Joey

One Piece of the Puzzle

2009-02-12T00:19:00.002-05:00

Friends,

In the wake of a monumental election, it is important that all of us take on the responsibilities of civic engagement. The times are tough, and much will be required of all of us. Many debates are desperately needed. I have come to believe that being "alive" in new media (like blogs) is vital to the success of a positive agenda for our community and our country.

This blog, simply "Joey," is one piece of my social networking puzzle. I am on Facebook (but not Myspace, personal decision), Blogspot, Gmail, AOL Instant Messenger, and soon Twitter and Flickr. I hope to use this space as a forum for arguments over policy, analysis of our politics, insights into culture, music, and my life.

I ask that you engage with me in the debates of our nation. Write comments, Tweet, start your own blog, get active on Facebook, and recruit your friends.

Thanks,
JF

P.S. I have chosen to include some of my previous entries that remain relevant to this new blog's purpose. Please request any old posts that you miss!

The Real China - link from Facebook

2008-08-15T11:12:00.001-04:00

Susan Estrich is one of my favorite, liberal writers (and I'm not a liberal). This article, though, expresses what I have been trying to say about these Olympic Games. Please take a few seconds to read and consider the article. Leave some comments, as well.

http://www.creators.com/opinion/susan-estrich.html?columnsName=ses

He Looks Different Today

2008-08-13T16:21:00.002-04:00

I am watching Senator John McCain's press conference on the Georgia-Russia conflict. He looks different today.

The John McCain I have seen in the past months has disappointed me. His seeming lack of message has opened up my already damaged Republican Party to even more attack by the eloquent but ghastly unprepared and ineffective Democratic leadership. I admit that I was disappointed that John McCain was the nominee for the Republican Party. But he looks different today.

The backdrop for his conference is a blue curtain, with the American flag, golden tassles included, on his left and the Executive Seal of the United States, arrows and olive branches displayed, on his right. His suit is plain black, with a solid blue shirt and striped tye. His jaw is tense, his eyebrows are furrowed, his face is solemn, but his eyes have a new focus. He looks different today.

His opening statement was strong, straight-forward, direct. There is no question where he stands. He is clearly supporting Georgia as a democratically elected government. He says that we must act in the best interest of America and of democracy around the world. Maybe John McCain is a real Republican. He is speaking of long-term consequences for Russia's actions. He looks like a President. He looks different today.

I can hear two messages from the Senator during this conference. He is most concerned for democracy. He is expressing empathy for the human cost of the conflict. He will work to protect democracy. His second point is the rejection of politics within the situation. When asked repeatedly about Senator Obama's response to McCain's strong, initial statement, Mr. McCain dismisses all political talk for the sake of those involved in the conflict. He is quick to remain on message. He looks different today.

John McCain is moving quickly between reporters, answering questions quickly and succinctly. The graphic on his "McCain-sized podium" says very eloquently: "Country First."

I like John McCain. I have seen for the first time today his possibility, his potential. It's there. Today he looked not as if he was moving without purpose from event to event. Today he looked like he wanted it, bad. Today he looked like a leader of the American people, the American military, the American cause.

He looked different today. He looked like the President of the United States.

The Olympics

2008-08-07T14:45:00.002-04:00

On CNN just a few seconds ago, I watched video of two Christians being dragged out of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, which will host the summer Olympics beginning Friday. The Christians were doing some sort of protest, and plain-clothes officers grabbed them and removed them from the Square. They tried to use umbrellas to keep the media from taking photos and video of the event - they didn't work.

China has become fairly capitalistic in their major economic centers, allowing free trade and working to create a very large middle class. Make no mistake, though, their political system is still communism. The government has censored the Internet during the Olympics, taken water from the farmers to water their elaborate floral designs in Beijing, and continues to practice religious persecution like that caught by the media today.

China is so stringent that Christians are now commonly smuggling Bibles into the country, sometimes pages at a time.

This is a country that doesn't believe that free thought, expression, press, and assembly are principles on which to build a society. So here's a great idea - let's let that country host the most international event in the world, an event that is supposed to inspire, encourage and show what is best about humanity through sport. Let's let China host the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee should be ashamed of its choice. Beijing and China do not represent the qualities of the Olympics.

My heart and prayers go out to the people of China - they are the ones that truly suffer from a communistic system.

Let us hope that these Olympics are focused on the athletes who deserve this opportunity and not the dreadful choice of host city by the IOC. Let us choose to be inspired during the next weeks by the stories of courage, perseverance and triumph that come from our athletes. Let us celebrate them with all our energy and national pride.

