Obligations Beyond Money: Processes Have Impact on Communities

 Sometimes we get into a situation where money is important and we don't see the greater responsibilities to society. While I agree that profit is often the main concern, we have options to change processes, so as to develop more sustainable practices. 

Let us look at the following situation...... 

Trash is flowing onto the ground and the street. This wasn't a 1X rush of customers but likely a many hour delay of not picking up the trash. 

One could argue they don't have the staff but one could also say that is unlikely to be the cause. It would be fairly simple to just have everyone at the end of their shift empty the cans and clean the grounds. 

Of course profits often come above the community. In this case trash was blowing across the road and into people's yards and businesses. I don't think they should be on the receiving end of others poor management and if your going to have a business then manage it well. 

This is unlikely a staffing issue and more of a process issue as well as a management issue. A strong manger would have picked it up right away and not let it look like its trashed.  They would have trained their employees and enforced its values (beyond money).

From what I see on their reviews it also looks like poor management and other problems have upset customers for some time. 

I'm not a big regulation/ordinance/code guy but if a business can't manage its affairs it should be fined. There is more than profits at stake.  A few fines might get the point across. 

I removed identifying labels because its not about embarrassing but it is about awareness. Its actually worse than the pics. Trash littered everywhere.  

Stepping Up to Bullying in Our Schools: LEAD program

Bullying is a big issue in today's society. I guess it was in the past but we didn't understand the long term implications. There are bullies (who are actually also victims in many ways of prior poor socialization) and there are victims (The ones that disturb their sense of superiority). We have responsibilities to hold bullies accountable to higher standards and ensure that we don't gloss over their behaviors. Sometimes that is forcing them to deal with issues and other times it might be protective boundaries.

I was walking out of a CVS and a few ladies hit me up for a donation. I said that I would post this for them and perhaps make a few comments. Consider donating so as to create resources in our communities. Early intervention for both the bullies and the victims is important.

Let me say that bullies don't always grow up. I have met a few bullies that did grow up from childhood but those networks (i.e. "super cool") are likely to be bullies much of their lives. They lack accountability and in embed themselves in distorted networks that coordinate their projection of inadequacies onto others through group aggressions and ostracization (In a case I'm familiar with, these groups cling to their mediocre sports identities and networks decades after they have become irrelevant. Most were average players and never played college sports or were professional. Its a distortion of identity desperately clinging to something to make them feel special/"entitled".) 

Bullies lack the ability to step back from themselves and turn on the light so as to see themselves more clearly. Feeling (and in some cases being) inadequate is difficult for people to handle because we are dealing with the inability to create enough insight (dispersed neural networks) to have self-reflection and find steps to their own improvement (We can use a sort of mental control group of the opposite where higher skill sets and intelligence are found. Research Empathy and Gifted).

Without intervening when they are young bullies will carry those distorted values and aggressions into later life (Its sad and I wish in many ways they would seek the help they need. Few can have heightened levels of aggression without other problems). Some of these now adults encourage/socialize their own children to be bullies and in turn as adults don't have boundaries of bullying other's kids (I have seen adults involve and damage kids for financial and personal/social gain. Some have complained that these now bully adults have become coaches that only play the kids they like, get upset at those kids still learning and are condescending to those who make mistakes. I can't say if that is true but I have heard it is so from I believe 2-3 different people who had kids in sports programs. For some it is a pattern of thinking and this is why the culture of sporting should focus on health, learning, positive socialization, and development. You can win a kid's game or you can help kids win for a lifetime.  I believe most of the coaches are doing the right thing and a positive contribution to children but bad coaches are bad coaches.). While these behaviors may be immoral (...and in some places illegal. Depending on the integrity, insight, and ability of the system.) they are often not followed up on leaving the most ignorant of society a free hand to repeat prior poor behaviors to different people throughout their lives (not in all cases. Some do gain insight.). 

While I'm not involved with this organization (They seem legit to me!) I can say I agree with what they are doing and want to share......

