A Closer Look

with Anthony Newcombe

♘STATUES♘

Q: Do we need them for … EVERYTHING?!

First, there are the political and war heroes. Washington and Lincoln are pretty cool, Pat Tillman is amazing. We can argue the pros and cons of these choices all day long. Then, we have a smattering of the pure sports heroes: Bill Russell, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Franco Harris, and many others.*

However, when you think about it, some of these “erections,” (for lack of a better word) seem nothing more than some sort of wishful tribute to, well, his or their e—-

There a more than a few. Rocky Balboa, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the dudes from Breaking Bad and others. Actually, Arnold’s is in Austria, but you get my drift …

♘Why?♘

Why are these even built? I mean, as far as Rocky goes, there was guy named Joe Frazier who came from Philly who just had his statue approved over 30 years after Rocky’s. He actually gave his physical life to the sport of boxing. Why did they mount a statue of a fictional character who, as amazing as the character was, was just a movie character and nothing more.?!

As far as the Breaking Bad characters go, why would it be a good thing to aspire to be a meth dealer? How does that help the citizens of Albuquerque, New Mexico – let alone its visiting tourists? No offense, but is that the best they can come up with in the state? I don’t think so. What does it say to our kids? Just seems a bit thoughtless to me.

In my opinion, it diminishes the achievements of actual heroes. Remember, little kids visit these cities and come away thinking they saw something of historical value. Spoiler alert: they did not. Therefore, I believe we should be a bit more thoughtful about whom we memorialize for life. It gives the world a very shallow and disingenuous impression of us.

Okay, so the Statue of Liberty isn’t really a woman who lived and achieved anything in the U.S. You got me there. However, it is understood that she is a gift from France. And while she too is purely a “figurehead,” she does in fact symbolize freedom and the American dream for those who come to this country in search of real heroes.

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Let’s argue it out!

See you in the fall … Yes, I said it: the FALL!

-A.N.

* See our memorabilia page while you’re on site >>> BAN Sports♘

Profile

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, author, narrator, and full-stack developer. He enjoys reading what other authors write and swimming when it gets over 110 degrees.

A Closer Look

Let’s take a closer look …

with Anthony Newcombe

#CancelStudentDebt – some alternatives?

The Issues:

Who gets relief?
What happens to those who “responsibly” paid off their debt?
Who’s on first? ⁉️

Mark Cuban weighed in on this matter a few months ago. If the super-rich say we should do something, then, shouldn’t we just fall in line? America seems to follow the lead of the rich and famous every single time. What changed this time around? Did I miss something?

Background

Anyone who follows me online knows one thing: I’ve made myself abundantly clear on my position regarding this subject matter. It’s littered on my social media profiles, I post about it all the time, and I honestly believe it’s as much a hindrance to our young graduates’ futures as inflation, climate change, gun control, abortion rights, and/or any of the other “hot-button topics” we spend so much time and effort arguing about these days. Let’s face it: a pile of debt does absolutely nothing positive for someone starting out in the current business or real-world environment.

Solutions

However, let’s not be selfish or naive. We know there’s another side. Let’s go there. Right now. One counterargument is: “Why overlook those who paid their balances?!” Let’s not do that.

What if the government followed through and struck $10,000 of student debt for those who are carrying a balance at this time; while also providing a $10,000 federal tax credit to those who can prove they already paid their balances in full? Of course, included could be an “opt-out” provision for those who don’t require either, correct?

Like everything else, it’s never going to be a cheap or simple solution. Just like with all the other ongoing crises: Ukraine, Covid-19, homelessness, etc. However, what it does provide is a reasonable alternative that is fair and all-inclusive. And how do we pay for it? It seems as though somewhere in that $30 trillion dollar pile of debt we’ve accumulated, there must be something that can be shifted around to do this. Congress just needs to work much harder and more diligently to find a way to make this happen.

It’s sort of like that old auto mechanic commercial, “you can either pay me now, or pay me later.”

Any thoughts?

