{"id":4255,"date":"2021-01-27T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goldmanstate.com\/?p=4255"},"modified":"2021-01-27T17:32:54","modified_gmt":"2021-01-28T00:32:54","slug":"the-death-of-a-reputation-consultant-is-tough-to-spin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goldmanstate.com\/2021\/01\/27\/the-death-of-a-reputation-consultant-is-tough-to-spin\/","title":{"rendered":"The Death of a Reputation Consultant is Tough to Spin"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.0&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;19px||23px|||&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.7&#8243; global_module=&#8221;2637&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.7&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/goldmanstate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/GPB-Bank-Local-Banner.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;GPB-Bank-Local-Banner&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.goldenpacificbank.com\/&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.7&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.0.1&#8243; min_height=&#8221;114px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;17px||2px|||&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.0.1&#8243;][et_pb_post_title title=&#8221;off&#8221; author=&#8221;off&#8221; categories=&#8221;off&#8221; comments=&#8221;off&#8221; featured_image=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.0.2&#8243; meta_font=&#8221;|700|on||||||&#8221; meta_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; meta_text_color=&#8221;#ff0000&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221;][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;_initial&#8221; min_height=&#8221;75px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>The Death of a Reputation Consultant is Tough to Spin<\/h1>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; header_2_font=&#8221;Georgia|300|||||||&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;21px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-5px||0px||false|false&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Reflections on the passing of a man who gave us Rudy and Donald 1.0<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.0.3&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|||&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.0.3&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Author&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.0.1&#8243; header_4_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_6_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_6_font_size=&#8221;13px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2px|||&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h6>By Ed Goldman<\/h6>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.0&#8243; module_alignment_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; module_alignment_phone=&#8221;&#8221; module_alignment_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.0.1&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span class='et-dropcap'>H<\/span>ad he been able to call the shots a few weeks ago, I suspect that Howard J. Rubenstein would have sent out a news release that said he was going on \u201can extended, indefinite sabbatical\u201d instead of admitting he died. Yet he did that very thing, at the age of 88.<\/p>\n<p>Rubenstein was one of the acknowledged fathers of reputational public relations, the niche of the image industry that, rather than touting a new product or star (largely the same thing), devotes its resources to repairing the downed persona palisades of often ubiquitous celebrities from show business and politics (again, largely the same thing).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/goldmanstate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/A-dime-is-a-terrible-thing.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Edgy Cartoon&#8221; title_text=&#8221;A-dime-is-a-terrible-thing&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; width=&#8221;60%&#8221; max_width=&#8221;60%&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset3&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Caption&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-16px||||false|false&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>A dime is a terrible thing to waste<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>And while his clients included people who still had sleazy reputations even after he\u2019d performed his alleged alchemy, if Rubenstein hadn\u2019t been on the scene, who knows how much more dastardly people like hotelier Leona Helmsley (the \u201cqueen of mean\u201d) News Corporation media mogul Rupert Murdoch or the pre-political Donald Trump might have been perceived by the public?\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Well, reputation management isn\u2019t always easy. Examples:<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No less a public-hero-turned-worldwide-embarrassment than Rudolph Giuliani once said Rubenstein was &#8220;the dean of damage control.\u201d This was obviously several years before Rudy\u2019s on-air flatulence and ashen appearance made me\u00a0start referring to him as Gaseous Clay.<\/li>\n<li>While Mr. Rubenstein\u2019s clients included Columbia University, he was unable to keep Manhattan\u2019s DA from launching a criminal investigation into how the institution managed the case of a former gynecologist affiliated with it who was accused of sexual assault by lots of patients.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Rubenstein (the name of his company, now run by one of his sons) had to watch from the sidelines as the New York Philharmonic, a client, was forced by an arbitrator to reinstate two players it had fired over allegations of unspecified sexual misconduct.<\/li>\n<li>Maestro James\u00a0Levine sued the Metropolitan Opera, another Rubenstein client, for more than $5.8 million in damages for breach of contract and defamation three days after the company fired him for sexual harassment and related charges.<\/li>\n<li>And though it\u2019s uncharitable to pin this on Mr. Rubenstein, he couldn\u2019t prevent the New York Yankees from ending its 2020 season in second place.