Senator McCain has consistently pushed his military experience as an example...as 'the' example...of leadership while discounting business leadership as "management".  What Mr. McCain seems to miss in this comparison is that military leaders have obedient followers, while business leaders do not.  In the military, particularly the US military people follow orders.  If a leader orders a platoon to take a hill, or a squadron to engage, they do it...there is no hesitation or negotiation.

In business, everything is a negotiation.  Sure, a business leader has a level of expectation from an employee, but it is certainly not as simple as giving an order and knowing it will be carried out without question or hesitation.  For this reason, business leadership is indeed far more compatible with the Presidency than military.  Certainly the Congress doesn't follow orders, foriegn officials (even allies) do not follow orders, and even within the Executive branch, the State department seldom follows orders...and there is even a possibility that the intellegence community doesn't either. 

Navigating this landscape takes a form of leadership that is adept at forging alliances that may not otherwise exist.  Like it or not, Mr. McCain, that's business leadership...specifically Executive Leadership.

Yes, yes, I know I posted for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, but missed Christmas (my elf duties infringed on my blog time).

Please accept my belated Merry Christmas wishes. Hope that you and yours had a wonderful holiday, a true Colorado white Christmas!

If you celebrate Hanukah or Kwanzaa, here's hoping that your celebrations were was happy as well!

For all, here's to a very Happy New Year filled with blessings and prosperity throughout.

On this Veteran's Day, we the free honor our brave.


Although we have a tendency to wait for days such as this to express our gratitude, those of you who serve, take heart that you are supported everyday in the hearts and minds of those you protect.

We honor you not just for you bravery and sacrifice, but for the example you set for all American citizens.

• It isn't just the might of the American Armed Forces that sets you apart...there have been formidable forces in the past.
• It isn't just the strategy and tactics you employ, there have been brilliant campaigns throughout history.
• It isn't just the tenacity and bravery in the face of the enemy. Every country has heroes.
• It's character that makes you great. You do not fight to conquer, you fight to liberate. You do not fight to spread fear and hate, you fight to awaken hope and defend freedom. Because the threat is real, you answer the call, and you do what you must.
• You are the best of us. May we strive, every day, to live up to your example.

 

The History of Veteran's Day

 

American Military

US Army - Army National Guard
US Navy - Naval Reserve
US Marine Corps - Marine Reserve
US Air Force - Air National Guard
US Coast Guard - Coast Guard Reserve

Standing up for your principles is a serious and courageous thing.  When a person believes deeply and is willing to stand their ground regardless of the cost, it is truly a sight to behold.  There are those that are making such a choice as we approach Election Day.  The choice they are making is to do absolutely nothing on that day...thereby sending a message to our elected leaders.  If you are one of that mind, this message is for you.

Let's be honest here, the Congressional approval rating has been pitiful...lucky if it breaks 30%.  It's pretty clear the people are disgruntled with their elected leaders.  You may even consider your vote for them an endorsement for their poor performance.  Makes sense on the surface...but consider this...you may be missing a key player in this lack of leadership...you.

That's right, this is a government of, by, and for the people...not just pretty words, that means that you, personally, have a duty and responsibility to participate in the direction of this country.  You are the boss, the people you elect work for you...the people you allow to be elected work for you...and either way, the success or failure is ultimately your responsibility.  Is Teddy Kennedy really responsible for his actions in the Senate?  No!  Perhaps on his first term...but he is a known quantity after all of this time, he is who he is, that won't change.  Therefore, his actions are the direct responsibility of the People of Massachusetts.  Should John Murtha be reelected, his actions will be the direct responsibility of the People of Pennsylvania's 12th District.

Here is what you have to ask yourself...do your personal principles outweigh the most urgent and important needs of your country?

• Picture yourself talking one on one with a member of our military...explaining to them the merits of your principles versus electing the leaders that will support their mission.
• Picture yourself talking one on one with a purple fingered-Iraqi...explaining to them the merits of your principles versus electing the leaders that will support their fragile freedom.
• Picture yourself talking one on one with the next victim of a terrorist attack at home...explaining to them the merits of your principles versus electing the leaders that will stay on the offense in the war.

Now the statements above have a lot of references to "you" in them.  Again, let's be honest...this responsibility of the People is a team effort.  You are part of that team.  As a fellow teammate, this is not meant to anger you or belittle your choices up to this point...they are valid and understandable.  But sitting out the vote is not the way to handle it.  That would be true in any age, however make no mistake this time, right now, is the greatest ideological struggle of our time and beyond.  The choices we make now have far reaching and potentially dire consequences.  Those of you who sit this out will not be able to explain your principled-inaction to those who suffer the consequences...much less justify it.

Finally...just like the voters are a team, the political parties are a team.  A vote for a Democrat even a conservative one brings all Democrats into power (after which the conservative Democrat you voted for will be kicked to the curb by the liberal ones that out number him or her).  Personally, I'm usually an advocate to vote for the best person regardless of political party but the stakes are too high during these perilous times.  We have to think of this in terms of which team should be in power.  So please, get out and vote on Tuesday...and vote Republican!  We need you!!

One of our great President's (ironically a Democrat) said it best:

"Ask not what your country can do for you.  Ask what you can do for your country."  -JFK