Month: April 2025

Trump tariffs . . . and reaching accord

On By scottpetersenIn Peggy Noonan, Trump tariffs1 Comment

On April 5th, Peggy Noonan’s column in The Wall Street Journal offered comment on Trump’s sudden escalation of tension between America and its allies — especially Canada — by dramatically increasing tariff levels (see https://peggynoonan.com/ ). Who isn’t troubled by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s comment that “The old relationship we had with the United States . . . . is over.” While it may be justified, I do believe this tariff thing could have been accomplished more productively. And amicably. So I sent a note to the Journal which was published in the Saturday/Sunday April 12 and 13 issue:

Ms. Noonan suggests that the U.S. should first try to work out its differences with Canada.  Having been an attorney for 53 years, I was involved in negotiations on a daily basis.  One thing I learned early about success:  be as nice as you can be and as tough as you have to be. One of the reasons that 85 to 90% of lawsuits settle before going to trial is that – if they advance, there is a 100% chance that someone will lose.  Thus the resolution of differences is like drinking a warm Pepsi Cola on a hot day.  It isn’t particularly satisfying but it’s better than ongoing thirst.

The decision to spring massive tariffs on our neighbors, allies and the world without the benefit of rational discussion is like going to trial.  America may lose — and perhaps stay thirsty.

From reading subsequent articles and editorials (and follow up comments), I gather that most folks believe the same objective could have been achieved without the hostility. And antagonism. What do you think?

The Seder

On By scottpetersenIn Passover, The SederLeave a comment

[A timely repeat from May 4, 2017]  Years ago, I was asked to teach Sunday School at our Lutheran church.  A September to May obligation.  I said “sure” and was promptly given the 6th grade class.  We had a textbook which I was supposed to use religiously (no pun intended).   But I have to confess that from the beginning I often ad-libbed.  Uh oh – Mister Petersen is going rogue . . . . .

While I stayed with the basics of the curriculum, I took liberty to discuss relevant questions within the context of the day’s chapter.  And I would bring in occasional people and things to enhance the one hour class.  The most memorable improv was when I conducted a Seder at the time of Passover.  I enlisted the help of two Jewish friends for guidance.   One gave me the blue Haggadah (the order of the Seder) which was in English and in Hebrew (I still have it).  And both tutored me in this solemn ritual.  They wanted to make sure I had the protocol down to a tev (or “t”).

Donna helped prepare the kosher meal.  And I set the table in the 6th grade area.  Plates, platters and potables (grape juice instead of wine).   Then the students began to arrive.  They looked around like – whoa! Mister Petersen is off the grid.  And they sat down – and I began with an explanation of Passover.  And the Seder.  And its significance.  And a Passover prayer.  The hour went quickly.  Elijah made his obligatory appearance.  The food was consumed.  And I did the cleanup.  I guess I did okay because the next year I was asked to continue teaching 6th grade Sunday School.  I did so until finally one year I said “no mas.”   

Fast forward twenty plus years.  The Sunday School Seder was long forgotten.  Until we saw some old friends from church.  And their son Eric.  He walked right up to me “hello Mister Petersen!”  And he immediately began to bubble about the Seder being the most memorable time of his Sunday School career.  Gosh.  Kinda makes me wish I hadn’t said “no mas.”      

It’s all about the dash

On By scottpetersenIn Dr. J, Julius ErvingLeave a comment

[A repeat from March 23, 2017]  I read an interview with Julius Erving – Dr. J – the legendary star of the Philadelphia 76ers. Dr. J was asked the question “What’s the best advice you ever got?”   He responded that it was learning one simple lesson: “It’s all about the dash.” The “dash” . . . . .

Dr. J explained that in the cemetery, every tombstone has two numbers: the year you were born and the year you die. And there’s a dash in between. THAT — Dr. J said — is what it’s all about. “The dash [is everything]. What you’ve done with your life and how you lived it are in that dash.” At some point, we are all going to have two numbers. And a dash.

