"MIDWESTERN CLARITY" is now an archive of writings published between July 1996 and the present day. My latest work is on Substack https://substack.com/@maddente | © 1994-2026 John J. Maddente. All rights reserved.
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Film titles in alphabetical order...
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Many of my reactions as a consumer come in oral rather than written form. For example, a couple of months ago I left a voice message for a service manager about outstanding service I received from one of his auto technicians. Last month, I spoke directly with the restaurant chef to compliment his dish, after telling his manager about it.
In essence, the majority of my reactions as a consumer -- whether published online, or spoken, are positive. This past week was abnormal in that I published two reviews of healthcare professionals: one an Orthodontist (positive) and the other an Optometrist (negative).
The hyperlink to the Orthodontist will take you to the website associated with this business that dispenses superb care and service; in my view. I issued a glowing, albeit brief, "5 star" , Google review for them.
The hyperlink to the Optometrist, will take you to a one star review I wrote on Yelp, which reveals my poor experience.
Note to the gentleman in the Philippines emailing me about online safety and a shared desire to root out fake reviews: thanks for your messages, but I haven't been able to confirm your identity and your website is not functional.
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By George Webb Corporation - http://www.georgewebb.com |
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| John Maddente photo |
2. I'm guessing few of my seven readers are familiar with Luckbox magazine. Its stated focus on "Life, Money, Probability" is geared toward Traders and other professional investors. I do not belong to that group, but a copy of this magazine at an airport lounge with its snappy graphics and offbeat topics, drew me in.
The latest issue has an interesting article on the high stakes fight to preserve, or slowly kill, AM radio. The piece reminds readers that AM radio remains relevant to 82 million American listeners and also government officials that rely upon it as a medium for public emergency alerts. What's more, AM radio defenders in Congress are remarkably bipartisan.
I close with a friendly jab at the Luckbox editor of this article.
Dear Madam or Sir, Re: the copy of "Night Radio" -- I believe your columnist intended to cite the laws of physics not "psychics". Your oversight reminds me of a M*A*S*H episode whereupon Col. Potter exclaims, "We order rectal thermometers, we get spark plugs. Both useful articles, but hardly interchangeable."
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There were two parts to Trump's NATO invective. The first should be ignored as "noise" and the other should be heeded as a "signal". First, the ridiculous assertion that he'd invite Putin to invade NATO countries that don't pay their bills should be ignored, but the second one about NATO members not paying their "bills" requires closer examination as a signal.
One problem with the American Left, is that they fail to understand why Trump was elected in 2016 and instead they focus on Trump's hyperbolic noise which, to be fair, is often preposterous or dangerous. However, I believe that most Trump barbs and threats are designed to agitate others, fire up the base and keep him in the headlines.
In this case, I heard a podcast commentator -- obsessed with Trump's use of the noun "bills" -- remind listeners that NATO "is not a country club" with its members getting billed. That observation is just noise. Of course, no administrative entity issues annual dues invoices to 31 member nations, but members have agreed to fund a minimum of 2% of their GDP to pay for their own defense.
In the last report by the NATO Secretary General (the 2022 report was issued before Finland became a member in 2023) just 7 of the 30 NATO member nations met their minimum 2% of GDP military spend commitment. That's the signal and Trump is right. Most NATO countries are not paying their share. The rest is just noise.
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"Moral clarity" is a phrase I heard recently and it comes to mind when sorting out these troubling times and who's done what for whom and why. In the case of the $200,000 (or $240,000) sum(s) transferred between the Biden brothers, there is clarity someplace. We just don't know where it is yet.
The money transfers under scrutiny, either represent a legitimate extension and repayment of a loan, or they don't. Much seems to hinge upon a trust account established by a Delaware law firm used to transact business on behalf of ___________ and that's the question....who?
Rep. Comer and company seek to prove that the trust fund was used to launder money for the benefit of Hunter Biden, his Uncle and partners -- and ultimately to compensate the elder Joe Biden.
The White House and their acolytes seek to prove that the trust account in question was controlled exclusively by Joe Biden and simply used as a conduit for the funds extended by Joe Biden to his brother, in the form of a personal, interest-free, loan.
Neither side has definitively proven its case. Only one side can be correct and that's the missing clarity.
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#1. "10 held by H for the big guy?" According to an article from the Washington Post Fact Checker, an email from one of Hunter's business associates proposes a profit allocation of 20% for each associate except for Hunter's Uncle Jim Biden, who would get 10% -- and a remaining 10% allocable to the "big guy" which would be held by Hunter.
The email author has asserted that the big guy actually refers to Jim Biden, not Joe Biden. However, one of the other business associates in receipt of the email, said that's false and that it actually referred to Hunter Biden's father. Who's telling the truth?
Their project was a flop and so there's no financial benefit (at least from this venture) that inured to the whomever the big guy is, but the whole Jim Biden--Big Guy explanation is odd. If the email author and business partner was already proposing a 10% allocation for Jim Biden, why would he propose that his nephew hold another 10% for him? Why escrow this 10% kicker with Hunter instead of just paying Jim Biden 20%? And is there a history of these business partners calling Jim Biden the big guy?
