Paul’s Daily Ration: 09/16/21 – Radically Rational

Paul’s Daily Ration: 09/16/21

No professional astronauts aboard. No, I’m not talking about that SpaceX capsule. I’m talking about this blog…

I have a daughter and two granddaughters. Yesterday’s Congressional testimony by four American female gymnasts broke my heart. And made me very angry.

General Milley as traitor? No, General Milley as hero. That will become even more evident in the weeks and months to come.

It’s telling that no one…no one…is denying that Trump is literally, clinically, diagnostically, medically, definitionally bat-shit crazy. That is not a good quality in a president, or a former president.

Fences and barriers at our Capitol again. D.C and Capitol police on high alert. This is in advance of a rally in support of criminal insurrectionists who attempted to overthrow the government of the United States. How disgusting is that? But how enlightened is it that our system allows it, and even protects it, as long as it remains peaceful?

The vaccine booster debate? I’m listening. And reading. And following. I have not arrived at a position. But I do know what the key questions are. Would a booster elevate protection for high-risk citizens? And would a booster enable the vaccine to continue to do what it is supposed to do—protect the vaccinated against severe infection and death? Notice that I’m asking these questions before I attempt to answer them. That’s you know, kinda the way science works. Or is supposed to.

Happy Diez y Seis de Septiembre. BYOG. Be Your Own Grito.

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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.