Update on the “Drill Here” Energy idea. + The “Energy Freedom March”
I admit to being angry that Congress will not allow more exploration of energy sources. I’m fed up with Congress seemingly waiting for some :pie in the sky” scientific breakthrough in the energy field maybe a “perpetual motion” machine. I’ve had enough of big talk and no action. I don’t want to wait another 20 years for the perfect solution. I want something done by Congress now.
Gee is it so complicated. The price of oil is shooting up for lack of it. Hey here is a novel idea. Let’s look for some more. Let’s take advantage of what we have; coal, oil shale, nuclear. Let’s concentrate on bringing the price of oil down. At the same time we can put money into coming up with other alternative forms of energy, wind solar bio and any other newer means. But first let us become free from the rising cost of oil. That alone can have a snowball effect upon becoming free from foreign dependence on oil and lead to freedom from oil altogether at least for energy.
Like a war, we need to see some progress. We need to win one skirmish then one battle. The plan will change once the war starts, it has to adapt to changing circumstances: but we need a plan. Then each bill we pass will move us towards victory over Dependence on Foreign Oil. To be non-partisan, we need a plan for the good of America to point to with pride to overcome the naysayer’s .
Below are some links to update what some of the Leaders in this battle in Congress are doing to try to change things. Below those links, see what we’re doing about it right here in Muskegon.
American Solutions, (the people who came up with Drill here, Drill now, Pay Less) The video is a shorter version of the presentation to the leaders of Congress 1.3 million signatures on the “Drill Here” Petition. This will be sent to all the leaders. Hopefully this 1.3 will grow to a goal of 3 million signatures, which will be presented to the Republican and Democratic Conventions.
-----link-----
http://www.americansolutions.com/
--------------
John Boehner, (Republican Leader in the House) has the following links. He has become the focal point of this process. Constantly bring heat to the majority through a lot of different ways. His current effort is a 10 House member tour of Energy sources in the country. His way of showing that we have the where with all to do great things towards the goal of energy independence. His group of energy bills is called “All of the Above”. It includes not only exploration, but conservation and promotion of alternative energy sources. His current tour emphasizes this.
Yes we are a Can Do Nation. Even if Congress has been a “Do Nothing Congress”.
-----link to Boehner’s sites-----
http://republicanleader.house.gov/
---------------------------------
On the right side of the above link be sure to click on the blog button. This has the full acceptance of the 1.3 million signatures, plus other links to his efforts.
Dan Burton the conservative leader in the House has as is usual been leading his own battle to help goad Congress into action and stir up some publicity. He and Mike Pence and Steve Buyer are holding a Press Conference this Monday 7/21 to spread the word. Show an Indiana united front. Below is a link to his efforts.
-----link-----
http://www.danburtonblog.com/
--------------
Next the guy that started the Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less” slogan Newt Gingrich has broadened the theme by changing the name to “Do it All, Do it Now, Do it For America” He hopes to gather another 1.7 million signatures to go with the 1.3 to total 3 million to present to both political conventions. Below is his site. Click on Rosy the Riveter to see the scope of his solution to the Energy problem. Click on the upper right Drill Petition to see the current total.
-----link-----
http://www.newt.org/
--------------
Last but not least Tim Walberg (Michigan’s own) sponsored the first discharge petitions in the House to try to force the “no more excuses energy bill” out of committee where it along with other energy bill are stuck, onto the floor for a yes or no vote. Below is his latest volley.
-----link-----
http://walberg.house.gov/Blog/
--------------
There are many others, google away, and you will see.
Myself and some others have decided that we also want to not only give our support to this effort but to actually play a small part in this effort, to spur congress on to “Do Something” to help our country to become more Energy Independent.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Tuesday, July 22nd we are holding an “Energy Freedom March” on the sidewalk of the County building. Starting around 8:30 am. I'll be there all day. Feel free to stop any time for any amout of time. Sign our petition for "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less" or not. Pick up a sign or bring your own or not. Bring a friend or not. This is a "bottom up type of thing". I’m making twenty signs to carry. Simple messages, Drill Now, Stop Opec. America / Has Had Enough, Drill Here, We Want A / Do Something Congress. Honk For Lower / Gas Prices.