See you in August (try to stay cool till then guys!)

-A.N.

Profile

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, author, narrator, and full-stack developer. He blogs about nearly every topic possible and enjoys tinkering in the yard on weekends.

A Closer Look …

with Anthony Newcombe

Date: June 13, 2022

Topic: Inflation: Can we offset it? Here are some thoughts

Everyone keeps talking about “inflation, inflation, inflation.” If you ask me, it’s one of those topics that you don’t even need to discuss to understand that it exists. It’s the “elephant blocking the gas pump. Perhaps it’s the elephant blocking the grocery aisles. Or maybe it’s the same elephant pushing the interest rates to unthinkable levels in such a short span of time.

Backdrop

Regardless of who (or how) we may believe is ultimately responsible for all of this, the fact of the matter is that we are a nation of 330 plus million, living in a world of 7 plus billion people. We are consuming the same air, energy resources, and food at a pace we’ve never seen in history. We’re an aging country that is unable to bring in anywhere near as many replacements as we are (and will continue) losing for the next 15-30 years or more. Oh, and lest we (not) forget, we are still grappling with a pandemic which, predictably, has morphed into a years-long menace.

Solutions

So, where does that leave us? Well, in my humble opinion, I think we might want to pass some of the infrastructure bills that are collecting dust in D.C. The more able-bodied people who are yanked from their video and FB screens and are out replacing some grossly outdated structures around this nation, the quicker we can produce some actual dollars that aren’t printed and sent out from D.C.

Also, this might bring a little fresh air into the lungs of the same kids who are taking over streets our streets, smash-and-grabbing merchandise off our retail shelves, and, of course, breaking into our cars and houses to pick up a catalytic converter or a Rolex watch to sell online or in the black market somewhere.

Yes, I know what you’re going to say. “We need tougher policing – these kids are savages!” (Or something to the like). Perhaps, some are, and in some ways, we do. But I believe the majority have simply lost their way somewhat and need to be shown a legal and hopeful method to win. Raising rents, tuition, ignoring homelessness, and pretending that everything will take care of itself if we just elect (fill in the blank), will NOT do the trick. We need to offset our losses. We need to provide the right sort of distractions. The ones that give a positive new pathway, that burn energy from frustration, that teach new skills, and that, most importantly, supply a focus and the ability earn actual dollars worthy of the effort put in!

Any thoughts?

See you in July 🌥️ (Let’s bring the sun out!)

-A.N.

Profile

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, author, narrator and full-stack developer. He blogs about almost every current topic and likes to tinker around in the yard on weekends.

A Closer Look

with Anthony Newcombe

This month’s topic: Reunions, reunions, reunions, reunions

Surprise! We’re going to take a risk this month and discuss some of the main reasons why I won’t be attending any of the reunions for which I’ve been receiving invitations in my email recently. I know summer is upon us and we’ve been out of school for quite a while, but I would like to discuss a few things that I know many others agree with but lack the indecency to share.

Background

To begin with, I don’t know about you, but all I see in my junk/social/promo mailboxes (about 30 of them) are invitations to attend this reunion or that reunion. I’m not going to reveal my exact age, but let’s just say I attended school during the pre-Internet age.

And don’t get me wrong, if I could recall enjoying most of my experiences with the same fervor as of some of those who are encouraging me to attend, I might drop some of my now commitments to fly in and see some of the potentially horrific sights and mild remembrances awaiting me. Let’s face it, it’s been such a lonnnnnnnng time (as the old band Boston might say).

Speaking of faces, that’s one of my biggest concerns with attending one of these. I recall attending one reunion only 5 years after graduation, and I couldn’t believe where some of these faces ended up. I’m talking jowls around the knees stuff here. And even more gob smacking is when they spend a fortune to have some overpaid “scalpeler” (for lack of a better word) yank their face into some tightly wound Stitchcraft of sorts.

