Governor Whitmer Opens Gyms, Pools and Organized Sports

Gyms, Pools and organized sports can now reopen. That will likely make some people happy who feel they were missing out this year. I also know a lot of people that have been waiting to go back to the gym. So far I'm unaware if gyms have been a primary source of disease spreading. So with that being said, they are now able to open as long as they follow strict rules. 

The order says, "Gyms must require wearing of masks at all times, including times of exercise, configure workout stations or implement protocols to enable six feet of distance between individuals during exercise sessions, reduce class sizes to enable at least six feet of separation between individuals, provide equipment-cleaning products throughout the gym, and more (EO. 2020-176 , 2020).

Some of the language, as it relates to organized sports, provides for a "recommendation". That means they are not saying no but indicating it is not a preferred approach to have organized sports. There are also some limitations on how may people are to attend these sporting events (i.e. 2 per athlete). 

"The document recommends against contact sports at this time, defined to mean those sports involving more than occasional and fleeting contact, including football, basketball, and soccer."

This year will likely be more subdued in terms of sports, maybe not when Covid first hit, but not everything will be open as "normal".  I haven't been to the gym as much as I like because its spotty open doors during COVID. It opens and closes and when people are in a routine they keep on going every day. When the routine gets messed up you have to find other ways to deal with it. So I been working on home workouts. I understand the need for precaution.

Gov. Whitmer reopens Michigan gyms and pools, allows organized sports to resume. (Steptember 3rd, 2020). Click on Detroit. {You Tube} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmwJpMilAW0

Republicans Switch Candidate for Wayne State University Board Candidates-What do they do?

The Republican Party of Michigan removed one of its candidates to Wayne State University Board of Governors and sought to make a decision quickly on the next candidate. Diana Dunaskiss was disqualified because of an unpaid 1K campaign finance penalty in 2018 (Mauger, September 3rd, 2020). She will be replaced in an emergency meeting with Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. 

I don't tell my students they can use Wikipedia at the graduate level but honestly....they have some good stuff on their site. I quickly looked around and this seemed to have a fairly comprehensive profile. You can learn more about her HERE

The current Wayne State Board you can find HERE. I guess these would be some of the most influential positions in higher education in the state. Likely, why there is so much interest by multiple candidates to get a spot here. 

There are 8 members of the board and they are elected from the members of the state. Their terms are 8 years without pay except expenses. Vacancies that occur over the 8 years have the empty slot filled by the Governor. Its an important position because the board selects the President of the University, controls finance, compensation, etc... They manage the high level policy setting for the university. 

Those aren't the only reasons why they are important. The decisions board members make are not in isolation and impact other policies within the state and within other universities. Thus, they are important members who oversee policies and influence the affairs of higher education.

Mauger, C. (September 3rd, 2020). Michigan GOP nominee for Wayne State board disqualified over unpaid fee. The Detroit News. Retrieved September 3rd, 2020 https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2020/09/03/michigan-republicans-replace-wayne-state-board-nominee-over-unpaid-fee/5705817002/

Technology Stocks are Good? Tech Investments a Sign of Adaptation

 Tech stocks are considered a good investment right now. I have viewed these stocks more risky in the past. While the economy is functioning a little slower than in the past certain stocks are doing well. Lately I have been getting into the stock market for my research (How to attract investments to new clusters?" and for my personal reasons. I have this belief that  3Q and 4Q are going to be upward trajectory and that early next year we will have a slightly stronger economy than we have today as more companies adapt to higher knowledge based virtual work. Investments in technologies would to improve business functioning at an increased virtual labor market. That in turn would result in a bigger bump in the market 2-3 years from now (depending on development and adaptation time). That would mean there would be more money being invested into technologies now. This trend sort of fits that idea. I would like to see how long tech stocks attract market interests. If I had investment money I would think along the lines of investments in new technologies that impact entire organization functioning such as data storage, data protection, virtual platforms, etc...

Governor Whitmer 09-03-20 COVID Update and Huntington Bank $5 Billion Minority Investment

Good new for Michigan small businesses as a Huntington Bank launches $5 billion in small business investments focused on female, veteran and minority owned businesses. You will want to read "Huntington Bank launches $5 billion lending initiative in Michigan" to gain more information on the details. Overall it seems like a pretty good philanthropic thing to do. Investments do lead to rejuvenated neighborhoods and increased profits by tapping people's natural desires to strive.

Who says money can't make a big difference? The desire to investor or not invest in neighborhoods and communities can make a big difference. I see a lot of communities that are ripe for investment but never put together the right strategy for connecting to broader markets. Offering community based lending is one way in which Huntington Bank can help a community. 

As a side note, I would personally like them to advocate a little for product creation that sells to the global market and enhances local manufacturing infrastructure. 

Financing small business through low interest loans focused on building clusters of small businesses that have the most chance to succeed can be an amazing boost for the state. Small business is what brings back our neighborhoods but also increases short and long term development of business within the state.

Small business often struggles with access to capital (i.e. loans) that can work with them and the nature of a new business start-up. That represents increased risk with possible higher rewards for investing in this sector. Making a commitment to developing small business means accepting increased risk for a social improvement program.

