The Pesky Problems of a Crisis Mindset

“If everything is a priority, then nothing is a priority.” Some Marine Officer, sometime I honestly can’t remember just when I heard this USMC truism, but it’s one of those that I encountered repeatedly in uniform. It may not be fully fair, but I’m going to accredit this one to my former Commanding Officer. ForContinue reading “The Pesky Problems of a Crisis Mindset”

The Indispensable Senator from Ohio

The seeds of history making statesmanship are planted in late January. At least that’s my latest theory. On January 25th, 2021 US Senator Rob Portman announced he would retire at the end of his current term. While the political class jumped straight to discussions of potential successors, they missed Portman’s transition from Senator to Statesman.Continue reading “The Indispensable Senator from Ohio”

Climate Policy and American Exceptionalism: ‘Lead by Example’ is the Wrong Argument

Americans are competitors. It’s in our national DNA. That’s why I’m convinced President Biden’s administration is faltering when they argue ‘leading by example’ in the discussion of climate solutions. For better or worse, our national conscience is often driven by a finite, winner-take-all mindset driven by the way we talk about the issues and challengesContinue reading “Climate Policy and American Exceptionalism: ‘Lead by Example’ is the Wrong Argument”

Military Efficiency on Display

In the past week, the American Legion took one on the nose – and then punched right back. During a recent Memorial Day observance, a local post in Hudson, OH stumbled. The post had invited a retired Army Officer, and local resident, to serve in the keynote slot for the program. When Lieutenant Colonel KemterContinue reading “Military Efficiency on Display”

Now is the Time to Re-Evaluate Your Plan

Well, here we go! Big news in Ohio last night as Governor DeWine announced a formal return to normalcy on June 2. More than a year into our fight against COVID-19, folks across the Buckeye state will get back to it. But what does that mean for advocacy organizations? Within my own planning for thisContinue reading “Now is the Time to Re-Evaluate Your Plan”

Climate Tribalism is Stifling Advancement

I’ve got a major concern about the debate surrounding climate change: paradigms. Over the past several months, my work has been consumed by the debate surrounding global climate change. Beyond causes, the frenetic activity in the administration and Congress have both lent a new urgency to the search for meaningful solutions in the realms ofContinue reading “Climate Tribalism is Stifling Advancement”

The Sky is Falling

“So, NASA’s OSF tells us that the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg Air Force Base believes that a Chinese satellite has fallen out of its orbital… flight plan. The last detection the 30th had placed it in what they call a “degrading orbital path” and it’s now dropped off their radar, suggesting it’s begun aContinue reading “The Sky is Falling”

BONUS Post: The Browns & Leadership

If we’re connected on social media, you probably know I’m pretty excited that the Cleveland Browns have broken an 18 year streak by making it to this year’s NFL playoffs. I’m a lifelong Browns fan. I came by it honest, being indoctrinated into the faith by my parents. It certainly hasn’t been the easiest crossContinue reading “BONUS Post: The Browns & Leadership”

Moments of Leadership – The one where nobody wins

I had a really great call yesterday. A friend and colleague reached out to discuss an ongoing collaboration, and as good conversations do, it developed into a 40 minute romp through so much more. And as you could guess, at one point we landed on the topic of state politics in the midst of COVID.Continue reading “Moments of Leadership – The one where nobody wins”