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Hope all goes well… “It’s no longer the case that the US will simply just protect us. Rather, Europe needs to take its fate into its own hands, that’s the task of the future,” said Chancellor Merkel. “Washington has lost vigor, and because of it, in the long term, influence,” said Jean-Claude Junker. “It is dangerous and devastating that the US is challenging the WTO’s fundamental guiding principles,” said Beij

Hope all goes well… “What are you going to focus on in today’s game?” I asked. “Driving hard to the inside, picking my spots, making goals,” answered Jackson. He was behind the wheel, a full license just months away now. “What are your coaches telling you to focus on?” I asked. “Driving hard to the inside, picking my spots, making goals,” he said, smiling. “I feel like I’ve been too tentative the last couple games, a

Hope all goes well… “His legacy is more than the beautiful works of art that hang on walls across the world,” said the priest. Paul’s wife Tamie sat up front, his children, grandchildren. We filled the pews. Our lives unfinished works, his influence touching each in untold ways. “And that is not to diminish his substantial contribution to the art world.” The church was 12th century, lost in time, sinking into the Som

“The polls say I won the debate,” said the candidate, “but you and I know all about polls.” Perry Parker’s a good friend, we worked together for a decade, buying low, selling high. And having won in finance, he headed home to give back to Mississippi. When the 3rd congressional district seat opened up he made a bid. “The men say, ‘So you’re Trump without the tweets,’ and the women are like, ‘Exactly what are you goin

Hope all goes well… “I want to take the firm choice to defend democracy. It’s not a word we should become used to. It is a word with meaning which emerged from the battles of the past,” declared young Emmanuel Macron, urging Europe’s leaders to not become a “generation of sleepwalkers” in the shadow of authoritarianism rising in Poland, Hungary, the political fringe. “People haven’t given up on Europe. It’s the treac

Hope all goes well… “I got money managers asking what happens if we wake one day and he’s gone?” bellowed Biggie Too in baritone. “But my DC peeps say only Colonel Sanders can stop a 2nd term for Trump.” You see, the secret service can’t stop the fried chicken assault, raining down by the bucket load, shock-and-artery-awe. “The world’s 500 greatest companies jump and dive on every contradictory tweet, exasperating an

Hope all goes well… “Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles; Cowardice is submissive surrender to circumstances. Courage breeds creativity; Cowardice represses fear and is mastered by it. Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? But conscience ask the question, is it right? And there comes a time when we must

Hope all goes well… Dusted off an anecdote about great coaching, and the zone (see below). See you next Sunday with full weekend notes. Week-in-Review (expressed in YoY terms): Mon: China/US in trade talks and Mnuchin “cautiously hopeful,” China debuts renminbi-denominated oil futures, South Korea/US reach amended trade deal, Moody’s affirms South Africa rating (outlook stable), Zuma summoned to court next week in co

Hope all goes well… “What do you want to focus on today Charlie?” I asked, driving to practice. “Ground balls, getting open,” he said after a bit of reflection. “Both important parts of the game, sounds like a good plan,” I said. “Know why I don’t like doughnuts Daddy?” he asked, moving quickly from lacrosse to matters of substance. “Why little man?” I asked. “My mouth gets dry whenever I think about them.” I laughed

Hope all goes well… “How’d I do out there today Daddy?” asked Charlie. “You looked good little man. But did you have fun?” I asked. “Yeah, sure did.” That’s all that matters. My 4th child, my last time coaching 3rd grade lacrosse. “Do you prefer being cold or hot?” he asked, cheeks beet red, a chilly first practice under our belt. “Well, I’d rather freeze to death than burn,” I said. “Same,” he replied, moving on. “W