If you want to help out or find out anything at all about this, below are my contact #s
Bob Carr
231-728-3455 let message play (I screen my calls) If I’m there I’ll pick up. If not I’ll call back. If you want to be anonymous, just comment on this blog. Using the anonymous button. Or call back on the phone when I’m home. I can’t afford caller ID> lol.
Glhotdogs@verizon.net
Hope to see you Tues and Wed.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
"ENERGY FREEDOM MARCH" UPDATE
This idea of mine to have a “ENERGY FREEDOM MARCH” (how do you like the new name?) about “DRILL HERE, DRILL NOW, PAY LESS” is a way for me to try to show support for those in Congress who are trying to do just that. I feel that they are trying to buck the system. They could use some of our support. I hope this March will show some local support for the idea of expanded drilling. For the idea that the sooner we start drilling the sooner we will start to drive down the price. We need a break. We need to send a clear message to those raising the price (speculators and OPEC etc.) that we have had enough.
My idea of this effort is not to gather an army. I’m talking a few people (4-5) at the core to keep it going for one day, 10 people would be great. Then hopefully people driving by will get interested. I hope to have fliers to hand out that will inform them of what we are doing and why; but also telling them that we hope to have a rally the next day with more people and that it will be made known to the media. This Rally will happen only if enough people show some interest. If we have too small a turnout on Tuesday and few show interest for the next day's rally there will not be one.
What I want to see is a lot of others simply stopping by for an hour or so, picking up a sign and joining in with us. Anonymously is great. I will try to get some signs made up in advance, but as I say later a home made sign is as good or better. But either way is good. Remember the signs need to be read from the street. The sign big enough, but not so big so you can't carry it, the wording short, the letters HUGE. Example. DRILL NOW, FREEDOM/OPEC, ENERGY FREEDOM, HONK FOR/CHEAPER GAS, CONGRESS/DO SOMETHING. The / means the first part on top of the second part, allowing the letters to be bigger. If you are into graphics and want to help let me know. Time is short.
The overall goal is to put some local pressure on Congress to do something about our energy problems. Put that pressure on before they leave for their recess. We need to get something positive done NOW
By the Way. This is all legal, as long as we stay on the sidewalk. No one even needs to know your name. Or you can proudly exclaim it.
I do not want this to be a political party type of thing. This has to do with creating more American made energy here and now. Forcing us to become energy independent. Stopping us from having to give billions of our money to other countries many of whom dislike us and some of whom are our enemy. See my previous post showing the pew poll and how this idea has crossed party lines and has become an American idea. I’m just trying to provide a way for us citizens to voice our opinion in a way that could send a message to our legislators, who seem way too political right now.
While I admit to the part my ego plays in this, I have nothing to gain in any financial sense. Nor am I trying to gain recognition to gain something other than I believe in America as a Can Do type of Nation. If I can help us in any way to Become That again, then I would feel proud of that. That would carry my pride for a long time. Lol I hope others are also willing to that and for the same pay.
As I've said I'll have some signs, but feel free to make your own signs. Small enough to carry, with wording large enough to see from the street. This is meant to be a Grass Roots Apolitical “Action March”. A home made DRILL NOW sign in my opinion shows more heart than a pre made one. More Bottom Up if you will. Let’s try to keep the hate and politics out of this.
Again July 22nd from 9am - 5pm.
Well got to get to work. All my contact #s etc are below. Feel free to call. Or write or comment.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Thank You.
Bob Carr
24 Morrall Ave.
Muskegon Mi. 49441
231-728-3455
Glhotdogs@verizon.net
Blog sites.----
http://conservativeinmuskegon.blogspot.com
----------
http://bottomuppolitics.blogspot.com
----------
If you call, I screen my calls so state your name and I'll pick up if I'm here. If I don't, I'm not, so leave a message and I'll return your call. If you don't want to leave your #, call later in the day or evening, I usually go to bed around 11pm unless I’m listening to the Tigers beat some one like the White Sox lol.
