#12

Thursday, February 24, 2022

The world is looking on as we officially witness the first full-blown war happening on European soil since WWII, in 1945. “Fortress Russia”….the name used to describe the strategy Putin may have been focused on the last several years. Putin probably had his strategy hat on for this one (likely a Russian Ushanka……one of those Soviet Union fury winter caps) as Russia’s slowing been making moves. Some relevant ones below:

• First they’ve been growing their currency reserves (currently at $631B) at their central bank. Ultimately, allowing them to deploy capital in country should there be an economic fallout.
• They trimmed up the fat by cutting its expenses ensuring a better financial footing. (….pretty standard move that any good corporation would take.)
• Lowered their dependence on imports by producing items in-country. (e.g. they’ve beefed up their ability to produce cheese in country…..even cutting off Parmesan imports from Italy over the last few years).
• Have also built their own financial messaging system in case they are cut off from the global SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications) system that’s currently in place. Denying SWIFT access to Russia could still be quite effective given the squeeze it could put on them. (this is wild to think about and is a big deal. CLICK HERE to dive further in).
• However, doing so could hurt other European countries, as well as the US….which may make the US reluctant to pull this lever. In short, doing so could lead the world towards a more blockchain based monetary system. #crytpo

Given a few of those small examples, and regardless of rhetoric and misinformation efforts from Moscow, it’s clear that this plan has been in the works for some time now. (Btw, misinformation is not a new tactic for them. Look up how they’ve been altering the rhetoric and textbooks regarding WW2 to ensure their version of the narrative is communicated.)

Uncle Phil, seems to be going through a lot lately. I feel like I’ve seen more personalities of Phil Mickelson over the last few years than we ever saw of Dennis Rodman during his days with the Bulls (….certainly Rodman takes the cake when considering his post career personalities!). If you aren’t sure what I’m referring all you need to know is the following equation….C^2 = B + HS = IV. Or, Coffee X Calves = bombs + hellacious seeds = intimidation and victory. (Phil’s formula to ensure victory against Tiger Woods in “The Match” a couple years ago.)

Now most people I know have come to enjoy this more outspoken Phil and thanks to social media we get a more intimate view of his personality. But now he’s in a bit of hot water. Perhaps sticking his foot in his mouth. So what happened?

• Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund (one of the largest funds in the world) is financing what is being called the SGL, or the Saudi Golf League, to compete with the likes of the PGA.
• For them to be successful, they need to pique the interest of key PGA players/personalities to create a buzz.
• ...enter Phil Mickelson from stage left.
• Except, Uncle Phil knows the issue with partnering publicly with the Saudi’s given their human rights track record (#understatement)
• But still, Phil was quoted saying….. “We know they killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.”
• Basically, even though he knows this is an awful idea….can you ever really walk away from a good opporutnity?!?!?
• And as you’d imagine, that quote has gotten out. And Phil now finds himself on the apology tour and without a major sponsor, KPMG, who dropped him this week.

Ahhhh…..a reminder of the importance of thinking through what you want to say before letting it fly out. Novel!

Let’s try to end on a more positive note. Adonis Lattimore….the Champ is here!! If this doesn’t bring you a combination of joy, excitement, inspiration and all the other feelings, then you may have a new strand of COVID……it’s probably worth getting checked out. Adonis is a Virginia high school senior and happened to be born with no right leg, a partial left leg and one finger on his right hand. So naturally, he did what anybody (read: nobody!) would do and decided to fulfill a goal he had set for himself when he was in the 8th grade. Win a state wrestling championship. And that’s exactly what Adonis achieved this past weekend after taking first place in the 106-pound weight class at the Virginia High School League Class 6 Championship. Mad respect and props to this dude. For me it’s a reminder that we all have choices. To achieve what we want and more importantly be what we want. A reminder we all have one life to live, so let’s make sure we’re living the life we want! Adonis went on to say…“it’s pretty motivating just to prove them wrong, and just to prove to myself that I can do anything I set out to do.” Let’s figure out how we get this kid a contract with Adidas! #ImpossibleIsNothing

Deuces. ✌️