Category Archives: Golden Rule

Have you ever heard of the golden rule?

Its an idea that goes all the way back to ancient Egypt, actually. And basically, the golden rule says that you should treat other people the way you want to be treated. Like if you want to borrow a friend's toy, maybe you can let your friend borrow one of your toys sometime.

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In todays story, well meet a shoemaker who extends kindness to someone in need. And what she gets in return, she never saw coming!

Voices in this episode include Elle Borders, Jason Ennis, Thais Harris, Delores King Williams, Nick Sholley, Chris Tucci, Aasif Mandvi and Madhur Jaffrey. Madhur Jaffrey is an award-winning actress and chef whos written dozens of cookbooks and starred in dozens of films, plus her own cooking show. Aasif Mandvi is a comedian and actor whom you grown-ups may know from The Daily Show on Comedy Central and Evil on CBS. You grown-ups can see both Madhur and Aasif in the films ABCD and Todays Special, co-written by Aasif, and you kids can hear both actors in Mira, Royal Detective on Disney Junior.

This episode was adapted for Circle Round by Rebecca Sheir. It was edited by Amory Sivertson. Original music and sound design is by Eric Shimelonis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn.

Coloring Page

ADULTS! PRINT THIS so everyone can color while listening. Were also keeping an album so share your picture on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and tag it with #CircleRound. We'd love to see it! To access all the coloring pages for past episodes click HERE. Our resident artist is Sabina Hahn and you can learn more about her HERE.

Things To Think About After Listening

Think about someone who has a skill that you admire.

Perhaps your aunt is a brilliant surgeon, your grandparent is an incredible chef, or your neighbor is an artist who makes beautiful paintings or pots.

Think about that person, then think of five questions youd like to ask them five questions about how they do what they do. You could ask what inspired them to get started, what keeps them going, what words of wisdom theyd offer someone who wants to follow the same path.

Ask a grown-up to help you write down your questions. Then, send those questions to your person. Theyll no doubt be tickled pink to answer. And when you get those answers back, youll no doubt learn something amazing and new!

Musical spotlight: The Sitar

The sitar is a member of the lute family. The sitar has strings, a pear-shaped gourd body, and, like a guitar or lute, a long hollow neck with frets: i.e. raised strips you put your fingers on to play different notes. The sitar can have up to 21 strings. The player plucks six or seven of these strings; the rest are there just to vibrate. All of these features give the sitar a notable vibration-rich sound popular in music from northern India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. You can see a masterful sitar performance in this video of Anoushka Shankar playing a composition written by her father, Ravi Shankar.

Script:

NARRATOR: Long, long ago in a small village in a sprawling kingdom there lived a shoemaker.

Customers traveled from all corners of the kingdom to order shoes from the shoemaker. For everyone agreed the woman had a gift for making the most beautiful, comfortable footwear and making it fast.

CUSTOMER 1: Can you believe this pair of leather sandals the shoemaker made for me?!? I ordered them on a Friday afternoon, just before she closed shop for the weekend, and they were waiting for me first thing on Monday!

CUSTOMER 2: Well, get a load of these silk slippers the shoemaker made for me! Not only are they as soft as butter, but I ordered them on a Monday morning, and they were ready by sundown!

CUSTOMER 3: That shoemaker is amazing! Simply amazing!

NARRATOR: Eventually, though, things began to change.

The shoemaker was growing older so her eyes were growing weaker, her fingers were growing stiffer, and her work was growing slower.

The shoes she made were still as beautiful and comfortable as ever, but her customers were growing annoyed about how long they had to wait.

CUSTOMER 4: Uch! I cant believe this! I placed an order a month ago, and my shoes still arent ready!

CUSTOMER 5: Well, that's nothing! I placed my order two months ago!

CUSTOMER 6: This is ridiculous! I say we find another shoemaker. One who doesnt keep us waiting!

NARRATOR: So... they did. They found a cobbler in the capital city, a young fellow who could churn out shoes like they were pancakes on a griddle.

Before long, the shoemaker in the village had no customers. And with no customers, she had no income. She couldnt afford material to make new shoes or food to fill her belly!

One morning, as she sat down for a meager breakfast of rice and tea, she glanced around her dusty shop.

SHOEMAKER: Oh, look at this place. Its like a ghost town in here! I havent seen a customer in ages... Theyre all visiting that flashy cobbler in the capital city. Sure, hes quick, but his work! Its so shoddy! And his materials! Theyre so cheap! So second-rate!

NARRATOR: The shoemaker frowned as she sipped her tea. If she didnt get any customers soon, shed be in trouble!

There must be something she could do.

Then all of a sudden, something caught her eye. She hobbled to the kitchen, stretched up her creaky arms, and brought a box down from the shelf. It was a wooden box hewn from a walnut tree, with elaborate, intricate designs carved along the sides and top.

When the shoemaker lifted the boxs dusty lid, her eyes lit up.

