September 19, 2025
I lived through another assassination period in the late 1960’s when I was in college:
Assassination refers to a murder which at its root has a political aspect.
History does not repeat exactly, but it does rhyme. RFK was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian aggrieved at Kennedy’s support of weapons to Israel. He has spent 57 years in prison for that act and is now 81. The civil rights issue an obvious cause of the King, Malcom X and Evers killings.
So, we’ve been here before.
This pulled me along the lines of this: What were the proper responses people made that kept their lives on track, which allowed them to move forward positively in the world? What did some do to not be consumed by those events and issues? Because most people did keep it together.
And you know I believe those of us in the center need to continue to speak to the idea we can have our differences, but demonization of the opposition is off limits. It’s not civilized. If we define a person as a ‘thing’ or an ‘it’, weak minds find it easier to turn to violence. After all, we wouldn’t be harming a person, right?
Politicians and media types who have been depersonalizing the opposition have much to answer for. But of course, they will show you clean hands and swear that it’s the other side who is really doing it. I think that’s craven.
So here is what I think we all need to do.
First, focus on our families, “ring fence” our families. This doesn’t mean withdrawal from the world, rather, check and solidify the boundaries around them.
Make the effort to check in with our kids/grandkids, don’t let those relationships wander. We may be the only credible source of good advice they have…speak up. And advise your kids to speak up to their kids. Because given the omnipresent Internet and media, you can’t let them fashion their character with mouse clicks. Evidently, Kirk’s alleged killer did just that.
Emphasize relentlessly the importance of a good education. Moreover, if you want to give money, make the 529 plan the first stop. When a citizen is well-educated and aware and more, has skills to offer, their life changes for the better. Other than the usual birthday presents, 100% of my gifts to my family so far have been for education.
Remember, a 529 can be used for trade schools and vocational schools. Give all the grandkids a chance.
There is simply no other better financial gift we can make. And if you don’t have grandchildren, your gifting to your kids should be for retirement. Forego the immediate pleasure spending could bring and sock it away for the future. They’ll most probably need it.
Next, as above, you don’t want to try and withdraw from the world. This is Aggrieved Entertainer Strategy…take your money, move to Europe, throw dust into the air from thousands of miles away. I can’t ascribe to it. It’s self-exile. In the ancient world they used exile as punishment. I’ll bet you a fine dinner that when Mr. Trump’s term ends, some (most) of these people, homesick for home, will pop up and use the Trump exit as the excuse to come home. “It’s safe now.” Sure.
Now, we want to secure our homes as sanctuaries. This is not code for pistols and rifles, to be clear. Not a fort but a sanctuary. I’m speaking more about the idea that when you enter your home, and shut the door, you should experience a sense of safety, of calm and a welcoming aura.
It also means you beat back the chaos pounding on your door to be let in. We all have a need to stay informed. But once we’re informed, let it go. I am staying current on the facts but just as we should avoid physical inflammation (bad for your health), I’m avoiding brain inflammation. So, if you turn it on and watch four hours of it and it works you up, Left or Right you’ve let the chaos in. The chaos won.
Avoid toxic people. You know who they are in your life. You may not be able to show them all the door, but you can make a point of actively limiting your time with them. And if they are truly toxic, robbing your peace of mind, you need to show them the door. I would always trade a lifetime of my happiness for a moment of well-deserved embarrassment for another person.
Stay focused on the good and positive things in life. We can’t save the world; but we can save our own piece of it. A strong country needs strong citizens, people who are reasonable, centered, forward-looking and forward-thinking. Who do not wallow in perceived or real insult, rather, people who make a conscious decision to move into the light. It is entirely in our control.
So, we don’t have to wear a hair shirt no matter how much the world distresses us. We can have sympathy and empathy, but once our own happiness is robbed, it’s gone too far.
In my daily life, I wind up at cocktail parties and at the bar and out to dinner and in a golf cart. All with other people, some close friends, some bare acquaintances. And I hear a fair amount of animus, unbidden, bobbing to the surface.
Someone wants me to know all about Donald Trump, so I’m not misled. Someone else offers all about Nancy Pelosi, so I’m not fooled by her. OK, I appreciate the care and concern they’re showing, but honestly, I’d just as soon pass on it. I didn’t ask, and more, especially in a country club setting, it’s inappropriate. If you’re with ‘your group’ and you all feel the same, there is a catharsis in the conversation. They’re your friends, you think alike. But that’s more in the way of comforting confirmation, not attempting to change opinion, which is quite another thing.
Just remember when you express yourself on hot button issues in a group in which you do not know your audience, you’re inviting the retort that comes to you. And whether you lose a friend, or get hauled over coals, you did voluntarily increase the chaos factor in your life. Why do that?
I’d finish with this. In three years, Mr. Trump will have finished his term and be gone. He will try and test the idea of a third term, but it is my guess everyone will push back on that. I know I would. The candidate will presumably be Mr. Vance or Mr. Rubio or Mr. DeSantis or Ms. Haley. And the Dems will sort themselves out and field theirs. All of this simply doesn’t generate the heat Mr. Trump does.
And so, much as waking up on the floor after an all-night college bender, you’ll have some time to reflect on what you did and how you behaved during this tumultuous period. I’m thinking you might as well role play that one right now, and remember my all-encompassing advice:
Make memories, not regrets.
I’m writing this on a Sunday morning. We spent the morning reading the papers (WSJ mostly), Michael is working on some photo albums she wants to print. She made pancakes for breakfast. I’m writing this piece. Later, we’ll be playing golf with close friends and then watching the recording of the Bills game when we get home. We will finish the night reading, I think. Maybe a gin rummy game.
You see, as the world swirls around, it is actually easy to create your oasis, your center of the storm. It’s a refreshing day of the week for us. We relax. Recharge. Stow away the iPhones. Monday morning, I start in markets at 6:30 so and it’s all waiting for me but today, I’m in no rush.
As a public service, this list might be helpful. I’m not a fan of all of the ideas (a little bit squishy in parts and not all of us have a forest nearby) but there’s something here for everyone. Michael and I counted; we do about ½ of these things.
https://unplugged.rest/blog/50-things-to-do-instead-of-scrolling
Thoughts, questions, or reflections? I’d love to hear them. You can reach me anytime at anthony@workingprofit.com
