A single Jewish country, like Israel, doesn't stand a chance at the UN, where they are automatically outvoted and imprisoned by their enemies in a virtual diplomatic isolation.The ability of the Muslim nations and those they coerce to outvote Israel at the United Nations, whether in the General Assembly, the HRC, and through UNRWA is neither right, ethical, nor moral, but simply a fixture of might makes wrong at the UN! In democracies around the world, we pride ourselves on balancing voting with constitutions that protect the basic human rights of all people, including minorities be they according to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. Unfortunately, these principles and protections of people don't apply at the United Nations. Thus, bias and hatred of Israel is allowed and even encouraged to perpetuate as long as their enemies can use sheer numbers or their power to deny the basic rights of a secure existence and nationhood to the Jewish people. Regretfully, these types of gross injustices, including genocide, have been perpetrated against many other minorities as well. While there have been attempts in the past to reform the UN, unfortunately, these remain mostly unsuccessful, and the farce that is the United Nations continues with its unsound power structure and the lack of a global moral compass to guide its actions.
July 9, 2021
When Might Makes Wrong
May 2, 2021
The Worst Leadership
I must see where my people are going, so that I can lead them.
These are leaders that are much more followers than any sort of leaders.
Or worse yet are leaders that lead people in the wrong (bad) direction.
In fact, these leaders "sin," but also they cause others to sin as well.
They are bad apples and serve as bad examples to others too!
A good leader is a shining example and mentor and these people are gems to find!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Worst Leadership
October 25, 2019
Sizzle Is Not Steak
It was about how the stock brokers all too often hawked hot stocks to their unsuspecting and foolish clients:
You sold the sizzle, not the steak!
Wow, isn't this all too often what happens with products and services in the marketplace?
People get you hyped up on all the excitement of something.
The latest and greatest widget or whatever.
It's gonna revolutionize the world!
Even when the thing itself may not be all that it's cracked up to be.
Or in fact, it may be a complete dud!
But whatever sells goes, unfortunately, whether it's right or wrong
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle.
Doesn't that sizzle really make you want to buy the steak?
The Greater Fool Theory in full blossom. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Sizzle Is Not Steak
July 9, 2018
Persuasion x 3
- Ethos: Appeals to a sense of ethics, morals, and character.
- Logos: Appeals to a sense of logic, reason, and rationality.
- Pathos: Appeals to a sense of emotion, empathy, and passion.
I don't know about most people, but I don't get convinced easily.
You need to show me, prove it to me, or convince me it's right.
Some others, and I don't know why--it's like you can sell them the Brooklyn Bridge, as they say.
I think that's dangerous!
Without critical thinking and evaluation, people can get led astray to do the wrong things...a perfect example is Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler (may his memory be forever cursed).
Hitler appealed to the Germans people at the time:
- Emotionally to bring them back from the loss, destruction, and destitution that World War I inflicted and of course, to scapegoat the Jews, Gypsies, and political opponents and send them to the death camps.
- Logically, that they were a strong and powerful people, the "Aryan nation," and they therefore, deserved to conquer and rule Europe and the World.
- Ethically--let's just say, this one didn't really apply to Hitler, probably the most evil and destructive man this world has ever known, except that even Hitler tried to fool his people falsely proclaiming, "G-d is with us!"
It's a war of good over evil out there, and we need to make our arguments to influence and persuade for the good, but we also have to be careful not to let others, who are not so good, manipulate us for their own selfish and depraved ends.
Ethos, Logos, and Pathos--potent tools or weapons in the direction of mankind and civilization. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Persuasion x 3
January 14, 2018
Beyond Money
Tring to keep their confidentiality, let me just say this...
A couple returned some money to us, but they went truly above and beyond.
They returned some money that technically they were entitled to, and I never would've imagined that they should give it back to us.
When I saw the check and what they did, I really couldn't stop myself saying how amazing this couple is.
They are a religious Jewish couple, and I just feel that what they did was such a "Kiddush Hashem" (their behavior is a sanctification of G-d's name in the world).
Some people pretend to be religious on the outside, but inside their behaviors don't reflect it.
In this case, the people were generally religious not just on the outside, but on the inside as well.
