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!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Real China - link from Facebook
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
http://www.creators.com/opinion/susan-estrich.html?columnsName=ses
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
He Looks Different Today
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 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.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Olympics
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.
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.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Thoughts on Leadership
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
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
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
We Do Still Have Capitalism, Right?
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!
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!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Musical Diplomacy
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.
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.
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