Who is Annette? Customer Service at the Finest by a Full Time Waitress

 I was in the airport comped by airline with a Las Vegas hotel, new flight, and meal vouchers  for a cancellation mid trip. I already changed my day because they had informed me a few days prior they adjusted my flight and turned an 1.5 hour layover into an 8 hour. I asked that they just switch the day and they did. Except once I got to Las Vegas they cancelled the flight stranding masses of people in Las Vegas. I was annoyed and nice (Its not the employees fault) but some customers were livid so they asked the local sheriff to come down and sort of stand there and make a presence for the long line of customers (I feel bad for that sheriff because he seemed a little uncomfortable being there. That is why I respect them. They have a tough job and sometimes have to do things they may not agree with.). I didn't see any real commotion but yes people were upset. (They really messed upon this one up and a crowd of upset customers were clamoring for answers. Someone said they overbooked but that is unlikely to be this particular issue. Issue #1. If I buy a seat I should own that seat and it shouldn't be resold if that is happening. Even if its vacant I would think I still paid for it....its my prerogative not to show up. Maybe I'm supporting the govt. bail out. 🤷 Issue #2. There is no slack in the system and not a stand by plane per region that can pick up when something goes down. As long as they can get there within a few hours you don't need to strand everyone for days. Yet...I must admit I don't know how the system works. #3 While the employees did their best there are additional expenses that come with such cancellations and they often get dumped on customers as the company seeks to maximize its profits and minimize costs. Maybe some compensation per day might be helpful and discouraged further human mistakes. #4 Reimbursement should be quick and within a few days once receipts are submitted. The company website said once I submitted the receipt for the 2X pet and 2X baggage stated 30 days to get back to me. Yikes! Archaic! #5 Trying to call in to get the second comp was sadly a few hour affair with an Indian call center with employees that didn't have the power to help and had to escalate everything. While I called the night prior at 1 am to set up the second comp and was promised it would come to my email it was not there. The next day their lines were locked down. I think they might want to give those comps right away when they know you are there for a few days. I had only an hour before being forced to check out and was struggling to reach someone. #6 Perhaps a designated line with empowered employees to handle such chaos would be helpful.  Employees tried  their best with existing cheapskate policies but the industry is what it is! ). 

Sorry I digressed. I hate cancellations! I like Las Vegas! Overall I enjoyed most of my time and that only had to do with the hotel and location. Not the flight. All is good. 

Anyway....

Two days later I came to the airport to eat early and be prepared in case there are other issues as me and others were switched to another airline. I had a meal comp and the waitress gave some good advice. You can only use it once so she suggested things I can take with me (Not sure the airline would appreciate it but oh well no one appreciates being stranded by someone else's mistakes.). An extra coffee, banana, apple...etc.... 

Either way. I can't put a tip on the comp (I think they should allow that. Its part of the meal expense!). Not having cash I offered to buy something small so I could give her a tip. She said "no no please don't do that". I insisted and she adamantly didn't want to trouble me. So I promised to write a great review of her on her company's Google page. I did that!!!

Annette is ready to retire. She has worked something like 30 years in the food business. She wouldn't mind working part-time but isn't interested in full time work anymore. Who can blame her! Dealing with people is tough business (I bet some of the airline employees feel the same.)

She seems like the ideal employee. Kind, considerate, forward thinking, and consistent. I suggested to the company they make her, when she retires, a part-time trainer. She can teach others the essence of customer service and how to treat people well and with dignity. The difference between a professional and a newbie. She has a lot of knowledge to give back.

Positive customer service such as those who work the front lines are what makes or breaks a company. Without strong customer service behaviors of frontline employees, businesses run risks in customer perception that leads to lower future sales. In this case, she not only reflected well on herself but also the company. So I will likely go back and frequent the restaurant again.

As investors and executives make money ensure that you are not forgetting "The little Guy/Gal!" Without them....you don't have much!