Nonetheless, I’m a little too forthright to pretend I don’t notice this stuff. I know I have more than my share of physical flaws (weight gain, hair loss, etc.), but I also know at least I resemble the same general species I was “back in the day.” Perhaps some of us don’t realize it, but it can be outright traumatic to see some of the sights at these reunions!

So, the next time you wonder why some of us are incommunicado as far as reunions go, just break out this blog entry and take a glance from a reverse angle to see why it may not be on everyone’s top shelf this summer (and next decade’s shelf likewise!)

Any thoughts?

See you next month … or, to use an old one from the yearbook: “H.A.G.S.”

-A.N.

Profile

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, author, narrator, and left-handed golfer (but writes right-handed). He created A Closer Look and Three Questions on two of his 3 proprietary sites in order to give his audience insights on what he thinks about and does in his crazy business life …

A Closer Look …

with Anthony Newcombe

light landscape fashion man — Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

The Slap!

Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve seen enough of the Oscars’ incident last month, so we’ll use an image less viewed, but still provide a link to the incident for those who would like to click through to it. It’s amazing that a few weeks prior to said slap incident, we posted a new entry on why, how and what is making us so “out of control” with our emotions?

Then, like a lightning bolt from outer space, the Will Smith incident occurs. Again, when did we start losing such control of ourselves? Is it a Covid-19 thing? Something else?

Let us know your thoughts. We strongly believe that a simple revisit to last month’s “intuitive post” is well worth your time and effort.

See you in May!

A Closer Look … 😡😡

with Anthony Newcombe

Date: Wednesday March 9, 2022

This month’s topic: Why does it feel like anything now means everything?!

THIS FIGHTING TAKES PLACE … EVERYWHERE!

It just seems like any subject we discuss nowadays is like the end of the world. Airports/ airplane aisles, vaccines, masks, reading choices, luxury taxes, hirings and firings, gasoline/ grocery/ ticket lines – you name it – we will fight each other seemingly to the death if we don’t agree with something for it. You don’t like what someone says on a plane? Kick their a**! Don’t like the mask they’re wearing? Kick their a**! Don’t want to pay luxury taxes to small market teams? Refuse to field any players or teams…STRIKE! Not to mention all the unnecessary bombing and warmongering going on in the world.

ALMOST ANYBODY FIGHTS … EVEN THE ONES WHO CLEARLY CANNOT

Where did all these a**kickers come from? I’ve never seen so many people (most of whom honestly can’t fight) balling up their fists and letting it rip! Women just the same! It’s just odd to me. I always thought I was the one with had a somewhat of a short fuse, but it appears the saying, “If you live long enough, you’ll see it all” really applies more now than ever.

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?

Perhaps it’s a confluence of so many negative events dovetailing – and combusting – in real time. Or maybe it’s something else. Am I missing something, or are you do you seeing the same thing? If you asked me, I would like to see this kind of energy going towards rebuilding roads and bridges, relieving student debt, cleaning up the environment, and getting a grip on our dependence on foreign energy. All I know is we need to collectively try another path. Because this one isn’t solving anything. Otherwise, I don’t see us having a whole lot left to argue and fight over in the end!

Any ideas?

See you in the spring! ☀️🍃 ☀️🍃☀️🍃

-A.N.

DEUCES WILD !!🏈🏈

A Closer Look

with Anthony Newcombe

Date: 2/2/2022 – Deuces Wild!!

🏈This month’s topic: the NFL, its owners, and its ways 🏈

So, it finally happened. Just yesterday, as NFL football fans began digesting the results of the playoffs, we ran into some serious image headwinds for the league and its owners.

The “Circus”

Brian Flores, the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins (via Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots organization), has filed a class action lawsuit against the league and three of its teams. This ranges everything from bribery (see Stephen Ross, the Dolphins’ team owner) to interview sabotage (against John Elway & Co. with the Denver Broncos).

What else?

