How did the Cow get into the Ditch?

By James Banakis

September 1, 2024

In April of 1961, just 4 months into his presidency, John F. Kennedy had his first test in crisis management. He failed. The CIA plan, hatched under the Eisenhower administration, was an attempt to overthrow Castro with 1500 Cuban exiles. Historically we know that CIA chief Alan Dulles assured Kennedy that the plan was fool proof. The only assurance Kennedy asked for was that he would not have to use US assets and air cover. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. The worldwide reaction was swift and negative. Kennedy thought he would get impeached as a result. The next day he held a press conference and made the following statement: There’s an old saying, ‘victory has 100 fathers and defeat is an orphan,’ I’m the responsible officer of the government, and I accept that responsibility. We intend to profit from this lesson. In defeat, Kennedy exhibited the best qualities of leadership, and his approval rating shot up to 83 percent. Now he might have said:

  • This was planned by Eisenhower, not me.
  • The CIA gave me inaccurate information.
  • My staff thought it was a good plan. I wasn’t so sure.
  • The Cuban exiles were very disorganized.
  • We plan to appoint a committee to find out who is to blame. We may never know.

Kennedy had great leadership qualities despite his own personal inadequacies. He then went on to fire all those responsible, privately without fanfare. Kennedy was fiscally conservative, and socially found handwringing liberals like Adlai Stevenson, miserable and socially unbearable.

To his credit, Jimmy Carter took complete responsibility in 1979, after a failed raid into Iran to attempt a hostage rescue. He did this in an Oval Office address to the nation. The lesson all leaders should acquire from this is that people are willing to forgive a leader who honestly takes accountability, and vows to fix the problem. Wistfully refreshing, isn’t it? Our daddy’s Democratic party doesn’t exist any longer.

Today, for all the Democrats ranting about threats to democracy, we are not a democracy, but a republic. In a republic we elect people to represent us. They in turn vote and act by proxy. We simply ask them to explain their actions, take responsibility, and solve our common problems. Our remedy is to vote them out of office if they fail us. That’s our way of firing them. Sounds simple, yet it’s become terribly convoluted.

Since 1980 the Democrats have become the party of uber wealthy technocrats, minorities and marginalized groups. To keep these groups on the reservation, their leaders tell them that any failure or disappointment they experience in life is not their fault, but someone else’s. In other words, they’re hopeless victims. Pathetically, they tell their constituency that they themselves are also victims, but they’re doing the best they can against impossible obstacles. For example, they claim the biggest threats to America are fascists, racists, and Wall St. billionaires. As they hold and retain power, there always must be ambiguous villains. In an atmosphere where everyone is a victim, nobody can get fired for incompetence, because no matter how inept they are it’s not their fault. Collective government control has usurped individual accountability.

I find it interesting that the minority missing from their reservation are Asian Americans. During WW2, Franklin Roosevelt put Japanese Americans in detention camps. Because of the war, the country adopted racist tendencies toward Asians. Currently though, Asian-Americans are among the wealthiest, and best educated Americans. They’re entrepreneurs, and professionals. I think the reason is because of the Asian-American tradition of FAMILY, and because many of them have escaped totalitarian regimes. Asian-Americans vote for candidates that reflect their personal interests. Some may be liberal, others conservative. Our largest and most elite universities discriminate against them in favor of other minorities, punishing them for academic excellence. Despite all this they tend to thrive and excel in our system without casting blame on others.

Returning to our topic of leaders taking responsibility for their actions, we’ve reached a tipping point. It seems the only thing the Biden/Harris administration does well is to force DEI hires, make activist judicial appointments, and import minorities illegally. Biden claims all his many foreign policy failures are because of Putin. All his many domestic policy failures are because of Trump and Republican opposition. His son’s laptop was Russian disinformation. His DEI press secretary blames everything on MAGA Republicans. The Secretary of Transportations blames bridge collapse, product shortages, and airport narcotics security, all on climate change. The Secretary of Homeland Security claims is no problem at the border, and has 100 percent confidence in the head of the Secret Service even after the assassination attempt on former President Trump.

