Thoughts for the Day, April 22, 2021: Just listen

Congratulations to ABC, Shonda Rhimes, and the TV show “Station 19” for their show which aired today regarding the murder of George Floyd and all the emotions each member of the diverse fire station felt following the murder. The show captured the emotion from so many different perspectives in a manner that was real. It was centered on a psychologist who was assigned to help the members of the firestation deal with all of the emotions they were going through as a result of the murder. Mostly she just listened and allowed people to talk and express themselves. It reminded me that sometimes the best thing we can do is just listen. Listen to the point of understanding. How many confrontations and arguments could be avoided if we just listened to the point of understanding?

The Detroit News published an editorial by Robert Bobb, who served as the emergency manager of Detroit Public Schools in the early 2000s. Bobb’s editorial was about how defunding police or reforming police is not the answer. The answer is in addressing the underlying causes that lead to confrontations. Per Bobb, “Perceiving the problem as primarily a policing matter, however, is a false narrative, augmented by a narrow lens. Even if every city slashed its police department’s budget, the challenge wouldn’t be resolved. It’s far more complex, extending beyond blue walls.” For your reading pleasure I have attached a link to the report that a Washington DC commission he chaired provided to the leaders of Washington DC. Here is the link.

Click to access DC%20Police%20Reform%20Commission%20-%20Full%20Report.pdf

In a battle of very large egos, per the Detroit News, the Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected prominent attorney Michael Morse’s request to appeal the reinstatement of an sexual assault lawsuit against him. That means the case brought by Renee Swain, whose original lawsuit sought $10 million in damages from Morse on allegations that he touched her breast at an Oakland County restaurant in 2017 but later was dismissed, can proceed. Renee Swain is represented by Geoffrey Fieger. This will be fun to watch how this plays out.

Yesterday, Michigan topped 800,000 cases and 17,000 deaths from Covid-19 as Michigan continues to lead the nation in this third surge. I know people are tired and people are getting vaccinated, but we are not out of the woods. We must be deligent for 2-3 more months which should be easier as the weather gets nicer. We can do it.

Stay Safe. Wash your hands regularly. Wear your mask properly. Social distance. Schedule your vaccine.

Quote of the Day: “Man, I have got to think long and hard before I get out of my car and get into something I don’t have to get into.” Jim Pasco, Executive Director of the National Fraternal Order of Police Union.

Orchid of the Day: Shonda Rhimes for today’s episode on ABC TV “Station 19”

Onion of the Day: To whoever created the counterfeit Covid-19 vaccine filled with anti-aging solution and tried to pass it off as the Pfizer vaccine.