Their doing righteous literally was uplifting for my soul to see that there really are such incredible people in this world.
Yes, some people are bad--do bad--and we can get not only disappointed but depressed that they seem to thrive anyway.
So to see the good in people--extra good--it renews my hope in mankind and in G-d Above who shows us the way and can inspire us to behave morally and ethically amazingly. ;-)
(Source photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Beyond Money
November 12, 2016
New York Times' Credibility Is In The Toilet
They predicted one thing, but were completely wrong.
However, it wasn't only their predictions of a sweeping Trump loss that were incorrect, but also that their biased, schlock journalism was professionally and ethically wrong!
Over and over again, I read the harshest of criticisms of Donald Trump, especially from the New York Times--endless rantings about him week after week:
From Nicholas Kristof:
- Trump's actions are heinous
- Trump is a misogynist and sexual predator
- Trump is a charlatan
- Trump is a crackpot
- Trump is a shallow egoist who uses people
- Trump is for pariahs like ISIS, North Korea, and KKK
- Trump is mean
- Trump is a liar
- Trump is a racist
From Frank Bruni:
- Trump rants
- Trump makes corrosive conspiracy theories
- Trump is sickening
- Trump and his people are pathetic
- Trump is a narcissist
- Trump is irredeemably sexually perverse
- Trump is crude
- Trump is unfit
- Trump is unpatriotic
- Trump is hot-tempered
Does the New York Times really call this journalism, and do they expect people to pay for this one-sided nonsense?
It used to be we could go to an esteemed newspaper like the New York Times and get real investigative journalism, and a real analytical and balanced approach to issues--we could learn something and be better off for it.
But unfortunately it seems that the New York Times became exactly what it feared the most--it became biased, bigoted, and hateful.
The articles over and over again were full of shameful name-calling, insinuations, and coaxing people that they needed to vote for one candidate over another.
It wasn't just an endorsement before the election, it was a barrage of months of superficial and venomous, hate-filled spew and characterizations by liberal journalists against a conservative party candidate--irrespective of what his true capabilities were and hope that he could bring to reinvigorate this nation.
Of course, candidates should always be condemned for any bias or stupid things they may explicitly or implicitly do or say, but that is an opportunity to set the record and candidate straight, not unilaterally take them out back and shoot them, while giving the other candidate a free ride on corruption, collusion, and lies.
Over time, people saw right through it, and it became clear that the media was absolutely biased, divisive, and trying to fix the election results for one candidate.
The damage to the credibility of the media is done, and before readers renew their next subscriptions, they need to vote with their wallets with the same internal deliberation and soul searching as for their candidate. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
New York Times' Credibility Is In The Toilet
May 1, 2016
Pro Life OR Pro Choice
Pro Life OR Pro Choice
June 10, 2015
Don't Just Hire Another You
The New York Times confirms that "more than 80% of employers worldwide named cultural fit as a top hiring priority," where cultural fit is a sugarcoated synonym for hiring others like themselves!
Your resume influences whether you get an interview, but then "chemistry"--personality ("not qualifications") takes over--"like you were on a date."
Often cited reasons for hiring someone:
- Someone you would enjoy "hanging out" with, and "developing close relationships with."
- Those with "shared experiences," alma maters, and pedigrees--including "hobbies, hometowns, and biographies...and even "those who played the same sport."
What about diversity?
Well apparently, it's still an "old boys network" out there, even though diversity has been found especially important for "jobs involving complex decisions and creativity," and so as not to become "overconfident, ignore vital information, and make poor (and even unethical) decisions."
No doubt, personality and values can also be important in getting along with others in the group--even a few jerks on the team, can create plenty of havoc, discord, and dysfunction.
Maybe after meeting the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) requirements, one of the litmus tests should be not whether the person is the same as us, but whether they are moral and decent human beings that can act appropriately with others.
Not an easy thing to judge from some interviews, testing, or even reference checking--even when these are done well, there are still quite a number of hiring surprises that happen.
Or as they say about marriage, you don't really know the person until you wake up with them in the morning.