The head of the Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle was asked where the buck stopped, she replied, “I guess it stops with me.” Asked why no one lost their job she just deflected under oath. She later resigned with full pension and retirement benefits including full Secret Service protection from President Biden. Her successor, Ronald L. Rowe Jr. claimed local police were to blame. The local police claim no one told them that it was their responsibility. As I write this, 5 Secret Service agents have been put on leave. We still don’t have answers to what happened and who was responsible. Why?

Kamala Harris had one assigned duty after assuming office, oversee border security. She just ignored the order. When asked why she had never visited the border, she said I haven’t been to Europe either. Biden before the coup, claimed his economy was great, but the punishing inflation is Trump’s fault. After the assassination attempt Biden implored the country to tone down the dangerous rhetoric, not taking any personal responsibility, but just claiming all of us are guilty. Two days later, in a Lester Holt interview, Biden went right back using dangerous rhetoric. Holt pointed out that the week before the president said, “we need to put a bullseye on Trump.” Biden’s defense was that he didn’t say “crosshairs” and that bullseye, only meant to concentrate on something. So, that’s one more thing Biden is good at, “gaslighting.”

America is aching for strong leadership. Our victim-in-chief’s cognitive issues, and his inability to take personal accountability has the entire country in the backseat of his speeding Corvette with grandpa driving, and grandpa has fallen asleep at the wheel. Who is running the country? The Harris campaign is in the process of rewriting responsibility for the policy failures of the past three- and one-half years. The definition of “gaslighting,” is changing the narrative so that the public can no longer recognize reality. Most of us are confused and frightened by the existing power and accountability vacuum in a dangerous world.

Throughout my career in business, I’ve heard every excuse whenever there was a problem. I always knew who my leaders were. They were the ones who confidently took responsibility instead of heading for cover. If the leader doesn’t display confidence and accountability, people in his or her orbit adopt those same negative traits. Democrats nationally are collectively deflecting blame for disastrous policy choices. It’s contagious.

Chicago Mayor Johnson is my favorite responsibility denier. The mayor makes excuses for gangs of looters, budget issues, and public safety. Of all the people he might choose to blame for his failed policies, he chooses the Republicans. There hasn’t been a Republican mayor in Chicago for 100 YEARS! He then personally blamed Richard Nixon who hasn’t held any office for 50 YEARS! The dog ate my homework is a more credible excuse. Johnson is the posterchild for a leader as victim. He has been given the privilege to run one of the most important cities in the world, he abdicates any form of leadership. Early on in his term he complained being mayor was time consuming and he needed to spend more time doing personal pursuits. He begged the press to empathize. Sadly, of all the lame leaders in the nation, he deserves the trophy. One of my favorite motivators, John Wooden once said, “You are not a failure until you start blaming others for your mistakes.”

In this era of gaslighting, we forget the simple things we need for leadership in business, our country, our towns and cities, and our families. Namely, problem solving, confidence and most important, personal accountability.

Anne Mulcahy, former Chairman and CEO of Xerox, an example of an enlightened leader, was asked by Fortune Magazine what was the best advice she had ever received in business. She said it occurred at a breakfast meeting to which she had invited a group of business leaders. One of them, a self-made, streetwise guy, came up to Mulcahy and said:

“When everything gets really complicated and you feel overwhelmed, think about it this way. You gotta do three things. First get the cow out of the ditch. Second, find out how the cow got into the ditch. Third, make sure you do whatever it takes so the cow doesn’t go into the ditch again.”

-30-

Jimmy Banakis is a life-long restaurateur.  He was an honorary batboy for the White Sox in 1964. He attended Oak Park River Forest High School, Nebraska Wesleyan University, and Chicago-Kent Law School.  He claims the kitchen is the room he’s most comfortable in anywhere in the world. He published an extremely limited-edition family cookbook. He’s a father and grandfather, and lives in Downers Grove Il.

Comments 79

  1. Thank you for such a wonderful read. Our current mayor and the shape of local finances will make it impossible for my children to stay in Illinois. Nixon’s fault, and the press prints that? I’ll take Nixon and JFK back any day. Thanks for sharing a great point of view .

