Paul’s Daily Ration: 08/20/21 – Radically Rational

Paul’s Daily Ration: 08/20/21

“No warning” about a lightning quick Taliban takeover? Dubious. There are documented reports that U.S. diplomats warned the administration in July about that plausible scenario. July. The month President Biden told the nation that a rapid and complete Taliban victory was not “inevitable” and was in fact “very unlikely.”

No one of good will wants what is now a scrambling, on-the-fly (literally) U.S. “salvage” evacuation operation to fail. But we are at the mercy of the Taliban. We are dependent on the “honor” of the Taliban. The United States is counting on the integrity of the Taliban. Let that marinate.

“Chaos was inevitable”? Yes. As was an eventual Taliban takeover, almost certainly sooner than later. But our stunning and inexplicable lack of planning fueled the immediate chaos and horror. And Biden’s ongoing insistence that no mistakes were made is not confidence-inspiring as the U.S. tries to pull this one out in the “two-minute drill.”

Quorum time in the Texas House. Dems fighting Republicans. And now Dems fighting Dems. “Oh, did we forget to tell you we were coming back?”

“Very dire.” That’s how public health officials are describing the situation in Austin. Our state’s capital and ten surrounding counties have four ICU beds available as I write this at 6:03 a.m. Didn’t I start this blog describing an example of denial and lousy planning?

Abbott says the state will deploy additional medical personnel to help in hospitals throughout Texas. Uhhh, good thinking. But where will these folks come from? And what domino disaster might that cause? Can Regeneron monoclonal antibodies also improve one’s cognitive function and soften a stony heart?

You can’t smoke in public places, and for the most part, everybody now accepts that. Why? Because there is a realization that one person smoking in a room forces everybody else to smoke. Involuntarily. That right there oughta be the end of this “freedom” ruse.

It’s raining in Greenland, two miles above sea level. Not snowing. Raining. Nobody’s ever seen that before. Nobody wanted to.

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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.