There are also more extensive background checking that can help vet employees, such as in the Federal system, where many sensitive positions require an in-depth security clearance review process that looks at everything from criminal background, financial responsibility, psychological stability, national loyalties, and more.
We need to know who we are dealing with, not intrusively, but responsibly for good hiring decisions.
Honestly, you don't just want to hire the candidate that just looks good, like the pretty girl with no personality or a hideous disposition.
To be clear, there should never be ANY hiring biases in the workplace--conscious or unconscious.
Hiring mangers should make sure the person they are hiring is excellent in terms of the KSAs, has a broad set of terrific references, and can reasonably act like a mensch under a broad set of circumstances--the last one is the hardest one to ensure. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Don't Just Hire Another You
May 17, 2015
Snatched From The Jaws Of A LARGE Shark
Right in the jaws of a very large shark...
Must've been a little what it felt like to be Jonah swallowed up by the big whale.
"Hey let me outta here...please!"
This whole thing reminded me of something I heard from a colleague.
At one time, he had said cautioningly, "You better dip your toe in the water, because there may very well be sharks in there."
In other words, watch out from some {unscrupulous and dangerous} people--they have their own motives, hidden agendas, sources of power, and they may be VERY intense on getting what they want, so be careful--don't get in their way (at least not directly).
Hey, can't you almost see the large, strong jaws--snapping, snapping, snapping.
And the very important lesson here is that if you dare dip more than your toe in the shark-infested waters, rest assured that you can lose a lot more than a foot.
(Source Photo: The Blumenthals)
Snatched From The Jaws Of A LARGE Shark
April 22, 2015
Might Does Not Make Right
"Do what is right--the others be damned!"
And this is right on the money.
You should always follow the dictates of your conscience.
Do not worry about pressure from others or what others will do that you cannot control.
My dad (A"H) used to say:
"YOU do what is right--YOU be the example!"
He was my example, and I will always follow in his footsteps. ;-)
(Source photo: here with attribution to cursedthing)
Might Does Not Make Right
April 19, 2015
How You Treat Animals
But this isn't always how we treat animals.
Some absolutely revere their animals as integral parts of their family or faith--as pets, they may be loved and cared in nice homes, and as source for milk, dung, and tilling, they may even considered sacred as in Hindu India, or for sacrifices on the Temple alter in Judaism.
I've seen dogs picked up after and wheeled around in baby strollers, while in the Movies like "Meet The Fockers," Jinx the cat is exalted for doing her deed in the toilet, the same one used by the family.
One colleague told me how she had to run after her dog cleaning up all over her house, when it was sick and had a bleed out of its butt--yeah, ick!
And I remember learning about how in Nazi Germany, dogs would walk on the sidewalk, while Jews were forced into the gutters.
On the other side of the animal coin...
We have animals sickeningly and inhumanly confined and caged in tiny spaces; starved or fattened; pepped up on antibiotics, and clubbed, electrocuted, given lethal injections, shot and cut up.
Animals are used for food, fur, and even so-called fun from cock fighting to bull runs.
Further, animals are used for research in everything from new medications to abusive studies in mind control and even punishment.
Animals have also been used for horrific torture of POWs where masks were attached to victims faces and a fire would heat the other side and force the rodent locked inside to burrow into the faces of their victims.
Similarly, in Nazi Germany, gruesome studies were conducted on humans by sewing live cats into the stomach of victims.
In more positive ways, animals have been used to locate everything from disease to the implements of war--from dogs being used in identifying human diseases like cancer and tuberculosis to giant rats used to locate land mines.
Also, animal products are used in many life-saving medications.
I found the remorse of an animal experimenter today in the New York Times to be refreshing, and those who choose to become vegan or disavow the use of fur and other animal products to be noble, as long as they accept that others may feel different.
When the experimenter in his guilt thinks about the tables being turned, he imagines aliens coming to Earth and abducting and conducting experiments on us humans...oh, he seems to go, now I know how it must feel.
Guess he didn't think to walk in that chicken's shoes before...
While to carnivorous animals, we are just another piece of beef in the food chain, other domesticated animals can be "man's best friend."
Killing an animal for survival is one thing, and where people draw that line can vary quite some--for example, how badly does Kim Kardashian need another fur to keep her warm?