    1. It’s so sad what is happening in Chicago. People just don’t take time to vote and we get horrible leaders. Worst mayor in our history in my opinion. People will continue to move out if the city.

    2. A great article….but how do we get this message out to more than the few informed readers who follow Kass’ column.

      I fear the DEMS and their lemmings will insert K & W in the White House using any means necessary.

      Heaven help us if they do.

  3. I suppose the voters that elected this gang of idiots (who never had to meet a payroll) are not responsible for the idiots they elect. The voters get the kind of government that they deserve. Does Johnson even know that Nixon has been dead for years? And he is an educator? Next, they will blame George Washington for winning the Revolutionary War and causing all these problems. The Democrats point to the broken cookie jar and blame the baby crawling on the floor for climbing up and pushing it off the countertop. How pathetic.

  4. The just released Reagan movie reinforces the trait of taking responsibility for your mistakes (Iran / Contra). I highly recommend folks watch this movie and ask how themselves how it applies to today’s political climate.

    Also, be sure to watch the credits to the very end, you will not be disappointed!

    1. Ibid. Despite and no matter what the critics say, the Reagan movie is highly entertaining. A must watch! There were bits I didn’t know about him. Go see it b 4 it disappears to the ‘cloud’.

  6. Great article Jimmy. Written from a guy with chops, who’s made a few payrolls to employees. Your points are so well articulated, ones I heard growing up for years. Own up, take responsibility.

  9. Great column about leadership. My experience in business has shown me, too, that great leadership and accountability or lack thereof truly does define success or failure. And that’s why we need experienced business leaders in politics.

  10. So well said Jimmy. Sadly it is true, we don’t have any leadership. All they do is blame others for their failures. I think Brandon Johnson is on panic attack #18. How could he have been elected. We all better get out and vote often.

    1. I agree. We all should get out and vote. But if you live in Cook County, it is futile, because Money Bags and Taxwinckle already know what Kamala margin of victory will be in Cook County to deliver Illinois to the Democrats. All those who claim that elections are not rigged have never in Illinois and especially Cook County.

  13. Jimmy,
    Great piece of advice! Leadership has been erased from the playbooks of all the leftists/socialists. Gotta make the other guy the victim, so they can “help” him. Remember these words: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you!” Run, don’t walk, as fast as you can from whoever is spouting this BS!!!! Theos Filaxi!!!

  14. I thought this was a parody, are you serious?? Kamala Harris calling out Trump as “not a serious man” was too kind. Here is a malignant narcissist, born into generational wealth, who has NEVER taken responsibility for anything in his life. He is literally the poster child for “not MY fault!” When the Red Wave of 22 never materialized, he blamed the candidates he supported of some manufactured ‘disloyalty.’ Even now amid the Arlington Controversy, where the US Army itself released a statement condemning his actions, he REFUSES to simply admit the campaign made a mistake (as Utah Gov, Cox did immediately afterwards..) and instead doubles down on his ignorance and disrespect, and THIS is your idea of ‘accountability’ and ‘leadership??” Wow. Trump is unable to comprehend anything other than accountability to himself. That’s NOT a man.

    1. And Biden is a MAN after allowing himself to be used the way he was? Or is he excused because of diminished mental capacity, which really is something to be proud of and an indictment of those Democrats for their duplicity of all the Democrats who used him? Let he is without sin cast the first stone.

        1. Biden withdrew voluntarily? Where is the proof of that? From the same source that you cited when you claimed that the Biden bank records were false, and the witnesses lied under oath and never provided the source for that assertion when challenged? The readers can draw their own conclusions from your comments.

        2. No. Biden was faced with the ultimate truth in American politics: money talks … without it you lose. The “wise guys” of the DP told him in no uncertain terms that if he persisted in his campaign he would have to do so with his own money, since all the really big money – the money it takes to win – will be no longer available. Even a senile old fool knew what that meant.