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=&#8221;Adsense Horizontal&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.5.0&#8243; width=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; width_phone=&#8221;&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; max_width=&#8221;90%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_module=&#8221;1433&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221;]<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- gs_horizontal_new --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     style=&#8221;display:block&#8221;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     data-ad-client=&#8221;ca-pub-8489921453224987&#8243;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     data-ad-slot=&#8221;5069548950&#8243;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     data-ad-format=&#8221;auto&#8221;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     data-full-width-responsive=&#8221;true&#8221;><\/ins><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><script><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/script>[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>A reputation rep is sort of the Pied Piper of optics\u2014except that in his or her world, the rats that invaded Hamelin wouldn\u2019t have been consigned to diving into the Weser River, where they all drowned, but instead would have\u00a0survived and made the rounds of talk shows to\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0their rehabilitation as town-and-country mice:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>RAT: I\u2019m a different rodent now than I was then, Jimmy\u2014for which I thank my God, my lovely wife, my supportive kids and my fans.<\/p>\n<p>JIMMY FALLON: My God.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>RAT: Yes, that\u2019s what I said.<\/p>\n<p>JIMMY FALLON: No, no, I was just reacting. \u2014 Uh, you\u2019ve done a book, my producers tell me, which is probably why it\u2019s sitting in my hands right now and I\u2019m holding it up to the camera.<\/p>\n<p>RAT: I have. It\u2019s a memoir and a cautionary tale. The title\u2019s based on an old Four Seasons song.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>JIMMY FALLON: And it\u2019s called\u2026 (Looks at cover)\u2026 Yes! \u201cVermin My Way Back to You.&#8221; Hey, I smell a movie deal!<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/goldmanstate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/amazon-on-trend-customer-favorites.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;amazon-on-trend-customer-favorites&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/amzn.to\/3o8U1Ig&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Amazon Banner &#8211; Limited Time&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#eeeeee&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|10px|10px|10px|true|true&#8221; global_module=&#8221;2981&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>RAT (laughing shyly): Aw, that\u2019s just me, I can\u2019t seem to get that sewage stink off me.<\/p>\n<p>JIMMY FALLON: Aw, it\u2019s not that bad. More like the uneaten portions of last week\u2019s Caesar salad.<\/p>\n<p>RAT: You\u2019re very kind.<\/p>\n<p>JIMMY FALLON: Say, we have to take a break. Will you stick around for another segment? We could play a game, which is what I\u2019m famous for.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>RAT: As long as it\u2019s not Mouse Trap, Jimmy.<\/p>\n<p>JIMMY FALLON (Breaking up, pounding his head on his desk): They told me you were hysterical! Hoo-boy! Wow! (He clutches his chest as though overpowered by the sheer merriment)<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=&#8221;Valentine&#8217;s Day Favorites&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#eeeeee&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;15px|15px|15px|15px|true|true&#8221; global_module=&#8221;4263&#8243;]<script type=\"text\/javascript\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->amzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\";<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->amzn_assoc_search_bar = \"true\";<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"goldmanstate-20\";<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->amzn_assoc_region = \"US\";<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->amzn_assoc_title = \"Best Gifts for Couples\";<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->amzn_assoc_linkid = \"5ab7b92180c77989967e39fdb7c5bf89\";<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->amzn_assoc_asins = \"B06XKK7NKV,B0744HFMNP,B01MS97M28,B07TJ51B6W\";<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/script><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>\u2014As you may recall, especially if you\u2019re kind of old, J.D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) the head of Standard Oil, was, in his time, the world\u2019s richest and often, most detested man. Then a reputation rep suggested he give away a brand new dime to everyone he met, even millionaires, as well as become a philanthropist. He did both of the above and people pretty much forgot they\u2019d detested him. Plus, they got a dime in\u00a0the process, which could be worth as much as $195\u00a0in\u00a0today&#8217;s currency, according to reliable bookies.<\/p>\n<p>Then there was Andrew Carnegie, (1835-1919), another captain of industry\/philanthropist of that approximate era:<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAndrew Carnegie treated his workers terribly,\u201d according to one of many pseudo-historical (but damned entertaining) websites. \u201cHis employees worked in sweatshops, which are businesses where the workers work long hours with low pay in horrible working conditions. Carnegie did not pay his workers enough and when some of his workers decided to go on strike, <em>he had them shot.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Had Rubenstein been around to advise Carnegie, he\u2019d doubtless have clarified that \u201cshot\u201d meant inoculated with life-saving vaccines and told\u00a0him to give everyone a\u00a0shiny new dime. Just imagine what he could have done for Gaseous Clay. <span class=\"endingG\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.3.2&#8243; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|auto||0px|false|false&#8221; module_alignment_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; module_alignment_phone=&#8221;&#8221; module_alignment_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#E02B20&#8243; global_module=&#8221;1122&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.0.6&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;About Ed&#8221; module_class=&#8221;AuthorBioBox&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.7&#8243; text_font=&#8221;Georgia||on||||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#444&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#eeeeee&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||10px||true|false&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/goldmanstate.com\/about-ed\/\">Ed Goldman&#8217;s<\/a> column appears almost every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. A former daily columnist for the Sacramento Business Journal, as well as monthly columnist for Sacramento Magazine and Comstock\u2019s Business Magazine, he\u2019s the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3jUELxM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">author<\/a> of five books, two plays and one musical (so far).