Paul’s Daily Ration: 06/25/21 – Radically Rational

Paul’s Daily Ration: 06/25/21

Are we just bound and determined to get right back in the COVID Soup? Yet again? Of all the baffling psychology generated by the pandemic, the most curious to me is our collective refusal to win, when there is a clear path to victory.

We’ve lost 600,000 Americans to COVID-19. The first third of those fatalities were sadly unavoidable. But the other 400,000 deaths have been attributable to mismanagement, misinformation, disinformation, politicizing a medical issue, irrational fear of science and ignorant superstition. As a result, every time we have been on the brink of victory, we have prematurely reverted to habits and patterns that have re-stoked the COVID inferno.

Here we are again. The CDC is correct in stating that any U.S. COVID fatalities going forward are almost completely avoidable and unnecessary. We have remarkably safe and effective vaccines. They virtually eliminate the risk of severe illness and death. They conclusively restrict the spread of coronavirus. And maybe best of all, they currently appear to be protective against the highly contagious and virulent Delta Variant. For now. The “key to victory” is restricting viral spread. If a virus cannot replicate, it cannot mutate.

And yet we still have folks who would rather bitch than win. I’m baffled by our collective refusal to win, when there is a clear path to victory. I have a term to describe people who simply decline to win. Losers.

Is it possible that Mike Pence has at least a trace of a soul? Yes, the idea that any one person can determine a presidential election is “Un-American.” In fact, what could possibly be more “Un-American”? Make America Great Again? How about we start with Make America America Again? Pence’s confirmation of the obvious is I suppose laudable in this Through The Looking Glass environment. But he’s still trying to have it both ways, distancing himself from Trump’s most egregious crime while still clinging to him like a teddy bear. That is hardly a profile in courage.

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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.