And most importantly, let us remember that the Olympics should represent what unites us and the glories of the human experience. We'll all hope that the IOC remembers these values when they choose future host cities.

Thoughts on Leadership

2008-06-21T15:43:00.004-04:00

I have had the good fortune to work with many so-called leaders. College presidents, politicians, administrators, musicians. I have taken lessons away from each of them, and I ready to begin developing a model of good leadership. I've had the chance to see what works, what doesn't...what motivates, what denegrates.

1. Hire good people and let them do the jobs you've assigned them. Trust their judgement until you've been given reason not to. Defend them against nay-sayers, protect their interests, treat them like the valuable individuals they are.

2. Provide more information than you want to give. I've never seen anything negative happen from people having too much truthful information. By keeping your team and those they affect in the loop and updated, you provide them the tools they need to do their jobs, represent the company or organization's interests and succeed. Always return calls and make quick contacts.

3. Look for the positive in people and make a concerted and planned effort to reward it. Good leaders don't get involved every time someone makes a mistake. They don't unload on their team. Good leaders seek out success and make sure it's rewarded - a kind of positive reinforcement. A good leader will correct behavior or actions, not criticize people.

4. Take a personal interest in the lives of your team. Value your family and make sure it's okay for your team to value theirs. Set limits on "workaholism" and force your team to live within those limits. Be healthy, and give your team every tool you can provide to allow them to be well in body, mind and spirit.

5. Remember your promises. Leaders speak with multitudes of people everyday and they make requests, promises, and action calls. Leaders say they'll "look into that" or "do some research" or "pass the issue to so-and-so." What leaders forget is that the people with whom they speak only talk to one leader that day, and they remember every word the leader says. Perhaps leaders need a notebook or a voice recorder so they remember what they promise people.

I'm sure this list will get longer and will be amended. I hope I can emulate the qualities of the great leaders with whom I've worked and improve upon the weaker qualities of others.

Until next time - JF

We Do Still Have Capitalism, Right?

2008-03-18T09:02:00.005-04:00

Now, I write this column with the humble admission that I probably don't understand what I'm talking about. I write this column with the humble admission that I am not an economist, nor am I studying economics. So if I have misunderstood some concepts or make some false assumptions - please forgive and correct me. I don't mean to mislead anyone, but rather to make a larger point on American principles.

But the late news about the collapse of financial mega-bank Bear Stearns has raised some philosophical questions. If you haven't heard, the Federal Reserve gave a direct loan (unprecedented) to JP Morgan Chase to acquire Bear Stearns for only $2 a share. It was worth $170 a share just a year ago (January 2007). This all comes as the housing market growth has slowed, home values are declining, mortgages are going bad, the dollar is the weakest in its history, and credit is in crisis (God forbid Sally can't finance her shiny new washer and dryer).

So Bear Stearns made some investments that went bad. They made bad choices - unfortunate choices, at least. Now, if I make poor financial decisions, like maxing out a credit card or overdrawing my checking account, I get hammered with fees, late charges, finance charges, and harassing calls from bill collectors. My credit score gets knocked to the point that I can't function in society.

Bear Stearns, and the other big banks, make bad decisions and the Federal Reserve says - "Hold on there Fuzzy Bear - Fed to the rescue." $30 billion dollars to help JP Morgan Chase acquire Bear so it didn't have to declare bankruptcy. Does that seem fair? Now hold that thought.

Let's talk about the whole mortgage thing. So some companies gave loans to people who couldn't afford houses. How does this deal sound - no money down, no closing costs, and an intro APR of 3.0%. "Wow honey - let's move out our double rental and buy that 3,000 sq. foot mansion on the north side." Yeah - it makes a ton of sense, I know.

Now it seems like common sense to me that people make bad decisions and they must pay for them (including me). What's so interesting though is that a recent CNN poll says while some people blame the individuals, a majority blame the banks (they were making money - you know, their job), and almost 20% blame the government!

I don't recall President Bush or Ben Bernanke being in the room with your idiot self and your idiot mortgage broker when you signed your idiot loan. Pretty sure the final decision was in the individuals' hand - that is where the pen goes, right?

And now Hillary Clinton (bless her little heart) has called for a one month freeze on all these mortgages to help people catch up and get back on track. Must be nice, shutting down all the mortgage companies already in trouble from receiving any payments. And somehow I don't think that Billy Bob and Martha in their mansion will be able to catch up when their APR went from 3 to 9.677%. But who knows - I did drop out of calculus.

