NOT MUCH IS KNOWN about the MBTA’s new general manager, Luis Manuel Ramirez, but a blog he wrote at his Dallas business consulting firm TodoModo Group provides some clues. Most of his postings try to focus on the intersection between business and government, which seems innocent enough, and befitting for a businessman about to take the helm of the MBTA. But a few of his postings also get deeply political. Here are some excerpts from blog posts, with links to the entire post. All font styles are true to the original blog post.
On James Comey:
After reading the continuous rhetoric from all sides of the Comey drama, and based on my 28 years of assessing organizations, employees, and global leadership teams, I conclude that Comey has been playing both sides: he wrote a cover-your-ass letter to Congress that shook up and perhaps spiraled the Clinton campaign to an election loss; and now, he writes another cover-your-ass memo documenting a confidential meeting with President Trump that somehow makes it to the press. And this after Comey insults his now president in front of Congress two weeks ago, insisting that he felt nauseous if his actions have in any way helped President Trump get elected. I wouldn’t be surprised if Comey himself ends up on the presidential ticket in the next election cycle. He certainly seems to have “outplayed” both sides.
So how is this Comey, Russian, Flynn affair going to end? Will the President end up impeached or simply disgraced? Will Comey be vindicated as the good guy in this comedy or seen as a chess player who ultimately discredited both political parties? Will the Democrats win more seats in the mid-term election cycle or is all of this just another temper tantrum or political tirade orchestrated by vindictive politicians who happened to pick the wrong horse? Whether or not President Trump’s firing of Comey is rooted in intrigue or malfeasance will have to be investigated. However, the president certainly had every right to fire him, and as we have noted, there are many reasons for cause, the timing of which can also be justified. The Result of the Comey Drama: His Own Ineffective Leadership? – May 18, 2017
Paris climate accord:
So if there is no legal consequence or economic penalty when a member nation fails to reach their self-imposed carbon reduction targets, what is the true value of the Paris Accord, other than perhaps to be used as a vehicle for political or symbolic posturing? Conversely, why did the US president withdraw from an agreement that actually has no requirement that member states actually execute it? Have we forgotten that France gets over 70 percent of its energy from nuclear power generation? What does it mean when their new President Macron alludes to President Trump’s own tag line and lectures, “Make the Earth Green Again” and, “Make Our Planet Great Again?” Withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord a Senseless Move – June 5, 2017
On Obama’s Russian investigation kick-off:
What is clear to me is that the President-elect is putting together a very capable cabinet. Most nominees are highly educated, decorated, and experienced individuals, regardless of their political, social or economic standing. What will we learn was really going on these last years, and why are folks willing to go to any extreme to protect it? The more they push back, the more I wonder. And often where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Seven Questions for Media Due to Russia Election Accusations – Dec. 12, 2016
On coping with post-election emotions:
“I am worried about those friends who cannot cope with the most recent election results. I am concerned that the same rhetorical banter that created the political polarization is now inciting violence against those who voted for the president-elect. I am saddened that many people have unfriended each other (in many cases, life-long friendships have been destroyed) because of whom they voted for for president. The ends didn’t justify the means before the elections, and they certainly aren’t justified today because some people believe the worst. President-elect Trump is not the 2016 election anti-Christ to President Obama’s 2008 election Messiah. People are looking for leadership. They want to be led.” Why Your Team Needs Your Leadership Right Now – Nov. 21, 2016
On what makes America great:
“Our government has survived despite a civil war, two world wars, and the threat of a socialist revolution in the 1930s. Our government is the only uninterrupted democracy in more than 230 years. We should feel pride. We should do everything we can to protect it from those who would demand or diminish our freedom and deep regard for our constitutional republic. Our system works, even when our politicians don’t.” Why we should be proud of our United States Government – Dec. 8, 2016
