January 6th Riot Updates July 28, 2022

This are getting interesting to say the least. I'm kind of busy today so I'm not going to say much. It looks like momentum has shifted. In any situation like this it is important to understand. To prosecute or not prosecute is still an open question with pit falls either way. The biggest issue is what happened and how can we avoid it again? I still kind of think there is a pot stirrer in there somewhere. Depending on how much someone digs they may find a patterned system with the hats, members, coordination, etc... Its not enough to say it may be that way, one must actually connect and create valid the dots. That requires researchers, interviews, and panels. Not an easy task to decipher mistake form intention.

Before you get all excited about what I believe. I just am watching to understand. I think there is possibility for more issues in the depth but that doesn't mean it is. I always focus on the maintaining our institutions (a older conservative idea that may have been forgotten. These institutions developed over 100's of years and can be applied universally cross culture.) from generation to generation. Sometimes institutions need to change/adjust to resolve generational problems but we should do so through the proper methods. 

The highlights...

The full version....

Why I Believe Our Nation Should Strengthen its Values and Create Better Opportunities

The world is not an easy place. Some are born with golden opportunities and others are locked out of those opportunities. Democracy provides people a chance at self governance and capitalism provides people an opportunity to rise on their own merit. Yet there is a divide in society and that will likely be the next big challenged after our current bout of extremism 

(National success is a series of doors and challenges. Just like in personal development, societal development requires us to collectively master each challenge.)

To overcome the next challenge means we must strengthen certain values that are an essential part of the deal. We must act with integrity at all times and places. The higher one's station and position in life the more they should hold strong values. Those values should tell us that we need a unified society focused on the same positive outcomes for everyone (based on merit and not class). 

The connected class should be well aware that the essential purpose of their existence is to foster democracy, capitalism and our way of life. All societies will have a connected class and its not unique to the U.S.. Those who are allowed and gain access to those opportunities will have chances that the rest of society won't ever likely get. (If you have money, power, and influence you have duties or otherwise we risk a correction at some point in the future. It is the same with ours as it is with others.)

I'm not sure if that in and of itself is wrong but just the way our species, and other species, are designed (not sure). What I can say is that the doors must always be open to advancement as a people no matter what station, religion, or background one comes from. With such positive upward oriented values we can say that people will trust that America is the land of opportunity because there are multiple pathways (It may not be easy but they are there and the most diligent can make it.)

As we move through the sacking of the capital, extremism and different forms of corruption we will have to keep in mind why we exist on this planet and the risks of internal default. People should feel government represents the people and not a tool for manipulation. Likewise, they should feel if they put in the effort they have a chance to succeed. We are sometimes wishy washy on those democratic and capitalistic values. 

Values should be part of our society. We should think beyond ourselves to something greater. Our responsibility not to hurt ourselves is paramount. Its not something anyone can walk from whether or not they were given the wood, pewter, stainless steel, silver or gold spoon at birth (With the right effort they should be able to trade it up and in some cases down.). 

There are real people in this great nation of ours fighting for what is right but getting the wrong end of the stick. I think we may need to rethink some things. 

We are likely moving into an era of serious competitive national need. We can either move forward into something new and advance with our principles (i.e. the Digital Era) or we can stay stagnant and slow but surely be bested by other nations and ideologies. We will need our best and brightest to lead the charge. The whole system depends on maximizing our competitive opportunities through human capital development. The choice is ours! In many cases walk the talk is needed. Just saying. In one ear and out the other....

Can Ukraine Still Win the War? Maybe under the right circumstances.

Most analysts would at this point say no way Ukrain can win and push the Russians out! I say it is possible but it won't be today or tomorrow unless.... You can read Russia Winning War in Ukraine.  With the right supplies, sanctions, and a few unexpected Russian mishaps based on existing weaknesses (the things Russia doesn't show the public) occur, then the tide could turn (i.e. defaulting on debt, economic woes, lack of ability to muster resources and a few battlefield losses). 

We were a little slow in our response and in many ways hoped to give Ukraine the ability to fight without creating a decisive victory. Troop levels are depleted on both sides but Ukrainians have more international support. With a change in strategy, better equipment, and back up support by well trained/seasoned mercenaries Ukraine could possibly turn the Russian assault into a route. 