So with all these things in mind - I'd like to pose my title question. We do still have capitalism, right?

America was built on principles of individual responsibility and ingenuity. We make or break ourselves. We have the power to make decisions, thanks to our veterans, but that means we also have the responsibility to reap the rewards or pay the consequences of those decisions. So why do we have federal agencies regulating and controlling aspects of the economy? I suppose it goes back to the Great Depression, when democracy ruled and these agencies were created. But aren't we better than that, stronger than that, smarter than that? Can't Wall Street investors understand that they put their money into a risky situation, and they may lose money? With risk comes reward, but not always.

It's not up to the government (or shouldn't be) to guard the investors against loss. Investors should know the company they're investing in, and if they pick a bad company (with issues in liquidity like Bear Stearns) then they will get a bad return (namely: negative).

Same with bad mortgages.

Same with home improvement scams.

Same with the unlimited credit card offers that seem to flood my mailbox.

Let's make a commitment today to really looking at what we're doing, specifically with money. Let's understand what we're doing, where we're putting it, what we're purchasing. Let's choose to save for emergencies, get debt free, and invest for the future (thanks Dave Ramsey). Let's choose to be responsible adult Americans who can take care of ourselves - what a concept!

And one larger point - let's all (definitely including me) get educated on this stuff. Let's read up on the Fed and economic policy and how it all works. I think this would help all of us better process all the news!

Musical Diplomacy

2008-02-26T09:42:00.008-05:00

What an incredible day this is. The largest delegation to ever visit the People's Republic of Korea from the United States has been the New York Philharmonic. The largest delegation to ever visit what is perhaps the world's most totalitarian regime from what is the freest nation in the world was a symphony orchestra.

The symbolism here is so strong it can almost bring you to tears.

While the United States holds its hard-line of no negotiations with North Korea, a group of the world's greatest musicians have bridged a gap that the world's greatest leaders will not.

Most of these musicians do not speak Korean. Most of their audience members do not speak English. And yet, they understood each other.

In an image I would have given anything to see, the flags of the People's Republic and the United States stood together on the stage as the people of Korea stood to hear the national anthems of the two nations. The photo below shows the audience standing for the Star Spangled Banner.

How about this! A nation under the leadership of what could be called the most evil leader in modern times, a nation whose people are bred to detest everything that the stars and stripes stand for - this nation is rising in respect to hear our anthem, our song.

The Philharmonic opened with Dvorak's New World Symphony, a piece that the NYP debuted years ago. It is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful symphonies ever written. I can only imagine the reaction of the people as they heard those soaring melodies come from the stage. The chances are good that they had never heard this piece, first and foremost because it was recorded in American and second because it was written when Dvorak was in America and was based on American themes.

The orchestra continued with George Gershwin's "An American in Paris." The conductor, while speaking to the audience, is reported to have said, "Maybe one day, we'll be talking about Americans in Pyongyang."

It was an orchestra conductor who spoke some of the greatest words of hope in nation with none. Not a president, not a politician, but a conductor.

So what does this all mean?

This story is perhaps one of the most beautiful displays of the power of music and art. When all else has failed - all words, all letters, all discussions, talks, and summits - when all else has failed, send in the musicians. Send in the people whose only agenda is to elevate and lift humanity.

The humble musicians of the world's greatest orchestra did not plan on getting the North Koreans to disarm their nuclear production plants. They did not plan on unseating Kim Jong Il. They did not plan on opening up the border or sending in troops.

No, these musicians wanted only to show these people something truly beautiful. Because when people hear great music, see great theater, stand in awe of a great painting or statue, they are changed. Art, in general, and music, specifically, show us what it means to be a human being. It means that we feel, that we empathize, that we use five senses. We can believe and we can doubt, we can be excited and happy or disappointed and sad. We can feel joy and grief, know laughter and tears.

These are the things that make us humans. And I hope that the musicians of the New York Philharmonic were able to help the North Koreans to see their humanity, and ours, again. And maybe, just maybe, they can realize that freedom to express and think aren't as evil as they believe. Maybe, just maybe, they'll understand that being human comes before being a North Korean.

And maybe, just maybe, by hearing true beauty, they will begin to find the truth in the world and see that they can be greater than what they are.

...that it could be just as the symphony they heard - perhaps this could be a New World.

Back in the Groove

2008-02-25T00:42:00.003-05:00

Have you ever been away from something, or someone, for a long time? The heartache and hurt multiply as the days pass, and the yearning for them seems to grow exponentially. This is really hard. In my case, this time, I'm talking about music and teaching.

