Its a Nice Day Out So Enjoy It

 “Do anything, but let it produce joy.” ― Walt Whitman

Its the little things!

The Responsibility to Challenge Hate Groups-Social and Formal Connections

Throughout the years I have found that hate and self-identity are very much mixed up together into a personal schema. Because we form our identities through our social groups they become a primary driver on how we act and treat minorities (...or each other. Its more along the lines of dealing with differences...minority, majority, or otherwise). While each group of friends may have their own beliefs these same social connections can also impact law enforcement and their perceived obligations to those social networks.

We have responsibilities to ensure that local needs are met but we sometimes have to think beyond that to the bigger national picture. Government entities have greater responsibilities to ensure that Americans as a national collective are having their needs met (There are many reasons on a macro level why we must support a free society. Hundreds of years of philosophical pontification and research tell us the types of freedoms that lead to motivation and societal growth. There are balances to individual and collective rights.). Social groups can cause havoc on institutional effectiveness (The more social groups derail institutional missions, the more misaligned the institution becomes.) 

While many of these local groups might not view themselves as racists and bigots their inability to accept small differences means they have closed themselves off from any variation in their identities (in and out group dynamics form based on these subtle group codes/beliefs.). While much of these perceived differences are small they can easily exploited for personal gain (that is the problem.)

I'm a supporter of police and have interacted with them enough in numerous capacities to understand that as an occupational approach they are intent on doing the right thing. However, when social networks become involved these right things become blurry through divided loyalties. I've seen departments do the professional thing and insulate their officers and others do the opposite and in turn decision making was skewed toward pushing for a specific outcome.) 

Law enforcement should always seek to maintain objectivity so as to solve the most amount of problems to fulfill their institutional contract to society. The wrong type of information by the "right" type of person can create big problems. Instead of looking at the facts, we are willing to run with conjecture (at least until we are confronted with more accurate information that is hard to ignore. This is why one cannot truly say they "know" something. Its all possibility based on information presented and how we construct meaning from it.)

It takes time to sort of ferret out the different factors at play (If it was that easy we would have solved it a long time ago.) Despite that there are a few general lessons we might gather from situations like these. What I can say is that we should think about how to protect against allowing social groups  1.) from being easily manipulated and 2.) social connections to law enforcement that can be exploited.

While race and racism has become a politically charged topic it nevertheless is an absolutely necessity to tackle in the modern world. We are smarter now and know that we need all human capital pulling in the same direction for national development. That will be very difficult if misdirected social groups determine the course of direction and warp the values of law enforcement, judges, policy makers, etc... (Depends on who your source of values and knowledge is? Pick a vision of what the country should look like!). As a nation we need to set our compass higher and restore/maintain trust in those institutions that can make or break our futures (These institutions have a purpose.). 

People would think I'm liberal but that's not really the case. I do believe it is time we make racism and bigotry taboo in good moral conscious so that we can all compete together on the global marketplace (...suppress racism and not differences of opinion. We always need healthy debate to solve problems. If there is a problem solving evidence based discussion going on then its a good discussion for growth.). I support our officers 100% and support the removal of officers that tarnish the institutions good reputation (Individual officers shouldn't detract from the positive activities of many good officers. Strengthen of the system sometimes means removing bad apples and making a more empowered force to report wrong doing. A culture change may be necessary for some departments. I prefer to take what is working already and enhance it as a solution so we can build off of existing officer strength. Strengths based approach for leadership enhancement and officer retention.) 

Escanaba City Town Hall August 5th, 2021

This was a pretty action packed agenda with lots of fancy words like ordinance, grant, and bidding (All normal part of government-industry interaction). It looks like there is a need for more housing so hopefully the downtown area can fulfill some of that need. What would be nice is if some of the upstairs apartments can be used to attract people who want to buy and build a business in a live-develop arrangement (See Escanaba Downtown Idea). 

Notes: I just put together a few notes as I go forward. While I try and be accurate they are not always. So its better to go back and look at the agenda. I did cut and paste a few parts from the agenda for clarity. See August 5th, 2021 Agenda.  To really understand you have to pay a lot of attention to changes and activities and often that requires a level of proximity. 

-Ordinance 1251: Removing of canopy heights and other restrictions. You will have to go to the agenda for a more specific description. Not sure if its related but it would be nice to see more canopies in Esky for sidewalk sitting. 

-5 block section to increase different types of housing arrangements. It appears they are seeking to expand the use of some commercial blocks. 

-Removing off-street parking space requirements for commercial buildings in that commercial district area. 

-Someone made the comment about development of housing above the commercial real estate. If I'm understanding correctly that is a good idea. Especially if some of these become seasonal condos, Airbnb and apartments (That will depend on the bigger vision of the town.). 

-Beatification of the city. There will be some changes of trees on Ludington to allow more flowering varieties. Tourists love to see beautiful landscape, flowers, and nice places to sit. Putting this kind of effort into the city adds up over time in showing city pride.

-Nonmotorized parkway. I wonder if this means there will be bike path and/or walk path. This may be part of the 5 year recreation plan. See recreation plan Escanaba. There might be a newer one. 

