The Art of the Deal vs. the Art of ...

War. 

In this corner representing the United States of America stands President Donald Trump (spit!). The former reality TV star and present day Commander in Tweet is 73 years old, weighs 243# and stands at 6’3”. He is the disputed author of “Trump: The Art of the Deal.” The real author is Tony Schwartz, who states the book should be “recategorized as fiction.” 

This former NY Times bestseller is part memoir, part how-to business guide. There’s pages about Don’s early years growing up in a log cabin with a dirt floor. (Whoops! Wrong President!) The book goes on to give 11 get rich quick ideas to all wannabe billionaires who happened to have inherited beaucoup bucks from their fathers. A notable quote says it all.

“I promote bravado. I play to people's fantasies. People may not always think big themselves. but they can get very excited by those who do. That is why a little hyperbole never hurts. People want to believe that something is the biggest, the greatest and the most spectacular.” 

In other words, if you can’t Wow them with facts, Wow them with “alternative facts.” AKA: Bull Poop. 💩 

BTW: Trump has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcies six times in his business career.  Then there was that $25,000,000 settlement to the students/suckers who bought into the fraudulent claims of Trump University.

Accepting business advice from this book would be like paying attention to a vegetarian explaining the best way to prepare and grill a steak. 

Despite all this, the Art of the Deal is “The Chosen One’s” favorite book. It’s probably the only book he’s ever read. 

Now we’ll expound about the “Tariff Man’s” opponent. China. 

A little about China. There’s nothing a little about it. China is the most populated country in the world. (Nearly one out of every five humans is Chinese). Size-wise it’s the third largest country in the world. As far as age goes China has been around the sun a few times. There’s over 3,000 years of recorded history. (I know it wasn’t written in English.) China was once called the “Sleeping Giant.” Well, Goliath is now awake and fully caffeinated. China’s economy is second only to the US. Globally, it’s a tough country to ignore.

China is all the above and possesses a secret weapon. His name is General Sun Tzu. He wrote the “Art of War” in the late 6th century BC. 

I’ll give credit to Wikipedia for this synopsis: “The Art of War remains the most influential strategy text in East Asian warfare^[1] and has influenced both Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy, lifestyles and beyond.”

The book contains 13 chapters of brilliance. American General Norman Schwarzkopf has been inspired by this read. 

Here’s a notable quote from General Sun Tzu: “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

In other words, don’t Tweet your intentions to the World! It’s my opinion the Trump vs. China Trade War is a mismatch. The Chinese powers to be think in multidimensional layers. The Chinese have learned patience through the ages. Our Man in Charge is no Economic Think Tank. He’s as impetuous as a Child. My analogy? It would be like me challenging Shaquille O’Neil to a One on One half court basketball game. No contest. 

You’ve heard it here first. 

Lastly, I once wrote a book. No other author has jumped up to claim it. It won the prestigious IPPY Gold Medal Award In 2012 for self-publishing. I think it’s a good read. It’s not my favorite read though. 

Pick it up on Kindle and you will donate $2.00 for my next Happy Hour IPA. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006VXRMUG?keywords=Jeff%20Sambur&qid=1447125667&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1b

 

Cheers!

Jeff (the why can’t we all just get along guy)

“Hey Colorado it was not that long ago...

I left your mountain to try life on the road

Now I'm finished with that race it was much too fast a pace
And I think I know my place Colorado I wanna come home.”

Lyrics by the Flying Burrito Brothers

A few weeks ago, I moved all my worldly possessions (which happened to fit in my van with room to spare) to a townhouse in Durango, CO. For the first few days, I wandered around all this living space while making adjustments to the furnishings and framed artworks. I’d take down a painting that didn’t mean anything to me, and replace it with an old black and white family photo. I moved excess clutter and gizmos to one of the many empty closets I now have. I filled my cupboards and refrigerator with food items which would provide me with tasty and healthy meals. My personal comfort foods. I’m doing a deep cleaning of kitchen and bathroom counters, carpets and tiled floors. On my outside patio, I hung two bird feeders to attract feathered friends. I’m now buddies with a flock of hummingbirds, a squadron of rough-looking English sparrows and one peaceful mourning dove. 

I’m making the place feel like my home and sanctuary. 

As far as my new community goes, I’m making an effort to become more involved with the locals.

I’ve introduced myself to a few of my neighbors. All are young, pleasant, polite and friendly. I like that. 

I’ve joined the only Jewish Temple in the Southwest of Colorado. This doesn’t mean I’ll be attending services, (lightning would strike the synagogue) but I’ll keep my eye open for non-Jewish guilt events presented there.

I’ve become a member of the “Friends of the Library” where I might volunteer to help in their used book store. All proceeds go back to the Public Library. 

I joined the San Juan Mountains Association. I’ll attend a meeting soon to hear more about events and volunteer gigs which might suit me.

