Thoughts for the Day, August 18, 2025: 52 years ago, my life changed forever for the better.
Orchid of the Day: Today Leah and I start day one of our 53rd one year rolling marital contract. I keep trying to get more than 49% of the vote, but she thinks things are working fine just the way they are. Happy Anniversary Leah.
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Welcoming Bad News.
Throughout my career, one of the biggest challenges I faced was dealing with bad news. During my early years, I was always hesitant to give bad news to my bosses because I was unsure how the news would be received. It made stressful times for me, however, I always gave the news and dealt with the outcomes. One boss told me, “It is better if I get the bad news from you, rather than from someone else or reading about it in a report or the Ann Arbor News.” I always remembered this advice.
As I moved up to higher level positions, I tried hard to create an environment where people were comfortable giving me bad news. I tried to make them understand, the sooner I got the news the sooner we had an opportunity to address the problem.
Bad news is inevitable, how a leader handles it can be the difference between success and failure, great and mediocre, winning and losing. This is why I was intrigued by an opinion article that appeared in the Detroit Free Press over the weekend, written by former WDIV anchor Devin Scillian. Here are excerpts from the article.
Years ago, I was seated at a dinner next to then-Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally. He had steered the automaker beautifully through the recession, leaving Ford as the lone member of the Big Three to survive without government loans...
Mulally had managed to completely change the culture at Ford, and that evening I asked him about the hardest part of making it happen. His answer struck me as profound and a great insight into corporate culture at its worst. “The toughest thing,” he said, “was convincing those around me that they could bring me bad news.”
Mulally described sitting in meetings in which, despite the obvious failings of what was happening at the Big Blue Oval, the tone and reports given to him seemed to be describing a completely different company, one where everything was absolutely fine. …the culture at Ford had gotten so out of whack that no one felt they could tell the boss the truth. “Look,” he told me, “if there are bad things happening in this company, I’m the one guy in this room who has to know!”
I remember looking at Mulally that night and thinking, “This is what leadership looks like.” I couldn’t help but think of Alan Mulally the other day when President Donald Trump fired a bearer of bad news.
Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was dispatched for the crime of releasing a less than rosy jobs report, one that not only painted a bleak picture for July but one that also revised the figures from the previous two months to show a loss of around 250,000 jobs.
… with a doctorate in economics, McEntarfer had worked in government facts and figures for two decades and had been confirmed to the post by a bipartisan vote of 86-8…The Trump appointee who preceded McEntarfer, William Beach, said her “groundless” firing “sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the statistical mission of the Bureau.”
In speeches that I give about the critical importance of aggressive neutral journalism, I share my belief that information is the most important resource in the world….Over the years, I reported from a lot of places where access to accurate, reliable information was poor to say the least. They are not places you want to live….citizens in countries like China, Cuba and Russia always revealed a contorted understanding of the world built on a contorted, warped flow of mangled information.
We can only have robust, meaningful debates over policy and outcomes in America if we’re basing those debates on robust, meaningful data. With the firing of the data chief, I thought, “Doesn’t anyone read George Orwell anymore?” The firing of McEntarfer will make it impossible for anyone to trust the next set of numbers released on American jobs. And that’s not great. Mr. President, if there are bad things happening in this country, you are the one guy in the room who has to know.
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Michigan Football NCAA Penalties
The University of Michigan now knows its punishment related to the Connor Stalions sign-stealing saga, as the NCAA released its report on Friday, Aug. 15. Here are excerpts from multiple news sources.
The scandal began with an anonymous whistle-blower and a private investigation that revealed Stalions used friends and cohorts to videotape upcoming opponents during games, encompassing 56 instances and 13 teams. Sign-stealing is legal but in-person scouting is not, which is the twist that makes it murky.
The NCAA didn’t find direct evidence Harbaugh and his staff knew how Stalions was gathering his information, but emphasized the record is incomplete because Harbaugh and Stalions either didn’t cooperate or lied.
The NCAA detailed several allegations of lying — by Harbaugh, by Stalions, by Moore — and said it would have delivered tougher penalties if the by-laws allowed it.
The NCAA couldn’t determine the full impact of Stalions’ impermissible-scouting scheme, partly because of UM’s “elaborate effort to obstruct and failure to cooperate,” according to Norman Bay, chief hearing officer for the Committee on Infractions. In fact, Stalions told the committee he threw his phone into a pond instead of turning it over.
