[Newsletter] 10.14.24 | “School Choice is Not a Secret Plot to Promote ‘Christian Nationalism,'”
October 8, 2024
News! Plus, this may be the best Memo ever! News first: you may have noticed we changed the name of the Memo to “You Don’t Say!” recognizing the breadth of examples we include and the lessons to be learned. We are reclaiming the idea of singling out a ‘winner’ in the category about the risks of repeating and denying a negative. We did relinquish the former appellation (Okay; the BIMBO of the month), but we’re back in the business of creative insult, and we’ve borrowed the famous line from President Nixon who felt compelled to tell the American public, “Their President is Not a Crook.”
Also, this month, more examples of denying negatives: Russian disinformation, an Iraqi banker, the Ravens QB, a testosterone clinic executive and Dolly Parton. Amazon’s CEO should pay attention to the surrounding environment and this month’s best example comes from the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes. Apologies include a mediocre one from Justin Timberlake, a good one from the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill and a good-but-late apology from Indeed. We know we are not wading entirely into the presidential election arena but featured VP candidate JD Vance in “Wrong Thing To Say.” Charges in social media haunt Mielle Organics, and lawyers get it wrong for Sean “Diddy” Combs and a NYC executive caught in the explosive investigations. Whew! Lots to learn from.
“I AM NOT A CROOK” – the winner and newly named category
“School Choice is Not a Secret Plot to Promote ‘Christian Nationalism,’” read the National Review headline. The article notes the success of what’s broadly called ‘school choice’ which can mean a voucher, an educational savings account, some sort of tax credit or rebate and allows them to be used for private school tuition. The article pointed out that 12 states have very broad programs for choice and that more than a third of school children are eligible or will be soon. Opponents, notably the big teacher unions, are now characterizing these programs as a cover for what they call Christian nationalism and that’s not a compliment. Although the article revisited the comparative failures of public schools particularly for low income and minority students, they should have made their rallying cry a positive phrase about success rather than the ‘secret plot.’
National Review, “School Choice is Not a Secret Plot to Promote ‘Christian Nationalism’” September 5, 2024
THE RUNNERS-UP
“I don’t play for the money,” claimed Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott hours after his record breaking $240 million ($60 million annually) contract had been signed, and he had steered his team to an opening victory over the Cleveland Browns. You could have fooled us. The drama over his contract had dragged on all spring and summer and given his age, 35, there was speculation of all sorts. For communication purposes, what does he play for?
USA Today, “Prescott, Cowboys feeling rewarded” September 10, 2024
“The overwhelming majority of Republicans are not crazy radicals,” wrote Texas State Representative Glenn Rogers (R-Graford). The bitter comments came following a debate amongst Fort Worth’s County Commissioners about whether to open 51 new early voting sites, specifically some on college campuses. Those who opposed the locations for cost and accessibility issues were accused of voter suppression. The lone commissioner who proposed and voted for the new sites, Manny Ramirez, was viciously attacked by members of the County and State GOP leading Rep. Rogers to tweet, “Voter suppression is not practiced by REAL Republicans,” adding, “Unfortunately, many in current Republican leadership positions are not in line with the true grassroots.” We believe that this kind of verbal warfare makes all of them look bad.
Fort Worth Report, “He voted to keep early voting sites on Tarrant college campuses. Then came the backlash” September 17, 2024
“Russia is not our enemy” appeared on hundreds of posters in Italy, sponsored by a group ostensibly formed to protest the COVID lockdowns but clearly part of the growing pro-Russia propaganda campaign, which is increasingly enlisting third parties. Despite an order from the Mayor of Rome to stop using images of the city and implying the campaign had Rome’s approval, the posters continue to appear. What to do? Rip ‘em down! Or scratch out ‘not.’
CNN, “Pro-Russian posters appear on billboards across Italy” September 13, 2024
“I have nothing to do with money laundering or Iran,” claimed Iraqi banker Ali Ghulam in an extensive investigation into a system amazingly set up by the U.S. and run by the Federal Reserve to collect and disburse Iraq’s oil revenues to keep them out of the hands of various bad guys especially Iran. Calling Elon Musk and the Government Efficiency Commission! Start here. The supposedly secure system, set up in 2011, was repeatedly flagged as problematic. Not surprisingly, enterprising local bankers like Mr. Ghulam found a huge loophole and exploited it. The cost? As much as $80 billion. Time exposed? Not until 2022. Mr. Ghulam had a seizure of honesty and said “It’s very possible” that a portion of the funds his bank transferred ended up in Iran. It’s not in this article, but we hope his next quote is “I am cooperating with the authorities.”