What Will it Take to Make Michigan a Top 10 State? | Detroit Economic Club

 Interesting stuff. You may want to watch. Not a lot of time to write about it but its a great organization with lots of awesome information. 

Northern Hook Catches More Stinky Fish in Detroit Corruption Probem

First I would like to say I like Robert Snell's work. He is going after corruption in addition to many law enforcement members and concerned citizens and others (Freedom of Speech). It took a lot of people to stand up to a huge network of corruption that has persisted for a long time. We have become so accustomed to bad behaviors and "how things are done" that it becomes a way of life for many. In this case, it began to impact the entire city and surrounding area (i.e. one of the reasons it went bankrupt.) Some of this was likely mob run and others of it collaborating self oriented pockets of groups. Each had wealth and prestige on their mind. 

I wonder what is the super high attraction to money? Sure....more money is great. However, what are going to do with all that money if you aren't going to try and do good things with it? Sure....have fun if your rich....but what are you going to do with it all? What is your personal legacy? Is security enough and/or do they want more?

We often support the wrong type of people, focus on short term gains, and sell out people for this paper (I guess now electronic paper.). I'm happy the place is getting cleaned up and I'm happy that Detroit is finding in many ways its own footing. Greater engagement with the people of the area and reducing the culture of corruption and fear of silence is helpful. It takes honesty and transparency by officials to overcome challenges of this magnitude.

I really wonder how many small justifications lead to many large scale justifications. This is social learning where small bad behaviors become acceptable because of lack of accountability and that leads to many other people engaged in such behaviors (I have seen this happen on many different levels. Some argue its because its "Detroit" and I argue its because we have come to accept these behaviors as "normal". I have seen people do terrible group things that are the exact opposite of Detroit. Its a human and a societal problem. It persists because we aren't willing to step up. Those who see themselves as entitled shouldn't be given a free pass in their behaviors. It causes bigger problems.)

I support those who try and do the right thing and especially those who run against the grain of indifference because they are the ones walking the talk. You can't make people see things because they haven't built the cognitive connections that allow them to see what they are not aware of. If we can't stand up for some very basic values we slowly erode the fabric of what holds us together. One of the reasons why we have divisions in society because some don't believe in shared futures.

Side note: This situation highlights why we shouldn't give a free pass or look in the other direction when people are "connected", have the right name, race, party, religion, or group. Its inherently lopsided and a defunct ideology. It leads to cultures of corruption in our cities and in our hometowns. We either believe in certain universal values or we don't. We can't fake it or otherwise we see situations like this where decades of bad behaviors persist in front of our face and no one says anything or sees anything. I would suspect there are 100s of people who had knowledge of these behaviors who didn't say anything and in turn were not followed up on. Some did and they were people with backbone and they believe in something bigger. In the situation I'm familiar people did bad things, smirked about those bad things and used their social connections in an effort to cleanse their community. Much of that community has come to recognize those behaviors as inappropriate and sadistic in nature. However, without a level of accountability we will see this situation rise again. Call out bad behaviors and you will find yourself increasingly exposed to other harms.  We shouldn't be so fooled just because people don't first admit they did wrong. And we shouldn't assume that people with Muslim, Jewish, Euro, Hispanic, Asian, etc... names are always wrong (Meaning depending on the society the "other" can be defined in different ways; not race or religion specific.). Meaning anchoring our sense of justice and fair treatment to superficial differences  and not value of character. Lack of accountability means our value system as a people and as a nation has declined and we are derailed in our national legacy. Wisdom and accountability means that we understand that some values apply to everyone. The proof is always in the pudding. We should begin to ask what does justice take and when is it appropriate to act on certain values? As of yet.....the moral jury is still out and in many ways the behaviors continue (as of a few months ago and in more heighted fashion. ). What does it take as a society to learn we must stand behind our core/universal principles and not behind corruption, social networks, or race/religion based distortions. Time will always tell....but it drags on.....values are a tough sell sometimes. Would of, could have, should have usual comes into play after the damage us done. 