#2. The second problem is an allegation that if proven, could become equally injurious to President Biden's administration. The allegation is that the Justice Department may have deliberately impeded the investigation of Hunter Biden's tax problems. That allegation is supported by two highly credible IRS sources. If this can be proven, President Biden would presumably allege he knew nothing of it and sack Justice officials on the order of President Nixon's firing of Archibald Cox in 1973 to thwart impeachment. Of course, if it is proven that Joe Biden did know of investigation obstruction; let alone approved of it, he's finished.
I hasten to add, that's a big "if" and it's too early to credibly draw such a conclusion. Yet, if problem #2 has legs, America could sadly witness corruption on par with the famous cover up of a third rate burglary.
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1. Let's start with a new movie called, "Dumb Money". After watching the trailer for Dumb Money and seeing a couple of ads, the experience raised a question....is it OK to criticize a film one has never seen? Logic dictates that the answer is no. Call me illogical.
What turned me off initially was the commercial touting how the film"...gives a riotous middle finger to the capitalist swine on Wall Street." How Populist. The film creators have obviously positioned Dumb Money as a paean to the little guy fighting against the evil asset managers, punctuated with an F-bomb per minute, until the digital counter culture decks the big money guys holding a large short position.
In this case, people will make a lot of money by trashing Capitalism and its adherents. Quite a paradox.
2. Let's end with a positive take on American Express's new method to redeem cardmember reward points. In the old days, if you wanted to cover a portion of your card charges with points; you had to go through this ritual of scrolling through transactions and applying points individually by transaction, in order to obtain the credit against your total balance. Not anymore!
One click and the entire value of your points is credited against your next bill. No more trolling and scrolling through your transactions and applying points by transaction to obtain the credit. Stupendous.
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We use it, but how should we use it and when? I'm talking about that automatic email feature known as an "Out of Office" reply.
Let's ignore the when consideration for now; but it's the "how" behind the usage of the out of office reply that piques my interest. I received one recently that reads exactly like this with nothing added before or afterward:
"I'm ooo."
That's it. I'm ooo. First, imagine receiving a voicemail greeting like that -- spoken exactly the same way followed by a beep to record a message. Now consider, that you need something from the email author of that "ooo". After receiving this sorry example one could conclude that the sender:
a) doesn't know when he/she will return, or doesn't want to share that information
b) doesn't wish to be bothered
c) doesn't care enough to mention an alternative contact in his/her absence.
d) assumes everyone should know what is meant by "ooo".
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I understand the desire to have a clear delineation between work time and personal time, but should that desire trump common courtesy?
Here are two simple guidelines for composing an out of office reply:
1. Give the recipient some idea of when you'll be back on the job, or at least the frequency with which you plan to review email in the coming days.
2. Give the recipient an alternative in your absence. Mention either another email address and/or phone number of someone who can handle a request, or if you prefer to handle responses yourself; invite the sender to text urgent matters to your cell phone.
Within an hour of posting this little screed about out of office replies; I received an excellent example of an "ooo" done right:
"I am currently out of the office on vacation the week of 8/21 and will be back on Monday 8/28. I will be checking email at least once a day and will try to get back to you timely for anything urgent. Send a text for anything especially urgent. Thanks."
Last month I walked the beaches of Normandy and in so doing fulfilled a longing I first realized as a boy during the 1970s while reading about D-Day and Operation Overlord.
That longing was stoked in 1998 after viewing the iconic film Saving Private Ryan with it's horrific, albeit accurate, depiction of the slaughter and ultimate triumph of American forces at Omaha Beach on June 6th, 1944.
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I felt awe walking those beaches near the 100 foot cliffs the Rangers scaled at Pointe Du Hoc. I experienced raw emotions while walking the nearby American Cemetery and Memorial.
If you've ever spoken with a veteran who's experienced combat and suggest that he is a hero, he will likely answer that the real heroes never returned.
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Another polarizing topic: foods and beverages. Here's a tasty sample of seven culinary flashpoints suitable for debate.
Pizza & Hot Dogs
Possibly America's favorite food, I must have thin crust pizza with cracker crisp qualities and zesty toppings (toppings is a whole topic for another post). To my friends in Chicago; please forgive me, but what you call "Deep Dish Pizza" is actually a deeply satisfying tomato casserole. However, Chicago can lay claim to the finest hot dogs (and I agree, no ketchup on a dog allowed). For store bought beef frankfurters; I'm partial to Nathan's or Hebrew National brand.
Bacon
Make mine crisp. This iconic cut of meat from the hog's belly should not be served limp, chewy, or with visible fat globules.
Coke vs. Pepsi
Talk about polarizing debates! Cola devotees might not patronize both giant beverage makers, but I do. Diet Pepsi is not only wildly superior to Diet Coke, but I find Diet Coke almost undrinkable. Regarding Coke Zero vs Pepsi Zero -- I'll give Coke Zero the edge.