It also includes a “preemptive filling of a head coach position” he hadn’t yet interviewed for (with the New York Giants) that was discovered by virtue of a botched congratulatory text intended for a different Brian (new NYG head coach, Brian Daboll, from the Buffalo Bills)! We couldn’t write a fable for television as intriguing as this is already turning out to be.

What does this all add up to?

As I’ve been told by elders during my childhood while playing ball and breaking a few windows, it’s not good … at all. We are talking about a league that is extremely image-conscious, has certain “rules” in place that are clearly ignored, and is run by owners who tend to pay attention only to issues that which will enrich them further as opposed to addressing difficult topics that would make things better for everyone in the long run.

The real problem

Call it what you’d like, but I’m going to say what I’ve always said, and that is there is very little “willingness to change” the way the NFL (and its teams) operate today. Sure, there is a “Rooney Rule” in place, and the majority of the league’s players and starters are Black. However, there is but one (1) head coach (Mike Tomlin) who reflects the number (and type?) of players who are the helm of the sport and league’s success currently.

I ask you to look away from the NFL for a moment and towards the National Hockey League (NHL). Ask yourself: what would it seem like if the supermajority of players were coached and owned by some other (i.e., non-White) group of people? Would anyone notice or would nearly everyone notice? That, my friends, is the real problem. The issues stemming from this area are byproducts of the real problem.

Find a solution

Now that the proverbial “cat is (entirely) out of the bag,” we should ask ourselves the hardest questions of all: What is to be done about this? How and who should be compensated for their loss(es), and what will it take to move forward from this and ensure that real change is implemented, and we never see this happen again?

Any ideas?

See you next month (after most of you guys thaw out!)

-A.N.

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Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, author, and narrator. He can be reached for appearances through our Contact Page.

Hello 2022 …

Will you be better than 2021 ?

A Closer Look …

with Anthony Newcombe

Date: January 6, 2021

This month’s topic:

Hello 2022 … how is it different than 2021?

2020’s #NYE thought: “Wow, if we can just get to 2021, all will be fine!” And then, chaos on Capitol Hill. This, followed by the Delta variant incurring its wrath. Now it’s Omicron. “Wow, if we can just get to 2022, all will be just fine!” Well, what the h*ll are we supposed to do NOW?!

Last fall, others simply fretted over whether they would be able to exchange gifts over the holidays. Remember the shipping container fiasco? Will that holiday gift arrive on time? If so, when and how much more will it cost? Should I go onto Amazon.com like almost everyone else who used to shop in the brick-and-mortar retail stores? We better hope and pray these guys never need a government bailout!

Now, we’re in 2022 (exhale)

Factoid: we just tallied over 1 million new U.S. infections in one day earlier this week. Some Americans are having to wait in line for hours for COVID tests or pay up to $75 per testing kit at a local pharmacy. All this simply to determine whether or not they can return to work or send their kid(s) back to school for the new year. Worse yet, it looks like the few checks sent last year for childcare are instead being diverted to pay for overpriced groceries, gasoline, school supplies, medications – just to name a few.

So, with all this, one would think 2022 would bring about a “fix” for our problems. Well, with just a few days into the new year it doesn’t seem so, does it? Interest rate hikes are looming (and expected to rise beginning EOQ1 2022), gas prices are forecasted to hit $4.00/gallon (or more) in many states, which translates to practically $6.00/ gallon in some spots like California. Home prices are skyrocketing still, but let’s face it: who can really afford to move anywhere “cheaper” in the country?

Any ideas?

See you next month (at the gas station)

-A.N.

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full-stack web developer. He can be reached for appearance requests via our Contact Page.

A Closer Look 👁👁

👁👁with Anthony Newcombe 👁👁

Happy Holidays ALL!!

This month’s topic: Required Tests for Congress Members

We’re going to end this year with a BANG!! Let’s just call it like it is: we need to require all candidates who run for all congressional seats and judicial appointments to pass a test that ensures they are: qualified, sane, interested, and able to perform all of the necessary duties of the job. We don’t have this in place at the time this blog goes to publishing.

COMMON SENSE RED ALERT!!