In my post of April 26, 2014, I suggested that it’s better to be a thermostat than a thermometer. Thermostats take control. Thermostats are on the playing field. Scoring points. Making a difference. Making a dent. Thermometers sit back and . . . . just tell you the score. The dash on your tombstone can be a thermometer. Or a thermostat.

What’s in your dash?

Jumping out of airplanes

On By scottpetersenIn Jumping out of airplanesLeave a comment

First – it wasn’t me. . . . .

[A high flying repeat of April 17, 2014] Last Saturday, Donna, Lauren, Trent, Eve and I drove out to Rock Island, Illinois, for an Augustana College alumni event.  On Sunday morning, we had brunch with friends and started our 3 hour drive home. One of us got very hungry along the way and we decided to stop at the Flight Deck Restaurant which is attached to the Rochelle Municipal Airport (Koritz Field) just off Interstate 88 at Route 251. Airport restaurants are known for good cuisine since pilots will often fly in for a meal and fly back out. Little did we know what adventure was in store. 

We sat and ordered.  Eve was hungry.  And wanted to move.  My granddaughter has one speed.  Fast forward.  So she and Trent walked outside – into a fenced buffer near the taxiway.  And Eve took off running with Trent speed-walking alongside.  I stayed inside – watching out the big window.  And then it happened.  Things started falling out of the sky.  Mercy!  They were sky divers – parachuting down.  Using rectangular (“square ram”) parachutes.  I dashed outside and watched another half dozen or float from the heavens and land — like they stepped off a curb — a sand wedge distance away.  This was a first for Eve.  And it was a first for me.   

We learned that another “stick” of sky divers would be floating down in 20 minutes or so.  It was easy to wait as our lunch arrived. After lunch, we went back out and watched another dozen or more float down and land with precision in the field.  Some were jumping tandem (2 on the parachute).  In all, it was really an incredible experience.  We learned that the airport is home to the Chicagoland Skydiving Center.  Skydivers jump from 18,000 feet(!) and land with pinpoint precision right outside the window of the restaurant. 

I told Donna it would be great to find a little B&B close by, drive out on a Friday and have dinner at the Flight Deck (recommended by the way) and maybe arrange a “jump” on Saturday morning.   The first part was fine.  The last part didn’t go over at all . . . . .

Grilled Peanut Butter

On By scottpetersenIn Grilled peanut butter sandwichLeave a comment

[Here’s a repeat from December 20, 2012] Did you ever have a special dish added to a restaurant menu?  I did.   Once.                                                                                                      

When I was in college, I was a night owl.  I studied until the wee hours.   Often as the second hand approached midnight, a few other guys and I would hitchhike to the Round the Clock Restaurant in downtown Rock Island.  And I would order a grilled peanut butter sandwich. With a dill pickle on the side.  And a tall glass of milk.  The interesting thing was that grilled peanut butter was not on the menu.  

Let’s back up a few months. It’s a zero dark thirty night at the Round the Clock, I had noticed a “peanut butter & jelly sandwich” on the menu.  I was not about to order a PB & J, but it occurred to me that a grilled peanut butter sandwich might be just the ticket.  We slid into the booth and I ordered a “grilled peanut butter sandwich.”  The waitress looked at me like I was a moon rock.  I said “same as a grilled cheese but use peanut butter instead of cheese.”   I felt like Jack Nicholson in the “Five Easy Pieces” diner scene.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wtfNE4z6a8  She walked away shaking her head.  She used gestures to explain the order at the window to the kitchen. She pointed at the nerdy kid in the booth. At least it worked (unlike Jack Nicholson’s experience).   

After a few weeks of this, when I walked in the door, the waitress would give me that knowing look “grilled peanut butter“?  she would ask.  I’d nod and smile “yes ma’am.”  A few months later, “Grilled Peanut Butter Sandwich” made its debut on the Round the Clock’s menu.  And I became a legend.  At least in my own mind.