SHOEMAKER: (fondly, talking to whats inside) There you are! Id almost forgotten about you!

NARRATOR: The shoemaker reached inside and unfolded a big piece of leather. She rubbed the material between her fingers. It was as smooth as the petals of a rose, and as red as a pomegranate.

The leather had been a gift from her mother a brilliantly talented shoemaker who passed all of her skills down to her one and only child. And years and years ago, just before the old woman cobbled her final pair of shoes and let out her final breath, she pulled her daughter aside and placed the leather in her hand.

MOTHER: (with reverb, to denote flashback) This leather, my child, is for you. It will make for a marvelous pair of shoes someday. But dont be too hasty in using it. Keep this leather with you, treasure it. (beat) Youll know when the time comes to use it.

NARRATOR: As the shoemaker recalled her mothers words, she felt a ripple of joy.

For she knew... the time had come. At last, she would use her beloved red leather to make a magnificent pair of shoes so magnificent that she could make a pretty penny selling them!

The shoemaker fetched her cobbling tools and got to work. Hour after hour she sat hunched over the table, trimming and stitching, hammering and gluing, until her shoulders were aching and her fingers were numb.

She woke up early the next morning and did the same thing trimming and stitching, hammering and gluing. Day after day, week after week, month after month, she hunkered down at her table, until at last

SHOEMAKER: A-ha!

NARRATOR: the red leather shoes were finished.

SHOEMAKER: Oh, my pretties - look at you! Youre gorgeous! Divine! (beat) Mother would be so proud.

NARRATOR: There was almost a spring in the shoemakers shuffling step as she placed the shoes in the front window of her shop.

SHOEMAKER: There! (beat) Now Ill just wait for somebody to stroll past my window, notice the shoes, and snatch them up! Im sure it wont be long.

NARRATOR: And indeed

[SOT: door opening]

NARRATOR: ...it wasnt!

CUSTOMER 1: Excuse me, but I was wandering by just now when I saw those exquisite red leather shoes in the window! I have to ask how much are they?

NARRATOR: The shoemaker grinned. At long last, a customer! Her plan was working!

SHOEMAKER: (casually, yet proud) The red leather shoes, you say...? Theyre fifty silver coins.

NARRATOR: The customer did a double take.

CUSTOMER 1: Fifty silver coins? But the cobbler in the capital city would charge way less than that!

NARRATOR: The shoemaker bristled.

SHOEMAKER: But the cobbler in the capital city would never craft such a fine pair of shoes! I can assure you, each and every stitch was made with the utmost of care. And that leather - you wont find higher quality anywhere! These shoes will last you a lifetime!

NARRATOR: But the customer was not convinced.

CUSTOMER 1: Im sorry. But fifty silver coins sounds way too steep to me. (beat) Good luck with the shoes.

NARRATOR: Well, as it turned out, the shoemaker needed far more than luck. For no matter how many curious customers waltzed into her shop

CUSTOMER 2: How much for the red leather shoes?

CUSTOMER 3: What are you asking for the red leather shoes?

NARRATOR: ...when they learned the price

CUSTOMER 4: Fifty silver coins?!

CUSTOMER 5: Thats outrageous!

NARRATOR: ...all of them made a beeline for the door.

CUSTOMER 6: Sorry, but good luck!

CUSTOMER 2: Good luck!

CUSTOMER 2: / 3: / 4: / 5: / 6: Good luck!

NARRATOR: Well, it wasnt long before the shoemakers cupboards were bare, her pockets were empty, and she was left with little more than a heavy heart and a hungry belly.

But little did she know all of that was about to change.

[theme music in]

NARRATOR: What do you think will happen to the shoemaker?

Well find out, after a quick break.

[theme music out]

[MIDROLL]

[theme music in]

NARRATOR: Im Rebecca Sheir. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called The Red Leather Shoes.

[theme music out]

NARRATOR: Before the break, a struggling shoemaker put her heart and soul into making a beautiful pair of red leather shoes. But alas, no one would buy them.

One evening, as a ferocious storm raged outside, the shoemaker sat huddled by the fire. She was rubbing her bony hands and trying to ignore her grumbling belly when all of a sudden...

[SOT: knock]

SHOEMAKER: Oh dear! Who could be wandering around in all this wind and rain?

NARRATOR: The shoemaker heaved herself to her feet and shambled to the door. Shivering outside was a haggard man. His face was smudged with soot. Raindrops pelted down on his long, shabby coat and tattered hat.

KING: (disguised as beggar) Good evening, madam. Sorry to disturb you, but I spotted the glow of your fire through your front window. Ive been begging in the streets all day long and I am chilled to my bones! May I please come in and warm myself?

SHOEMAKER: Of course!

NARRATOR: The shoemaker took the beggars arm and led him to the fire.

SHOEMAKER: Here. Take off that soaking-wet coat and hat and make yourself comfortable. Id offer you some food, but I ate my last bowl of rice days ago, and I havent been able to --

NARRATOR: The shoemaker stopped short. For her eyes had wandered down to the beggars feet. The man wasnt wearing any shoes, or socks... and his toes, soles and heels were all dirty and wet.

