jjc020's blog

In a letter to the shareholders of Target, CEO Brian Cornell described the recent successes of the company and their future plans. A financial report accompanied Cornell’s letter, including statistics that were referenced in the letter.

Cornell’s letter discussed goals of Target for the coming years saying, “Deliver what guests want and need today while anticipating where they’re headed tomorrow. Invest vigorously in the team, strategy and capabilities to stay in step with guests. Grow steadily. Grow profitably.” The description and attitude towards growth is displayed in a couple ways throughout the letter. When describing the pre-pandemic and pandemic years, Cornell notes that Target “spiked to never-before-seen growth rates.”

The attitude towards profit changes in the letter with the most recent year, 2022. Cornell notes that Target is now focussing on slow, continuous growth despite changing market conditions.

Morningside History Professor, Dr. Pat Bass, said “it’s worthless” when asked about the attitudes of normal people towards history. Dr. Bass’s statements are not necessarily out of line with the statistics either. The American Historical Association noted that graduating history majors are down more than a third since 2012 and at the smallest level awarded since the 1980’s, as reported by the New York Times.

Fellow Morningside History Professor, Dr. Greg Guelcher shares similar sentiments on how the public views history, “I don’t think they value history, certainly not enough,” Dr. Guelcher said. Dr. Guelcher continued, saying that history helps us understand why the world is the way it is.

Dr. Bass and Dr. Guelcher both believe that many don’t value history as they should, but they argue that history can be and provide many more things than most would suspect. Many are disillusioned by the teaching of history as names and dates rather than teaching about normal people, Dr.Bass argues.

Throughout my conversation with Dr. Bass one thing was emphasized above the rest: that people value history more than their words and actions profess. Parent involvement at school board meetings and the recent disputes of public school curricula seems to indicate this. The recent political polarization also seems to indicate this discrepancy in values. We all rely on a set of historical assumptions when choosing how to act in the world, regardless of whether we reflect on those assumptions or not.

Both professors stressed the inter-disciplinary nature of history. Dr. Guelcher argues that every discipline has a history of itself, that other forms of knowledge do not exist in a vacuum. Dr. Bass said something similar, that knowledge is inherently historical, that for us to know it must have occurred or been discovered in the past.

Everyone uses historical thinking in their day-to-day lives, Dr. Bass said. To improve one’s historical proficiency, Dr. Bass suggests seeking refinement of one’s historical method and historical mind, primarily through self-reflection. “Do you want to be a CEO? Then you need to remind your historical mind and method to beat out others,” Dr. Bass said. Anyone could also benefit from historical reflection. History major Sophia Yudka agreed with the professors, saying that history helps “understand situations and perspectives.”

Dr. Guelcher offered similar insights as to why people should study history, “knowledge is power.” Guelcher said. Business would benefit from from studying history, Dr. Guelcher argued. Continuing, Dr. Guelcher added, “you need to know your customers” and that history is a tool for this.

The New York Times reports on Friday, September 22nd, Anthony Rota introduced Yaroslav Hunka to the Canadian Parliament after Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a joint session. Rota, the Speaker of Canada’s House of Commons, resigned a few days after the mistake, “The House is above any of us… I reiterate my profound regret,” Rota said.

The 98 year-old Canadian-Ukrainian had fought for the 14th Waffen Grenadier division of the SS. The Canadian justice system has consistently held the position that being a member of the 14th Wafer Grenadier division was not a war crime, though individuals could still be prosecuted.

This news story lacks impact for many, as there is little within this article that can affect people in Sioux City, or even Canada. Sure, the parliament loses some authority, but the lives of Canadians are unlikely to be altered because of this news. This article is in the news because of its prominence. Nazis are controversial and make the news from their name.

BJ’s Drug was held up in an armed robbery last night, two men wearing ski masks stole about $400 from the cash register at 8:30pm. The two men got away in their car parked running in front of the store.

The owner of the store, Barney Joseph, was working last night and spoke about his account. He told us about the encounter and why he did not use the pistol he keeps under the counter. “I’d rather part with my money than my life,” Joseph told reporters.

Joseph also told us about an event like this that happened in the past that influenced his decision last night. Almost 25 years years ago, Joseph’s father was shot and killed in a holdup in the same store. “Yes, Dad resisted, I guess. Anyway, they found him shot to death, his own gun in his
hand, and a bullet in the store’s ceiling,” Joseph told us.

The Washington Post reported on a speech given by Volodymyr Zelensky to world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly this Tuesday. Speaking to a half-full house, the leader of Ukraine sought to reignite support for the cause in the war against Russia.

This was the first time Zelensky has been able to speak in front of the General Assembly since the beginning of the war in February 2022. Zelensky spoke amidst concern of the broader support of the Ukrainian forces in their defensive war against Russia. Leaders from many countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America were not present.

Despite the absences of many world leaders, Zelensky warned that “Evil cannot be trusted” and that Russian transgressions will not be stopped at Ukraine, but would rather affect the world. Zelensky elaborated, arguing that the Russians were targeting food supplies that impact the world, “Russia is launching the food prices as weapons,” he said. Russia is weaponizing more than just their military Zelensky contends, they are also using oil and energy. President Zelensky also spoke on the mass kidnappings the Russian military has conducted against many Ukrainian children and families.

Zelensky also used contemporary examples of Russian conquest, citing examples of Russian influence over Belarus, Russian occupation of Moldova and Georgia, the use of Russian chemical weapons in Syria. Later in his speech demonstrating why countries should shun Russian influence Zelensky said, “ask Prigozhin if one bet’s on Putin’s promises.”

The news of Zelensky’s speech demonstrates the values of prominence, impact, and conflict. The war between Russia and Ukraine is a matter that affects many people in many ways. This speech in particular is impactful to everyone, how the international community decides to react to his warnings has implications.