Thanks, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
My idea of this effort is not to gather an army. I’m talking a few people (4-5) at the core to keep it going for one day, 10 people would be great. Then hopefully people driving by will get interested. I hope to have fliers to hand out that will inform them of what we are doing and why; but also telling them that we hope to have a rally the next day with more people and that it will be made known to the media. This Rally will happen only if enough people show some interest. If we have too small a turnout on Tuesday and few show interest for the next day's rally there will not be one.
What I want to see is a lot of others simply stopping by for an hour or so, picking up a sign and joining in with us. Anonymously is great. I will try to get some signs made up in advance, but as I say later a home made sign is as good or better. But either way is good. Remember the signs need to be read from the street. The sign big enough, but not so big so you can't carry it, the wording short, the letters HUGE. Example. DRILL NOW, FREEDOM/OPEC, ENERGY FREEDOM, HONK FOR/CHEAPER GAS, CONGRESS/DO SOMETHING. The / means the first part on top of the second part, allowing the letters to be bigger. If you are into graphics and want to help let me know. Time is short.
The overall goal is to put some local pressure on Congress to do something about our energy problems. Put that pressure on before they leave for their recess. We need to get something positive done NOW
By the Way. This is all legal, as long as we stay on the sidewalk. No one even needs to know your name. Or you can proudly exclaim it.
I do not want this to be a political party type of thing. This has to do with creating more American made energy here and now. Forcing us to become energy independent. Stopping us from having to give billions of our money to other countries many of whom dislike us and some of whom are our enemy. See my previous post showing the pew poll and how this idea has crossed party lines and has become an American idea. I’m just trying to provide a way for us citizens to voice our opinion in a way that could send a message to our legislators, who seem way too political right now.
While I admit to the part my ego plays in this, I have nothing to gain in any financial sense. Nor am I trying to gain recognition to gain something other than I believe in America as a Can Do type of Nation. If I can help us in any way to Become That again, then I would feel proud of that. That would carry my pride for a long time. Lol I hope others are also willing to that and for the same pay.
As I've said I'll have some signs, but feel free to make your own signs. Small enough to carry, with wording large enough to see from the street. This is meant to be a Grass Roots Apolitical “Action March”. A home made DRILL NOW sign in my opinion shows more heart than a pre made one. More Bottom Up if you will. Let’s try to keep the hate and politics out of this.
Again July 22nd from 9am - 5pm.
Well got to get to work. All my contact #s etc are below. Feel free to call. Or write or comment.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Thank You.
Bob Carr
24 Morrall Ave.
Muskegon Mi. 49441
231-728-3455
Glhotdogs@verizon.net
Blog sites.----
http://conservativeinmuskegon.blogspot.com
----------
http://bottomuppolitics.blogspot.com
----------
If you call, I screen my calls so state your name and I'll pick up if I'm here. If I don't, I'm not, so leave a message and I'll return your call. If you don't want to leave your #, call later in the day or evening, I usually go to bed around 11pm unless I’m listening to the Tigers beat some one like the White Sox lol.
Thanks, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
"DRILL HERE, DRILL NOW, PAY LESS" ACTION MARCH
Below is the first draft of what I'm planning to do. It seemed a Bottom Up kind of thing to do. I've talked to a few people already and they seem interested. I want ideas. I'll listen to any critiques of the (PR?). I would like to see other cities try it if this works. It might as well start right here right now in Muskegon. To paraphrase an old politician. A little protest in this city; a little protest in that city; pretty soon you're talking a protest people will hear.
I sent the previous version of this to Nick at Right Michigan for help. Also to Tim Walberg, Dan Burton, and John Boehner. I realize they won't be the ones reading it. But I've talked to people in their staff previously and they liked the rough idea. I hope they will help with the pr and organization etc. It may be wishfull thinking but you never know
=============================================================
To whom it may concern.