Russia is running thin on multiple fronts and I suspect in many ways hiding that through false strength puffery (Putin's demand to surrender). Their ability to maintain forward momentum without serious national engagement is unlikely. More likely Putin has a geographic line he wants to reach and then bulk up some defenses to annex that area. 

Not letting him get to that line and dig in would mean the possibility of putting him on the defensive without a strong defense structure in place (i.e. a defense structure would slow his troops and give chances for Ukraine to counter. This may be why he is constantly pushing the battle line.). The timing needs to be just right and the equipment would need to be in place (This is why large kill zones can be helpful in softening advances and creating tactical retreats.)

Putin is an advanced forward chess player. He zeitgeist his opponents and creates chaos through fear and superior numbers. Just like getting bogged down cost Russia so would a few mistakes and reverse momentums that exploit temporary pauses (Risk being not having enough Ukrainian troops to push back hard.). 

The questions might be 1.) Do Ukrainians have the ability to detect the holes, 2.) Do they have the right equipment to pierce those holes, 3.) Do they have the troop supplies to capitalize on Russian mishaps? If in such a situation where an attack turns into a significant full route expect tactical nukes or bio weapons (Its not definitive but a hypothesis).

While anything can happen and such large openings would be rare, the support difficult to garnish in real time, the other option might be keeping up the costs of Russian ground presence in Ukraine until Putin passes away and the next leadership group feels the costs are not worth it. No idea. What do you think? So many possibilities. Time answers all questions. 

Feds Double Great Lake Research to $53 Million

In the path to sustainability in our environment and our economy we will need to invest in research. You can read about UoM Great Lakes Research and their partnership with LSSU in the UP with the Coast Guard under the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research.

What does the cooperative do?

"Hosted by the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) at the University of Michigan, CIGLR consists of a Research Institute and a Regional Consortium that is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), universities, non-governmental organizations, and businesses. Together, we work to achieve environmental, economic, and social sustainability in the Great Lakes."

What are they going to look at?

...."climate change, extreme weather events, invasive species, harmful algal blooms and ecosystem protection".

Here is the thing. If we want to maximize our natural fish as a future protein source and fishing industry as well as further develop clean manufacturing in the Great Lakes region, we will want to research impact and solutions.

Research of this kind isn't about restricting development but about coexistence. Business should donate, partner with, and enhance such research so as to grow their manufacturing possibilities as well as enhance the Great Lakes ecosystem.

When businesses have created a level of homeostasis with their environment they will have more opportunities to enhance the natural benefits of the Great Lakes. Research and business should go hand in hand and when they contribute to something like an independent research entity they can better chart their own course. See Perpetual Sustainability Systems.
 

Agreeableness and Teamwork: How traits influence team performance

One of the nasty little tid bits to team performance that business executives, coaches, and team leads struggle with is deciphering the right types of personalities that are most likely to help in creating strong teams. If you are like most people in a position to hire others, you want to find hard charging people who seek to focus on the tasks at hand. What you don't want is them to be so self oriented that they create dysfunction and conflict. 

Teamwork is a process of recruiting the right mix of people through their skills and personality to build a strong performing team. Agreeableness seems to be one of the traits you can look for in a potential candidate.

Let me give you an example. Agreeableness was found to have significant impact on about 93% of other traits. It was a bridge between multiple traits and in many ways seemed to influence them as a general outlook. You can read about that that study in 'Agreeableness a helpful trait for general success in life, study finds'

Whether you are recruiting for a team sport or you are creating your next business team  you will want to ensure that you look for people with a level of agreeableness. 

While such traits don't guarantee success they do foster the right team characteristics. Having both star performances mixed with the right team players can make a difference in overall outcomes as they are the supporters of the group. 

Long term success is in the development of the right team with the right personalities. A single player may be able to hit the ball or create a new venture from time to time but it is the total team that can produce results over and over in a way that leads to long term success. 

The next time you do some recruiting think about the softer side of people with a level of agreeableness as an untapped source of team formation.