          2. Tony:
            That may be so. But whereas your exclusive focus is on Donald Trump and Jan 6th (where I admit his behavior was disgraceful) I’m focused on the bigger less obvious threat to our Republic: the Democratic Party’s Wilsonian vision of rule of the unaccountable “impartial technocrat” via the vast federal administrative state … something by the way that Eisenhower warned against in his 1960 farewell address. This involves the degradation and eventual elimination of the Founder’s vision: “separation of powers” and “check and balances” … Madison’s very definition of tyranny. The DP party’s attack on the SCOTUS, its unqualified support for an unaccountable regulatory state are but two key examples.

    2. Senor Grande? Senor Poco is more like it. Why do you liberals always — ALWAYS — resort to “but, but, but Trump” every time someone points out how useless your leaders and policies are? I have news for you pal: if JFK was still alive, he’d be a Republican. And here’s a piece of advice: You needn’t bother voting in November. Your leaders have already cast your vote for Kammie the Commie. You can stay home and enjoy your tarta.

      1. John Allen-The focus of the article (did you even read it??) was ACCOUNTABILTY, implication being Harris lacks it, and Trump is the superior candidate in this regard, which is criminally absurd. Accountability is Trump’s kryptonite, he couldn’t spell it. And as another commenter pointed out, how can you possibly write an article like this w/o mentioning Trump’s egregious, unprecedented misconduct surrounding Jan 6th, election denial and subsequent riot, lies he STILL embraces? As such and given the hypocrisy, “but, but Trump!” is COMPLETELY warranted. Pal.

        2. Yes this was indeed an excellent article on accountability. And those of us free of suffering from TDS, do not need Trump mentioned in every critical political analysis. We don’t need a “but what about Trump?” But since you do here it is: “Trump suffers from the same character flaw.” Fixed it. Happy now? Your welcome.

          1. Once again, we agree. He does. So, lesson is, don’t pass off a one sided blind sided commentary like this w/o acknowledging the hypocrisy.

    3. And neither are you “Senor Grande, Riga Tony or whatever idiot name you’re using these days. You have what is left in Joe Bidens diaper for a brain…Now get back to work. Those fries ain’t gonna cook themselves.

  15. “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.
    The democrats of today would do well to reread JFK’s inauguration speech. And HEED it. Instead of making real opportunities; since Johnson’s Great Society” which took minority fathers out of the home, in the process killing initiative and just paying for votes which equals power the Dems who have never made a payroll or gun a business deign to tell the hard working taxpayer no matter what race or ethnic background how they should live in their utopia. With the exception of Illinois/Cook/Chicago your vote will
    Matter. Happy talk from a candidate who says nothing of substance to her veep who let MSP burn (and the tough “prosecutor” raised money to bail the rioters out!). Common sense must prevail. Not feel good gaslighting.

  17. I enjoyed reading this column. It’s thoughtful, accurate and well written. But alas, it’s missing a very important element: the record of the blame-shifting, everything-I-do-is-great, GOP presidential nominee. His refusal to accept the fact that he lost the 2020 election, and his role in lighting the fuse that fired up the January 6 attack on our Capitol, have done severe damage to the fabric of our country. How could you fail to even mention such egregious, unprecedented misconduct in your column?

    1. Right? It’s like the author lives in an alternate universe where Jan 6th never happened and Trump really did win. Just unbelievable, the extent that the cult of MAGA rots the mind.

        1. Afraid? Challenged? Butt hurt? Did you google “vacuous” before you typed it?? I’ll bet you did. You could have ignored my comment but chose not too. Sorry I scare you Pat. My name is Tony, don’t want you to think I’m hiding behind an alias.

        2. Thank you! “Senor Grande”, who is afraid to use his own name, as most trolls are, sounds suspiciously like another moron who used to troll here, using his made up moniker.

        1. You prerogative John, but you are very selective when it comes to enforcing the ‘rules.’ Read the comments, I’ve only responded when insulted, which you seem ok with. You want to be the moderator of an echo chamber where only like opinions and adulation are allowed? Have at it, but like we say in baseball, call it both ways ump.

    2. Back when I was on the school board, there was an issue on our agenda that was one of those no-win issues, no matter what we did we’d get criticized. The board president’s advice was: sometimes you just have to hold your nose and vote. (And, sure enough, we did get criticized for it.)