SHOEMAKER: Im sorry, sir... but your feet! Have you no shoes to wear?

KING: No, madam. I have no shoes. As a poor beggar, I have nothing at all, really! (beat) But you... How is it youve fallen on such hard times?

NARRATOR: The shoemaker heaved a sigh.

SHOEMAKER: Well, Im a shoemaker by trade. I learned everything from my mother - the most remarkable shoemaker you ever did meet. But as I grew older, I grew slower, and now everyone would rather buy shoes from the cobbler in the capital city! He uses far cheaper materials than I do, but he can throw together a shoe in the blink of an eye.

NARRATOR: The beggar nodded. Then he gestured toward the front window.

KING: I couldnt help but notice those red leather shoes you have on display. Theyre utterly spectacular! Ive never seen anything like them! (beat) Are you telling me nobody will buy those?

SHOEMAKER: Not a one! Everyone who comes into my shop says the shoes are too expensive.

KING: I see.

NARRATOR: The beggar rose to his bare, begrimed feet and began pulling on his ragged coat.

Go here to read the rest:

'The Red Leather Shoes' | Circle Round 124 - WBUR

Lincoln Electric Named for the Fourth Time as One of the 2021 World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere

Worlds Most Ethical Companies and Ethisphere names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC.

CLEVELAND, Feb. 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc., (NASDAQ: LECO) has been recognized by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the2021 Worlds Most Ethical Companies.

Lincoln Electric has received this distinction for four consecutive years and is the only honoree in the Machine Tools and Accessories industry.In 2021, 135 honorees were recognized spanning 22 countries and 47 industries.

We are proud to operate by a higher standard with a longstanding commitment to integrity and ethics in all that we do, said Christopher L. Mapes, Lincoln Electrics Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Our guiding principle is The Golden Rule and it has shaped our business and the trust we have earned from all of our stakeholders. Mapes continued, We are honored that our teams unwavering perseverance and commitment to our values was recognized by Ethisphere again this year.

Grounded in Ethispheres proprietary Ethics Quotient, the Worlds Most Ethical Companies assessment process includes more than 200 questions on culture, environmental and social practices, ethics and compliance activities, governance, diversity and initiatives to support a strong value chain. The process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify the leading practices of our organizations across industries and around the globe.

This year, the process was streamlined and the question set expanded to gauge how applicants are adapting and responding to the global health pandemic, environmental, social and governance factors, safety, equity, and inclusion and social justice.

While addressing the tough challenges of 2020, we saw companies lead above all other institutions on earning the trust of stakeholders through resilience and a commitment to ethics and integrity, saidEthisphere CEO, Timothy Erblich. The Worlds Most Ethical Companies honorees continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the highest values and positively impacting the communities they serve. Congratulations to everyone at Lincoln Electric for earning the Worlds Most Ethical Companies designation.

About Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, automated joining, assembly and cutting systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in brazing and soldering alloys. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 55 manufacturing locations in 18 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric and its products and services, visit the Companys website athttps://www.lincolnelectric.com.

Contact

Amanda Butler Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications Tel: 216.383.2534 Email: Amanda_Butler@lincolnelectric.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/44a36a22-23c5-4c29-82dc-1ea13541c7f9

Continued here:

Lincoln Electric Named for the Fourth Time as One of the 2021 World's Most Ethical Companies By Ethisphere - GlobeNewswire

When you toss a bunch of ingredients into your blender or Nutribullet, you probably only think about how many calories you're whirring up in there. To be fair, it's probably smart to consider how liquifying fruits (like bananas and blueberries) and adding even healthy fats (like nut butters, avocado, and chia seeds) can seriously ratchet up the calorie count. Other less-healthy ingredients are more likely to cause you to inadvertently gain weightand that's if you're making your smoothie at home! The average store-bought blender drink is much worse, thanks to the sugar content. (You really want to watch out for these unhealthy restaurant smoothies.)

But there is another thing to consider that you probably haven't thought of: How, exactly, you're going to drink your protein smoothie or shake. And more specifically, how quickly you're going to consume it.

The wrong way? By sipping it. Bet you didn't see that coming! In most cases, the nutrition golden rule is to eat or drink slowly in order to allow your digestive system to do its job and to give your brain time to receive the signal that it's full.

But when it comes to taking in protein via a smoothie, you should do so as fast as you can, according to Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, a functional medicine physician who was recently interviewed by best-selling health author Max Lugavere on his podcast The Genius Life. Dr. Lyon, who specializes in what she calls "muscle-centric medicine," explained that the value of muscle goes way beyond aesthetics (ie: helping us look good in a bikini or swim trunks). It is the broker of our metabolic currency and a powerful weapon in our healthy aging and disease prevention arsenal, and protein plays an integral role in muscle tissue.