I had this incredible experience working with the foremost artists in choral music at the University of Miami. Total immersion left me washed in the beauty of music and quenched my thirst for artistic fulfillment. All the while, I had lost my fulfillment that I needed in my family and friends, being so far away.

Now that I am "back home again in Indiana," I am again filled with the joy of being close to those that I love, but have been left empty when it comes to my love of music. Once you've experienced something so pure and so beautiful as singing in a chorale like that of Miami, it leaves a large hole.

Thankfully, my good friends have risen to the occasion. In this interim period between Miami and Ball State, I have been invited to come and work with the choir at my high school. I am aiding in their preparation for concert choir contests, and will continue working with them to rehearse for their Spring Spectacular, later in the semester.

As I sat in front of the piano in the rehearsal room the other day, with students surrounding me, my heart felt so full. I was excited and rejuvenated. My ears were listening closer. I was hearing the great performing going on around me and was also able to catch issues that we could improve upon. It felt so good to be able to stop the group, offer a suggestion, and watch as their sound improved.

And even better - my high school teacher was writing down what I was saying. It was a great moment where I began to feel like a colleague, a peer, of my former teacher. He's told me this many times, but actually being part of it - that's really something.

And that's what music is all about - being part of it. There's not a person alive who hasn't been touched by the power of music. You just can't help tapping your toe, dancing, listening, reacting. It's a language so far above our words alone. It's the power of emotion with the power of logic and reason, all rolled into one. What a powerful force we have been given the privilege of wielding. It is my hope that we can always be good stewards of this great and powerful gift to the world.

Until next time,
JF

The Night I Almost Became a Democrat (Almost)

2008-01-04T10:13:00.000-05:00

For all the other political junkies out there, you know that last night were the Iowa Caucuses, the official beginning of the Presidential Election of 2008. It's such an odd occurrence, really, but quite fitting. A caucus is not an election. You and your neighbors head down to the nearest church or school and you go and publicly stand for your candidate in their respective corners of the room. You're counted up and the process continues. There's no secret ballot, and your neighbors are free to influence you to come over to their side of the room.

In a world so inundated with modern technology - wireless networking, digital music, high definition - the most powerful nation in the world begins selecting its president by asking a bunch of mid-westerners to go stand in the corner.

But how fitting...that a nation built not on governments, but on people, not on parties, but on personalities...that this nation begins its election with real people and real personalities interacting with each other to choose a candidate. It was so striking to watch this event unfold. On the surface - it's an election. But it's so much more - it's a sacred process that has upheld America for over 200 years. The United States of America is choosing its next President - the next leader of the free world.

And who did Iowa choose - a Southern Baptist preacher-turned-politician and a junior senator from the midwest.

Only in America.

Now - about me almost becoming a democrat. Go and read or, preferably, watch Barack Obama's address after the results came in. He walked on to the stage, stood tall, presidential, and delivered the most beautiful speech on the politics of hope, reconciliation, justice, and inspiration. Expertly crafted and expertly delivered - I thought to myself...he could be my President. Congratulations to Mr. Obama.

Of course, these feelings were short lived once I remembered that he supports huge expansion of government to take care of people's problems. Which means a huge expansion of taxes. And he wants to waltz around the world with the most demonic dictators and start talking and negotiating. If anybody can appreciate new vision and hope, I do - but there is a difference between positive change and lofty visions - and robbing the American people of their hard-earned money and naively making deals with dictators. Perhaps Mr. Obama should justify for those of us who haven't yet decided on a candidate how he can say he wants to raise wages and increase jobs, but then take away all the new earnings in taxes to pay for his planned outlandish government expansion.

Like I said - I almost became a Democrat. Whew - close call!

Until next time,
Joey

The Miami Herald Reviews Our Performance of "The Creation"

2007-11-10T23:17:00.000-05:00

From http://www.miamiherald.com/234/story/303128.html

Among the acknowledged great composers, few today are as underperformed as Franz Joseph Haydn. Perhaps his optimism, tunefulness and approachability----and a vast legacy that encompasses 104 symphonies and 68 string quartets alone----paradoxically make contemporary musicians suspicious in an era that prefers postmodern angst and complexity.

The Austrian composer's genius was richly evident Friday night as Helmuth Rilling led Frost School of Music forces in Haydn's choral masterwork, The Creation, to close Festival Miami at Gusman Concert Hall.