      2024 is going to be a ‘hold your nose and vote’ election, no matter which way you lean, unless you want to make a protest vote for a fringe candidate who might be a great choice but has no chance of winning.

      Trading the senile Biden for the pig-in-a-poke (at best) Harris complicates matters, but I’m sure her agenda, which she’s so coy about not stating, will be even further to the left than that of the Obamabiden administration, because that’s her track record and geopolitical background.

      But to quote Mencken: “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.”

      Unfortunately, those of us who know better also have to live with what the majority chooses to turn America into. And while those who live in Illinois can flee the state, as John recently did (and I did over 40 years ago), we can’t all leave the country, because, as bad as things in America are, and they’re going to be much worse under Obamabidenharris, there really just isn’t anywhere else better to go.

      For over 200 years, America has been the place the immigrants want to go to in order to better their lives, and that was true long before it became a “come on down – we’ll take care of your every need without your having to pay for it, and you don’t even need our permission to come over the border” welfare state.

  19. Thank you Mr. Banakis for a solid piece this morning. That Wooden quote really hit the mark! I will pass on to my sons as they move into their careers.

    Accountability can be tough because of others tendencies to pile on when you do. In the end it builds character, help you become a substantial person, and a much happier one. Like all hard work

  21. You blasted the Democrats over this issue and they are very bad at taking responsibility. I think you should have blasted all politicians over this issue. Very few politicians in either party take responsibility for their mistakes and leadership failures.

    1. That is very true -all politicians are guilty of not taking responsibility for anything. That is why we have to vote based on own self-interests for the candidate who do the least damage to our own self-interests. Unfortunately, holding your nose is part of the modern voting experience.

  23. Fine column, but not buying this part…

    “Kennedy was fiscally conservative, and socially found handwringing liberals like Adlai Stevenson, miserable and socially unbearable”

    AES2 may have been handwringing, but he wouldn’t be considered anything close to a liberal by today’s Democrat party. Those parts are debatable. But AES2 was not at all miserable, and was socially one of the most pleasant people who ever was in politics. I was friends with Adlai Stevenson 3, who was also a jovial and cheerful man, and we had several long conversations about his father, and his genuine charm and brilliant wit. Just one quip (and there are many)…

    A2 was being chastised by Norman Vincent Peale concerning A2’s martial status. Peale quote St. Paul’s condemnation of divorce/marital infidelity… Adlai responded with

    ‘Personally, I find St. Paul appealing, but Norman Vincent Peale appalling’

    No better at the comeback than Adlai.

  28. Great column, Jim! Thanks for a great official start-of-campaign Labor Day ode for a return to a meritocracy! Though not mentioned, patronage jobs and being kicked upstairs continually for talents that might be described with an X or 2 or 3 next to them (and I’m not referring to Elon’s social media company) should hit a brick wall at the presidential level! The vice presidency of the USA should be the last stop for undeserved electoral promotions for someone with the vapid characteristics as Ms. Harris! Joy is not a workable policy!

    As an aside, Senor Grande is a blot on an otherwise great blog with vigorous and enlightened colloquy among contemporaries. Personal insults and ad hominem attacks have no place here. Whatever name he goes by nowadays, he adds nothing to the discourse. I find his commentary to be annoying AF!

    1. I don’t mind him. Some of his assertions are amusing. He has a right to make his comments as long as he meets the guidelines and Mr. Kass will tolerate him. The best way to handle someone like that is to give them enough rope to hang themselves. If he asks for more rope, give it to him.

    2. Flattered you think about me James, I don’t think about you at all. Moreover I haven’t made any personal attacks, although I’m subject to a few. I have thick skin and courage, you have neither.

  29. Good article Mr. Banakis and you rightly call out the lack of accountability amount politicians.
    One glaring thought kept occurring to me though- have you ever heard Donald Trump take responsibility for anything that goes wrong? Or even admit a minor mistake? Just saying.

    1. Agreed about Mr. Trump. You forget he is a New Yorker and a politician. When is the last time you have either a New Yorker, a candidate or a politician apologize for anything? The issue is not who is the more perfect candidate. it is which is the lesser of two evils.

