Two winters ago my girlfriend and I spent a week in Chicago, mostly going to museums. Everywhere we went, from train stations to restaurants to barber shops, we encountered people who were really good at their jobs and clearly took pride in their work. Whether it’s a longstanding local culture or just our good luck, I don’t know, but I noticed and was impressed.
Midwest. And Big Shoulders Chicago, not afraid of hard work. There is a reason the northern states for the most part carry the rest of the nation, south especially.
Interesting observation. I have lived all my life in the Midwest. I guess I take those qualities for granted. In what area of the country do you live and how is the work culture different?
Honestly, I kept thinking it was,a good thing that somehow the Artemis mission escaped any "benefit" from the current regime. And amazing that the black hole of abomination didn't take credit for it.
Yes, the landing of Artemis hit me strongly as it was like water given to those people stuck in the desert, dying for a drink to stay alive. It’s hard for me now to imagine there is actually one branch of government that still has competency and expertise that can plan and execute a mission like that, one that benefits all of us. We Americans are thirsty bunch for this!
Cyn, you described my feelings precisely. I didn’t plan on watching as much as I did when the astronauts came home but I was glued to the television set for the duration. It made me proud to be an American, the same way I felt when I watched the first man step onto the moon when I was just starting my federal career in Washington DC. Please may we regain those feelings of pride.
Oh Cyn, they are trying their best to starve out NASA too. Don't want to be seeing anyone with knowledge trying to accomplish anything for Mankind, would we?
Oh yes they have done so many things to destroy our institutions and our people's spirit. That is why the Artemis landing was all the more powerful for those that were moved to watch the return to earth and we experienced shared joy together. Love is strong, we celebrate our success!
I think that also explains my and other people's fascination with the Iranian delegation, Pope Leo, and Mark Carney. We are desperate for "leaders" we can feel some respect for--who don't behave like crazy people or foaming-at-the-mouth mass Murders. Right now, we are STARVING for that in the US.
My wife and I joke, when watching movies or tv shows that depict intelligent CIA, FBI, or other government officials, successfully ferreting out evil-doers and taking efficient steps to correct issues and bring criminals to justice. "So out of date," I will quip... "Look at that, the FBI going after embezzlers and terrorists, rather than Democratic attorney generals..."
We have been calling shows like "The West Wing" competence for for ages. So refreshing these days to see people who are trying to do the right thing even though they occasionally faceplant.
Jay--thank you for your insightful analysis about some of our most pressing issues. But more importantly, thank you for your optimism, which is always present no matter how dark the days seem.
Oh I so agree about watching the Artemis-thePride,the Science,the Woman in NASA now! I couldn’t get enough-hubby & I watched the ENTIRE event & it was an event that I didn’t realize was brewing under the “yuck” we hear/see daily!
There also is a video that I've seen on local ITV (Cox cable 16, San Diego, in the same time slots as a number of brief videos made on the ISS following some programs, each highlighting some aspect of life on the ISS. The video I've seen several times is about women of NASA, most of whom are employed at multiple levels of responsibility in the Artemis program. I've been unable to locate it at the NASA multimedia page or I would have shared a link months ago.
We live in Minneapolis, where standing up for each other has become our national reputation. That's good. But we also have a culture that mistakes pride for egotism. People who speak and act with confidence are regarded with quiet suspicion.
Howard Mohr, whose book "How to Talk Minnesotan" provides valuable insights to the state character, created the ultimate declaration of optimism for a local: "A fella could almost be happy on a day like this if he's not careful."
Two winters ago my girlfriend and I spent a week in Chicago, mostly going to museums. Everywhere we went, from train stations to restaurants to barber shops, we encountered people who were really good at their jobs and clearly took pride in their work. Whether it’s a longstanding local culture or just our good luck, I don’t know, but I noticed and was impressed.
Midwest. And Big Shoulders Chicago, not afraid of hard work. There is a reason the northern states for the most part carry the rest of the nation, south especially.
