The war. The Second World War. And one of the greatest movies of all time. 80 Decembers ago it was almost ready for release. If you want a glimpse into attitudes that Americans of that time had for the world at large, here's your chance to see it. Casablanca. You likely know the story of the movie. Bogart plays an American, Rick, who owns a bar/cafe in Casablanca, Morocco. To his shock, Ilsa, a … [Read more...]
An Off-Shoot
September 12, 2022 by
I spend a lot of time in time passed. The past. All time before now. Since this is so, I'd like to offer an out-of-the way thought from the 21st anniversary of September 11, 2001, or 9-11 as it's shortened for history, those small slices of the past chosen to be remembered. I'm thinking of the Invisible Triangle. The Invisible Triangle affects you, me, all and each of us. It … [Read more...]
A State Of The Union In Three Forms
February 28, 2022 by
Depending on when you're reading this, POTUS 46 will either be delivering the speech on Tuesday, March 1 or has already done so. Regardless, I'd like to share briefly three examples to help you gauge and measure our current moment under broadly similar conditions. The examples fit around a set of criteria. 1) a major European war is happening; 2) Americans know it, with a meaningful percentage … [Read more...]
A People And Two Lifes
January 27, 2022 by
Regardless of where you are with the pandemic today, one point we can agree on is the difficulty it's presented to the American people. Think about your view of and attitude toward the pandemic, whatever your stance on the topic. You could agree that "difficult" describes it. Think also about people who disagree with you. Somewhere along the line you'll encounter the word "difficult" or you'll … [Read more...]
Sr And Jr
January 25, 2022 by
Sr. and Jr. The distinction between them can be as vast as the universe. That's not a bad thing, just a real thing. I thought I'd share a short but true story with you about the gap. To start, full disclosure: I'm not a Kennedy guy. Still, I can appreciate without being a supporter. Moreover, I know something about speeches, leadership, communication, crisis, and the millions of stories on … [Read more...]
Fifteen People
January 20, 2022 by
What number of people can destroy a world? One answer is 15. It is today, January 20, in 1942, that 15 men gather around a large table and in two hours agree on a plan to kill every Jewish man, woman, and child they can find, wielding all the powers a nation-state can give them. The journal of one of the participants survives, allowing us to know this. The 15 were various German … [Read more...]
This Month In 1968–Not Yet The City Of Peace
January 17, 2022 by
Today, in 2022, we honor Martin Luther King Jr. Today in 1968 he is still alive and unaware of the future to come. Also today in 1968 the city that will be the scene of shocking silence on the night of his death is equally unaware of the future to come. I've written a short book about six leaders who lived their lives on the night that King lost his. These six people share three things--they are … [Read more...]
The Stage of Indiana University Football Grief
September 6, 2021 by
With apologies to Dr. Kubler-Ross... This past Saturday I sat down with three buddies to watch the opening game of the Indiana University football season. I left with my own version of the stages of grief. Let's call it the IU Football Fan's Stages of Grief. Stage One is leading up to kickoff. It's aspirational, hopeful, the world is a wonderful place. Talk of top rankings and new bowl-game … [Read more...]
One Year Later: Leaving The Pandemic
July 16, 2021 by
A Historical Solutions Leadership Talkshop for summer 2021...register now... Leaving The Pandemic: Your Leadership And The Lessons One Year After World War II, World War I, And The Civil War. It's 1946, 1919, and 1866 and Americans have put hard times in the rear-view mirror. They've said goodbye to the problems and difficulties of a major struggle—World War II, World War I, and the Civil … [Read more...]
Eleven Years–Then And Now
July 13, 2021 by
Think about Americans, American civic life, and moving visual images. The first use of motion pictures in American presidential elections was in March 1901 with the inauguration of William McKinley. Filmed by the inventor of film--Thomas Edison. Again, 1901. The first use of motion pictures in American presidential campaigns was in fall 1912 with the campaign of Woodrow Wilson. Filmed by a … [Read more...]