So, getting back to how you drink your protein smoothie. "The goal for muscle health is to get the bolus amount of amino acids [the building blocks of protein] in the bloodstream at once. Anything less than that and you're just getting calories," says Dr. Lyon. "The body cares about maintaining muscle tissue and tissue turnover. If you don't get enough protein, the body is just going to go for short-term survival."

Dr. Lyon prefers whey protein (because it has a great amino acid profile)or a rice pea-blend. Now you know! And for more, check out these 25 best-ever weight loss smoothies.

Follow this link:

You May Be Drinking Your Smoothie Wrong, Expert Says | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Nebraskans have been sickened and lost loved ones by COVID-19.

Workers designated as essential are at the highest risk for infection.

Employees preparing beef, poultrynand pork work in meatpacking plants with unsafe conditions.

Unmasked employees, some ill, work side by side in crowded areas. Sick leave is not allowed as they are essential to Nebraskas meat industry and these workers cant afford to quit.

I was raised with the golden rule. Treat other people the way you want to be treated.

Another way to follow it is when you see people being treated in a manner you would not want to be treated, then speak up, do something about it.

The Legislature has three bills proposed to ensure better conditions for essential workers.

LB241 (Meatpacking Employees COVID Protection Act) provides equipment and protocols for a safe work environment during COVID-19.

LB258 (Healthy and Safe Families and Workplace Act) allows workers to earn and use sick leave.

LB441 (Provision Changes to Nebraska Workers Compensation Act) covers expenses incurred due to COVID-19 for designated essential workers in healthcare, corrections, emergency services, education, childcare, meatpacking, trucking and postal services.

Please contact your state senator and the Nebraska Unicamerals Business & Labor Committee by Feb. 25 to let them know you support these bills.

Lets ensure Nebraska workers have the protections needed to provide healthy foods and essential services to us.

Its how we would want to be treated, if we had their jobs.

Lynn Zeleski

Hastings

Read the original:

Voice of the People - Hastings Tribune

As a record-breaking wave of arctic weather sweeps across the nation, the biggest energy producing state, Texas, is crippled. The states leaders are quick to point fingers at green energy alternatives like wind and solar, claiming such sources of power cannot be used in cold-temperature weather. Coal and oil are the answer, we are told.

These arguments against green energy, however, bely the fact that for nearly 50 years, Texas has resisted mandating the winterization of power grid infrastructure. In an interview with the ABC News affiliate in Austin, David Tuttle of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas stated: It would be millions to really bulletproof the system for that. How much do we want to pay to go protect ourselves with insurance policies for rare events?

For a state where oil and gas alone contribute an estimated $502.6 billion to the economy and generate annually upward of $16 billion in tax revenue, mere millions to pay for winterization of equipment seems like a penance.

ABC news in Austin also reports that winterizing equipment making sure it can sustain extended periods of below-freezing temperatures has never been a requirement in Texas like other states. While Texans are, in many cases, going without power for days on end, the ironically named Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) announced across the board rate hikes because energy supply was low due to plant offloads and power failures.

This is not only an economic issue; it is, like all economic issues, a justice issue.

While the oil industry is lining its pockets and state officials are ensuring strong revenues, people are freezing many struggling without power for oxygen tanks, CPAP machines and other medical devices. With lives on the line, finger pointing has ensued. The legislators blame the power companies, and the power companies blame the regulators.

It seems one thing that coal and oil companies and state legislators in Texas can currently agree on is throwing wind and solar energy under the bus. Even the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal has now stated that green energy is more of an existential threat to America than climate change. This is preposterous.

Texas has elected not to connect its own power grid to other states (the only state in the lower 48 to do so), and cannot import power. Since the 1970s, and especially in the eight years of the Obama era, Texas politicians have touted that Texas would become energy independent as a way to avoid federal regulations like the winterization of equipment. Conservative hubris and posturing led to this failure, not wind turbines.

People of faith should encourage their legislators to pass laws that protect the most vulnerable among us.

So what does any of this have to do with the church? Our Scriptural mandate to love our neighbor calls us to consider the needs of other people, especially the poor. As Sally McFague writes in Blessed Are the Consumers: Climate Change and the Practice of Restraint, as we do these things, a narrative emerges in which words like restraint, sharing, limits, boundaries are central, and words like limitless, expansion, growth, development, which have ruled our personal, political and market lives for centuries, move to the margins.

It seems apparent that spending mere millions on the winterization of equipment is a drop in the bucket compared to hundreds of billions in energy revenues. People of faith should encourage their legislators to pass laws that protect the most vulnerable among us.

One thing that makes this a challenge, however, is that many people of faith still deny that climate change is real. In the last few days, my Facebook feed has filled with people making jokes about global warming. What they fail to realize is that climate change leads to weather extremes in all seasons. Despite clear scientific evidence, many Christians appear to be in total denial of reality.

