Paul’s Daily Ration: 06/23/21 – Radically Rational

Paul’s Daily Ration: 06/23/21

I woke up outraged, embarrassed and disappointed in myself. The source of my outrage was realizing the previous inadequacy of my outrage.

Yes, like your mom’s “good china,” outrage should only be busted out on special occasions. Like, for example, efforts to shrink the size of the American electorate through purely partisan voter suppression laws. These laws and proposals have nothing to do with “voter ID.” And efforts to categorize them as such are themselves cynical, deflective and dishonest. If an organized plot to disenfranchise, discourage and impede qualified American voters doesn’t trip your “outrage trigger,” what does? If clear attempts to actually rig future American elections don’t turn your outrage burner dial to “10,” what would?

Maybe an armed insurrection at our Capitol? Maybe a coordinated, violent attack whose aim was to simply overturn the results of a valid election and effectively overthrow the government of the United States? Maybe an attack that was carried out with the knowledge and even cooperation of government officials and institutions? And then maybe a gaslighting clown parade of deniers followed by a caboose full of cowards who refuse to investigate the darkest day in American history? Maybe brazen traitors masquerading as “peaceful patriots” and “tourists”?

I woke up outraged, embarrassed and disappointed in myself. The source of my outrage was realizing the previous inadequacy of my outrage. Problem corrected.

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.