First Paragraph

In the week before their departure to Arrakis, when all the final scurrying about had reached a nearly unbearable frenzy, an old crone came to visit the mother of the boy, Paul. 

- From Dune by Frank Herbert

Major Issues Update: Starbucks Red Cup

Non-controversial cup of coffee

Finally caught up with the Starbucks red cup story. 

It must have been a slow news day when that became a controversy. 

The story is almost painful to read after getting the latest news on the attacks in Paris.

Terrorist monsters are murdering people, intolerant loons are cowing university administrators, government debt is horrendous, and people are upset about the design of a cup in a chain of coffee shops?

P.S. I think the cup looks fine.

Family Life: "Alan"

My daughter, who sometimes calls me "Alan" to reflect her belief that I resemble characters played by Alan Arkin, called last night to ask how I'm doing. 

She said the call was sparked by the news that Alan Arkin had a stroke and she wanted to make sure I am okay.

She later reported that he is fine.

"Alan" is okay too.

You've Been Sentenced

Writing in The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg reveals the "crimes" for which jihadists will sentence you to death. Here's an excerpt but be sure to read the entire list so you can see if you are on theirs:

1. Vacationing in Egypt
2. Shopping in Nairobi
3. Going to work in New York
4. Flying in an airplane in the U.S.
5. Riding a train in Madrid
6. Riding a bus in London
7. Attending a wedding in Amman
8. Guarding a Canadian memorial

Hubris Review

An always timely post by Wally Bock on Icarus in the C-Suite: Why High-Flyers Fall to Earth.

Stand-Out

Americans clearly want to cheer the hopeful message of a film like The Martian, and close to $200 million in box office receipts confirms this. Yet there is a striking contrast between the idealism of Scott’s movie and the relentless negativity of the current political polls. According to the RealClear Politics survey, a mere 27 percent of Americans believe the United States is moving in the “right direction.” In contrast over 63 percent believe their country is on the “wrong track.” Faith in the US Congress is now so low that 78 percent of Americans disapprove of the job it is doing. As for the President of the United States, his approval rating stands at 45 percent.

Read all of Nile Gardiner on why American exceptionalism matters

Helmut Schmidt, R.I.P.

Spiegel Online examines the late Chancellor's life: "You need passion. And cigarettes."

"Stuff" and the Shared Region

People sometimes ask about ideas for blog posts. I am not a great source of wisdom on that issue. I type drafts of possible posts and then, not being able to decide on a title, put "Stuff" in the title section. That's sort of a bookmark to hold the material until I can return at a better time and decide just what it's supposed to mean.

The traditional rule is to think something through and then speak or write but life teaches that often the best thoughts come as we speak or write and not before.

Action and thought have a shared region and do not always dwell in separate kingdoms.

We need to keep that in mind and keep our minds in action.

Quote of the Day

The world is full of wonders and miracles but people take their little hands and cover their eyes and see nothing. 

- Israel Baal Shem

Supporting France

Words are inadequate but, to put it simply, all civilized people must stand with the French against monsters. The support, of course, should be much more than words.

[Update: The Telegraph has an ongoing series of reports on the situation in France.]

[Update II: The story in Le Monde.]