Cops vs. Officers

It’s enlightening to hear the media avoid the use of the descriptor “cops” today in their coverage of the NYPD officer funeral. “Officers” carries more respect.

Joe Koenig's Book Featured in Mlive

Kristin Austin of Mlive on 12/18/2014 featured Joe Koenig's book, "Getting the Truth."
http://www.mlive.com/grandville/index.ssf/2014/12/local_investigator_writes_book.html

GRANDVILLE – A retired Michigan State Police investigator who was once the lead investigator on the Jimmy Hoffa case has written a book on how to decipher the truth.

Joe Koenig, who now works as a private investigator in Grandville, has written the new book, "Getting the Truth," featuring analysis of written statements from high-profile crimes such as the ransom note from the Jon Benet Ramsey case, O.J. Simpson's statement to Los Angeles Police Department detectives, and Woody Allen's response to Dylan Farrow's sexual molestation allegations.

Grand Rapids-based Principia Media LLC published the 208-page book.

"It's harder to tell a lie than to tell the truth," Koenig said. "So, to make it easier we tell partial truths. Fortunately, partial truths leave tracks. This book shows you how to identify and follow those tracks to get the truth, the deception—the real message."

Koenig said his book is geared toward business owners and professionals but also can be useful for parents and others who are interested in distinguishing the truth from deception.

Koenig served in the Michigan State Police for 26 years and was the lead investigator on the disappearance of Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa in 1975. He has investigated crimes ranging from homicides to financial crimes to public corruption. He has served as president of the Michigan FBI National Academy Associates, is a certified fraud examiner, and has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Wayne State University and a master's degree in public administration from Eastern Michigan University.

He has 45 years of investigative experience and operates KMI Investigations LLC, Suite 122, 4370 Chicago Drive in Grandville.

"Getting the Truth" is available for purchase on Amazon.

Stephen Collins Admits Wrongdoing Amid Sexual Abuse Reports

12/19/14 Michael Rothman via Good Morning America

“Forty years ago, I did something terribly wrong that I deeply regret,” Collins wrote. “I have been working to atone for it ever since. I’ve decided to address these issues publicly because two months ago, various news organizations published a recording made by my then-wife, Faye Grant, during a confidential marriage therapy session in January 2012. This session was recorded without the therapist’s or my knowledge or consent.”

In the recording released in October, Collins confessed to molesting three girls. After the news broke, Collins was dropped from various projects, including the film “Ted 2,” and he also resigned from SAG AFTRA.

“On the recording, I described events that took place 20, 32, and 40 years ago,” the actor said. “The publication of the recording has resulted in assumptions and innuendos about what I did that go far beyond what actually occurred. As difficult as this is, I want people to know the truth.

“I have not had an impulse to act out in any such way” in the last twenty years, Collins told People.

He added that he has vacillated over whether to contact the three women directly to apologize.

“I did have an opportunity to do so with one of the women, 15 years later. I apologized and she was extraordinarily gracious,” Collins said. “But after I learned in the course of my treatment that my being direct about such matters could actually make things worse for them by opening old wounds, I have not approached the other two women, one of whom is now in her 50s and the other in her 30s.”

                                                       ** My Analysis **

Let’s look at the single statement, “I have not had an impulse to act out in any such way” in the last twenty years. (There are variations given in the renditions of his statement, ie: “in the last two decades,” and “in the last twenty years” – both are equally imprecise).

We look for simplicity and precision in good denials. While this statement appears simplistic, it is not, nor is it precise. The “I have not had an impulse…” is different than “I have not acted….” He could have said, “I have not acted out in ….” but he chose not to.

One might say that “impulse” is even more complete than “acted,” since the impulse causes the act. You can have an impulse without an act. “Impulse” has a compulsive component to it, spontaneous, something unreflective and irresistible. “Act” occurs with more thought. You are not held responsible for “impulses.” You are for “Acts.” Thus, that word usage is very important. Further, and conveniently,” impulses” leave no evidence tracks. “Acts” do.

Let’s look further at the imprecision, “…in the last twenty years.” That is imprecise (as is “last two decades”). He talked about three women victims, so why not be precise and say, “I have not acted out in any such way since (the date of the last of the three victim acts)?

The reason this denial isn’t simplistic or precise is because there are probably other victims out there. They will surely surface in the coming weeks.

Get Mr. Koenig's Getting the Truth

Apple’s (AAPL) State:

Friday, June 7, 2013

I conducted a linguistic analysis of Tim Cook’s statements (transcripts) at the last two Apple (APPL) quarterly earnings conferences. Let’s see what Mr. Cook says in the first paragraph in each of his opening statements:

Just a quick glance will tell us, even before he says anything more, that Q2 results/enthusiasm are far less impressive than Q1’s. And, my analysis of the transcripts reinforces that conclusion. Here are my findings:

So, what do I see based on Tim Cook’s responses to the analysts’ questions from 2013 F1Q and 2013F2Q?

There is a big difference in his responses from 2013 1Q to 2Q - with much more sensitivity and insecurity in his answers in 2Q. If he is insecure, how should investors feel? He appears to be unable to clearly define his thoughts and visions for the company. His weakening belief in China could be a serious issue. He, himself, has concern about Apple’s growth. On the other hand, Apple has a huge cash reserve, which can overcome a lot of issues.

Conclusion: I think Mr. Cook is overwhelmed and not the man for the job. Because of the large cash reserve, Apple will be OK short term. However, Apple suffers long term under his leadership.