Respect might be what we should aspire to
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August 8, 2013 |
I’ve been catching a bit of flack regarding some
articles and opinions I’ve published of late
that seem to imply something, but don’t really
say much. I don’t write from malice or to cast
aspersion.
“Why don’t you talk to those you appear to be
writing about and get the real story?” I’m
asked.
If and when I get solid, verifiable allegations,
believe me, I will. Some might come to wish that
questions had been left unasked, but I hope not.
I would much prefer that those concerned about
what’s written on these pages, before worrying
if it’s they being written about and taking
umbrage, take a moment instead to wonder if the
shoe might perhaps fit. And if so, why.
Public. Service. Perception.
Three words that all public servants; hired,
appointed or elected, should always keep
uppermost in mind.
Public is the people you are privileged to
serve. Service is what you are entrusted to
provide. Perception is how those you serve
perceive how well you’re doing.
If the perception is foul, and voiced by many,
something in the definition of those first two
words have been misplaced by the servants
entrusted.
The public, to some of its servants, becomes an
unruly animal best ignored. The din, the
cacophony. The myriad opposing sides and
interests can’t all seem to be taken into
account, and it seems easiest and best to shut
them out in the interest of doing the work that
has to be done by those who purport to know
best.
That’s where trust begins breaking down, and
misperceptions arise. If it doesn’t look or
smell good, even the best intentioned and most
innocent actions gain the taint of suspicion.
None of my opinions as expressed in these pages
has been aimed at casting aspersions on anyone
or any group of public servants. In one, I used
an old Navy term, “shot across the bow.”
A shot across the bow was a courtesy, an
honorable way of asking an enemy to heave to and
avoid an all-out fusillade, typically from a
ship of superior force … in other words, an
opportunity to save their ship.
This publication is a small vessel, indeed, with
no shot or ammo save for the words and ability
to voice the words of those in that big, huge
dreadnaught that is public opinion.
I don’t think any of us want to sink a ship of
public servants; most of us, if called upon, I
believe we would do our best to defend it; we
are proud of this place we call home.
Perhaps a fourth word needs added; respect.
That’s a thing you can’t get unless you give it,
and that may well be the ingredient we should
all be working toward. |
Mike Weland
Publisher
newsbf.com |
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