Gluten
Follow your own Doctor's or Nutritionist's advice. Gluten doesn't affect me.
Peanuts
When did this onslaught of Peanut allergies begin? Why did it begin? I love these little legumes and Virginia Peanuts are the best I've found. Please do not serve me the un-salted type and consider serving them cold. That chill factor is something I learned from a close friend with a serious weakness for chocolate covered Peanuts.
Charcoal and Smokers vs. Gas Grilling
For purposes of taste comparison -- there is no comparison. Charcoal is best. I sometimes hear the argument about the speed of Gas Grilling, to which I normally respond, "What's your hurry?" The same principle applies to smokers vs. gas grills -- smoking is well worth the wait.
Orange Juice
There are few things in this life I find as gratifying as a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice. Unfortunately, every substitute for the fresh variety I find distasteful. Take McDonald's, I've long believed that their orange juice is the worst-tasting item on the whole menu.
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Greetings
I'm grateful for many things this holiday season and I'm posting a few of the less obvious ones below:
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Last but not least, I'm reminded that "Jesus is the reason for the season". |
Like a pebble in your shoe that won't go away; I've long been annoyed by the amount of ad time viewers suffer through while watching broadcast TV and Cable TV. Internet streamers and social media viewers are not immune either. More on that score in a moment.
The increased viewer burden is not your imagination. See Toni Fitzgerald's Forbes article, "Yes, You Are Seeing More Commercials Than Ever Before". The theme was echoed by Gerry Smith of Bloomberg in his 2019 piece; "TV networks vowed to cut back on commercials. Instead, they stuffed in more".
The unabashed Capitalist in me hastens to add that the ad industry is an essential component of a robust consumer-based economy. This post is about advertisers and media platforms practicing reasonableness and a more viewer-considerate methodology.
We all land on web pages that hijack the viewer with an unwanted solicitation blasting on the screen before one can even view anything. We're often ambush-surveyed too, with that vapid net promoter score question (but that's another post).
Now consider streaming TV by way of one example from my personal entertainment viewing habits.... watching YouTube. I love the free access to music videos and movie shorts on YouTube and in exchange, I willingly watch and listen to ads that appear in-between songs and film clips. It's a fair tradeoff.
However, here's the worst example of viewer ad intrusion that I can think of.
A shot of my recent YouTube music video selections below....  Imagine that instead of me watching one of my music videos, you're watching a football game with seconds left on the clock. Your home team is down by 2 points but has the ball on fourth down 40 yards from the opposing team's goal line. Next, your field goal kicker watches the snap go to the holder and then instantaneously --- your TV screen converts to an ad for motor oil. That's essentially what YouTube often allows to happen to viewers watching a music video. The artists are performing beautifully and at some point, DURING THE SONG -- they cut to a mini commercial. Fortunately, it doesn't happen often; but it needn't happen at all. I was taught to offer a solution or try to help matters after you grouse about something; so, here's my post-grouse attempt... |
I've driven past the military vehicle and large sign in front of Mission BBQ with curiosity, but never enough to actually go in and check it out. Today I did so; and I'll be back.
My dining companion explained that the franchise began out of efforts from two military veterans who'd served together in the Middle East. He went on to explain that at noon -- which was moments away -- we'd likely see the place stop normal activities to observe the national anthem. Indeed it happened at noon sharp.
My experience began by walking into a pleasantly rustic environment with loads of military and patriotic memorabilia punctuated by a wonderful smoky aroma from the BBQ. This is an organization that gives back and is quite serious about its mission.
However, the whole thing would collapse if the food fell short of the brand and purpose, but it doesn't--some of the best BBQ I've had and each table is equipped with six -- yes count them -- six different BBQ sauces. What more could I want?
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| Mission BBQ public website |
There's nothing conventional about investment manager, author and media personality, Jonathan Hoenig. Even the name of his hedge fund Capitalistpig, defies comparison.
Years ago, I recruited Jonathan Hoenig to speak at financial industry events and then started to notice his TV appearances on Fox business programs.
Characteristically, in his new book with Stuart Hayashi, Price Is Primary: how to profit with any asset in any market at any time Mr. Hoenig challenges several fundamental principles that some retail investors hold as immutable, even if professional traders do not.
Consider dollar cost averaging; Hoenig argues instead that an initial purchase of a security should be your largest one, then on the basis of rigorous observation and disciplined use of rules, one should quickly pare losses or "let the winners run." Rebalancing a portfolio? No, not a strategy that he embraces.
Similar to some of his prior published work, Mr. Hoenig fuses elements of Objectivist philosophy and history into the art of investment management in ways that may animate traders and non-traders alike. The book is easy to read and worth a look.
The Overpriced Fiduciary. Revisiting How We Pay for Financial Advice The practice of paying a financial advisor a percentage of assets...
