A Fine Pickle

Established in Berchtesgaden, Germany in 1875, Ichtel, Brotten & Surgedorff (IBS) are purveyors of fine pickle, olive and relish products. Initially serving the Bavarian area, word of their product line quickly spread throughout the country and eventually Europe. Today, IBS has a devoted customer base around the world.

Last week Einrich Oberstrutgoff, president of IBS, spoke at his company's annual stockholder meeting. His line "sie wankelmütig nicht, versuchen sie einen IBS gurke" (don't be fickle, try an IBS pickle) was perhaps the most memorable of the evening, drawing rounds of applause from the assembly.
A possible successor to Herr Oberstrutgoff, who has raised both earnings per share and company awareness with his effervescent personality has yet to be made, causing no small angst among shareholders.

The Vicarious Superstar Syndrome

At some point in recent years, it became acceptable for giving trophies to kids for merely participating on a team.

Parents: Don't Lie to Your Kids About Their Athletic Ability

Not sure, but maybe awards were also dispensed for Cleanest Uniform, Waterboy/Girl with Quickest Dispensing Time and Most Compassionate Player. 

Except at the most rudimentary level, it's winning that counts in sports. League officials who award kids at season's end for mere participation are partly to blame. But parents bear culpability, too. If a child isn't consistently, for a protracted period of time, athletically ahead of his/her peers, Mom (and especially Dad) must cease to push little Timmy or Julie each week so they can one day share vicariously in being the laurel-crowned objects of opponents' ire, cheering crowds and homecoming festivities. 

So, to the 99.98% of parents whose kids will not make the pros, face the relative fact: you kid sucks. Get over it. Do your job as a responsible parent & steer him/her to an appropriate academic venue. If not academically inclined, a trade school might be appropriate. But for the sake of their future don't continue to coddle them into thinking there's a chance when in reality there's none.