The issue is highly politicized, and to some, global warming and environmentalism seem like left wing political agendas. Change of any kind does not come without political will. Part of the hesitancy of many to embrace environmentally friendly practices stems from political leanings, but hesitancy also stems from a deep-seated distrust of the academy. If the same scientists who believe in evolution believe in global warming, the biblical literalist wants nothing to do with it.

Many people in our churches will have a difficult time considering theology in terms of environmentalism because of their politics or because of their suspicion of science.

A study in the American Sociological Review even found that the religious right and transnational corporations, each have vested interests in scientific outcomes, and both act as major players in the distrust some people have in science. Any plan for bringing environmental ethics into the local church needs to acknowledge these hurdles and find ways to depoliticize them. Pastors should be aware that trust in science has not declined since the 1970s except among conservatives and those who frequently attend church.

This piece of knowledge deserves careful consideration because many churches are full of political and theological conservatives, and all healthy churches have frequent attendees who are both even on Zoom. Many people in our churches will have a difficult time considering theology in terms of environmentalism because of their politics or because of their suspicion of science. That is the inconvenient truth of environmental ethics in the local church.

Legislators and regulators in Texas should carefully consider making winter weatherization of equipment mandatory for all energy companies (both green and fossil fuel). Not only is this a science-based approach that prepares Texas to deal with climate change, but it also is a way for us to love our neighbor through public policy.

Jonathan Davis is cofounder of the Healthy Churches Institute and founder of the Small-Town Churches Network, helping rural churches thrive in the midst of 21st century change. He provides coaching for individuals and organizations around leadership and vision issues and helps organizations dream about what it means to flourish in the new cultural paradigm.

See original here:

A lesson from Texas: Winterization of power stations and the Golden Rule - Baptist News Global

by Mark Jardine 19 Feb 21:10 PST 13-22 February 2021

It's a golden rule of Match Racing and much of your race can be defined by it. Win the start and you've a good chance of winning the race.

After the shenanigans, shouting and Covid-related delay of the previous week, the action returned to the water for Race 5 of the PRADA Cup Final. The British INEOS TEAM UK, without a win on the board, had limited margin for error, so the start was crucial, as it so often is.

Racing started on time in an 11 to 12 knot breeze, with clearly more wind on the right-hand side of the course. Entering the start area, the key was going to be time on distance to the start line to gain that essential advantage, and the Italian Luna Lossa Prada Pirelli team proved once again to be the masters, judging the lay line, maintaining a slow and high mode while foiling, absolutely dominating the British team and holding them to windward.

Both teams crossed the start line early as Britannia tried to squeeze in at the right-hand side of the start line. This penalty was scrubbed off since it was the same for both teams, but Ben had clearly barged in with the boats incredibly close to each other, incurring another penalty.

An immediate tack by Ben put Britannia onto the favoured right-hand side of the course, but trying to clear a penalty when on the advantageous side is difficult, leading to head umpire Richard Slater informing INEOS TEAM UK that they had another penalty. A clearly exasperated Ben asked him just what they had to do over the radio, but it was clear they'd gained an advantage on the Italians. The punishment fitted the crime.

Meanwhile Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni on Luna Rossa were using the time to position themselves perfectly to control Britannia once they'd cleared their penalty. In the chess-game element of sailing the Italians were two steps ahead - they literally had the race wrapped up before they'd even started.

Five in a row for Luna Rossa in the race to seven wins, the limited margin for error for INEOS TEAM UK was getting thinner by the second.

A calm Francesco Bruni said after the finish of race 5 that, all he had to concentrate on was the next race, whereas Ben Ainslie talked about struggling for straight-line performance. Sadly, this wasn't the issue we all saw - the British team were out-sailed.

Race 6, and this time INEOS TEAM UK simply had to win the start. After a nervy set of attempted hooks by Luna Rossa, the two teams crossed the line neck and neck, separated a few boat-lengths, with Britannia to leeward. Ben found a high mode to force the Italian team to tack away and they were off. For the first time in the PRADA Cup Final the British team held the lead in a race.

It never felt totally comfortable with a big comeback by Luna Rossa in Leg 5 reducing the lead from 32 seconds to 9 seconds at the final windward mark. This was a nervy 14 second win for Brits, but so needed. With this win INEOS TEAM UK have stayed in the game and just ever so slightly shifted the momentum.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston often uses the famous quote, "To finish first, first you need to finish". In Auckland in the PRADA Cup Final it's, "To finish first, you need to start first".

Read more from the original source:

You must win the start! - Sail World

If you read nothing else, read this...

I do like to give a plug to others' work in this note, where deserved of course, and today, I would like to draw your attention to an excellent and also short article by John Dizard in the Weekend Financial Times. The article is called "Do not rule out a market panic next month", and breaks the golden rule of forecasters by giving both a forecast and a date. In fact, it only just manages to claw back some ambiguity (which we all normally hide behind) by adding "Do not rule out..." which essentially means that anything can happen, but if it does do this, then "...I told you so!". Clever, but not smug.