Michael P. Wilmot, Deniz S. Ones. Agreeableness and Its Consequences: A Quantitative Review of Meta-Analytic Findings. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2022; 108886832110730 DOI: 10.1177/10888683211073007

I recently took this picture of Escanaba Marina. I'm unsure of whether to include or not in the gallery. Sometimes I initially include something and then take it out or other times I might ignore a picture and later find it interesting.  It isn't a science as some like some things and some don't like others. 

Since I'm completely on the fence I figured I would just include it. If you haven't been to Escanaba Marina or have a boat and are coming into the area I would stop, walk around the park, and go out to eat in the nearby downtown. 

There a few restaurants within 5 blocks. There are a couple of new ones being developed within a few blocks. If your an investor you might want to check out this underdeveloped little northern destination. Plenty of downtown space and an administration that is easy to work with. 

Escanaba Marina

Escanaba Marina: Northern Get Away

Tips to Creating Adaptive Organizations Through Curiosity

Curiosity is one of those terms that is association with exploration, trying new things, openness to experience, and pondering the possibilities. Organizations often look for workers but have a more difficult time fostering curiosity. The typical organization is highly rigid and often based more in fulfilling one's immediate workload with little to no time for curiosity. 

Not putting time aside for curiosity may not be the best long term choice from an adaptive standpoint. Consider organizations that need to keep innovating and developing to compete with other companies. Curiosity and the willingness to ask questions makes a big difference in long term development. 

While it isn't always a 1X1 equation it is an additive process. Some will waste exploration time and some will put more more into the process. Small changes discovered through many curious hands can provide a cutting edge advantages to companies. One big discovery/adjustment could revolutionize both the company and an industry (Why I believe that curiosity mixed with the right innovative environment can speed growth not only in one company but also many other companies within a cluster.)

You may want to read an article in the Harvard Business Review The Business Case for Curiosity
by Francesca Gino

There are many things that can improve, tweak and adjust curiosity but here are three that I think are broad and helpful to think about.

1.) Incentivize/Normalize Cultural Curiosity: Make curiosity a regular part of creative positions. Ensure they have the the time to create new things and are rewarded when something beneficial is found. The more creativity it is part of the culture, the more it will be a natural outcome of daily work life. 

2.) Match Ideas with ROI Resources: New ideas can be vetted to help ensure that they will be beneficial for the company. Those that have the greatest merit could be further developed and scaled for maximum benefit through further exploration and proper use of ROI resources. Those that are not immediately beneficial can be tabled for when they may be more helpful. 

3.) Maximize Stakeholder Benefit: Companies work within a business environment. There will be suppliers, partners, and industry associates that can benefit from new ideas. When plausible encourage stakeholders to maximize associated benefits to create environments where companies are growing and supporting each other's development. 

Can Ukraine Resist and Reemerge from Lost Ground?

Ukraine has lost some ground as of recent because they did not have the correct tools for the fight. The essential question is Can Ukraine Resist and Reemerge from Lost Ground? They will need to hold ground and eventually regain ground and that won't happen unless they are protected from relentless shelling.

Under the right circumstances they can come back. Russia is using its large arsenal of semi-modern old equipment, large troops ranks, and superior artillery in the fight. They are overwhelming the smaller but more functional Ukrainian forces.

They can spend all day softening their targets and keep Ukrainian troop movements hunkered down and at a minimum (A strategy that would likely work against Russia with the right equipment). Supplies often have to trickle in and with shortages it is apparent Ukraine is in a tough spot.

Three interesting things are going on.....

Interesting #1 It appears that the Russian nation is defaulting for the first time since the Bolshevik Revolution. There is some dispute on the form of payment (i.e. rubles) and presence of the capital. For now it appears to be a default.  Russia Defaults on Debt

Interesting #2 NATO increased rapid reaction force from 40,000 to 300,000 in response to heightened attention. There is a general increase in defense measures as Russia and China carve up spheres of influence. NATO Increases Forces.