Wall Street Journal, “Iraqi Banks Used U.S.-Created System to Funnel Funds to Iran” September 8, 2024
“They’re not my kryptonite,” said Ravens QB Lamar Jackson about the Kansas City Chiefs following losing the opening season game in a heart breaking, fraction-of-an-inch foot fault which invalidated a touchdown by Isaiah Likely at the very end of the game. Whatever the analysis of the various plays during the game, this illustrates the power of a word and the image it calls up. Jackson has referred to the KC Chiefs as “kryptonite” before, and wherever they’re from, Patrick Mahomes and his flight crew are keeping the competition at bay.
USA Today, “The Chiefs got lucky against the Ravens. They still look like champions.” September 6, 2024
“We’re not a boiler room,” said Biostation’s Keith Foulis, co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of the chain of clinics providing hormone replacement treatment and products, particularly testosterone. In a lengthy Wall Street Journal expose about the proliferation of such therapy providers, and their marketing and sales tactics of rounding up potential customers (or patients?) the Journal paints a scathing picture of the hidden risks and sky-high costs. The marketing calls and sales scripts certainly call to mind group-based, high-pressure sales organizations. Predictably, the article interviewed patients with bad experiences, and it also showed the need for media training and practice. The company’s senior doctor, Martin Bloom, was quoted saying, “Most doctors think I’m a charlatan, that it’s snake oil. But it’s not.” Too late. He raised the topic. The Journal does do a better job than many media outlets; they include Dr. Bloom’s contention that traditional medical practitioners don’t appreciate the benefits of testosterone treatment.
Wall Street Journal, “Testosterone Clinics Sell Virility but some hide risks” September 5, 2024
Interesting example of how we pick up and repeat each other’s words. Fans protested what they perceived a shut out of Beyonce’s song, “Cowboy Carter” by the Country Music Association. Dolly Parton picked up one of the accusatory tweets and responded, “I don’t think it was a matter of shutting out, like doing that on purpose,” she continued, “I think it was just more of what the country charts and the country artists were doing, that do that all the time.” Not a disaster, just another example of how words drive communication. Notice the words “shut out” bounce back and forth.
The American Beat, “Dolly Parton Defends CMAs After Beyoncé’s Snub: It’s About Supporting Country Music Artists” September 18, 2024
EXAMPLE OF THE POWER OF WORDS
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy sent out a memo, described as a ‘surprise,’ informing all corporate staff they were being required to be full-time in their offices. The order from one of the country’s largest, most influential companies, made headlines and sparked national debate on what might be the hidden agenda, reducing workforce. Tony Carr, a former Amazon general manager, wrote on LinkedIn, “The fact that he didn’t use the word ‘layoff’ doesn’t change the meaning of the lengthy email he sent to employees explaining a fresh round of flagrantly unpopular and alienating policy changes.” An official Amazon spokesperson denied the company had a plan to reduce headcount. This example points out the need to be aware of the surrounding environment. While the debate about going back-to-the-office rages, many companies have lost workers who didn’t want to convert from hybrid work to all-in-office. What’s the worry? As experts consulted by the Journal point out, the most productive workers are the ones a company is likely to lose because they can find jobs easily. I lived through an experience like this. In the late 1980s, Republic bank announced it was going to reduce its workforce by 15 percent. It did, promptly losing all the staff who were sitting on offers from other banks. And with them went their relationships and expertise.
Wall Street Journal, “The Work From Home Free-for-All Is Coming to an End” September 20, 2024
BEST COMMENT
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was asked at a press conference if he could comment on President Trump who had commented about his wife, Brittany; he got three questions pressing him to respond with criticism, and he not only avoided the leading questions, but his responses also stood as exceptional examples of leadership. He used the opportunity to talk about bringing people together, of being rooted in community, of encouraging people to vote and to make America a better place, saying, “I think my place is to inform people to get registered to vote, to inform people to do their own research and then make their best decision for them and their family.” Being a star, his comments went out over many channels and generated predictably positive results.