Money does make things happen and can be a useful tool for our communities. I would still like to see small business loans to improve Escanaba's small downtown district which has great potential for tourism and tourist related micro manufacturing. Matching that with a shipping/distribution center that services regional industries and you have enhanced an export oriented tourist cluster.

You will want to read their September 1st, 2020 Press Release of Huntington Announces $20 Billion "Community Plan to Help BoostEconomic Opportunity Throughout its Seven-state Footprint" 

John James Discusses His Independence of Thought

 In any organization that I have been in there is a healthy balance between following the standard line of thinking and developing your own niche to differentiate modes of thinking. I suspect in the political world we have to find our own voice that stays to a number of stakeholders that includes self, society, and political affiliations. Variability mixed with central core ideas isn't a bad idea if we want to be highly effective as a society overcoming challenges.

I read the article, "John James fires back at Senate opponent: I stood up against terrorists, Dem 'lies are going to bounce off" by Celeb Parke. 

This isn't advocating for or against a particular candidate. I think people will vote for who they believe represent them and their needs the most. I can only say that I believe that people contribute to the national dialogue through their own words and experiences. Sharing those experiences leads to greater knowledge of the candidates and what they believe. 

There are certain things that will be said in unison and some things that will be said from a personal perspective. When what one says resonates with others it will attract followers. People judge the message by the person saying it and look for a lot of different cues to determine the genuineness of a message. Go with with what you feel about the message and the person saying it. 

I can say I don't have much of a reason to distrust the message even though I don't necessarily hang on the news everyday. Most of what he says make sense from the vantage point in which he is saying it. Thus, I can say that I believe that the message he offers is a genuine one but that the votes are likely to be split down party lines. 

There are some undecided independents and free thinkers that can be swayed by the right person and their message. In this case, what is being said, who is saying it and the ultimate meaning of the message will create an impression in the readers head. Such impressions can lead to increased positive reflectivity toward the speaker or it will lead to a negative impression that will impact recall at the ballot box. 

The message should be unique enough to attract the public interest but similar enough to maintain alliance to a particular ideology. Much of the message will depend on the overall impression of the candidate during the time when they are talking. That means that voice, facial expression and the background/environment will have an impact on the total message and its perceptions to others in the middle of the voting spectrum. Those who come in with pre-determine beliefs about the candidates will interpret messages through a particular party lens. 

Both of the candidates Peters and James have a long track record of serving their countries and I believe when push comes to shove both would be there to do what they feel is the right thing. That doesn't mean I would agree with everyone about everything but that we have the ability to think critically for ourselves about what we support and what values we have. Personally, I would love to see a political environment where both parties focus on the essential issues and not on each other. It makes for great entertainment but ultimately detracts from the business of running the country. 

Parke, C. (September 1, 2020). John James fires back at Senate opponent: I stood up against terrorists, Dem 'lies are going to bounce off. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/john-james-fires-back-at-senate-opponent

In Search of New Diving Spots

 In search of new diving spots I went over to the other side of the Island by Kellog's Beach and didn't find a single spot to dive. Most of the area was beach which would be nice and comfortable for shore diving but I'm not sure there was anything of interest to dive for. Sometimes you find some interesting things under the water and other times its just sand. Its nice to find places with known markets and items of interest. 

Two Economies: Stocks for the Wealthy and 'Wishfulness' for the Working Class

 During Covid we saw a bigger split in our economic societies between the wealthy and the not so wealthy. We have the working class, blue color, and service industry workers that often don't have the same opportunities as the highly educated, socially connected, and financially influential. The article Most Americans Don’t Have A Real Stake In The Stock Market does a really good job of highlighting that disparity.  The article goes on to describe some fairly significant investment disparities in society. 

We have those who have been exposed to investments at a young age and understand the financial language that goes along with stock investments. That creates long term advantages and gaining wealth through stocks is a long term game for most people. If we did a better job of encouraging more investment knowledge we might be able to help people struggling. I've been there before...and I know what its like to have to add up money to make a small investment.

I have to admit I been neglecting my investment duties and realize that while I maintain general investments in places like my 401K I don't really have as much stocks as I would like. I dabbled a bit here and there but never too much interest in it. As I got older I seem to be taking more interest in how they work and thinking about how to create some wealth for the next generation. It is also helpful for me to understand how investments can rebuild economies for my academic theories. 

One of the things we don't teach in school was how to be investment savvy and financially smart. We can teach about math and high end finance but a lot of people leave college without a basic understanding of finance within their own lives. Those classes may not be money makers that employers want but we certainly could consider infusing basic concepts in classes to ensure we are developing functional adults. 

Going back to the article....I'm not sure there is an easy fix for something like this. Much of it depends on how the offerings are structured for different demographics and how we expose people to investments and putting away for the future. Generational wealth has been built around table talk on how to maintain and increase wealth. I can't find a reason why we cant expose people more to useful tools in college through infusing concepts within courses where they apply and make sense. 

Ghilarducci, T. (August 31st, 2020). Most Americans Don’t Have A Real Stake In The Stock Market Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/teresaghilarducci/2020/08/31/most-americans-dont-have-a-real-stake-in-the-stock-market/#53ec7e0f1154