Simona Halep vs. The U.S. Women's Soccer Team
After Simona Halep beat Serena William for the ladies Wimbledon title, the usual intereviews ensued. Having watched Halep win the French Open, and then catching some of elimination rounds throughout the Wimbledon tournament, I wasn't surprised that she won. I didn't know much about her personally, but the interviews after her victory brought out a contrast with the U.S. women's soccer team that just won the World Cup.
Before we get to that contrast, a few words about the markets this past week.
Our balanced portfolios have been up for several weeks now, including last week. Now weekly performance doesn't provide great insight into long-term performance, but sometimes it does give a hint about what to expect in the near-term. Too many up weeks usually presages some sort of correction on the way. It's just the normal breathing in and out that markets do.
Indeed, bonds seem to be in a slight corrective mode already. Will stocks follow soon? I'm guessing "Yes."
The more intriguing question, though, isn't whether stocks correct as part of their normal breathing in and out. It's the question of whether there will be the long-expected "reckoning" that's lurking out there. That reckoning will take the form of a bear market, the extent of which remains unknown. Of course that's true of any bear market. Will it be short and sweet? Will it be long, dragged out affair? It will likely accompany - if not cause - a recession. What will that be like?
All good questions. Lots of theories abound. For now, though, let's get back to Halep.
Watching her being interviewed, you get the impression she's a pretty unpretentious, humble sort of person. I liked what she had to say and how she said it - especially her comments about her family. More than once, she thanked them and gave them the credit for supporting her tennis career.
Even more refreshing, after watching the U.S. women's soccer team, was a lack of any "agenda."
Taking nothing away from the great accomplishment of the U.S. women in winning a second straight World Cup, I started getting tired of listening to both their constant self-promotion and their political views. Some were worse than others, of course, with Megan Rapinoe taking the lead as worst.
Of course, they have a right to their views. But the media just ate it all up and pretty much played lap dog to them. Frankly, it all took away - at least for me - from their athletic accomplishment.
Now, we have all boys, not girls in our family. But if I had any girls, do I really want them to emulate the likes of Rapinoe. The language alone was a disgrace. Do we really want so-called "role models" talking this way in front of our kids?
Contrast with Halep. She's as accomplished an athlete as any of the women soccer players. But I think I'd rather have my daughter emulate her character and behavior rather than those soccer stars.
In any case, congratulations to Simona. And good luck in the U.S. Open.
Before we get to that contrast, a few words about the markets this past week.
Our balanced portfolios have been up for several weeks now, including last week. Now weekly performance doesn't provide great insight into long-term performance, but sometimes it does give a hint about what to expect in the near-term. Too many up weeks usually presages some sort of correction on the way. It's just the normal breathing in and out that markets do.
Indeed, bonds seem to be in a slight corrective mode already. Will stocks follow soon? I'm guessing "Yes."
The more intriguing question, though, isn't whether stocks correct as part of their normal breathing in and out. It's the question of whether there will be the long-expected "reckoning" that's lurking out there. That reckoning will take the form of a bear market, the extent of which remains unknown. Of course that's true of any bear market. Will it be short and sweet? Will it be long, dragged out affair? It will likely accompany - if not cause - a recession. What will that be like?
All good questions. Lots of theories abound. For now, though, let's get back to Halep.
Watching her being interviewed, you get the impression she's a pretty unpretentious, humble sort of person. I liked what she had to say and how she said it - especially her comments about her family. More than once, she thanked them and gave them the credit for supporting her tennis career.
Even more refreshing, after watching the U.S. women's soccer team, was a lack of any "agenda."
Taking nothing away from the great accomplishment of the U.S. women in winning a second straight World Cup, I started getting tired of listening to both their constant self-promotion and their political views. Some were worse than others, of course, with Megan Rapinoe taking the lead as worst.
Of course, they have a right to their views. But the media just ate it all up and pretty much played lap dog to them. Frankly, it all took away - at least for me - from their athletic accomplishment.
Now, we have all boys, not girls in our family. But if I had any girls, do I really want them to emulate the likes of Rapinoe. The language alone was a disgrace. Do we really want so-called "role models" talking this way in front of our kids?
Contrast with Halep. She's as accomplished an athlete as any of the women soccer players. But I think I'd rather have my daughter emulate her character and behavior rather than those soccer stars.
In any case, congratulations to Simona. And good luck in the U.S. Open.
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