Q: Could we ever be able to be hired for or allowed to start set foot in a job that we didn’t even want to succeed in?

Q: Would we ever be granted access to secrets of any business without first providing proof of qualifications for the position?

Q: Might we ever see a situation where employees (decision-makers) are allowed to cavalierly sit back and allow the company they are in charge of to be smashed to smithereens?

Clearly, the answers to all of the above hypothetical scenarios is of course, in fact, NO!!

It would never happen, and if it did, there would be a swift and permanent termination of employment and possible legal consequences beyond.

For these reasons, it seems asinine that we would think that this couldn’t, isn’t, or would never happen to our governing bodies. We are observing some of the most clear-cut examples of people with who have zero interest in continuing democracy: blitzing seats, refusing to govern, and participating in the some the most vile, pathetic – let alone dangerous – behavior imaginable. Why are we sitting back and allowing it? Why the continued lack of outrage?

Current major areas affected

Covid-19/ our collective health: 800,000 dead … say no more.

Overturning laws/ court uncertainty: If we no longer can trust the people who are creating, writing and adjudicating our laws, then how the heck are we supposed to abide by them?

Debt ambivalence : $30 Trillion? $35 Trill? How about a nice, round $40T? Why does it seem nobody’s bothered by this number anymore?

Civil disobedience: Are we paying attention to all of the destruction and anger we have towards each other? How about sharing commercial airplanes, public roadways, and other community space? Is it now the one with the biggest fists, guns, or whatever the one who has the last say? What have we become?

⏰Wake up call ⏰

Look people. I don’t enjoy stopping at red lights in big city traffic any more than the guy next to me who thinks he’s Mario Andretti. But, one thing I do know … is if we all decide to continue to do our own thing, society as we know it may not know we all won’t last or be around much longer. I mean, how could it?!

Happy holidays (seriously) and see you in 2022 (… hopefully)

-A.N.

A Closer Look …

with Anthony Newcombe

Date: November 5, 2021 🦃🍂🌧️

👀This month’s topic: 👀

Did the American Worker Burnout (on America)?

We’ve always pride ourselves on our “American work ethic.” The number of hours we labor, the few paid vacation days we take advantage of – always the highest and lowest in the world respectively. Now, with decades of blood, sweat and tears invested, we seem to be reevaluating ourselves (and with it, our bosses, workplace, culture, etc.) ALL AT ONCE!

Perhaps that it seems so overwhelming right now. We were so entrenched in our commutes, schedules, balance “act” with family, etc., that events like Covid Pandemic Job Participation have forced us to stop, sit (at a distance), and rethink everything about our pre-pandemic lives. Who knows, it may turn out to Psychology of Work-Life Balance During Covid one of our proudest moments, or, in many cases, the tipping point to nowhere.

One thing that is not helping us is the perpetual gridlock in D.C. and locally too. We live in what is termed one of the most thriving economies in history, but still see more homelessness, climate decay, and rotted infrastructure in its midst.

How are we supposed to weigh our professional futures collectively when we can’t even pass a bill to fund so many of those jobs and plans? How is it possible to continue to vote for leaders who only show up for us to convince us to “come through for them” by voting every term? Of course, the years in between are always filled with lip service, finger-pointing and, to quote a very young woman enmeshed in the global climate battle: (“blah, blah blah”) Climate Change “Boils Over” Around Global Summits

It’s a lot easier to tell people they need to retain the motivation to work hard – much harder to show them the way to prosperity. “Being accountable,” “keeping your word,” “following through.” Those were simple phrases we not only embraced but rarely had to define in decades past. Now, there’s a perpetual inability for those in leadership positions to do this. It’s even cost the jobs of many who attempt to do so! We need to look in the mirror, face the music, and make some drastic changes NOW! Otherwise, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the American worker, and with it – the American Dream – vanishes forever.

What do YOU have to say about this? We’d like to hear it!

See you next month for our 2021 finale! I’m out!

–A.N.