Dizard notes that there is a scramble for short-dated T-bills in the US which has caused their yields to drop. Dizard perhaps overdoes the scale of the decline - we are talking a few basis points in reality, though this is admittedly a large percentage of the yield which is practically zero anyway. But the message is not diminished by this, and is essentially the following "If large financial institutions are taking precautions against a market crash, then perhaps we ought to do likewise..."There is also a good refresher on convexity trading, which always gives me a bit of a headache, like cross-currency basis, but is put in such a way that even Ican understand it.

So much for the plug, and I agree, the probability of some market sell-off is increasing with rising yields. But here's the thing, what we now seem to be witnessing, as much as a rise in inflation expectations, is a rise in real yields. To put this in primary school language, the risein "bad" yields is being offset by a rise in "good" yields. That leaves the net effect a bit ambiguous - at least until I do some number crunching and see what is winning this battle - more on that later in the week if Ihave time.

We also have to acknowledge that although we are all aware that headline inflation is picking up and that even the run rate of monthly inflation numbers has picked up a bit, no one really expects inflation to push up and stay at levels that will require central bank tightening anytime soon, especially not the Fed or the ECB. And that means no mirroring movements here in Asia byour central banks. Moreover, let's just try to remember a little further back than 12 months. In December 2019, just a few weeks before Covid changed all our lives, 10Y US Treasuries happily yielded about 1.9%. And no one thought this was unreasonably high. Indeed, the equity market back then was powering higher.

And much as the financial media tends to focus on the impact of higher yields on equities and other risk assets, large parts of the real economy will benefit from higher yields. Ever wonder why there isn't much feedthrough from low rates to bank lending in many of our economies in the region? Well with economic activity weak, banks will be setting aside capital for potential default charges, and frankly, the price of money which they borrow short-term isn't much of an incentive when the long-term rates are barely any higher. This is still a maturity transformation business, and a steeper yield curve and recovering economy will help banks to lend more.

Higher yields are also an indication of expectations of a stronger macroeconomy, where it makes sense to lend to profitable companies, and where it is possible to make a return from doing so. And don't get me started on the large portion of many populations that is currently panic-saving to offset the anticipated shortfall in income in retirement from woeful returns on fixed-income investments. Some of them might be able to spend a little more freely in a higher yield environment.

In short, while there is every chance that we will see some fairly choppy market action if, as we suspect is the case, bond yields rise much further (that will be convexity at work), let's not get overly worked up about this. The economies of the world are still in a veryearly cycle upturn. There is still plentiful economic slack in most economies, and central banks really will be very slow to start taking away their stimulus. So any pullback may be more of a correction in a market that is still trending higher, and not necessarily the end of the bull-run. Bleeding out some air from over-inflatedrisk assets may be no bad thing if it breathes some life into the real economy.

The Wall St vs Main St argument is playing out in front of us as the adjustment from emergency policies unfolds, and there will undoubtedly be some unwelcome jolts along the way, but it isn't all bad.

Here is the original post:

Rising yields arent necessarily bad - ING Think

I was born in 1940. My childhood values and rules for conduct were instilled in me by my parents, relatives, teachers, and other adults around me. They were members of The Greatest Generation and, as such, knew the value of sacrifice and commitment to honorable behavior.

The three cardinal rules instilled in me from my earliest memories were tell the truth; dont be a bully; and you must not steal. Failure to abide by these rules brought immediate correction and, in some cases, suitable punishments. And always there was the Sunday School insistence upon living by The Golden Rule of In everything, do unto others what you will have them do unto you. (Matthew 7:12)

My progress through childhood and adolescence was measured by milestones that all involved HONOR. My Boy Scout oath began with on my honor. I was in the National Honor Society. Every Sunday I was exhorted to honor my parents. There were honor rolls, honor guards, holidays to honor patriots and important events in history. I served on Honor Councils and every school I attended, or where I taught, operated under highly respected honor codes that were emphasized in academics and in campus behavior. My marriage vows included one to honor my wife.

Honor was a tangible, universally understood concept. Death before dishonor. That sterling measuring stick has apparently vanished from popular use, from a place in our daily lives. Witness our U.S. senators as they sat in rude inattention at a trial they swore to honorably adjudicate!

Bullies were anathema to school officials and to parents alert to the insidious danger of allowing school yard tactics to inform the development of their charges. We all know what bullying looks like. It should not be tolerated in children or in adults.

It is especially dangerous in adults who should stand as models for behavior, both personal and public, on small stages and on the national stage. Telling lies is still a major fault line in a persons character. (A few white lies are acceptable, even necessary, when they are crafted to avoid inflicting needless pain on someone). Selection of colleagues determined by their submission to bullying and fear is reprehensible. Yet we have condoned both for four long years.

During the impeachment trial, the greatest disappointment was the exposure of a subtle evil that infects our government, the evident reluctance of the United States Congress to condemn lies, bullying, and the abnegation of honor, and to allow behavior that we would try our best to eradicate from our childrens codes of conduct, to remain unpunished, in fact, rewarded.