My name is Bob Carr. I’m a citizen concerned with the price of gasoline. I am also concerned with the seeming inability of the Congress to do something about it. A recent pew pole showed an upsurge in support for a more direct approach to solving that problem, The poll question asked the person to chose between, more exploration, mining etc. vs. increasing regulation on the oil companies, and or conservation. The surprising thing was that the largest increase came from the young people, the college educated, the women, the liberals. A larger percentage of self proclaimed Democrats are in favor of increased exploration, than the percentage of self proclaimed Republicans. All of this change was done in 4 months since Newt Gingrich got the ball rolling with the “Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less” petition. He has over 1 -1/3 million signatures.
-----link to pew poll-------
http://people-press.org/report/433/gas-prices
--------------------------------
The third box of numbers was shocking to me. This is not a political issue anymore to the people of the country, only to the legislators. I am having this protest march to put a face on the anger the people have with the leadership in Congress.
John Boehner on July 11th released the following. I blogged about it at
-----my blog-----
http://conservativeinmuskegon.blogspot.com/2008/07/i-dream-of-campout.html
--------------------
“I especially liked the fire in the belly as evidenced by the following quote from Mr. Boehner. ““I’m going to say it one more time, we need to do ‘all of the above’ if we’re serious. We can drill in an environmentally sound way, and that’s what we should be doing… We’re not going to leave here for the August recess until we get a vote on having more American-made energy.””.
---------------
I have decided that I too am going to do something about the lack of action from Congress. Below is what I came up with.
On July 23, starting at 9:00 am and hopefully lasting all day I and others will be marching and carrying signs in front of the Muskegon County Building. If this is successful and a lot of people show up or promise to the next day, we will follow up on the 24th. I will then be notifying all media of this. Again if this is received well, I would hope other cities might catch wind of it.
I have been in contact with the offices of Dan Burton and Tim Walberg and John Boehner, they all were positive. Tim and Dan have been the pioneers in the Congress on this issue, along with others including Lynn Westmoreland, and Tom Price. John Boehner has taken the leader ship position as he should in the House. The President has finally joined by lifting the ban on off shore drilling.
It is now up to Congress. I’m organizing this “March” to let the people of Muskegon show their views on this issue. Something needs to be done by Congress, before it recesses to help restore the people’s faith in that body. Letting people know that they can be a “Can Do Congress” instead of a “Do Nothing Congress”. This "Action March" is not a march so much as a few people holding signs and hopeing others will join in. I am not affiliated with any goup, I just want to do what I feel needs doing.
Thank You.
Bob Carr
24 Morrall Ave.
Muskegon Mi. 49441
231-728-3455
Glhotdogs@verizon.net
Blog sites.----
http://conservativeinmuskegon.blogspot.com
----------
http://bottomuppolitics.blogspot.com
==============================================
email or call or comment. If you call, I screen my calls so state your name and I'll pick up if I'm here. If I don't, I'm not, then leave a message and I'll return your call.
Thanks, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
I sent the previous version of this to Nick at Right Michigan for help. Also to Tim Walberg, Dan Burton, and John Boehner. I realize they won't be the ones reading it. But I've talked to people in their staff previously and they liked the rough idea. I hope they will help with the pr and organization etc. It may be wishfull thinking but you never know
=============================================================
To whom it may concern.
My name is Bob Carr. I’m a citizen concerned with the price of gasoline. I am also concerned with the seeming inability of the Congress to do something about it. A recent pew pole showed an upsurge in support for a more direct approach to solving that problem, The poll question asked the person to chose between, more exploration, mining etc. vs. increasing regulation on the oil companies, and or conservation. The surprising thing was that the largest increase came from the young people, the college educated, the women, the liberals. A larger percentage of self proclaimed Democrats are in favor of increased exploration, than the percentage of self proclaimed Republicans. All of this change was done in 4 months since Newt Gingrich got the ball rolling with the “Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less” petition. He has over 1 -1/3 million signatures.