Written late in his career, The Creation was Haydn's first oratorio, crafted on a vast scale for four soloists, chorus and orchestra. Depicting nothing less than the creation of the earth, the work is imbued with the composer's deep religious feeling, with music that remains startling in its originality and variety: the dissonant harmonic churning of the opening depiction of chaos, musical onomatopoeia painting natural phenomena, soaring solo arias and the noble grandeur of its heaven-storming choruses.

It was quite a coup for the Frost School of Music to engage Rilling, a celebrated interpreter of Bach and the German choral repertoire, for these performances. Using small string sections, the German conductor achieved striking transparency between soloists, chorus and orchestra even in the most cataclysmic moments. Rilling's clear unfussy style drew lithe rhythmic buoyancy and, a few passing ensemble slips apart, polished and responsive playing from the Frost Symphony Orchestra.

Adding to the success of the evening was a superb trio of soloists. Helen Donath recorded many of the great German choral works early in her career and her impeccable German and ease in this repertoire were evident. The more florid coloratura passages were cautiously negotiated, but at 67, Donath's soprano retains much of its purity and her vibrant singing was consistently engaging, delightfully so in Eve's arias.

Her male colleagues were equally impressive. Bass Nathan Berg intoned the music of Raphael and Adam with dark authority. Lothar Odinius gave a virtual seminar in oratorio style, the gifted German tenor singing with lustrous tone, supple phrasing and natural ease of production.

Crowning the evening was the magnificent contribution of the student singers of the Frost Chorale and Collegium Musicum with some local professionals rounding out the large chorus. Scrupulously prepared by Jo-Michael Scheibe, the choral singing conveyed all the mystery, fervor, majesty and power of Haydn's vision with gleaming tone, vivid articulation and resounding impact. Haydn's The Creation will be repeated at Festival Miami at 8 p.m. Saturday at Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables. Tickets: $15-$60; 305-284-4940.

Lawrence A. Johnson is The Miami Herald's classical music critic.

The Results

2007-11-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

The polls have closed and the votes have been counted.

The over-arching theme for the night: Republicans win.

Mayor Joe Wright will hold his seat in Beech Grove, along with his new clerk-treasurer, judge, one at-large councilman, and three out of five district councilmen. Democrats held one seat and gained control of an at-large seat on the city council. In Indianapolis, one of the biggest upsets in political history - the impossible has occurred. This nobody candidate named Greg Ballard has beaten the Democrat fundraising machine called Bart Peterson, and the GOP has taken control of the City-County Council.

Congratulations to all the candidates. In the surprisingly eloquent words of Mayor Peterson,
"It's time to rally around our new [insert office here], because at the end of the day it's not about any one person."

Let's be positively involved in affecting positive change for our communities.

See you all soon....stay tuned to this blog for a major announcement (okay, that's a little dramatic...but really, stay tuned)

JF

P.S. I've decided to make this blog more of a hodge-podge of things, not just factual updates on my life in Miami. I'd like to expand that a little bit - not sure where this is going, but we'll ride the wave and see what happens. Tell me what you think!

Election Day

2007-11-06T14:40:00.000-05:00

Well...the Big Day is here. Make sure you get to the polls between now and 6PM to make sure your voice is heard.

I'm so proud of my country today. There is something really beautiful about this process. It is one forged through a revolt against a British king, a grand experiment in a new land, and the arguments of the brightest men in history. The states battled it out in Philadelphia, in the hot summer heat, all the windows locked shut. The result of their time there was the government of the United States of America. It has stood the test of time, and still serves us well. So many of our friends, family members, and neighbors have served and are serving to preserve it - our way of life. It is something so distinct and so special that the rest of the world has grown to hate it. If there's something I've learned, it's that everything must have an opposite. It took the goodness of the American way to forge something so evil as those who seek nothing but our demise. But today, election day, is the time when we show them that their evil will never match our good, that their systems of control and hate will never match ours of freedom and decency. It is today that we show the world what America is all about - we choose, we take action, we support different candidates, yet we are still Americans.

It is such a privelege, and because of the sacrifices of our nation's best, a right. Let's vote for our candidates today, and be thankful that we live in a country where we can disagree, and cherish that moment that our ballots are slid into the counting machines. And at the end of the night, let's celebrate our accomplishments, the moments, and our futures under the leadership of our next administration, whomever that may be, because the people as a whole will have chosen them. Let's avoid divisiveness and bitterness and rally around our next mayor, city council, and others. Let's choose today, on election day, to show the world that we can agree to disagree, and that we can be part of a solution.

Today is about so much more than a few candidates for a Midwestern town. Today is about America. About us. About our way of life. Today is our day. It's Election Day.