His full comments: “I think at the end of the day, it’s about me and my family and how we treat other people. And I think you see that Brittany does a lot in the community to help bring people up and give people other opportunities to use their voice.” “And so, it’s in the political times, people are going to use stuff here and there. But I can’t let that affect how I go about my business every single day and live my life and try to live it to the best of my ability.” “I’ve always said I don’t want my place and my platform to be used to endorse a candidate or do whatever, either way.” “I think my place is to inform people to get registered to vote, to inform people to do their own research and then make the best decision for them and their family.”
YouTube, “Patrick Mahomes Gives Great Answer To Political Question” September 11, 2024
USA Today, “Patrick Mahomes brushes off comments made about his wife, Brittany, by Donald Trump” September 11, 2024
GREAT ADVICE
“Starbucks needs to get better at telling its story and dispel misconceptions about its brand,” said Brian Niccol, Starbucks’s new CEO and its third in less than two years. Niccol visited stores and talked to everyone to say how the company needs to return to its roots as a coffee house where people drank, well, coffee and lingered. No more blended pumpkin spice Frappuccino Grande with vanilla sweet cream, extra Frappuccino pump with light pumpkin spice topping and extra whipped cream? If Starbucks really wants to “tell its story”, it needs to enlist its employees (sorry, baristas) and customers. We find that most companies actually discourage their own employees from talking about the company rather than encouraging and enlisting them. The reasons? They’re afraid employees will say the wrong thing. It’s time consuming and advertising or paid communications like ads hold the promise of being easier and controlled. As a black tea drinker, I’m delighted to see a less frenetic offering, but I’m skeptical customers will give up complicated offerings. Have you seen what they offer on their web page? Oh, while you’re gawking at the combinations, note the benefits offered to employees. It’s just as long as the list of coffees.
Wall Street Journal, “Starbucks’s New CEO Targets Hectic Stores, Overwhelming Menus” September 10, 2024
APOLOGY
Mediocre example: “Many of you have probably been covering me for a lot of my life and as you know, I try to hold myself to a very high standard, for myself and this was not that,” said singer Justin Timberlake pleading guilty to a reduced charge of driving while impaired as opposed to the more serious driving while intoxicated. The celebrity paid a $500 fine and agreed to 25 hours of community service and a 90-day suspended driver’s license. Responses from local residents of the ritzy Hamptons were mostly negative, but we give the comment a passing grade. He also called the decision not to call a ride home “a misjudgment.” We hope he’ll use the incident as a way to advise his fans not to drink and drive.
New York Times, “Timberlake Pleads Guilty to Driving While Impaired in Hamptons Case” September 13, 2024
Good example: “I could have been better,” said Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the controversy over his arrest for speeding and driving erratically. When he failed to keep his window rolled down at police officer’s instruction, he was hauled out of his car. We’re not commenting on the video or on the claims the officer should be fired. We want to give a thumbs up to Mr. Hill for taking responsibility for his actions and for noting that he went and spoke to family members who are police officers. While he didn’t absolve the officer’s treatment of him, he added, “I’ve got to follow rules. I’ve got to do what everyone else would do,” continuing, “At the end of the day, I wish I could go back and do things a bit differently.” Taking this up a few more notches to make it a real positive development in many ways, Hill said, “There’s a lot we can learn. I think in football, how we get better is we watch the tape, and we get better from it. In this instance, we should do the same,” and finally, “This can be a learning tool for everybody.” Amen. High marks to Hill who subsequently has said he is starting his own initiative to urge better training for law enforcement when dealing with minorities. We fervently hope he will take advantage of the opportunity he has created for constructive dialogue.
USA Today, “Tyreek Hill: I could have ‘been better’ during police interaction before detainment” September 11, 2024
Good example of an apology – but, a key point, missing an explanation. The jobsite, Indeed, published a diagram below about workers’ life stages. According to the graphic “Decline” starts at 55 and ends at 65! What happens after that? Death? One reader took umbrage and complained. Indeed took down the graphic and published the apology below. Missing is any explanation of how this happened. Think of the layers of editing and review this had to pass through.
I contacted Indeed for comment. The company responded: ‘We deeply apologize for the content contained in the article – the content was wrong, period. It does not reflect our values of inclusivity, our hiring practices, or the way our website operates. We are committed to our mission to help all people, of all ages, get jobs.’”
Forbes, “Why Indeed’s View On Career Decline Is So Wrong” September 3, 2024
WRONG THING TO SAY
“Vance fires back at criticism over Haitian pet-eating online conspiracy theory,” read the headline in the Hill article. We know we said we were staying out of the presidential race, but we couldn’t pass this up. Frequently I tell clients, “Don’t say stupid things.” For reasons unknown, VP Nominee JD Vance made a statement about crime caused by undocumented/illegal/whatever Haitian immigrants that he had heard from some unknown source were eating wildlife (ducks?) and yes, pets. Remarkably an investigation disputed the rumors. Too late. Keep Fluffy indoors. What’s next? Musk brings back aliens on his spaceships.
The Hill, “Vance fires back at criticism over Haitian pet-eating online conspiracy theory” September 10, 2024
CHARGES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Deciding what to do about charges spread on social media has bedeviled companies for years. Here’s an example of a current situation, the approach of being transparent and the risks. Mielle Organics was started and built as a proud black-owned beauty and hair care company. In 2023, the founder Monique Rodriguez sold it to P&G Beauty while retaining the CEO position, a separate identity and a commitment of as much as $10 million for education and R&D with an emphasis (but not a limitation) on black hair. Coincidentally, complaints started that the products caused hair damage and loss. Mielle responded in the pink poster below and with a lengthy FAQ on their not-too-easy-to-find website. Note that the first box repeats the charge of “allegedly causing hair loss,” while the companion boxes proclaim, “Recently there have been inaccurate statements on social media about our product safety” which repeats the negative, continuing, “To clarify, no lawsuit has been filed against Mielle and we are not involved in active litigation.” The problem with this is that few people had thought about litigation. This raises the issue. Next, the company tries to educate: “We also want to address questions about hair shedding” and advises that it’s normal to lose between 50 to 100 hairs a day. How much is that? A handful? We think Mielle is really trying hard, and we congratulate Monique on her success. It’s hard not to think that this is driven, at least in part, by envy and by disappointment that a successful Black-owned business is now a division of a huge company. This is worth following.
Baller Alert, “Mielle Organics Addresses Hair Loss Claims and Stands by Product Safety Amid Rumors” September 11, 2024
LAWYERS IN THE NEWS
“These were consenting adults,” said Sean “Diddy” Comb’s lawyer about sensational charges brought by a woman alleging sexual violence and coercion. The shocking charges were highlighted by the prosecution’s request – granted – to deny bail for the entertainment mogul. Complicating the story is a video, which apparently is related to another incident, of a woman (girlfriend?) on the floor of a hotel and Diddy came out of his room with a towel around his waist, grabbed her by the hair, kicked her, picked up her belongings and literally dragged her back into the room. Again, caught on video by the hotel’s security cameras.
We question the lawyer’s communication strategy – that other situations were worse. He was quoted arguing that his client in no way should be compared to some of the nation’s most notorious sex criminals, such as singer R. Kelly, sex cult leader Keith Raniere or the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. We have no recommendation for the lawyer except to say the overall picture of behavior looks like it needs a major intervention.
NBC News, “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs arrest: ‘Freak offs’ at center of sex trafficking, racketeering charges” September 17, 2024
Saying his client has “zero criminal liability in this case” was the quote from a lawyer for Philip Banks, NYC Deputy Mayor for public safety who has been drawn into a wide ranging and apparently expanding investigation into a number of Mayor Eric Adams’ senior officials and close allies, now resulting in an indictment of the mayor. Houses of officials were searched and raided, and the police department commissioner resigned. We understand Mr. Banks’ annoyance. The only comment from prosecutors notes that he was an unindicted co-conspirator in a public corruption charge a decade ago. Still, his lawyer’s quote wasn’t helpful. We always ask what’s the most positive, truthful statement which can be made, and it probably should have focused on his leadership in a department of critical importance to the day-to-day lives of New Yorkers.
On display is Mayor Adams creativity in crafting quotable lines. Known for his youthful brushes with the law, his response was, “I’m dyslexic. I was arrested. I was rejected. Now I’m elected.” Alas, he needs to rearrange the order of the phrases in the quip – to end with “arrested” again.
Wall Street Journal, “The Widening Crisis Surrounding New York Mayor Eric Adams” September 15, 2024
“You Don’t Say” is a reminder not to repeat and deny a negative word because of how the listener hears words. When you repeat and deny a negative word, the listener is likely to overlook the denial and hear the opposite of what the speaker is trying to say.