Even when Moore foolishly deleted 52 text messages from Stalions that turned out to be innocuous, he initially claimed the phone’s storage space was full.
The COI report said it received enough corroborating evidence to offset UM’s lack of cooperation and included this crushing charge: "Harbaugh ran a program that was largely dismissive of rules compliance. There was little, if any, emphasis on following the rules." This is my Quote of the Day
A summary of the NCAA punishments are as follows:
· The biggest punishment relates to the program itself, which will now be under a four-year probationary period and have to pay a $50,000 fine, plus 10% of the program's budget — and potentially millions more based on some postseason math.
· Coach Sherrone Moore, who will already serve a two-game suspension in 2025 as a self-imposed punishment by the University, is also suspended for a third game to take place in the 2026 season.
· The NCAA announced the U-M would receive a $50,000 fine and have to pay a fine equivalent to 10% of the budget for the football program.
· U-M will also pay a fine associated with the loss of postseason revenue from the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Some reports list that as at least a $20 million fine, though that figure is still to be determined.
· The last financial penalty is a fine equivalent to 10% of the scholarships Michigan awarded for the 2025 season.
· Moore will receive a two-year show-cause order, though he will not be barred from coaching during the two-year window outside of his suspension.
· Moore, who will already serve a two-game suspension in 2025 as part of Michigan's self-imposed sanctions, will be suspended for a third game to be served at the beginning of the 2026 season.
· As part of the NCAA's ruling, Stalions will receive an eight-year show cause order, which restricts him from participating in "athletically-related activities" with the NCAA during the period.
· Harbaugh received a 10-year show-cause order beginning on Aug. 7, 2028, restricting him from "athletically-related activities" during the period. Harbaugh is currently serving another four-year show-cause order that expires in 2028.
· Robinson, a former star quarterback and recruiting coordinator with Michigan, will receive a three-year show-cause order, restricting him from "all athletically-related activity" during the period.
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My take on the NCAA Penalties against Michigan Football
Throughout the five years of writing this blog, I have made it clear that the NCAA is not one of my favorite governing bodies.
From the beginning of this “sign stealing” scandal, I have said this could have been avoided if the NCAA had their act together and had implemented the electronic communication between quarterback and coach that the NFL implemented in 1994 and the between the coaches and defensive captain in 2008.
The NCAA said they didn’t implement this because of cost concerns, especially at the smaller schools. This is laughable considering the amount of revenue the NCAA makes.
Furthermore, since the sign stealing scandal first broke in October 2023, the NCAA has implemented electronic communications between coaches and the QB, and the defensive captain which went into effect with the 2024 season, less than one year after the “sign stealing” scandal.
With that said, I do not condone the behavior of some of the coaches. Lying and cover-up is unacceptable and according to the NCAA Harbaugh, Moore and Stallions were guilty of both. I also found it very disappointing, but not surprising, that "Harbaugh did not embrace or enforce a culture of compliance during his tenure, and his program had a contentious relationship with Michigan's compliance office, leading coaches and staff to disregard NCAA rules,"
This last comment about Harbaugh’s relationship with Michigan’s compliance office is very telling. It didn’t take the NCAA to point this out. Warde Manual, the AD, had to know this lack of relationship existed and should have addressed it with Harbaugh during the early stages of Harbaugh’s tenure at U of M, especially since Harbaugh had already received a three-game suspension for previous transgressions.
Compliance with the NCAA rules is an important function of the AD. Coaches resist compliance, so it is important that the AD assure the rules and regulations are followed by all coaches, even the highest paid coach on campus. (The coaches’ and AD’s opinion of the rules and regulations should not have any bearing on whether or not the rules and regulations are followed.) There also must have been someone from the executive suite of the university who knew about the contentious relation between Harbaugh and the compliance officer.
It appears the AD and someone in the executive suite turned a blind eye to the culture that Harbaugh created and now U of M is paying a heavy price, while Harbaugh is being paid millions by the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Project 2026/2028: Chapter 4: Governing for the Common Good
This is chapter 4 of Project 2026/2028 which outlines what I am looking for in candidates who want my vote in 2026, 2028 and all dates thereafter. Today’s chapter focuses on identifying the characteristics of candidates who put the common good ahead of personal and party interests.
