The Dow plunged yesterday and is in the longest losing streak since 1974.  So much for an optimistic view of the economy.  The Federal Reserve has concluded that inflation is stubborn and is not coming down to the two percent level as planned.  Hence, fewer rate cuts in 2025.  President Trump will have a restive citizenry on his hands when he is inaugurated and his actions and words will either improve or worsen the situation.  No one knows at this point, but one thing is clear.  If he starts to meddle with the Federal Reserve, he will make things worse.  One hopes he is smarter than that.  

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Will this keep developers from building more high rises along Florida’s coastline?  No.  Where there is money to be made, they will continue until something major happens and the government stops them.  Capitalism has little concern for the future.  

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Was there too much PR at the rededication of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris?  Some think so, but it was still a coup for LVMH.  

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The mainstream media are getting ready for the Trump presidency.  They anticipate a rough time from his administration and they will get it.  Nevertheless, they are dedicated to reporting the facts whether the facts support Trump’s views and behavior or not.  It’s not going to be easy and editors will insist on thorough corroboration of details as they should be doing already.  Mainstream media’s safety will be meticulous processes of vetting before publishing while social media vomit misinformation and lies. There are bound to be mistakes but it will be a measure of professionalism to admit them quickly and repair copy rather than fighting a losing battle. The next four years (and maybe, more) will be a test of integrity and whether the mainstream media can maintain it.  

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Authorities can forbid people to watch or read material but on the internet, the data will come out.  Such is happening in Israel with a documentary comprising police interviews of the Prime Minister and associates.  Viewing the material is forbidden due to privacy concerns but Israelis are watching it anyway.  It’s better to be transparent from the beginning rather then hiding and to manage communications if at all possible.  

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This fallout from the killing of the United Healthcare CEO shows how image can overpower deed and why PR should limit itself to action rather than perception.  Unfortunately, too much of PR is the opposite.  

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How long will Argentine’s citizens support their president, Javier Milei?  He has been successful so far in bringing down hyperinflation through savage cuts to the government, but he has put hundreds of thousands out of work. Citizens support him, but that might change rapidly as the economy settles and they have learned what they lost.  It’s too early to know whether Argentina is finally on a right track, but Milei has one imperative to survive himself — communicate his successes persuasively and powerfully to the electorate.      

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When Saigon fell, the conquering soldiers were from a single ideology — the communist North and Viet Cong guerrillas.  Syria is fractured among several political forces.  It will be hard to assemble an entire country from the pieces and its citizens might be worse off than before.  It’s a perilous moment for democracy, and few expect it will emerge at this juncture.  

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This would be a novel use of presidential pardon power but given the threats from the incoming Trump administration, it is understandable.  

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When are shore towns going to accept that rising sea levels are making permanent changes to beaches?  Instead of spending millions to replenish sand, they should be preparing for the day when there isn’t any.  That will come sooner than later.  This is a case in which listening to the public is wrong.  Nature will have its way and changes man has made to the climate are the root cause of eroding beaches.  

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