Interesting #3: G7 will provide more support for Ukraine in terms of NASAMS (surface to air), counter-battery radars, and artillery. G-7 Military Support

This is what I would expect. With new artillery on the way, the ability to detect Russian artillery (and hopefully strike those positions), and more ammo they will be able to at least neutralize Russia's immediate advantage. That may require a change in tactics and more troop involvement by Russia.   

Additional Russian troop involvement means more casualties and hard to gain advantages of which Ukrainian army still has the defense advantage. They will need to regain ground but that isn't the argument at this moment. Likewise, they will need to replenish their troop supplies somehow and some of that is likely to come from mercenaries (Maybe more Ukrainians or outside help.). 

The default on debt is an important one. One risk Russia could face is that they cannot finance their war. The bloodier it gets, the more it looses, the more resources grinded out, etc... the higher the toll. We will have to wait to see what actually happens. Putin is a little of a KGB fox so he likely thinks a couple of moves ahead in the global chess game. Let us wait and see.

Marina Life: Boats, Palm Trees and Blue Skys (Picture)

I do some photography and painting as a hobby and try when I can to donate to charitable causes. I like the colors as bright and tropical feeling. If you like see below and where you can purchase the picture. I have a lot so I will add when I can.

Marina Life: Boats, Palm Trees and Blue Skys

Purchase on Etsy Store

When Large Groups Blindly Support Hate: The Lack of Conscious

I can tell you stories horrendous that would make the most hardened criminal ponder their internal value systems. When people do bad things the worst thing others can do is line up to support that hate. When we engaged in intentional destructiveness we do so because of our social networks. It may also be an indication that some of the supporters harbor deeper feelings of racism and bigotry. We are defined by our choices and actions and no one can take that away from them (I doubt they have the insight to know the root of their behavior.)

This large group of hate supporters can't say me or my children have done anything to them, were rude to them, or have harmed them in any way. What they can say is that after extremely aggressive behaviors toward myself and my children and the discovery of potentially fraudulent behaviors certain boundaries were created. That group felt they were better than the targets and jumped in to try harm my family (Some see themselves as supporters of their local sports culture and the targets as less than human. It looks more like an aggressive cult/clan than a mediocre group of ex sports play friends.).

That didn't mean that the perpetrators respected those boundaries just because I set them. I believe very much that they knew they have done some inappropriate things and the first idea they could think of was spreading rumors to protect their outward image (Likely they were protecting their own internal image from conscious awareness....but that is psychobabble.). It appears they have a history of doing this to people they don't like and when the stakes are this high chances are they had no limits.

The second thing they thought of doing was using their close law enforcement friends to begin following, threatening and intimidating the targets. I cannot tell you under what distorted circumstances these things have become acceptable in our society. Likely, they made quick heuristic judgements based on their close associates and the perceived "evilness" of Muslims and Blacks and went after it with the perception they were doing something "good" (It just one possible explanation and there are likely others. I don't mean religious good or bad but moral good and bad; although they are associated).

It wasn't just bad behaviors....it moved beyond that into highly coordinated activities. They were/are so sure they won't be held to account that they laughed and smirked about it while they were doing it. Something you would see sociopaths do in movies. They were bragging to their friends who were all too willing to contribute with their own hate rhetoric (Remember I don't know most of them and my interactions have been positive prior to these hate events. How quickly people turn when its popular. Even people who know you and had positive experiences with you. Shame!)

Furthermore, I believe they were telling people that if anyone stayed in contact with "those" people they would be rejected (Perhaps even a target themselves.). Of course like the flying monkeys many in our human species have become, they complied without even thinking about what they were doing (As a side note, I find it surprising that people go to church and talk about their values but when push comes to shove they have few. Its just useless self soothing talk!)

That is where weaker people who hold their own racists and bigoted values fell into line to support the hate mob. That included not only rejection as a candidate for an adjunct position I was more than qualified for but also other opportunities as an aspect of circumventing laws. Retracting job opportunities, not providing legal support, willful misconduct, all the creepy stuff no group should do. You get the picture and if true you cannot get more coordinated in criminality then that (Since when is being unsophisticated, under developed, and a racist the "cool" thing to do? Seriously, check your values. It opens the question as to how many other people has this group gone after? Maybe my family is the only one but I doubt it. Perhaps my perceived religion and kids race help rally the hate much more than in other cases but the pre-existing behaviors and values of group coordination were already learned at a different time and place. Just saying.). 

