Menckenians

What H.L. Mencken might say about our current politicians and celebrities based on his past writings…

Current Politician or News Celebrity	Menckenians
Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lisa Bobert	“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.”
George Santos	“It is [a politician’s] business to get and hold his job at all costs. If he can hold it by lying, he will hold it by lying; if lying peters out, he will try to hold it by embracing new truths. His ear is ever close to the ground.‘
Kevin McCarthy	‘The only way to success in American public life lies in flattering and kowtowing to the mob. A candidate for office, even the highest, must either adapt its current manias en bloc, or convince it hypothetically that he is done so.“
Donald Trump	“It is a sin to believe evil of others, but it is seldom a mistake.“
Fox News viewers	‘The most costly of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true. It is the chief occupation of mankind.“
Tucker Carlson	“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.”
Alex Murdaugh	“It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place.“

State of the Union

February

Though having the fewest amount of days, February feels like the longest month.
EAB

Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon (Book Review)

Summary: Written by William D. Cohan, this book chronicles the birth and demise of General Electric. The author focuses specifically on the CEO administrations of Jack Welch and his successor, Jeff Immelt. GE was the premier American business model in the 20th century. With operations worldwide and a diverse line of operations and businesses, GE was a business powerhouse and the CEO title there was competitively sought.

This book read like a novel. Greed, hubris, deception, scandal, paybacks and crime were found at the highest ranks of the company. Did Jack Welch “cook the books” to satisfy his promise of reaching quarterly earning projections? It appears he did utilize assets from GE Capital when there were operation shortfalls. Welch laid off tens if not hundreds of thousands of employees. He closed business lines that had operated successfully for decades. Business operations, employees and products were chess pieces for GE CEOs.

Welch more than Immelt had the respect of GE employees and certainly senior management of the corporation. Welch personally managed the careers of many of the men who moved up in the organization. Welch also listened to objections to his thinking, something that Immelt refused to do.

Both Welch and Immelt made poor business decisions. There were businesses and companies that each man should not have merged with or purchased. Immelt generally did not solicit comments or potential objections from his senior officers before a major business decision. This was a major cause in his downfall and GE’s fortunes.

Welch was a complex figure. His loyalty to men who worked for him did not extend to women he married. He appeared to find solace with his third wife, Susie.

Cohan spent time within the book describing the personalities and lifestyles of not only Welch and Immelt but other men of ambition and power in the GE organization. How GE did or did not develop a succession plan for their next CEO is a topic worthy of study by MBA classes.

Rating: ★★★★★

One of the best business books that I have read.

Secrets of the Chinese Balloon Exposed: Satire

Senescence Round 8

100% Eric Burleigh; 0% ChatGPT

With all due respect to Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali and others, the GOATS (Greatest of all Times) in their sports have probably not been born yet.

Wish we can transplant the spirit, unity and enthusiasm of a professional sports team fanbase to unite this fractured country.

Memories of a deceased loved, like a candle, may flicker or dim but the love continues to beat strong.

The concentration and focus of the average American lasts midway between the time spent reading a Tweet or viewing an average TikTok reel.

How soon before we eliminate teachers, classrooms and books for a child’s education and upload knowledge and information by injection of data to their brain?

1776 Continental Congress: Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Henry, Franklin and Adams.
2023 Congress: McCarthy, Gaetz, Boebert, Greene and now George Santos.

Perspicacity of sports and political insights by friends > collective wisdoms of “talking heads and commentators” on TV.

Pickleball acts as viagra for some men of mature age. Both get the blood flowing, creates raised expectations and allows for pleasant times with the ladies.