Thoughts for the Day, January 14, 2025: Screw radical acceptance

Radical acceptance is not working for me

As I was reading various summaries of prosecutor Jack Smith’s report, I was continually reminded that Trump’s trial for his role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection was scheduled for March 2024. However, when the Supreme Court was faced with the question of presidential immunity in December 2023, rather than ruling quickly to keep the case on schedule, they punted and delayed their decision until June 2024. They offered conditional immunity and asked the lower courts to decide whether Trump was acting in his role as president on January 6, 2021. The lower court then allowed delays and appeals which delayed the hearing until after the election, knowing that if Trump won the election, the case would ultimately be dismissed one way or the other.

It pisses me off that Trump was allowed to manipulate the justice system with his delay, delay, delay tactics and SCOTUS, with its three Trump appointees, played a crucial role in enhancing the delays.

I cannot forgive Mitch McConnel and the Republican senators for not finding Trump guilty of his second impeachment charges in January 2021. I cannot forgive Attorney General Merrick Garland for dragging his heals prior to appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. I cannot forgive Jack Smith for his lack of urgency in putting a case together. I cannot forgive SCOTUS for delaying their decision on presidential immunity for six months and then clouding the water by saying the president has limited immunity and the lower court must decide what of the president’s action was within the scope of the president’s job.

Radical acceptance is not working for me. Truth be told, I don’t want it to work in this case. I want to remain pissed off about Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. I want to be motivated to keep it in the forefront of what I write about. There are some things that should not be forgotten or forgiven. Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection is one of them. I have been pissed for over four years now. It is not going away.

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The Lions’ Culture

Getting the culture right within an organization is critical to an organization’s long-term success. It is not easy to change culture. It takes a total commitment from the top that permeates throughout the organization. People at all levels must walk the talk. No exceptions. The larger the organization, the more difficult it is to get it right.

During August and September, we saw the Detroit Tigers’ culture come to the forefront. All the hard work within the organization came to fruition when the Tigers went on an unbelievable run to go from eight games below 500, with a .002 chance of making the playoffs, to not only make the playoffs but to advance past the wild-card round into the divisional round of the playoffs.

We have watched the Lions perform at an extraordinary level since they were 1-6 in 2022. They finished the season at 9-8 in 2022. They won the NFC North Division and made it to the NFC Championship game in the 2023 season. They have the best record in the NFC in the 2024 season. Since the end of the 2020 season, the Lions have been building a new culture. Nothing explains the new culture of the Lions better than how Jeff Seidel of the Free Press explained it in today’s third installment about the Lions. Here are excerpts from his article.

There is something intriguing about what Spielman has done. When Spielman gives his weekly talks to the business side, he will tell them secrets about the team. “With the understanding that whatever said in there stays in there, and it's establishing trust,” Spielman said. “It's like marriage or relationships. Once trust is gone, it's over, it's done.”

Anyone who works for the Lions is invited.

“We don't want people to feel like they work for the Lions,” Spielman said. “We want people to feel like they are Detroit LIons. And in order to do that, you have to invest in them. You have to extend trust to them, and you have to take some risk involved with that. And you know, I thought that it's worth the risk. It's worth the investment.”

Spielman and his wife went to cheerleading practice.

“We did football drills with the cheerleaders,” Spielman said. “We're doing one-on-one tackling and showing how to wrap. It was fun.”

And Spielman has given talks to the people who work in ticket sales, role-playing talking to a customer.

“You didn't make the sale today. So what?” he said. “Make the next one.”

He paused: “That culture has to permeate throughout the whole organization,” he said. “Has to permeate with suite sales, ticket sales. I mean, when I go and talk, I don't just talk about football. I talk about life and stuff I believe in.”

As he explains it, it starts to feel like a motivational talk.

“There's also a standard that has to be set within all parts of the organization,” Spielman said passionately. “And that standard must never be compromised. It can't be compromised, or you can't be a part of it. ...

"Don't be afraid to fail. Don't fear. Can't operate out of fear. You operate out of victory, right? And I think that's what we do.”

And yes, that, too, is now part of the new Lions culture. From the way they hire to the way they draft. To the way Campbell goes for it on fourth down.

I love reading about great leadership and organizational culture. I was fortunate enough to spend most of my career at U of M Hospital working with some outstanding leaders who knew the importance of having a positive culture. It was great being part of their team. One CEO created the term “Patients and family first”, which helped create a culture that made a difference in how I and many others approached our responsibilities.

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NFL Playoffs

After watching Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams manhandle the Vikings in Monday night’s playoff game, I am glad the Lions do not have to play the Rams next week. The Washington Commanders and their rookie QB Jayden Daniels is going to be challenging enough for the Lions.

At this point in the playoffs, all games are going to be tough, but Stafford and the Rams’ pass rush looked unbeatable last night.

Make sure you check my Video of the Day. A dedication to the victims, fire fighters and first responders of the LA fires prior to the Vikings/Rams game last night.

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Quote of the Day: “We don't want people to feel like they work for the Lions. We want people to feel like they are Detroit Lions.” The Detroit Lions’ special weapon, Chris Spielman

Orchid of the Day: Detroit Pistons’ coach J.B. Bickerstaff agreed to donate $500 toward relief efforts for every assist the Pistons tallied on Saturday. Throughout the game, the Pistons displayed a QR code for NBA Cares on the video board at center court, directing fans toward resources such as American Red Cross and World Central Kitchen.

“I just wanted to take some time to acknowledge what’s going on in the Los Angeles area, and the families and people and how they’re impacted,” Bickerstaff said. “I was moved to this reading some stuff that JJ Redick was going through, Steve Kerr’s family and community is going through, and I just want to make sure we take this time to find a way to support one another the best way we possibly can. The people that are going through these things, how all of us can do something, no matter what it is, to just reach out and help humanity at this point.”

Onion of the Day: We the People if Pete Hegseth gets confirmed as Secretary of Defense.

Lyrics of the Day: Tight pants, points hardly renowned. She was a black-haired beauty with big dark eyes. And points all her own, sitting way up high. Way up firm and high.

If you think you know the answer, indicate your answer in the comment section below.

Answer to January 13, Lyrics of the Day: Blowing in the Wind, by Bob Dylan, made famous by Peter, Paul, and Mary. In memory of Peter Yarrow who died this weekend.

Question of the Day: How is Pete Hegseth qualified to be the Secretary of Defense?

Video of the Day: (550) Rachel Platten Sings National Anthem Before The 5. Vikings At 4. Rams NFC Wild Card MNF Game - YouTube

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