        1. I have worked with many New York City people over the years, both transfers here and over the phone. I stand by my comments. I am so glad you are so all knowing to know everything about everything.

        2. Well I was born in Queens – that’s a borough of NYC. I grew up on Long Island (part of the NYC metro area) and went to high school in Suffolk County … again on Long Island. Started college at the University of Rochester (in upstate NY) and finished at CW Post (we used to call it CW Pot) again, on Long Island. So yeah. I. AM. A. NEW YORKER. You know. NY Yankees? The best. NY Times? The best. Restaurants? The best. NYC? The best. In fact, the greatest city in the world. Two Ivy league universities in fact. One in THE city. Smartest guys in the room. The bestest and the mostest. Those are my roots. You can take the boy out of NY but not NY out of the boy. Believe me. That is true. As such, I think there is some truth to that stereotype of which you disparage. Perhaps all or most politicians are unable to admit mistakes and not just those from NY. But thinking back over the decades, I can’t think of ONE NY pol who has ever admitted a mistake. In fact that includes former Democratic rising star Gov. Cuomo and his absolutely disastrous policy of admitting Covid patients to convalesce in nursing homes. No mistake there according to him. All good. So tell me Tony, what’s your expertise when it comes to New Yorkers? You think you can match mine?

          1. You were born in Queens, you are capable of admitting fault, right? There you have it. Don’t confuse ‘bravado’ with “cliche.’. It does however speak to a greater sickness, notice how defenders of Trump will contort themselves backwards, to defend or explain anything he says, no matter how ignorant, crude or bigoted the statement is? There are entire networks devoted to explaining what Trump REALLY meant to say, why is that??

          2. To Tony. You really do have a bad case of TDS. I was not referring to Trump. I was referring to certain “cliches” related to NYers (particularly folks from NYC or the NYC metro area) that are in fact somewhat unique. In fact George Lakoff the former UC Berkeley linguist made note of this when referring to NY speech patterns (that yes, Trump uses). And I as a former NYer whole heartedly recognized this as true … at least c/w my lived experience. But what really does confuse me, Tony, is that you seem to be on a holy crusade against John Kass’ “echo” chamber. I mean, who cares? Why should you care? This site is one of hundreds …no, maybe thousands … the majority I’m betting push the far left DP narrative of spend and tax, big government, CRT, DEI, white fragility, “men can give birth” … the whole woke narrative. So it’s not like this site is preventing the dissemination of contrary points of view … far from it. Given that fact, I just do not understand your crusade, your Jihad against what you perceive is a far right echo chamber that must be exposed to the holy revealed truth as envisioned by you. I mean you’re like a mad as hell left wing Moses ranting and raving against your wayward flock. Why? Why the F do you care? You have a problem. You need to get a life.

  30. Jimmy, thanks again for your great perspective and plain, common sense writing on the state of the Democratic party! They truly are all about power and control, bureaucratic expansion and most of their leadership couldn’t care the least about the country as a whole. They are completely consumed with self-interest, which Biden exemplified! One thing I would add to your review of what is wrong with the Democratic leadership and those who follow them is a clear problem with cognitive dissonance!! Most really don’t see reality clearly.

  31. Jim,
    Excellent article! I never knew you could write so well! I particularly appreciate your comments about the current mayor of Chicago. Almost makes me miss Lori L.
    I remember you from Mr. Reis’ home room 315 at OPRFHS. You usually sat either one or two seats in front of me.
    Maybe I will make it to your restaurant one of these days!

  33. Great article. It hit so many nails on the head. He just missed mentioning that CTU is running the city, and if they get more money, the kids will get smarter, but we all should know that by now. I loved the cow in the ditch.

  34. 110% on this great article that well articulates my biggest concern with all the bozos running for president, that they lack the accountability of a leader, and we are so in need true leaders for our country. Otherwise we are a weak society & country. The quoted section below from this article articulates beautifully:

    ”
    One of my favorite motivators, John Wooden once said, “You are not a failure until you start blaming others for your mistakes.”

    In this era of gaslighting, we forget the simple things we need for leadership in business, our country, our towns and cities, and our families. Namely, problem solving, confidence and most important, personal accountability.
    “

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