In a healthy democracy, progress depends not on one party defeating another, but on leaders finding common ground to serve the public interest. When politicians from opposing parties work together to develop win/win solutions, they strengthen the nation’s institutions, build public trust, and create policies that are more durable and broadly beneficial.
1. Representing the Full Electorate
Elected officials serve all constituents—not just those who voted for them. By engaging the opposition and incorporating diverse viewpoints, leaders can craft policies that reflect the broader population’s values, concerns, and needs. Inclusive policymaking leads to more equitable and balanced outcomes. Extreme viewpoints that only impact a few and not the common good, should be the exception.
2. Strengthening Democracy through Compromise and Collaboration
Compromise and collaboration are not signs of weakness—they are foundational to democratic governance. When leaders respect the legitimacy of opposing views and negotiate in good faith, they reinforce the democratic process and guard against polarization, authoritarianism, and civic disengagement.
3. Promoting Stability and Long-Term Solutions
Policies created through bipartisan consensus are more likely to endure across political cycles. This stability is crucial for issues that require long-term commitment, such as infrastructure, healthcare, immigration, and energy policy. Short-term, party-driven solutions often unravel with the next election.
4. Encouraging Civic Unity
When leaders demonstrate respect and cooperation, it sets a tone for civil discourse in society. It shows that disagreement does not require hostility and that solutions are possible without zero-sum thinking. This helps reduce political division among citizens and fosters a more unified national identity.
5. Responding to Complex Challenges
The most pressing challenges—climate change, public health, national security, economic inequality—are complex and multifaceted. Addressing them requires a range of perspectives and expertise. Bipartisan collaboration brings a diversity of ideas to the table, increasing the chances of effective, well-rounded policy.
6. Building Public Trust
When politicians prioritize the common good over partisan wins, they build credibility. Voters are more likely to support institutions and participate in the political process when they see their leaders acting with integrity, pragmatism, and a focus on shared progress.
In an age of increasing polarization, the willingness of political leaders to work across the aisle is not only commendable—it is essential. By striving for win/win solutions, they uphold the promise of representative government: to serve the people, all the people, and secure a better future for generations to come.
Being able to govern for the common good is an important characteristic I am looking for in candidates who want my vote in 2026 and 2028. Partisan politics and putting the party’s needs before the needs of all the constituents will not get my vote.
Quote of the Day: “Harbaugh ran a program that was largely dismissive of rules compliance. There was little, if any, emphasis on following the rules." The NCAA in their report released on Friday August 15.
Orchid of the Day: Leah and I for making our marriage work for 52 years and it is still going strong.
Onion of the Day: You cannot make this up.
A self-described “wolf furry” from Fort Collins is recovering in a Wyoming hospital after attempting to integrate himself into an actual pack of wild wolves near Togwotee Pass. According to Wyoming Conservation Services, 28-year-old “Lupus Moonhowl” legally known as Brian Sanders was spotted crawling on all fours in full faux-fur attire, complete with a tail, plastic fangs, and a Bluetooth speaker playing recorded howls. Witnesses say Sanders approached the wolves while tossing raw hamburger meat in their direction “as a gesture of friendship.” The wolves reportedly responded by chasing Sanders nearly 300 yards before “testing his durability” with a series of bites and swipes. A game warden on the scene described the encounter as “the fastest I’ve ever seen someone regret a lifestyle choice.”
Question of the Day: Was the punishment handed down to U of M for the sign stealing incident appropriate?
Lyrics of the Day: What'll you do when you get lonely and nobody's waiting by your side? You've been runnin' and hidin' much too long. You know it's just your foolish pride.
I tried to give you consolation when your old ma let you down. Like a fool, I fell in love with you. It turned my whole world upside down.
If you think you know the song and the artist, send me your answer in the comments section of the blog.
Answer to Lyrics of the Day for August 13: Teach the Children by Crosby, Stills, and Nash
Video of the Day: Every time I watch this video, I think about the contradiction of the words and the video. This video was released in 1987 along with the movie. The video could be updated with what is going on today in Gaza, Ukraine and with ICE here in the U.S and the contradiction would remain the same.
"What a Wonderful World" from "Good Morning Vietnam" - God bless Robin Williams
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Happy Anniversary Tom and Leah!
Congratulations on your 53rd wedding anniversary