I suspect if you are a minority you get what I'm saying and you have experienced this on a lower level one time or another. I have read about people acting so boldly and without personal checks and balances only in a few instances (Tulsa Massacre comes to mind.). If you are a bigot you likely reject what I have to say completely (Without even knowing anything). That is the great divide in our society. Our failure to truly listen to each other has created gaps in our conscious (Truth and falsehood become distorted.).

This is where investigations and objective law enforcement come into play (Those corrupted officers should have no right to be involved or even be in law enforcement. They lost their legitimacy when they wanted to "help" their friends even though the facts didn't line up.). Free passes are not free and they begin to split our nation in half (I have more rights to protect myself and family than they do to be perpetrators. At least in a healthy society!). Take a look at the hyper politics and growing extremism on both sides and you can see how quickly people judge (There are obvious legitimacies and shared experiences on the other half of society. Doesn't matter which half you live in.) 

People might ask "Why stay when there is a large group of bigots that hate you?" I think it is more than just avoiding future harm. There are deeply held American values, traditions and principles at stake. If a group of bigots and their supporters can mob attack people in a way that creates "cleansing" like situations we have seen in third world nations we have big problems. It isn't about me, its about our possible futures as a single people. 

That doesn't neglect the fact that my genetic background predates most of the people in the area and that I have lots of awesome friends as well. While someone is likely to cross those boundaries, and I believe that has a fairly high chance of happening at some point, I have no plans of leaving permanently (I have other places to go but that is my home regardless of whether the mob of bigots says so or not.). It becomes a here I am, you have failed to silence me, threaten me, intimidate, or anything else. You have done the opposite (maybe). At this moment I don't feel I should back down to bullies and bigots no matter how many people line up to hate. You will see me around and I will be polite and smile at you. You can say hi, offer an apology, or do something else. Its your choice. What is your next step?

What I can logically ask for is that 1.) the perpetrators obtain mental health help (They do deserve jail time but I'm not advocating for that. That will need to be someone else's decision. I do not want regrets in my life but if they own it and its warranted, those were their choices. They had plenty of chances to change course.); 2.), an audit of all monies past and present (to highlight some of the behavior incentives. Maybe something or maybe nothing...it makes no difference); 3.) Investigations into officers connected closely to that group (ensuring they don't have a history of these behaviors. There are some unsubstantiated complaints out there.); 4.), those local institutions such as the college that retracted their offer once they found out I was the "dirty Muslim" their friends hated need to be held to account (They shouldn't be allowed to use tax payer money for their social group or their racial/religious misperceptions. They should be hiring the most qualified candidates.) 

Do I expect that level of justice to happen? Nope! I once believed it was possible but have learned over the years that much of what we do is subjective. There is still hope that moral conscious and law will become fused together but it sometimes is highly subjective based on what we know, what we can discover, and the resources available. To be honest, I do believe our justice system tries (except in some cases on local levels where social networks take precedence) and that there are very good people who do the best they can with the tools they have. Sometimes it does well and sometimes it comes up short (i.e. always a need for improvement, innovation and development.). 

People may ask, "Are you not afraid to talk so bluntly about it knowing that the "mob"  and their supporters are out there?" I say, "I'm afraid we someday stop talking and accept the unacceptable." I live by a motto and have pulled it out more than once in my life.... "its better to die for something than live for nothing." Before you read too much into it, it just means we all have purpose in this life and there will be those who strive for a better society and there are othere consumed by what they are having for lunch....and that is all they care about. 

What's next? I'm not sure. For the most part its not up to me. I plan on being engaging, honest, open to rectification, and won't sugar coat what happened. Whether the bell of justice and liberty rings for all of us or just some of us isn't completely in my hands. It is a national decision to choose where we as a people will go and what we plan on leaving to the next generation. Right now I have concerns about that as well......we will let time flip a page to the next chapter in life and our future as a nation........