"Approval – Resolution and Signing of a Contract – Recreation. Explanation: Administration is recommending passing a Resolution for authorized signatures on the North City Limits Non-Motorized Pathway. Administration is recommending signing of the Contract between Michigan Department of Transportation and the City of Escanaba for the North City Limits Non-Motorized Pathway"

"Approval – Award of a Bid to Payne & Dolan, Inc. – Recreation. Explanation: The State of Michigan let bids out for the North City Limits Non-Motorized Pathway. Two bids were received. Administration is seeking approval for the low bid from Payne & Dolan, Inc. in the amount of $867,092.05."

-Something going on with the triangle on Ogden. I lived as a kid in the area and would like to have a house back in the neighborhood someday. Looks like something historical might go in there. 

"Approval – Award of a Bid to Payne & Dolan, Inc. – Recreation. Explanation: The State of Michigan let bids out for the North City Limits Non-Motorized Pathway. Two bids were received. Administration is seeking approval for the low bid from Payne & Dolan, Inc. in the amount of $867,092.05."

-$3 Million in lead pipes money. Something about the Governor is coming to visit. The letter below was taken from the city website. "2 million in DWI grant funds and $3 million in loan for the WTP Project"  So if there is DWSRF Drinking Water State Revolving Fund with relates to drinking water and WTP Project 

-New ships coming into the area. Navy having issues with gear box so we are updating them. Its great to have such work being done in Escanaba. 

Climate change IPCC report "Code Red"

Climate change is a major thing and as we continue forward with a larger world population we will come to find that cutting emissions and creating biodegrable products all help. We just aren't accustomed to thinking out our natural systems as a "system" and we have extracted too much without putting back in. We should be creating technologies that create efficiencies in our production processes but also the repurposing/recycling of older items. Likewise, ensuring that money is going back into cleaning and improving systems (i.e. Great Lakes) is important. See IPCC Reports

4 Hikers Helped on Hog Back Mountain-New Needs for Public Service Training?

 Usually I talk about economic stuff but this time its a little more about saving hikers. While this isn't a difficult trail, if you are not from the area, and its raining one certainly can get lost. In this case the Marquette Search and Rescue Team found the missing hikers. The situation does highlight a need to consider additional training as tourism in the Upper Peninsula rises. 

As tourism rises there will likely be additional training needed. I write more about Delta County which is my home town. More hikers, bikers, etc... will ultimately mean more injuries in rural places. As eco-tourism rises so does the need to train officers, EMS, and volunteers how to handle injuries where little support is available. 

Its something to think about because if towns can capitalize on ecotourism it also creates possible new needs. 

Senate Moves Forward On Infrastructure Bill: Inching Forward

The Senate moves forward on infrastructure bill. Much of what is in the bill appears to be focused on basic upgrades that are likely to have net positives for our country; even if we don't yet have the metrics to measure them. There are areas where healthy debate should occur to further define funding and specifics but the overall need to update the infrastructure in some way is still a necessary part of staying globally competitive. Barring any real alternative solutions to do that, it would make sense to work on this bill and see how far it can go. 

Of course there are other ways to finance items but they become outside our governance norm. For example, I think about a calibrated tax plan where companies that do business here but don't have a HQ have one tax rate and those who have a U.S. based HQ receive another rate (Hopefully, leading to companies that move here instead of just doing business.). The system would repurpose some of that tax base (%) back into improving and updating the infrastructure in a sustainable way (Hopefully, leading to improvement of our environment from generation to generation.). As people use more of the infrastructure the money moves into building out and improving functionality (Its just a basic idea I'm working on for economics in the Digital Age. Could be something helpful someday or might be sort of a dead end but either way its a challenge to come up with something.). The "profits" and/or excess capital produced from the economic activity associated with infrastructure is the generated value beyond its maintenance and that becomes excess capital for government (....business also earns their own profit. Companies go where there is things like strong infrastructure, skilled labor, reasonable tax rate, innovation, access to resources, etc...) to spend on other programs. 

Two Chicago Officers Shot-Its not the Answer!

Two officers shot in Chicago. Its not the answer. We as a society seem to relish in violence and that is almost never the proper path forward. Picking up a gun is not the answers and leads to other compounding problems. While this may or may not be related to general anger the methodology used is completely out of place and inappropriate. The vast majority of police are doing the right thing and while there are a few bad apples that doesn't mean it applies to everyone.

An investigation will likely reveal more information about the perpetrators and their motives. I have a few ideas on the topic of why we should be concerned about such behaviors and how to minimize them.

Life is a precious thing and its not up to people to be the judge and jury. When people are angry and upset they should take a moment and think about what they are doing before they act. These attacks on police seem to be increasing and that is disturbing. Keeping institutional trust high can be helpful here..

Shooting at the police doesn't do any good to anyone. While justice reform might be a contentious issue using violence to solve problems worsens the situation for everyone; that should not be the goal. With our tough talking politicians and foot dragging legal system we have to do more to ensure people and police see the future of our society the same way and are willing to step toward that vision. 

I think at the end of the day most of us want a great and safe environment to raise our kids and live our lives. Police are part of the answer...and as long as we all want what is good then we will naturally avoid what is bad. Picking up a gun is not the answer to any problem; it heightens problems.  There must be some path forward between the different stakeholders that want to move society forward. 

I hope speedy recovery for these two officers and that we begin to heal as a nation to find a way through the fog.