Leadership and Common Sense

I subscribe to the definition if leadership as “Getting others to want what you want” - as opposed to merely getting them to do what you want. Most managers never really learn this important distinction between being a manager and being a leader.
In his speeches lately George W is characterizing actions that are being questioned as "Leading." He believes that his role as President means that he has a duty to do what he thinks is right. I might agree with him if what he thinks is right is upholding the Constitution. He is not an Emperor. I do not think that he had shown enough leadership, frankly. His attitude seems to be that our brave soldiers support the mission so you citizens back home do not have the right to question it.


I really do want to believe that the war in Iraq was necessary. And, I do believe that the US needs to exert power to defend allies and interests. But, I have to say that I do not feel safe with Bush in charge. He is not able to coordinate a coalition of nations like a real Leader. So, the USA looks like “cowboys” to the world. The most disturbing thing is that his staunchest supporters are mostly raving nationalistic nazis who do not care what the rest of the world thinks. (Too bad we have not been offered a better choice for the job of President of the US).

On the other hand, I do support what I see as "reasonable" the search methods of surveillance that have raised such a furor of late. It just seems like common sense to secretly tap the phones of people who are legitimately suspected of dealing with terrorists. To be sure, this can become a bit slippery - as when the anti-war meetings of Quaker grandmothers are given the same scrutiny as secret meetings between suspected Jihadists. Still, there is no evidence that the recent surveillance flap affected anyone who did not deserve it.


It seems to me that the Constitution aims to protect the right of Citizens to raise their voices in protest to government policies, but does not seek to protect those who would advance their cause through violence. Despite the interpretations of some, The right to revolt is not guaranteed.

Those who oppose any form of surveillance often use the quote attributed to Ben Franklin "Those who would sacrifice a little freedom to gain a little safety deserve neither the safety or the freedom."

How this quote passes for wisdom is beyond me. It makes no logical sense. Of course we are all willing to sacrifice a little freedom for safety. This is why we allow ourselves to be taxed, policed and regulated. If Ben Franklin really said that he should be fired. Who is he to decide what measure of anything people deserve anyway?

Another bogus quote that has always mystified me - MLK said: "If a man can't find a cause that he is willing to die for, then he isn't fit to live." Really? Let's see, I am not fit to live because I don't want to die? Hmmn. Let me get back to you on that one....