As of yet I just can't say what it is in us (that spark) that thinks certain behaviors are ok as long as you belong to the right group. I have no real explanation other than its deeply rooted in some people's beliefs and its nearly impossible to change without changing the environment because their social networks become self confirming. Our institutions are unsure of what to do so we should expect them to stick close to truth and moral conscious; of course some in those institutions won’t. Like in this situation where most officers are great people we find some engaged in corruption; the shadow market of society (Some can see that underbelly better than others). Its important to make sure our values apply in these situations and without doing that......our future could look much like Detroit's past (hopefully the area is now moving in a better direction....and in many ways it made a comeback.). Maybe we can do the same? 🤷 Time will tell...but its been enough time already for certain values and deeper insight to kick in. Let’s reach for something higher….the question is who else is going to reach? Echo echo I'm thankful there is at least a small minority of people who believe in something greater than themselves. To be honest I’m not so sure all the time which way our society and future will land. Too many people putting their fingers into a lukewarm pot to determine what values they should have for that day and time.

Escanaba City Jail Project Temporarily Halted for Legal Opinion, Financial Deficit and Opportunity to Draw New Business and Investment

This is one of the more interesting City Hall meetings and I think its an important one. Open discussions on revenue, legal representation, and potential issues with developers/jail project came forward. You will need to watch yourself and read the agenda to better understand the interesting activities of city governance. More to come....

We don't have an official opinion on the jail project yet. I'm still looking into this a little to see if I can understand what happened in the past (i.e. alleged missing money). I'm very curious about some of the issues that were raised by members of the community. Where money is involved so is temptation so understanding some root behaviors is helpful. There are some cross pollination (loose association) between some/a couple of the people in one situation and another important unresolved issue (May mean nothing, may mean something, but at this point I have no idea. I'm not in a rush but it seems important to sort of look at it based on everything that has happened.)

Allowing side by sides on the streets? I would hope that if we allow side by sides we would also think about the use of golf carts. There are some risks in terms of accidents but having more bike-golf cart lanes downtown and connecting up to other areas of town might be helpful. The goal should be to make the downtown accessible and funnel people and visitors in that direction.

The resigned attorney also seems to be interesting situation. Its like this big blank spot in the overall discussion and seemed to create a lot of chaos. I wonder what isn't being said? 🤔Anyway.....legal opinions do help in the corporate world and I encourage them when dealing with important issues. Looking in hindsight and not necessarily forward to new activities.

The City is also running a deficit and there is discussion on bringing in new revenue from business into the area. Escanaba is a great location and could be a real northern hot spot with parks, marina, and affordable downtown for start ups and surrounding land for SME. Vacation rentals in the area that help concentrate people downtown in addition to rural areas can be helpful. Here are a few ideas....SME Delta County, Esky-Glad Downtown, Transac Sub, Venture Cap, Recreation, Invest Fund, Capitalism, Start Up, Delta Infrastructure, HR, Venture See DC,  Cluster Life Cycle, Multi Cluster, Availability of Financial Information. 

On a national level we need new ways of creating economic growth. We have many small towns that run slim budgets because they have difficult attracting new industries (One of the side effects of companies that over invested overseas as the expense of the American people.). We also need certain industries to grow and develop quickly to maintain international competitiveness. Transactional Clusters isn't a bad idea it just an idea that hasn't been fully explored (One of the problems with over rewarding one type of research is that it limits new ideas/research that can make its way from laboratory/study to industry and government. Its unfinished but you can get the bigger picture I think.)

You can also gain some information on Thursday, April 21, 2022 Agenda or the YouTube Video 'City Council Regular Meeting Thursday April 21, 2022' or the article  Escanaba City Council postpones jail redevelopment decision. 

