Today’s lesson in critical thinking is about the value of information regardless of whether it seems relevant at the time.  I learned this from Andy Stefanovich, the self-proclaimed chief curator at Prophet Management Consulting in Richmond, Virginia.  Andy always carries a supply of blank index cards on which he obsessively captures random observations and thoughts.  He considers each entry a potential trigger for a creative approach to solving a future client’s need.

As I started to think about a different angle to explore Comrade Trump’s first 100 days in office, I decided to “dig deep down into the old pack of cigarettes” to find an appropriate metaphor.  (NOTE: I first heard the phrase contained in the previous sentence at a John Denver concert.  It was how Denver would introduce one of his old standards to the audience.)  And sure enough, recalling a two-year old story about a totally unrelated topic was the stimulus I sought.

On August 29, 2015, the Washington Examiner published an article by Bill Lalor in which the writer shared Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison’s following view on “participation awards.”

I’m sorry I’m not sorry for believing that everything in life should be earned. And I’m not about to raise two boys to be men by making them believe that they are entitled to something just because they tried their best.

For those unfamiliar with the Examiner, until 2013 it was a D.C tabloid which catered to a conservative audience, owned by Montana oil magnate Philip Anschutz.  After the demise of the print edition, the paper transitioned to an on-line publication.  (NOTE:  It is probably no coincidence Anschutz was born in Russell, Kansas, which is also the birthplace of former Senator Robert Dole.  Maybe it’s something in the water.)

In the 2015 article, Lalor declares, “Hillary (Clinton) is the participation trophy of the 2016 race.”  Comparing her many years pursuing the presidency as equivalent to being in the game without a victory, Lalor concludes 2016 will be no different.  People understand “the difference between ‘Everything is AWESOME’ recognition and actual achievement.”

Which brings us back to Donald J. Trump.  I am not holding my breath, but I wonder if Bill Lalor is working on a piece for Friday’s edition of the Examiner which begins, “Donald Trump is the participation trophy of the American presidency.”  One cannot argue he has not been an omnipresent fixture on the field of play since January 20th.  And his staff believes he tried his best…or at least that’s what they say for his personal consumption.  For example, on his promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, press secretary Scary Spice said, “The president did everything he could on the health care bill.” (March 24, 2017)

The one thing that His Orangeness has also been pretty good at during the first 100 days is revising history.  Most recently, wrongly suggesting Korea was historically part of China and then blaming his ignorance on Chinese president Xi Jinping.  So, it is with great anticipation I await Trump’s presidential memoir To Russia With Love: The Sequel.  The question is whether he will bring his campaign bluster in line with the reality of his hopefully short time in office.  For example, will Trump revise the account of his September 9, 2015 rally at the Capitol building as follows.

The steps of the Capitol seemed the perfect venue to protest the lopsided deal President Obama cut with Iran to limit their nuclear weapons capability.  As I told the millions of people who attended the rally, “We will have so much participation if I get elected that you may get bored with the participation.  (Crowd cheers.) Believe me, I agree, you’ll never get bored with participation.  We never get bored.  We are going to turn this country around.”

Perhaps the phrase that best sums up this centenary milestone in this national nightmare is, “Close, but no cigar!”  According to Wiktionary, this expression originated “from the practice of giving cigars as prizes at carnivals in the United States in the 19th Century.  This phrase would be said to those who failed to win a prize.”  If anything, in contrast to every recent presidential experience, the last three months have certainly been more “a carnival” than “a honeymoon.”

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP