[Newsletter] 5.8.25 | “I don’t want my picture taken,”
May 7, 2025
Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer gave us a prop idea that we couldn’t have imagined. Apocalyptic language from Fox host Charles Payne, the Chinese Communists, a scientist and the president of Harvard. Two excellent examples of making statistics verbally visual from a Buddhist retreat and a report on fracking. Humor from A.1. Sauce. Are gentle insults back? Gals in space; Katy Perry says the wrong thing. An NFL coach’s kid does the wrong thing. And Shedeur Sanders says the right thing…
I AM NOT A CROOK
“I don’t want my picture taken,” said Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer in the Oval Office, explaining why she held a folder over her face. We have long advocated the use of props and pointed out examples where holding up a prop drove the picture, but we never envisioned a situation where an individual held the prop over their face! And in an Oval Office meeting! As everyone can figure out, that became the picture of the news that day. Count on it appearing in upcoming campaign ads.
Detroit Free Press, “Whitmer makes light of Oval Office photo in speech to business leaders” April 14, 2025
THE RUNNERS-UP
“It’s not the end of the world,” said Fox Business anchor and Making Money host Charles Payne, talking about President Trump’s trade war with China. The popular star urged people to reject “can’t do-ism.” Right or not, it’s certainly causing a lot of cosmic waves!
Fox Business, “Making Money with Charles Payne” archive April 10, 2025
“The sky won’t fall,” read front-page language in the Chinese Communist People’s Daily newspaper, reporting on the developing tit for tat tariff battle. The article reported on how the communist party was “stoking patriotic fervor” and rallying public support for the Party. As for us, we note there are still a few voices of opposition allowed, and one of the comments on Weibo wrote, “Bragging costs nothing but believing in the bragging can cost you everything.” The writer was expressing dismay at the Chinese leadership’s dismissal of the seriousness of the disagreement with the U.S., but it’s a sentiment we believe applies to us as well. Anybody listening?
WSJ, “Beijing Stokes Patriotic Fervor and Blames U.S. for Trade War” April 18, 2025
“The University will not surrender,” was the boxed quote in a Wall Street Journal front-page article. The full comment from Harvard president Alan Garber in a letter to the school’s community added, “…its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.” This will undoubtedly be a long-running debate with lots of communication lessons. We would have advised against this language because now any negotiation that results or includes even reasonable accommodations (which are needed) will be characterized as ‘surrender’ rather than moving forward.
WSJ, “Trump Threatens to Revoke Harvard’s Tax-Exempt Status” April 15, 2025
“You’re not going to get a dire wolf,” said evolutionary biologist Vincent Lynch, pouring cold water on the international headlines claiming to have used 12,000-year-old DNA to bring back the dire wolf, a large, white and fearsome predator from the ice age. Dr. Lynch says the resulting progeny are “transgenic Gray wolves” created by IVF. All we can say is that the puppies are adorable…
DMN, “Colossal Biosciences says it brought back the dire wolf. Some scientists aren’t convinced” April 10, 2025
STATISTICS
A Buddhist group is upset about a planned pump station and water impoundment area to be built next to their meditation retreat center in the Florida Everglades, a network of wetlands, streams and marsh. While the ‘Glades’ have been stressed for decades by farmers draining the land and construction, the Army Corps of Engineers says the facility is a critical part of the ‘Glades’ maintenance and restoration. The Buddhist center is 118 acres. How large is the water treatment center? Seven stories. What does that mean? Well, it’s bigger than 24 Dallas Cowboys football stadiums!
WSJ, “Even Buddhists Can’t Find Peace in the Florida Everglades” April 7, 2025
How much water do oil drillers use in fracking? Four barrels of water for every barrel of crude. Still don’t know how much? Last year, about 5.5 billion barrels were used. Having gotten the message about the importance of visual comparisons, the writer in this Wall Street Journal article tells us that’s what all of New York City uses in eight months…
WSJ, “The Oil Patch’s ‘Manhattan Project’: How to Fix Its Gargantuan Water Problem” April 21, 2025
HUMOR
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon referred to AI as “A.1.” during a panel. The A.1. Sauce marketing team jumped in to savor the moment. The brand created an image of a bottle with a new label: “For education purposes only.” The picture was featured alongside a slogan reading, “AGREE, BEST TO START THEM EARLY”. Great example of use of humor.
MSN, “A.1. Sauce is seizing the moment after Linda McMahon’s ‘AI’ gaffe” April 11, 2025
INSULT EXCHANGE
“Like, I watch reality TV,” said White Lotus creator Mike White in a very mild exchange of insults with musical composer Cristóbal Tapia de Veer who quit the show amid criticisms painting White as “edgy and dark.” White continued his defense by noting that de Veer often had “a contemptuous smirk on his face when dealing with (White). Like (White) was just a chimp or something.” Given how polarized and nasty insults have become, we include this in hopes that a gentler line of barbs will take hold. After all, chimps are cute.
USA Today, “‘White Lotus’ drama: Creator Mike White claps back at show composer’s criticism” April 8, 2025
NOT THE RIGHT THING TO SAY
Six women, all celebrities, made international headlines on an eleven-minute flight up to the edge of space where they floated around and took pictures. It generated controversy as the self-proclaimed astronauts were really space tourists, although that still required courage. We’re including them as a lesson – and not a good one – here because singer Katy Perry used her quote to say, “Space is finally going to be glam,” adding, “We’re going to put the ass back in astronaut.” She gets a thumbs down because the comment takes away from the alleged science focus of the flight and inspiration to young women.
Washington Examiner, “Mothers go to space” April 11, 2025
THE RIGHT THING TO SAY
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity throughout everything,” said Colorado quarterback – and son of legendary Coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders, after weeks of speculation and chatter about whether he would be drafted in the NFL’s first round. He endured three days of no calls, finally to be picked up by the Cleveland Browns towards the very end. Since we’re usually picking on people saying the wrong thing, we need to note that he said exactly the right things. He added, “I don’t ever focus on the negative because the positive happened so fast,” and “It’s just understanding faith and that God really has me.”
USA Today, “Shedeur Sanders won’t let NFL draft slide hurt chances with Browns” April 26, 2025
NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO
Marring the NFL draft were at least six prank calls from pro team pretenders to players, including one to Shedeur Sanders. It was made by Jax Ulbricht, the son of one of the Atlanta Falcons’ coaches. The only good thing to come out of this was an example of dealing quickly with the problem, reacting timely and appropriately – the NFL assessed a fine against the Falcons and $100,000 for the coach – and the young man issued a suitably humble apology in both written form and apparently in a personal phone call. “On Friday night, I made a tremendous mistake,” Jax wrote. “Shedeur, what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing and shameful. I’m so sorry I took away from your moment, it was selfish and childish. I could never imagine getting ready to celebrate one of the greatest moments of your life and I made a terrible mistake and messed with that moment. Thank you for accepting my call earlier today. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
CBS Sports, “Shedeur Sanders prank call: NFL punishes Falcons, DC Jeff Ulbrich for incident during 2025 NFL Draft” April 30, 2025
“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.