But pure abusive and sick treatment of animals for amusement, profiteering, or psychotic ends is wrong, period.
Animals are not people, but they are G-d creatures and sentient, and they should not be harmed or pained just because some of us like to act like animals too. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
How You Treat Animals
April 16, 2015
CIO, Social Butterfly Or Tyrant
There are those who "lead" by friendship, as if the workplace is one big playpen; and the notion is that those who have the most office buddies wins; to them it's not the mission or work that is important but rather it's a popularity contest, plain and simple--they are immature and still stuck in the preschool mode of thinking about what leadership is and how to work productively with others.
Then there are others who "lead" by tyranny--it is a one person show and they are it; no one else has an viewpoint or idea that matters; anyone else who is good to great is a threat to them--they are insecure and narcissistic and the scariest thing in the world to them is to surround themselves with people smarter than themselves or give credit, respect, and honor to others.
Now there is nothing wrong with doing a coffee, lunch, or happy hour, networking, and building relationships with good people...in fact, interpersonal skills is a critical part of the job and of success.
However, those who flutter around smoozing it up with anyone and everyone, and unlike normal working discussions that have a congenial, "how you doing?" aspect and a serious, let's get down to business part, these social butterflies never get past the game on last night, their trip to Paris, or their one night stand...it's all personal, conferences, speeches, but no real work getting done (maybe some smoke and mirrors).
Similarly, there are times, when decisions need to be made and the debate must end, and not everything in the office can be a vote where majority wins--sometimes tough decisions and trade-offs need to be made, authority exercised, and responsibility taken.
Nevertheless, it's when moderation and good judgement is lost and a person's emotional issues, personality disorders, and social anxieties take over that they act the fool--and they either rule by shaking hands and kissing babies (or the office equivalent of favors, favortism, and coffee or drinks, I'm buying!) or they are hard-a*sed, prickly jerks who cannot work with anyone that can pull their own weight and instead we see a flurry people make a dash for the exits.
How do either of these types of people become leaders of anything? Don't the executives they report see or hear the chaos in the ranks below and the projects going bottom-up, kaput?
We've got to get along and nothing wrong with work friends, but we are here to do a job and do it well and for that we need to come together as decent human beings who treat each other with respect, dignity, and where everyone can make a valuable contribution--CIO social butterflies and inglorious tyrants begone! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
CIO, Social Butterfly Or Tyrant
April 15, 2015
The Wrong Way To Test
In Atlanta, 8 former public school educators were sentenced to prison--three were sentenced to as long as seven years--for a conspiracy inflating student scores by "changing answers" to the tests.
Interestingly, in another article today, we see that not only are students put to the test, but so are job applicants.
In fact, "Eight of the top 10 U.S. private employers now administrator pre-hire tests in their job applications."
While testing can certainly show some things, they can also miss the point completely.
I know some people that test wonderfully--straight A students, 100+ on all exams, 4.0 GPAs--and for the most part, they are wonderful at memorizing and prepping for the test...but sometimes not much else.
Some of them have no practical knowledge, little critical thinking or creativity, and are even sort of jerky.
And others who test poorly may be well thought, articulate, hands-on, and good with people--I'd take a million of them.
"Failing the test" is not necessarily getting it wrong...it may just be errant to the current educational and professional testing system that values memorization and spitting back over insight, innovation, and practical skills.
The challenge is how do we compare and contrast students and professionals competing for schools and career advancement, if we don't easily have something standardized like a test to rally around.
Maybe there is no getting away from more holistic assessments--where we look at bona fide life and career experience, a wide range of recommendations from teachers, coaches, and supervisors, hard and soft skills (including communications and interpersonal), professional and personal ethics, genuine interest in the pursuit, and the motivation to work hard and contribute.
Tests--students cheat, educators game the system, memorization and robotic answers are the name of the game to get the A, and boring homogeneity prevails--but it's often the easy way out to evaluating candidates for a phony success. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Wrong Way To Test
April 8, 2015
The Soul Of A Fighter
The boxer against the bright yellow background and wearing red boxing gloves that say "Soul Matters" is striking.
