 6th, the day before the Pro Bowl, Kamara was arrested for felony battery. Police indicate they have a video of Kamara and others assaulting another man in a nightclub elevator the night before the Pro Bowl. Allegedly, Kamara punched the man 8 times, while others “stomped” on him! The police did not inform the NFL until after the game.
Beating victim!
The victim was in the hospital with broken facial bones, possible eye damage and many other injuries! The Las Vegas police department says they are still investigating the incident! That’s bull! Kamara is being granted “special privileges.” How long does it take to review the video tapes. Kamara is playing this year!
The Las Vagas police notified the NFL prior to the Pro Bowl, and the NFL took no action! Kamara was allowed to play in the Pro Bowl and was arrested after the game. He posted a $7,500 bond.
I will keep following this story! Seems Kamara has been granted “privileges” by the Saints, the NFL, and the Las Vegas police while the injured man recovers in the hospital. Hmmmm?
The victim is suing Kamara for $10 million. Why are thugs being allowed to play in the NFL???
It’s Friday morning so I want to reflect on this week’s horrible political scene coming from Washington. like many, many Americans, I cannot understand how any sane, intelligent person can support Biden and the Democrats!
American families are much worse off today than just 1 year ago. The reasons for our decline in living standards are directly related to Biden and the Democrats. Here is a list of the major blunders/decisions/policies imposed on us:
Open Borders allowing 2+ million illegal immigrants to enter our country. Inflation rate of 7.5% (highest in 40 years) costing every American family more $$$ for everyday expenses.
Record levels of crime everywhere. Homicides, car jackings, assaults, rapes, burglaries, home invasions, hate crimes, child abuse and domestic violence. Career criminals are being released posting no bail. And-stores are being looted by thugs! Democrats de-funded the police.
Biden’s utterly disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Americans watched in horror as the Kabul airport was overrun by the Taliban. Afghanistan is now in the hands of a terror organization. 13 US servicemen and women were killed. The world watched our pathetic withdrawal leaving 1000’s of US supporters behind. And $68billion in high-tech military equipment.
Covid-mask mandates, vaccine mandates (struck down by the Supreme Court), schools closed, businesses shutdown, test kits not available, etc. And more US deaths in 2021 than in 2020. Way to go Joe!
Energy independence ruined, record Federal spending on “pork,” calling our US highway system racist, and teaching are kids that white people are evil. it’s no wonder why so many people are angry.
There are 32 teams in the NFL. Each team can have 53 players on their roster, making the total players in the NFL 1,693. As of 2021 70% of the active players, or 1,187 were black. This is an outrage! And-it does not represent the population of the US. Numbers as blatant as these can only indicate systemic racism against whites and Hispanics. The population of the US is 70% white, including white Hispanics. Blacks make up 12% of the US population.
This is an intolerable situation for the NFL. America deserves better. Leaders in the NFL must remediate the problem effective immediately. These are some of the actions the NFL must take:
1.Accept responsibility for this racial injustice.
2. Develop specific goals to bring the percentages in line with the racial goal of equality. The league must overhaul its drafting practices to recruit more whites and Hispanics effective immediately. Each team must be required to set racial goals for player representations based on race.
3. The league must develop specific programs at the high school and college levels to encourage and mentor white and Hispanic players. Summer camps, mentoring programs, funding for training and development of white and Hispanic players must be implemented.
4. Critically review player skills tests at events like the NFL Combine to remove racial bias. Black players perform better than whites and Hispanics on many of the skills tests. The data is clear and shows inherent disparities within these tests. Whites and Hispanics are being marginalized. Since the % white and Hispanic players invited to the Combine and participating in the skills tests is grossly underrepresented, the NFL must take action to significantly increase the number of white players.
5. The NFL must implement training programs regarding the inclusion of white and Hispanic players and to improve the league’s understanding of the white and Hispanic cultures.
6. The hiring practices for NFL coaching staffs must also reflect the US population. The league should require NFL owners to hire 70% white coaches and 12% black coaches. The remaining coaching slots should go to other marginalized groups.
I will send the NFL Commissioner, Roger Godell, my findings, notes and suggestions. I hope he will take action.
FOOTNOTE: Or- the NFL can continue to use merit for player recruitment and coaching hires! Merit will always trump other considerations and produce the best quality outcome!!
High Truths and Low Lies 