Craig's Corner

Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to war we go.  Da da duh da, da da duh da…. Oh, wait. That’s not the accurate Disney lyric, is it?  It just seems so listening to the frothing by a variety of “leaders” up in arms over the annexation of Crimea.  In August of 2013 my blog Fight Fight Fight looked at the various wars that the U.S. is involved with and whether they made sense.   I’m surprised that President Obama and a number of political leaders seem to have taken my comments literally. “…It’s much better when we have a definable  enemy whom we can personify.  Vladimir Putin is the perfect foil – right out of Central Casting.  Quite dour looking.  He’s remaking Russia into the Soviet Union V2.0.  He’s given safe haven to Edward Snowden, a huge irritant to the Obama administration.  He’s declared war on gay people – throwing civil rights and basic humanity out the window.” The media and political establishment are quite energized at b...

I’m the product of educators, and am the “black sheep” of the family by not working in academia. I remember my Dad taking on some administrative responsibilities right when the school had to undergo a once-in-a-decade certification. It was a whole all-encompassing review. Having a set of standards across the educational spectrum may rub against my libertarian philosophy conceptually, but it is a practical and important way to ensure consistent quality across the country that I totally support. Making sure schools are able to teach the basics consistently is good public policy. Encouraging citizens to educate themselves is also good public policy. Providing financial incentives (loans, grants, etc.) to make that education accessible are good in theory, less successful in practice. Government as the regulator and primary funder/lender is ripe for conflict. Now President Obama wants (private) colleges to guarantee their results or face de-certification. Americans now owe more than...

I’ve never had the privilege of serving my country militarily, though I did try. At a career fair during my senior year of high school, I wandered over to the military recruitment table. When they asked what I was most interested in studying and pursuing. I was truthful: I was looking for a theatre school where I could have a life of performing! The guys in uniform shooed me away. I was actually serious – and said “What about the USO?” I don’t quite remember the response, but it certainly wasn’t all that inviting. So off to college I went, winding up with a BFA in theatre. There in the fall of my freshman year after I gave what I thought was a particularly brilliant performance in a scene, the professor took a moment, cleared his throat, and said “Dear boy, have you considered directing?” Thus my life beyond the footlights began where in short order I found my inner-producer. I probably would have been a terrible soldier as giving orders is more my style. Giving or taking orders – i...

William Edward Hickson popularized the English proverb “If at first you don't succeed Try, try, try again.”   The sentiment is a good one – it encourages people not to give up.   It helps build endurance and character.   In my role as a not-for-profit executive I often find myself living the adage – constantly trying to move donors, audience, members, etc. towards something.   It requires patience and fortitude.   Many times it works out, but just as often it doesn’t.   In my case, you just move on.   In the case of politicians, it appears that even in defeat they won’t give up. This week Congress voted for the 50th time to repeal ObamaCare.  I guess they don't care that the Senate and the President won't ever accept that.  They keep trying.  That's perhaps not the best use of time and resources and focus, but with the checks and balances system, it's relatively meaningless and they can keep whacking away at it.  Too bad the...