Target is closing nine stores due to theft and organized crime.

Target’s announcement comes on the same day that the National Retail Federation released new figures on the state of retail theft.

The NRF, the retail industry’s largest trade group, said Tuesday that average shrink – a term that refers to merchandise that goes missing due to external and internal theft, fraud, damage and other reasons – cost retailers $112.1 billion in losses in 2022, up from $93.9 billion in 2021

Also, groups of teenagers swarmed into stores in several areas of Philadelphia in an apparently coordinated effort, stuffing plastic bags with merchandise and fleeing, authorities said.

Police arrested 15 to 20 people.

The flash mob-style ransacking occurred Tuesday night at stores including Foot Locker, Lululemon and Apple.

A new trend?

I have started 8 businesses.

Some succeeded. Some failed.

The biggest lesson I learned is not to jump into a business in which you have no experience.

If you don’t have experience, but have an idea, get a job in that field.

This will enable you to start a business with the fewest mistakes.

I had worked in the real estate business for many years.

I started a real estate software business that did well.

I had no experience in the girl’s clothing business.

I started a girl’s clothing business that did not succeed.

Lesson learned!

There is no bigger Notre Dame fan than me.

My dad was a professor at ND for 21 years.

I sold programs at all ND home games.

When the goal line stand against Ohio State would determine the victor, ND had only 10 players on the field!

How did this happen?

It was someone’s responsibility to count the players.

Who was responsible?

Ultimatley, as in any organization, the person at the top must take responsibility.

That’s the price of leadership!

There is no bigger Notre Dame fan than me.

My dad was a professor at ND for 21 years.

I sold programs at all ND home games.

When the goal line stand against Ohio State would determine the victor, ND had only 10 players on the field!

How did this happen?

It was someone’s responsibility to count the players.

Who was responsible?

Ultimatley, as in any organization, the person at the top must take responsibility.

That’s the price of leadership!

Is it how long a person lives?

Is it the wealth a person accumulates?

Is it how popular a person becomes?

The measurement is, how do you improve the life of others?

All the major religions have a common theme:

Love God and love your neighbor!

I don’t know if you believe in God, but do you know who your neighbor is?

It is not only a family member or friend.

Will you help someone you don’t know?

That person is also your neighbor.

I think it’s fair to say, “Some people live for sports.”

It doesn’t matter which sports and teams are your favorites.

They all give you something to look forward to.

Let’s take tonight’s Notre Dame vs. Ohio State football game as an example.

Of course, having grown up in South Bend, I’m a big ND fan.

I hope TOUCHDOWN JESUS comes through tonight!

It seems that almost everyone is somehow able to see or hear their teams play.

For millions of people, sports are the highlight of their lives.

It’s not any fun to turn to TV news because it’s usually all bad!

I used to be a news junky, but not anymore.

Why, because it’s depressing.

People doing harm to one another is an everday event.

Politicians we voted into office who don’t tell the truth.

Natural disasters killing people by the thousands.

Prices going up that are putting common items out of reach.

And weather, weather, weather.

So, what do we do about this onslaught of bad news.

Create your own GOOD NEWS!

Call a dear friend with your own GOOD NEWS.

Perform some act of kindness for someone who could sure use it.

Their are new gorillas in the Detroit zoo. Go visit them.

Visit a lonely older person and MAKE THEIR DAY!

Use your TV for a great movie, not bad news.

Sit down and COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.

If not today, when?

I hate to see the explosion of gambling in sports.

I know you are going say that there has always been gambling on sporting events.

That’s true, but it is more invasive now.

Between innings of MLB games, the odds on certain players pops up on the TV screen.

Certain gambling companies tell us they are a partner of the NFL.

The ability to place a bet through a cell phone is expanding.

Phil Mickelson says his gambling addiction “was like a hurricane which caused a lot of damage in his life.”

Don’t gamble!

Not now, not ever!

Yesterday, while walking away from the Detroit Lions game, we saw a Detroit mounted policeman standing in the middle of the street astride a beautiful black horse.

Although there were thousands of us walking shoulder to shoulder, the horse remained calm as many kids petted the horse on its nose.

Although disappointed in the outcome of the game, we all perked up at sight of that beautiful horse.

It’s amazing the calming effects animals have on us.