Principles over Privileges. Oktoberfest. Random Thoughts. Negotiation. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

Eisenhower. The Party in Munich. Take the Yes and Move On. Traveling Where? A Magical Voice.

• Quote of the Week: “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

Eisenhower’s quote never resonated more than right now. Are we experiencing a society prioritizing its comforts and special privileges over its ethical standards and morals? Have many Americans compromised basic principles to maintain outlandish privileges? I do think the words justice, equality, and integrity prevailed in the United States shortly after 9/11, as most people gathered to support each other and the country. Those ‘words’ have again eroded creating an unstable society, one full of division, neglect, and compromise. In a word, I feel like our society is very uncomfortable.

Eisenhower’s quote was from his first inaugural address seventy-two years ago. Have we come full circle again? Regarding the word uncomfortable:

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Oktoberfest is now celebrated in many countries around the world. Munich, Germany is the home to Oktoberfest, an annual festival held from late September to the middle of October. I was there many years ago, and from what I remember, it was a good bit of fun.

• Munich’s Oktoberfest is the largest annual folk festival in the world.
• The first Oktoberfest was two hundred fifteen years ago, in 1810.
• The festival was started to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, lasting for five days.
• Only beers from one of six designated breweries can officially be called ‘Oktoberfestbier.’ The ‘youngest‘ brewery, Paulaner, was founded in 1634.
• Most festival tents are themed and have lasted more than a century.
• It is estimated that 6.7 million people visit Oktoberfest/Munich and consume over two million gallons of beer.
• The festival contributes $1.5 billion to the city of Munich.

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A Few Things I Am Thinking About:

• What type of outcome is expected in the meetings between high level delegations from the United States and Russia? What is Vladimir Putin’s motivation to ask Donald Trump for a meeting in Budapest?
• Anytime you go into wonderment with the ongoings of the U.S. government and the bipartisan craziness, refer to what is happening in France. They are on their third Prime Minister this year. The European Union has a three percent limit on the ratio of a nation’s deficit to gross domestic product (GDP). France sits above 4.7% with their debt at $4 trillion…and the U.S. thinks it has problems.
• RIP Ace Frehley. Frehley and his Kiss band mates were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
• My continued concern and disgust with social media and AI continues as ChatGPT will soon allow sexting for verified adults. What are we doing?
• Former head football coach James Franklin received a $49 million buyout after being fired by Penn State. Indiana University just signed a long-term contract with their head football coach, Curt Cignetti – to an eight-year, $93 million contract. I cannot imagine what the University of Louisville will need to do to keep head football coach Jeff Brohm. Friday night’s win against the second-ranked University of Miami was Brohm’s fourth win against an AP Top 5 team while coaching an unranked team.
• Regarding college football coaches, what exactly was the University of North Carolina thinking when they hired Bill Belichick as their head coach?
• Have you used self-driving startup Waymo? The driverless taxi service has been around for a few years and is slowly expanding their presence across the United States. My daughter was in Los Angeles last week and used Waymo a few times. Here is her take:

I Finally Tried a Driverless Car — and It Was Awesome

My dad was a little wary when I told him I was taking a Waymo. To be fair, I was too. The idea of sitting in a car with no driver felt like something out of a sci-fi movie — or at least not something I’d do voluntarily.

But while I was in LA, my client convinced me to give it a shot. I brought a friend for backup, opened the app, and a white Jaguar pulled up with no one in the front seat. We looked at each other, laughed nervously, and got in.

And you know what? It was incredible. Everything happens through the app — unlocking the car, starting the ride, setting the temperature, even choosing the music. The car was spotless. The ride was calm, consistent, and weirdly relaxing. No small talk, no detours, no jerky braking. It even waits for you for five minutes when you arrive.

Halfway through, I realized I wasn’t nervous anymore. I opened my laptop, got some work done, and forgot there wasn’t a person driving. It felt just as good — maybe better — than my best Uber or Lyft rides.

We’ve started seeing Waymos around Atlanta too, though we haven’t tried them here yet. But after LA, I’m sold. It’s the future: quiet, clean, efficient, and human-free (in the best way).

So yeah, Dad — I get why it sounded a little crazy. But once you try it, you’ll see. It’s not scary. It’s actually kind of amazing.

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I have been asked about my opinion about the negotiations between the United States and Hamas, with support from European Union and Middle East countries. Many feel that while twenty hostages were released, Israel lost the public relations (PR) war.

• In any negotiation, you seek the “yes” – not the “buts.” As soon as Hamas said ‘yes’ to releasing the twenty hostages, it did not matter what Hamas said ‘but’ to…refer to the video below.
• Two thousand years of continued conflict and PR are mutually exclusive.
• Civilian casualties and collateral damage are part and parcel of war. If you disagree, take a look what happened to Japan after their attack on Pearl Harbor.
• Negotiation of the release of the twenty hostages superseded any level of optics and PR.
• The mechanics of negotiation the U.S. employed to gain the release of the twenty hostages was remarkable, but I unfortunately see no correlation between Hamas freeing the hostages and their overall objectives.
• The twenty hostages were released; who cares about PR? In this negotiation, the “yes” from Hamas superseded any of their “buts.”
• It bothers me that the innocents of Gaza, especially the children, were put in harm’s way with so many losing their lives. It is very sad.
• Negotiation is all about achieving the “yes” and not worrying about the “buts.”

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Thanks to all who responded to last week’s Question of the Week: If you could instantly learn one new skill, what would it be? Here are a few of your answers:

• It would have to be a trade- probably electrician or maybe mechanic.
• If I could learn one new skill instantly it would be to speak Spanish fluently.
• A new skill would be beekeeping. Not sure you are aware but we have been trying for 3 years to have beehives in the backyard. Every year they leave. Invested few thousands and not even a gram of honey !!!
• Speaking a second language.
• ATP- air transport pilot.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: You have a free airline ticket and you can travel for only five days. You have until mid-March to use the ticket. Where are you going and why?

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• Pure Talent. It is December of 1982 and Soul Train’s Don Cornelius, who hosted this awesome show for twenty-three years, introduces none other than Michael McDonald to the studio audience and viewers around the world.

Michael McDonald is best known as the lead singer and keyboardist for the Doobie Brothers. He cut his teeth performing backup vocals with Steely Dan and his music still has a wide range. One example of that range is his hit song, I Keep Forgettin, with this performance that includes Jeff Pocaro on drums, Greg Phillinganes on the keyboard, John McFee on the guitar, the great Louis Johnson on bass, and Michael McDonald’s sisters as the backup singers. Michael McDonald is still Pure Talent, and as Don Cornelius always said as his signoff: “I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul”.

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Adios, pay it forward, be a better human, and have a Sunday Funday.