Interesting observation. I have lived all my life in the Midwest. I guess I take those qualities for granted. In what area of the country do you live and how is the work culture different?
Honestly, I kept thinking it was,a good thing that somehow the Artemis mission escaped any "benefit" from the current regime. And amazing that the black hole of abomination didn't take credit for it.
Or whine about DEI! 💫
I refer to him sometimes as "The Abominable Showman."
Yes, the landing of Artemis hit me strongly as it was like water given to those people stuck in the desert, dying for a drink to stay alive. It’s hard for me now to imagine there is actually one branch of government that still has competency and expertise that can plan and execute a mission like that, one that benefits all of us. We Americans are thirsty bunch for this!
Cyn, you described my feelings precisely. I didn’t plan on watching as much as I did when the astronauts came home but I was glued to the television set for the duration. It made me proud to be an American, the same way I felt when I watched the first man step onto the moon when I was just starting my federal career in Washington DC. Please may we regain those feelings of pride.
Sara, so happy I could express those feelings I felt and that they resonated for you.
Oh Cyn, they are trying their best to starve out NASA too. Don't want to be seeing anyone with knowledge trying to accomplish anything for Mankind, would we?
Oh yes they have done so many things to destroy our institutions and our people's spirit. That is why the Artemis landing was all the more powerful for those that were moved to watch the return to earth and we experienced shared joy together. Love is strong, we celebrate our success!
I think that also explains my and other people's fascination with the Iranian delegation, Pope Leo, and Mark Carney. We are desperate for "leaders" we can feel some respect for--who don't behave like crazy people or foaming-at-the-mouth mass Murders. Right now, we are STARVING for that in the US.
My wife and I joke, when watching movies or tv shows that depict intelligent CIA, FBI, or other government officials, successfully ferreting out evil-doers and taking efficient steps to correct issues and bring criminals to justice. "So out of date," I will quip... "Look at that, the FBI going after embezzlers and terrorists, rather than Democratic attorney generals..."
We have been calling shows like "The West Wing" competence for for ages. So refreshing these days to see people who are trying to do the right thing even though they occasionally faceplant.
Jay--thank you for your insightful analysis about some of our most pressing issues. But more importantly, thank you for your optimism, which is always present no matter how dark the days seem.
Oh I so agree about watching the Artemis-thePride,the Science,the Woman in NASA now! I couldn’t get enough-hubby & I watched the ENTIRE event & it was an event that I didn’t realize was brewing under the “yuck” we hear/see daily!
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/meet-the-women-launching-recovering-artemis-missions
There also is a video that I've seen on local ITV (Cox cable 16, San Diego, in the same time slots as a number of brief videos made on the ISS following some programs, each highlighting some aspect of life on the ISS. The video I've seen several times is about women of NASA, most of whom are employed at multiple levels of responsibility in the Artemis program. I've been unable to locate it at the NASA multimedia page or I would have shared a link months ago.
Here's a link to the ISS STEMonstrations videos: https://plus.nasa.gov/series/stemonstrations/
So agree about the space mission. NASA needs to run the world…or at least the postal service? 😃
‘snake oil’ salesmen precede actual medical advancements because marketing/bilking the public is more lucrative than serving the public.
I am rewatching the West Wing for this exact reason.
It did indeed!
So how about some book recommendations from your brother? I'd like to read about some really competent leaders, too
We live in Minneapolis, where standing up for each other has become our national reputation. That's good. But we also have a culture that mistakes pride for egotism. People who speak and act with confidence are regarded with quiet suspicion.
Howard Mohr, whose book "How to Talk Minnesotan" provides valuable insights to the state character, created the ultimate declaration of optimism for a local: "A fella could almost be happy on a day like this if he's not careful."
You'll like this https://www.facebook.com/reel/959966783436182
We need a reading list for competence porn!