<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Yes, Virgina&#8221; module_id=&#8221;PGB&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(173,135,0,0.11)&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||32px|||&#8221; top_divider_color=&#8221;#b08a0f&#8221; top_divider_height=&#8221;56px&#8221; top_divider_flip=&#8221;vertical&#8221; bottom_divider_color=&#8221;#b08a0f&#8221; bottom_divider_height=&#8221;50px&#8221; link_option_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.goldenpacificbank.com\/&#8221; link_option_url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;6px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#02528f&#8221; border_style_all=&#8221;double&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset7&#8243; box_shadow_color=&#8221;#02528f&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;7px||19px|||&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_text module_id=&#8221;PGB&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_font=&#8221;PT Serif Caption|700|||||||&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#00518e&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;6vw&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;2px||9px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||2px|||&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;8vw&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;10vw&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Yes, Virginia<\/h1>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;PT Sans Caption||||||||&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-7px||11px|||&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">A Weekly Blog by Virginia Varela<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;PT Sans Narrow|300|on||||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#b08a0f&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;15px&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">President and CEO, Golden Pacific Bank<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_3,2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|||||&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/goldmanstate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_1062.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;IMG_1062&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;2px&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset3&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Caption&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.7&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-16px||||false|false&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>photo by Phoebe Verkouw<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.8.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>When the federal government surprises you\u2014positively\u2014that\u2019s newsworthy. So I was delighted that the Sacramento Business Journal ran in its print edition last week a guest essay I\u2019d written about the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bizjournals.com\/sacramento\/news\/2021\/01\/27\/ppp-sequel-is-better-than-the-original.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> newest iteration of the Paycheck Protection Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Right when we least expected it, the new rollout went relatively smoothly, as opposed to the first effort last year, which seemed to raise more questions than bottom lines for businesses and individuals.\u00a0Unlike before, PPP funds are being released to banks with a new degree of clarity.<\/p>\n<p>As I wrote in the Business Journal, \u201cPart of the success of the current distribution is that it\u2019s being done with far less drama and hype. The government\u2019s seemed to learn that the retail\/management mantra isn\u2019t \u2018Over-promise and under-deliver,\u2019 but rather its complete opposite. Part of the success of the current distribution is that it\u2019s being done with far less drama and hype. Even the forms are relatively easy to fill out this time. And when\u2019s the last time you heard someone compliment the federal government on its forms?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Golden Pacific Bank is starting to process PPP loans, with our top priority being our longtime customers. If you\u2019re not one of those, you can change that easily by contacting us and opening a business account. With\u00a0our\u00a0services and individual\u00a0attention, we\u2019d like to surprise you, too!<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||0px|||&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.37)&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-7px||9px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">sponsored content<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_code admin_label=&#8221;Adsense Horizontal&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.5.0&#8243; width=&#8221;90%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; width_phone=&#8221;&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; max_width=&#8221;90%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_module=&#8221;1433&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221;]<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- gs_horizontal_new --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     style=&#8221;display:block&#8221;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     data-ad-client=&#8221;ca-pub-8489921453224987&#8243;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     data-ad-slot=&#8221;5069548950&#8243;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     data-ad-format=&#8221;auto&#8221;<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     data-full-width-responsive=&#8221;true&#8221;><\/ins><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><script><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/script>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n<span class=\"et_bloom_bottom_trigger\"><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Had he been able to call the shots a few weeks ago, I suspect that Howard J. Rubenstein would have sent out a news release that said he was going on \u201can extended, indefinite sabbatical\u201d instead of admitting he died. 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