Here Back East

Men’s Group Luncheon

My friend Max and I sponsor a men’s lunch group here in Palm Beach that convenes once a month at a restaurant or someone’s home to discuss current issues and perhaps educate each other. This past week we met al fresco in the garden patio of Max’s condo in town. Attendance was strong despite the threat of rain and early departures for the holidays. Our group is composed of a dozen or so men from various backgrounds—medicine, business, finance and legal, like myself. Max usually starts off with a topic and we are off to the races.

This month we discussed a host of issues from A.I. to potential Fox News lead stories for 2024. We covered everything from the forthcoming election to the migrant issues at our borders. Of course, we also discussed the outstanding legal maneuvers leading up to the Supreme Court’s acceptance of numerous constitutional issues. I find these get-togethers an interesting opportunity to explore and talk about topics I frequently read about but seldom seem to engage in during social conversations. There is a refreshing lack of the usual social constraints, where certain subjects, like politics and religion, are considered off limits.

In our little group, miraculously no one feels prevented from expressing their view. No holds barred is the atmosphere. Among our group the political leanings vary and it keeps the mood lively—the Pro-Trumpers engage with the Never-Trumpers and everyone else in between has an opinion. It all stays congenial. I feel these discussions are beneficial and enlightening and bring us closer to understanding our differences—so important as we head into 2024 and the monumental political and cultural issues facing us as a country and as individuals.

As we drifted away from the luncheon, there were the usual handshakes and pats on the back—a few rolled eyes too, but the camaraderie and most importantly, the respect for each other’s viewpoints, were intact. In the parking lot, my friend Sam remarked, “These guys are really smart!”