I’ve became a dues paying member of Great Old Broads for Wilderness organization. No, this doesn’t mean I detoured to Trinidad, CO for a sex change operation; it’s a national grassroots institution dedicated to fighting the good fight for our public lands and waters. Women are more diplomatic about conveying ideas than men are. (Especially me!)

I’m now known by name (and IPA fan) to a few of the brewpub beer-tenders In Durango. 

Last night, I attended a concert in which the proceeds went to the local NPR station. The crowd was a stew of young families, older folks and tattooed, pierced and dreadlocked youth. There were even a few Hispanic and Black folks in attendance. Everyone seemed to play nice together. I liked that too. 

It’s a brave new world for me. I’m thinking this is a positive start. I’m feeling content about things. So far, so good.

All the photos have been taken in and around my new expanded backyard.  The final photo is located in the nearby San Juan Mountains. X marks the spot where my final remains will one day be placed. (Hopefully, a long time from now!). Yes. This move has always been about location, location, location. 

Chillin’ in Durango on a Sunday afternoon,

Cheers!

Jeff

Young Men and Firearms...

For years people have been asking me if I were afraid to hike alone in wild places. 

I had a quick, honest and made for TV response. “Not all at. When I walk away from the parking lot,  I leave most of the fear inducing life forms behind. People.”

Unfortunately, more people are venturing into wild places. For me, the scary ones are now carrying sidearms. 

A few days ago, i was returning from a delightful hike to the base of the iconic Lizard Head Mountain (13,114’). I was at peace with myself and the world when I noticed an upcoming Perfect Storm of potential people problems. 

In a lush field barely off the trail, I saw an adolescent Siberian/Attitude mix dog unleashed and chasing any and all things that moved. Nearby was a White Guy carrying no gear except a very prominent sidearm. (FYI. I’ve only seen multitudes of Caucasians civilians carrying. Never a person of color, unless they are Law Enforcement Officers).

Since I was moving, the cur bounded toward me. The four-legged assailant blocked my path.  It was growling between barks. I stopped. I looked at the owner and politely asked. “Sir? Could you please call your dog?” (Mind you, I was the senior citizen in this encounter.)

“Ahh! Don’t worry. He won’t bother you.” 

Well, that was Fake News. I detoured way off the trail with the sociopathic canine woofing and snarling at my behind. Yes. I was scared. A perfect hike, a perfect day ruined. All because a 9 mm toting White Guy had the upper handgun on me. I couldn’t raise a fuss. I couldn’t tell him the US Forest Service rules: “Domestic pets are allowed in wilderness areas. Pets should either be leashed or under direct voice control.”

 

I had to take the abuse because the White Guy was armed and maybe dangerous. 

Which leads me to this point. When I’m feeling brave, I’ll occasionally ask a Second Amendment supporter, “Why are you armed out here? What is there to be afraid of?” They usual answer is, “I’m carrying in case I’m attacked by wildlife.” 

That’s total bull-dinky. Marmots, pikas, deer, prairie dogs, wild turkeys and chipmunks aren’t biped eaters. As far as black bears go, they are rarely seen and not heard. My last Ursus Meetup was in 2015. All I saw was it’s big black furry butt trotting away from me. The chance of spying a mountain lion is even less. I got the drop on one over a decade ago. I slow blinked and it was gone. 

These folks carry because they fear the unknown equation of strangers. They don’t trust me. So...why should I trust them? The answer is. I don’t. 

Post script: When I returned my rattled self back to the parking lot, I noticed a manly red diesel truck displaying an AR-15 decal. Of course, there was an NRA bumper sticker too. I didn’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to guess whom the truck belonged to. 

I tossed my backpack in Barley the Van and fled. BTW. Below is a photo of my most aggressive bumper sticker. I know, very intimidating.

On a final note: I predicted an increase in gun induced Mass Murders/Mayhem and Hate Crimes in two post-Election Day 2016 blogs.

“There will be no new "reasonable" gun control legislation. The few constraints on procuring firearms will be shot down. Purchasing a weapon of mini-mass death and destruction will be as easy as "Coffee, Tea or Glock?" There will be an uptick in the number of mass murder incidents.” 

http://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2016/07/freedom-is-not-free.html

“There will be an increase in Hate Crimes. No need to elaborate on this. It'll happen. Candidate Demagogue unleashed the hate mongers. (Hitler never directly murdered anyone, but his rants were responsible for 11 million victims perishing in Germany's concentration camps.)”

Sadly, in America we harbor Home Grown White Guy Terrorists. A Wall won’t stop them. 

Last photos: A band of ISIS.

A band of Second Amendment supporters at a rally in Olympia, WA.

Personally, I’m not seeing many differences between the two photos.

We live in strange times...