I’m sure you have followed the presidential election and inauguration as closely as I have. I like a lot of what I hear, but certainly not everything. In my humble opinion, the Congress remains the real “wild card” no matter who is sitting in the oval office. That’s because the people who populate Congress are politicians and that’s a group of people I’ve never been a big fan of. Our prayers should be directed towards the making of wise decisions in Washington that will actually turn this country around.
Here is one quote by our new President that I really like: “We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't try, or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes we can.” These are words that stir a heart and stir a soul, and reassures us that “this too shall pass.”
John Shiely, chairman and CEO of Briggs & Stratton was recently re-elected to the Board of Directors of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Scotts is an interesting company. They call themselves “the world’s large marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with products for professional horticulture as well.” Their market leading brands include Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, Ortho®, and Smith and Hawken, as well as the consumer brand Roundup® which they market exclusively in North America but is owned by Monsanto. Murray, when it was alive and well in Tennessee, manufactured mowers for Home Depot using the Scotts® brand. Because it is such a strong brand, it seems logical that perhaps we will once again see Scotts® branded lawnmowers in the marketplace. Time will tell.
In June of 2008 Agri-Fab filed an anti-dumping petition urging the US International Trade Commission and the Dept of Commerce to investigate unfairly traded tow-behind lawn grooming equipment from China. In a preliminary ruling on January 23 of this year, the Dept of Commerce agreed with Agri-Fab and will now require importers of these Chinese products to pay the US Government anti-dumping duties which will on average be 324% of the product costs charged by the Chinese suppliers.
Here is one quote by our new President that I really like: “We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't try, or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes we can.” These are words that stir a heart and stir a soul, and reassures us that “this too shall pass.”
John Shiely, chairman and CEO of Briggs & Stratton was recently re-elected to the Board of Directors of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Scotts is an interesting company. They call themselves “the world’s large marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with products for professional horticulture as well.” Their market leading brands include Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, Ortho®, and Smith and Hawken, as well as the consumer brand Roundup® which they market exclusively in North America but is owned by Monsanto. Murray, when it was alive and well in Tennessee, manufactured mowers for Home Depot using the Scotts® brand. Because it is such a strong brand, it seems logical that perhaps we will once again see Scotts® branded lawnmowers in the marketplace. Time will tell.
In June of 2008 Agri-Fab filed an anti-dumping petition urging the US International Trade Commission and the Dept of Commerce to investigate unfairly traded tow-behind lawn grooming equipment from China. In a preliminary ruling on January 23 of this year, the Dept of Commerce agreed with Agri-Fab and will now require importers of these Chinese products to pay the US Government anti-dumping duties which will on average be 324% of the product costs charged by the Chinese suppliers.
The products covered include lawn sweepers, lawn seed and grass spreaders, turf aerators and dethatchers. Michael Cohan, president of Agri-Fab said “No American firm, especially in today’s economy, should be required to compete against Chinese producers who are selling products similar to ours at less than our costs of materials.” Congratulations to Agri-Fab for saving American jobs and an American industry.
Every time I see these questions make the rounds via email around the Internet, I’m reminded of what truly is important in life. Don’t answer the questions. Just read it to the end, and you'll get the point.
Every time I see these questions make the rounds via email around the Internet, I’m reminded of what truly is important in life. Don’t answer the questions. Just read it to the end, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How would you do?The point is none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
How would you do?The point is none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
Easier?
Give yourself credit for remembering the people who really made a difference in your life. They didn’t have the most credentials, the most money or the most awards. They just cared about you.
Whose life have you made a difference in recently?