Resolutions to Hate: 05/01/22 Pressure on Institutions to Change

"Truth is one; sages call it by various names."
Rig Veda

The goal of understanding any important phenomenon is through not making quick judgements that lead to false conclusions (Kind of why this situation happened.). We must step back and try and remove ourselves from the problem. That can be a little difficult when you are the target but it is certainly possible if you seek to create as many win-win situations for yourself, the perpetrators, and society at large. In this case while multiple stakeholders have different interests, at the end of the day truth and moral conscious should not be ruled out from our decision making if we want to find a path through the mess. There will be greater pressure on institutions to realign themselves to more inclusive universal (verses relative) principles. (When we take a moment to think about the fundamental issues such as freedom, race, and religion that come to define important beliefs, good people will focus on pro social outcomes that last and not so great people will focus finding advantages.)

When important values are not central to decision making, the system runs risks of misalignment with the rest of society. We should be prepared to accept rapid change in our socio-cultural-economic realms and how these changes will put pressure on institutions to adjust as America become a more global society (It would be hard to be an advanced Digital Era nation without being central to supply-information chains and all of the cultural transitions that will likely occur. Likewise, technology will change our prior manners of living and interacting which adjust our assumptions of life, governance and people.), with lots of different peoples, and that we must learn to live by underlining values (universal principles) that apply to everyone. 

Most people and institutions are willing to slowly shift and those that don't often also don't know the right path forward. That is why peaceful protests to encourage change is an important feedback loop that provides opportunities to listen, learn and adjust to an emerging world (We may agree or disagree with the cause and reasons for protest but they are a feedback data point.). It doesn't need to be the only feedback loop to consider and when review our environment and are proactive with problems we can stay ahead of change by practical micro adjustments that align to our long term national goals in a controllable manner (i.e. law makers should talk about proactive problems before major problems occur. With proactivity they may not occur at all or they may be small ripples instead of overwhelming title waves.). 

There are also practical reasons to think about maintaining the effectiveness of policing (Effectiveness as defined by its purpose. Every department should be working toward fulfilling that purpose. Accountability is about ensuring such purpose as the forefront of everyone's mind.). Criminals do bad things (i.e. hate rewarded by financial incentives.) and we don't want any short-sighted changes to make it any easier for them (When change is necessary it should be well thought out.). Keeping what makes sense in policing and changing what doesn't work. When we support new research into policing (including non lethal weapons/tactics) and take a critical review of policing tactics we can often new ways of doing things that may be more effective (Saving officers, catching bad guys/gals, protecting bystanders and avoiding irreversible mistakes.).

Domestic extremism views that linger like diseases in our communities are difficult for law enforcement to contend with (Assuming there aren't officers part of those social networks and/or easily manipulated. That goes back to a point to be discussed later called objectivity. It also is about a complete review to ensure hate doesn't reward perpetrators.) Something like hate and extremism isn't something new as it has been going on a long time, but it is something that now is a significant risk factor for the nation and for local people.

However, in lower level extremism behaviors we should recognize the difference between mental health with inward projected trajectory and outward projected aggression. Mental health counseling and coding will in one form or another be part of any solution that hopes understand the roots. (Why I suggest Michigan Track and Solve as one potential solution. Someone may agree with the details but the idea of using mental health evaluation and services for those behaviors that are highly destructive but fall short of certain legal thresholds for bigger violations. One could also consider it as a carrot to encourage people to get help before they hurt someone. Not having this system in place puts people at risk when they become targets for extremist leaning groups.)

From this article we may have a few key points. 

1.) Institutions must adjust when societal shifts and changes occur. Being proactive limits long-term risks (i.e. foot dragging when we know change should occur).

2.) Societal feedback loops (protests and other metrics) should be used for improvement to create a learning organization. 

3.) Policing should maintain its effectiveness so as to ensure it continues to protect and serve its population. 

4.) Respecting police and respecting freedom of speech and peaceful assembly is how the system was designed to ensure it adapt with changing times.

5.) Mental health (sometimes comingled with other incentives i.e. financial gain and/or missing money.) is as the root of many hate based crimes and when there are opportunities for reform a track and solve system may help.