For many year, I had a wonderful Rocky poster with the words, "His whole life was a million to one shot."
I emphathize with and respect the person who has to fight (practically) against all odds to overcome challenges and but through the grace of G-d and a strong fighting spirit goes forward for their chance at success.
It almost doesn't matter whether you (fully) succeed, but rather that you gave it your best shot, fought the good fight, and put your heart and soul into it.
Always do the right thing and pray for the opportunity to make a difference.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Soul Of A Fighter
November 9, 2014
Lowest Price Guaranteed!
(Note: Pictured here is not the actual chair or store from my story today.)
Anyway, I was so happy thinking about how lush the sitting experience would be.
Yes, the "retail price" seemed high, but I got the "Veterans Day discount" and then bargained some more.
So I thought I probably did okay on the negotiation, especially since I was dealing with a major national brand.
Also, the contract/invoice had in writing a "lowest price guarantee"--so that if within 30 days, I found the chair for cheaper, the company "would gladly refund the difference in full"!
Sounds good, right?
But something wasn't feeling right and when I went home I had trouble sleeping--something seemed off with this purchase and this merchant.
So in the morning, I checked online and found the exact same chair for almost $300 less!
Well, I headed straight to the store with a printout of the lower price I had found and promptly presented it to the store manager for the refund of the difference as promised.
But instead of the glad refund, I got stonewalled and the dumbest look on the store manager's face I have ever seen.
He started the million excuses why he wouldn't refund the difference in price as promised.
First he said, oh, the chair I found was a different color--I showed him the chair online and the one in his showroom, and they were the identical color and everything.
Then, he goes for a second attempt, saying, uh the price guarantee doesn't apply to prices found at outlets, and I said where does the price I found say outlet anywhere? He couldn't find anything like that.
So he tries a third time to get rid of me, and says, the merchandise has to be advertised under "the same terms and conditions," and it wasn't. I said what terms and conditions weren't the same? He said, well, they just weren't the same.
At which point, he told me plain and simple that he wasn't going to refund the difference and that I should get out of the store.
I won't tell you all the (legal) details how, but let's just say this guy was sorry for trying to do that...and I walked out with the price difference refunded.
Buyer beware--lot's of crooks out there trying to take your money and giving guarantees that are complete b.s.
This is probably especially the case with many brick and mortar retailers who are having serious problems competing with their significantly lower overhead online brethren.
Beware--Beware--Beware!!!
I learned again today and taught my daughter to stand up for what is rightfully yours and don't let anyone take advantage of you!
You work for your money too and no one should cheat you out of it. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Lowest Price Guaranteed!
October 23, 2014
Not Just Business
"All May Park. All Must Pay."
Another way of saying this is like at the dry cleaners, "No tickee, no shirtee!"
This reminded me of a conversation that I was having with some colleagues about whether individuals or organizations can be evil?
(Note: True story, but I've embellished for the sake of demonstration.)
One colleague said, "Individuals are not bad, but people in groups definitely [often] turn bad!"
Another said, "No individuals can be bad, really bad--think of Hitler and so many others who have murdered, tortured, raped, enslaved, and impoverished--it's the individuals that can and do turn an organizational culture bad."
A third person replied that, "Indeed, it can be the other way around as well, where bad organizations make or encourage it's people to do the wrong things--whether for profits, power, or punishment."
Then someone blurted out, "Well, business is business, right?" In other words, it's okay to do something wrong because everyone does it in business--that's the name of the game and what you have to do to compete and survive!
Then I said sort of annoyed at what the last person said, "Business is not business--that is our test to be G-dly, moral, and ethical in all our dealings [in our personal and professional lives]!"
Of course, we don't always succeed--no one does/we are not angels--but we have to try every time, learn and grow and become better people.
If you do wrong, you will pay--whether in this world or the next. ;-)
Not Just Business
October 22, 2014
Walk Like A Chicken
But this was something different yesterday in downtown D.C....
Using virtual reality to "See Life Through A Chicken's Eyes"--complements of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
So I go up and ask the attendant what this is all about.
She says, "You can take the virtual reality tour and walk around a field as a chicken!"