The verdict brought by the senatorial jury is not my concern here. Future generations and history will render a verdict on Donald Trump and his presidency. This was a moment for personal integrity from those jury members that seems to fall appallingly short of what is required.

I do not so greatly fear some final judgment of my life as I dread the thought of looking in the mirror each day and seeing a hollow man who deserted the principles he once held dear in order to protect some powerful tyrant and a set of values based on prejudice and hatred. I fear seeing the reflection of someone who valued the security of his bank account and worldly wealth above the preservation of his own ethical core. For what shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36)

Those of us who came of age in the 1950s have been labeled The Silent Generation and I have, in the main, been a man of the generation. Except for times among close friends, I have kept my political opinions away from public view.

In the face of a monstrous betrayal by so many who should stand up for the values they were brought up to value, I cannot remain silent. Speaking out may cost me some friends, but if our friendships are based on shared politics, then they are shallow indeed.

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Silence and the face in the mirror | Letters | northwestgeorgianews.com - Northwest Georgia News

DALLAS, Feb. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co.(NYSE: LUV) is engaging its Customers, Employees, and partners to complete a collective one million Acts of Kindness throughout its 50th Anniversary year, celebrating half a century of empowering People and communities to lead with Heart and kindness.

Now through Dec. 31, 2021, Customers and Employees can participate in the challenge by signing the airline's Kindness Pledgeand committing to doing Acts of Kindness for others, such as delivering a meal to a neighbor, cleaning up a park, or sending a note of encouragement. Each signature on the Kindness Pledge and Act of Kindness that is shared on social media using the hashtag #HeartinAction will count towards achieving the one million Acts of Kindness goal.

"We are the airline with Heart, founded on The Golden Rule treating others as you would like to be treated so celebrating our 50th Anniversary year with a kindness challenge is fitting," said Linda Rutherford, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at Southwest Airlines. "Our Employees live out The Golden Rule each day through their interactions with each other, our Customers, and in our communities. We're excited to all come together to inspire a kinder tomorrow, because at Southwest, we're more than an airline, we're your neighbor. And neighbors take care of each other."

Southwest Employees received a sneak peek of the one million Acts of Kindness challenge in mid-January, and since then have already logged more than 62,000 acts, including recognizing fellow Employees for their Acts of Kindness and volunteering at organizations.

The Southwest Kindness Pledge reads as follows:

I pledge to spark acts of kindness one at a time, sprinkling compassion around the world.I will practice Hospitality, making people feel welcomed, cared for, and appreciated.I will treat others with courtesy, politeness, and respect.I will do little things, because little things make a big difference.I commit to putting my Heart in Action, sharing a smile and little bit of love, and making someone's day a little brighter.

Throughout the year, Southwest will provide Customers and Employees an update on the progress towards the one million Acts of Kindness goal, ideas on how to remain engaged, and share heartfelt stories along the way. For more information about the kindness challenge and Southwest's 50th Anniversary, visit Southwest50.com/actsofkindness.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.In its 50th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co.continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Servicedelivered by more than 56,000 Employeesto a Customer basethat topped130 million Passengers in 2019. Southwest has a robust network of point-to-point service with a strong presence across top leisure and business markets.In peak travel seasons during 2019, Southwest operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 101 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries. In 2020, the carrier added service to Hilo, Hawaii; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami; Palm Springs, Calif.; Steamboat Springs; and Montrose (Telluride), Colo. Thus far in 2021, Southwest began service to both Chicago (O'Hare) and Sarasota/Bradenton on Feb. 14, and will begin service to both Savannah/Hilton Head and Colorado Springs on March 11; both Houston (Bush) and Santa Barbara, Calif. on April 12; Fresno, Calif. on April 25; and Jackson, Miss. on June 6.

The carrier issued itsSouthwestPromisein May 2020 to highlight new and round-the-clock efforts to support its Customers and Employees well-being and comfort. Among the changes are enhanced cleaning efforts at airports and onboard aircraft, along with a federal mandate requiring every person to wear a mask at all times throughout each flight. Additional details about the Southwest Promise are available atSouthwest.com/Promise.

Southwest coinedTransfarencyto describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and fairly, and low fares actually staying low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly freeto everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in qualified circumstances). Southwest does not charge change fees, though fare differences might apply.

Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. Learn more about how the carrier gives back to communities across the world by visitingSouthwest.com/citizenship.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.comor by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

http://www.southwest.com

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Southwest Airlines Launches One Million Acts Of Kindness Challenge To Celebrate 50 Years Of Heart In Action - PRNewswire

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr admitted that forward Draymond Green "crossed the line" Saturday night when he was ejected in the final seconds of a 102-100 loss at the Charlotte Hornets.

