How is everyone’s weekend going? Thanks for spending a portion of it with the Six.
When we have the kind of horrifically tragic event that occurred on July 4th this week, human nature is to cast blame. Who is at fault? Who could have intervened to prevent what happened?
We are learning more every day about the circumstances around the Highland Park murders. They are disturbing and grim.
There’s also a question on the subject of grieving for the general population.
What’s appropriate? What should “mourning” look like and for how long?
I got into several arguments on social media this week on this subject. It started when I objected to Ravinia Festival, located in Highland Park, cancelling its concerts for a week.
My opinion is that music is an instrument for healing. Been that way for centuries.
What better setting for a devastated community to mourn the victims than in an outdoor amphitheater, within a large gathering? All concerts are restorative in some form. Musicians play music. Let them play.
(Bob Marley, the famous raggae singer, wrote, “One good thing about music…when it hits you, you feel no pain.” Full disclosure…I had plans to attend the John Fogerty show Friday night at Ravinia.)
The tweets flew back at me with ferocity. I won’t publish the vulgar words thrown around for even questioning the decision to cancel everything.
But Tuesday, Ravinia reopens. Then it will be OK to gather again. Eight days from the time of the shooting, that’s an appropriate time to gather with family and friends and listen to music.
Huh?
To me, it seemed random and arbitrary. And unnecessary.
There is a larger conversation to be had on the subject of grieving and how music plays a role. Not enough space to do so here.
My main objection was over autocratic decision-making. And a consistent patten in the City of Highland Park of running scared from problems.
Yes, healing is needed. But it comes in many forms.
If we’ve learning anything these past 2+ years its how those in charge, whether it be government, schools or other organizations, often default to fear-based leadership in times of crisis.
At a time when strength is needed, the Ravinia cancellation is just another reminder of that form of abortive leadership.
And how we need different leaders in this country.
Let’s proceed with the Six.
Highland Park Shooter Speaks Out About Son.
As I wrote in the intro, news still trickles in on the July 4th shooting. There is a lot of attention on the parents and the dysfunction in the household. The father of the shooter – Robert Crimo, jr. – is speaking to the press. Whether it be priming for a defense for future civil lawsuits or a need to explain his role in the murders, it’s strange to read his comments and candor. Why not just release a statement and leave it at that? The NY Post interviewed Crimo, jr. and has more details in this story.
James Caan Was Unlike Any Other Leading Man.
This news was tough to hear a few days ago. Although it had been a decade or so since James Caan acted on a regular basis (I last remember him on the TV show “Las Vegas” that ran in the 2000’s) he’s one of those ubiquitous actors whom has been in our lives since, well, most if not all of our lives. Best known for his role as Sonny Corleone in “The Godfather,” Caan’s career spanned 60 years and was a working man’s actor who “for all of his posturing, clearly loved his job. What he hated was the pretentiousness that came with being a leading man.” The Ringer with an obit on Caan, who died this week at the age of 82.
We’re Starting A New University.
This week, the Wall Street Journal published an article that revealed how The U.S. Government Accountability Office said, in a May Report that “at least 550 colleges and universities have hired vendors for online programs.” It’s big business for public schools like The University of Oregon, which according to the WSJ article, makes $600k per year from outside vendors. There definitely is grift in higher education. A lot of it. This is a piece from the Common Sense newsletter from the former president of St. John’s who started his own university, the University of Austin. Good read on what’s happening in higher education and how establishment colleges are not being honest about what they are selling.
This Poker Legend Is Still Bluffing. Or Is He?
This is a long story so buckle up. But worth it. Texas Monthly offers up a fantastic profile of one of Texas’ most famous gamblers, who has sat at poker tables with everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to Ted Cruz. Lede graph: “In poker lore, the best stories tend to begin with jackpot wins, steady nerves, or the occasional threat of murder. Doyle Brunson has all those tall tales—and we’ll get to them in due time. He has won millions while bluffing, stared down killers in parking lots, and pried his chips—quite literally—from the hands of death.” Take it from there.
When not working on a deal to buy Twitter (a deal on the brink of collapse) or running Tesla and Space X and other companies, Elon Musk gets – sleeps – around. This week, Insider broke the news that Musk has fathered twins with one of his top executives, born around the same time he was having a second child with an ex, the singer Grimes, which brings the known total of Musk descendents to nine. Musk be workin.’ Cosmopolitan has more.
Camper Awakes to Knife-Carrying Killer Crab.
I’ll re-state my position on outdoor camping: not a fan. I’ll spend time in nature but prefer an enclosed hotel (with stocked mini-bar) at the end of such day. These stories confirm my no camping bias. A camper while in Japan was awoken “by a member of the world’s largest crab species lurking in the shadows and carrying a steak knife.” Yup, that’s exactly what happened. Be ready to be creeped out by this Tik-Tok video.
Thanks for reading everybody and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Have a suggestion for The Sunday Six? Send email to jonjkerr@gmail.com.