She goes on, "Only we're having some trouble with the technology, so can you come back in 20 minutes?"
Uh, okay, but 2 things:
1. Yes, I do believe in ethical treatment for everyone (including animals), and no one should suffer where we can (and should) prevent it.
2. I did just have some chicken (only Kosher, of course!) to eat just last week (and it was pretty good), and while I am curious to see the virutal reality, I can't make it back here in 20 minutes, but thank you!
Lesson: Treat all life compassionately, but I don't have to walk around as a chicken to see that! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Walk Like A Chicken
September 5, 2014
Respect NOT Rape
That equates to 120 MILLION girls globally.
Many are then brutally murdered and shamed as we have been reading about, now with all too much frequency, in India for example, with young women being raped, killed, and then hung from trees etc.
What is wrong with this world???
Women are our mothers, wives, and daughters--they are often amongst the most compassionate and caring of us.
This is how we treat them?
Unfortunately, rape and abuse is also a crime against many young boys.
It is time to take a serious ethical pause and stop the violence against our children and against other adults.
The screams and scars of those abused hang in the air as an indictment against those committing the crime as well as those that do nothing to speak out.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Respect NOT Rape
July 15, 2014
Fighting With A Fear Of G-d
Amazing video from Al Jazeera Arabic that praises the Israeli and French militaries for respecting and protecting civilians.
This, in contrast--as Al Jazeera reports--to Hezbollah, Syria, and others extremist militants that deliberately target civilians and use them as human shields.
We've heard in recent days again, how the IDF continues to go to great lengths to avoid hitting mosques, hospitals, and even trying to warn residents before an attack to save their lives.
While mistakes happen in fighting and war, I must say how proud I am of the IDF for their efforts to act humanely under inhumane circumstances, while attacks are underway across the nation, and to always consider the moral implications of what they do.
In the Wall Street Journal today, Bret Stephens states, that the weakness of the Israel is only through moral defeat, because the Jewish people "favors moral self-regard over normal self interest."
Similarly, Woody Allen's frequent humorous portrayal in the movies of Jewish introspection is funny, because it resonates so true for a people always trying to do and make right.
Again today, we saw that Israel, not wanting to fight unless absolutely necessary, respected the ceasefire with Gaza, while Hamas outright rejected it and continued shooting off volleys of missiles indiscriminantly into Israel.
As Hamas has themselves stated about their waves of suicide bombers, rocket launches at population centers and critical infrastructure, and other dirty tactics, "We love death more than you love life."
The IDF is an inspiring example of fighting with ethics, dignity, and ultimately a fear of G-d more than any enemy could evoke.
Fighting With A Fear Of G-d
July 11, 2014
Even Tolerance Has Limits
It's about ending bullying and teaching tolerance.
This poster specifically has to do with LGBT, but the universal message of acceptance is more broad.
While each of us has our own beliefs, we should allow others to have theirs as well.
My father used to tell me basically (within G-d's law), "You can do whatever you want in life as long as you don't hurt yourself or anyone else."
However, I am reminded this week that not everyone lives by the same common sense and decency.
I read in the Jerusalem Post about Palestinian Media Watch posting a Hamas video yesterday threatening "stabbing attacks [in Israel] everywhere...[and] suicide attacks on every bus, cafe, and street."
Moreover, Arutz Sheva tells how a female Egyptian lawyer "recommended that Arab men begin sexually harassing Jewish women" as a mean of fighting Israel.
Then watching the news and seeing Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists from Gaza shooting missiles and intentionally aiming to try to hit major Israeli cities and population centers, airplanes, ports, and other critical infrastructure like the nuclear facility in Dimona that could potentially spread radiation and kill untold numbers of people--I am reminded morality is not universal.
While Israel calls the residents in Gaza to vacate before an attack on then empty buildings--the terrorists that Israel is fighting try to kill as many civilians as possible--at which time, they would presumably sing, dance, and hand out candy to the kids to celebrate as is their custom.
Like the sign calling for tolerance that was essentially torn from the pole, we have to remember tolerance for others is one thing, but there are limits when they actively seek to harm (themselves or) others.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Even Tolerance Has Limits