The wild sequence that led to Green's ejection started with 9.3 seconds left in regulation and the Warriors leading 100-98, when Warriors guard Brad Wanamaker was tied up for a jump ball by Hornets guard LaMelo Ball. After Hornets swingman Gordon Hayward corralled the ball off the tap and fell to the floor, Green appeared to quickly tie up Hayward for a jump ball. However, the Hornets were awarded a timeout.

Green began arguing with officials and was quickly assessed two technical fouls and ejected, giving the Hornets two free throws and the ball. Charlotte guard Terry Rozier went to the line and sank both free throws to tie the score at 100.

Seconds later, Rozier drained a shot from the corner at the buzzer to give the Hornets the win.

"He crossed the line," Kerr said of Green. "That's the main thing. We love his passion and his energy. We would not be the team we are without him, but that doesn't give him license to cross that line, and he knows that."

Via a pool reporter, crew chief Marc Davis explained Green's ejection.

"His first technical was assessed when he directed profanity at his opponent," Davis said. "He was assessed his first technical foul for verbally taunting an opponent. He then proceeded to direct screaming profanity at a game official and received his [second] technical foul and was ejected as per rule."

Kerr said he "didn't have time to ask" for an explanation in the heat of the moment, given that the Warriors were rushing to check Juan Toscano-Anderson into the game to replace Green.

But what irked Kerr and the Warriors' staff occurred in the sequence before the jump ball. Kerr said he was calling for a timeout before Ball tied up Wanamaker to create the jump ball in the first place.

"There's a lot to unwind," Kerr said of the final few seconds. "But if you just want to cut to the chase, it's a very difficult call on a loose ball that becomes a jump ball that they get a timeout on. Especially because in the exact same situation, I was trying to call a timeout when Brad had the ball at the top of the key when they forced the jump ball just prior to that.

"So given that the exact same thing happened back to back, only we actually had possession of the ball when I tried to call timeout. And then watching the replay after the game, it's a loose ball, the ball's actually bouncing on the floor, Draymond dives after it; in my estimation, it should be another jump ball."

Davis explained that in the officials' judgment, the tie-up occurred before Kerr requested a timeout. For his part, Wanamaker admitted he didn't hear Kerr calling for a timeout, but he wasn't sure exactly how the sequence played out.

"LaMelo ties Brad up prior to Kerr requesting the timeout," Davis said. "The postgame video confirmed this decision as correctly judged."

It was a ruling that the Warriors did not agree with, but it was a moment for which Green took responsibility. Warriors forward Eric Paschall said when the team got back to the locker room after the game, Green took the blame for picking up the two late technical fouls.

"He said it was his fault," Paschall said. "And he took ownership as he always does as a leader. We're still rocking with Dray no matter what. A great dude, competitor, so it's all good. S--- happens in the NBA. We're just going to learn from it and try to come back, try to win the next one. Great leader and competitor."

As much as Warriors teammates and coaches respect Green, Kerr was clearly frustrated with Green's inability to control his emotions late in the game. For years, Green has been a league leader in technical fouls as he loudly voices his objection to various calls from officials or words from opponents. But Kerr has said repeatedly through the years that he felt Green knows when not to cross a line.

It was a line that Green stepped over on Saturday, leading to a loss that would have been arguably the Warriors' most impressive win of the season, given that star guard Stephen Curry (illness) was a late scratch and centers James Wiseman (wrist) and Kevon Looney (ankle) remain out.

"Draymond can't do that," Kerr said. "He knows that. He made a terrible mistake getting T'd up and giving them a chance to shoot two free throws and tie the game. ... As his coach, it's my job to communicate with him and with the team. That's what we've done, and that's what we'll continue to do."

Davis stated that the Hornets were awarded a timeout before Green's ejection, and before Green tied up Hayward, because the group felt the Hornets made the timeout call in time.

"P.J. Washington requested its timeout and Gordon Hayward had clear and sole possession of the ball," Davis said. "As per rule, Charlotte was granted the timeout. Postgame video review confirms this decision."

Despite Kerr's frustration with Green's actions, Green's teammates repeated a similar message about their leader after the game.

"He's been in this league long enough," Warriors guard Damion Lee said. "He knows what's right and what's wrong. And it doesn't matter; day in, day out, I'm always going to ride with Day Day. Throughout the good, throughout the bad, I'm always going to ride with Draymond. ... It doesn't matter if I'm a Warrior or not a Warrior. That's my guy. That's one of my vets. And I'm always going to ride with Day Day."

Aside from Green's technical fouls, Kerr spoke with a tinge of sadness that his short-handed team couldn't close the door after fighting so hard all night without Curry.

"It's a tough loss, obviously," Kerr said. "They don't get any tougher than this one. That's two straight, back to back, really difficult losses. That's my job to get the team organized and emotionally ready to play New York. We'll keep moving forward. That's what you do. The NBA season is filled with a lot of ups and downs, and obviously, this is a really tough one. But you got to get ready for the next game."

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Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green 'crossed the line' with late ejection, Steve Kerr says - ESPN