6.) Providing opportunities to learn and creating a feedback loop can sometimes help in fostering critical thinking and lighting up alternative perspectives for conflict resolution by bridging cognitive gaps in new ways (Forcefully inserting a more logical alternative perspective.🤷🤔😏)

This isn't in particular depth but its just a small bit into potential understanding and solutions of extremism type behaviors and how to handle them in society. There will be more. It also helps to understand that hate isn't just related to the perpetrators and the targets but also the rest of society. We are moving into an era where there are no minorities and thus many systems will feel pressure to change and be more receptive (Its not a moral argument, although it could be, its a practical one based on changing "customer"/American demographics.)

Next related article...incentives of hate. Where we as a society (Its a value system as much as law so it is a "society" issue) could do better at protecting targets and removing some of the incentives of hate. I also feel that many of these members knew and felt protected by the law and while they (the mob) are no longer targeting (some police still appear to be targeting) they have for the most part walked creating special risks for me and my family. We aren't talking about the spark of ignorance but into the community where dishonesty and lying are acceptable and social networks have ostracized people who have done nothing to them. If I had said that one of the people who tried to get others to help her set up "The Muslim" also was bragging about money at the very same time and had called the police on another person she didn't agree with. These things are not isolated incidents but part of personalities and part of a history of poor behaviors. While I wish that those who were intentionally destructive received help I do recognize the law isn't going to be able to deal with these incentives and underhanded tactics well. What is my obligation? To be as truthful as possible, try and be objective, be engaging (doesn't mean not being truthful), better help encourage investigation into corrupted practices/individuals to help the community (Remember from prior postings there are multiple complaints from other people in the community),  create restorative win-win solutions, and ensure I'm not "ethnic"/religiously "cleansed" out before its natural conclusion (They had all the justifications they needed. I stood up to say "no" to people and officers within their networks who may not have heard the words before. I guess it opens important questions. What does it mean to have value in our society and be "American"? Is patriotism blindly following ignorance of others or challenging ignorance for a better nation? Is there accountability for misuse of power? See how the logic starts to switch. Can Muslims be patriotic? Catholics? Blacks, Minorities?, etc... or is it dependent on race and religious anchoring? Are patriotic values surface or do they have deeper universal meanings?) . This is no reflection on the wonderful people I have grown up with in the community but those who intentionally broke every rule in the moral book and seem to feel unremorseful and in turn unable to undo the damage they have caused. I plan on engaging, serving, being open in the public as much as I can. There have been some ripples as people naturally react. A lost job opportunity, ostracization, and other behaviors designed to build boundaries and/or damage community engagement but there are greater things at stake here than blindly supporting social networks. Law and Morality. Some of these extremists have called me "The Bitch" as a sign of their "manliness" and my kids "nigga babies" as indication of their racial superiority. (That also opens up some more question about "manhood" in today's society as being more about show than action and the value of people being as defined by color versus quality. ) I think the best thing I can do is ensure that my kids and grandkids have the right to walk freely on any street in this country; especially here. I can also show some of those who have felt similar that there are peaceful resolutions (keep in mind there was a propensity of violence among some of the people. I believe they felt it was easy because they were in a group and they were protected from responsibility. It is possible to respond to high levels of aggression with more peaceful, accurate but forceful method. That does or doesn't mean I can or can't protect myself. I just feel that you should avoid such situations as much as possible. Another good lesson for those learning martial arts is that the best way to protect yourself is to step away a minute if possible. I think I did a good job of stepping away and still holding my ground on certain beliefs considering they were targeting, intentionally trying to provoke a response to create a reaction for further 'justification" of corrupted behaviors. The connection between law enforcement and this group may be too close for objectivity.) to looming societal issues (Going back to that concept of "bitch" and "manhood".) Its about changing minds and having a level of backbone to step up for honored American values. Time answers all questions I guess........but our future will be defined by such issues (I'm a conservative in orientation and will stand up for what I believe are conservative values shared by many conservative and liberal friends. )