-----link to pew poll-------
http://people-press.org/report/433/gas-prices
--------------------------------
The third box of numbers was shocking to me. This is not a political issue anymore to the people of the country, only to the legislators. I am having this protest march to put a face on the anger the people have with the leadership in Congress.
John Boehner on July 11th released the following. I blogged about it at
-----my blog-----
http://conservativeinmuskegon.blogspot.com/2008/07/i-dream-of-campout.html
--------------------
“I especially liked the fire in the belly as evidenced by the following quote from Mr. Boehner. ““I’m going to say it one more time, we need to do ‘all of the above’ if we’re serious. We can drill in an environmentally sound way, and that’s what we should be doing… We’re not going to leave here for the August recess until we get a vote on having more American-made energy.””.
---------------
I have decided that I too am going to do something about the lack of action from Congress. Below is what I came up with.
On July 23, starting at 9:00 am and hopefully lasting all day I and others will be marching and carrying signs in front of the Muskegon County Building. If this is successful and a lot of people show up or promise to the next day, we will follow up on the 24th. I will then be notifying all media of this. Again if this is received well, I would hope other cities might catch wind of it.
I have been in contact with the offices of Dan Burton and Tim Walberg and John Boehner, they all were positive. Tim and Dan have been the pioneers in the Congress on this issue, along with others including Lynn Westmoreland, and Tom Price. John Boehner has taken the leader ship position as he should in the House. The President has finally joined by lifting the ban on off shore drilling.
It is now up to Congress. I’m organizing this “March” to let the people of Muskegon show their views on this issue. Something needs to be done by Congress, before it recesses to help restore the people’s faith in that body. Letting people know that they can be a “Can Do Congress” instead of a “Do Nothing Congress”. This "Action March" is not a march so much as a few people holding signs and hopeing others will join in. I am not affiliated with any goup, I just want to do what I feel needs doing.
Thank You.
Bob Carr
24 Morrall Ave.
Muskegon Mi. 49441
231-728-3455
Glhotdogs@verizon.net
Blog sites.----
http://conservativeinmuskegon.blogspot.com
----------
http://bottomuppolitics.blogspot.com
==============================================
email or call or comment. If you call, I screen my calls so state your name and I'll pick up if I'm here. If I don't, I'm not, then leave a message and I'll return your call.
Thanks, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Arthur C Brooks
I recently bought two books by Arthur C. Brooks. “Gross National Happiness” and “Who Really Cares”. Both books are novel in their approach to the conservative agenda. These books are optimistic !! Imagine a book about conservatives being optimistic. If you read any of my blogs you will know that I favor a type of conservatism that gives a positive, dare I say uplifting message.
By “uplifting” I don’t mean a pie in the sky liberal kind of “Miss America” answer to our problems. I’m talking about specific solutions that will work based upon “human nature”. A type of solution that we can take a hand in, vs. the government telling us, doing it for us. The whole idea of our “American” democracy that our citizens gain their strength through the actual individual hands on problem solving. The idea that this qualitative type of idea is where we as citizens draw our strength, is I think what Arthur C. Brooks is all about.
He puts the spin back where it belongs on human nature, on it’s positive side. Conservatives seem to more easily accept human nature as what it is and go about their lives; allowing them to focus on the good aspects of human nature, trying to rebalance life back towards the positive. In the basic form we try to punish the bad and reward the good. What is so “conservative” to me about Mr. Brooks is that he accepts that there is a good and bad, and that we know it. He goes on to claim that fact alone helps conservatives to be happier. Mr. Brooks claims further that by concentrating on furthering the good aspects of human nature, such as family, charity, and a sense of a job well done; government can actually help it’s citizens in the pursuit of those goals. Only in this way can government help increase the “Gross National Happiness”.
By facilitating this process instead of hindering it, government can be a vehicle to help Americans empower themselves in finding that sense of fulfillment we find in the pursuit of happiness. The contentment we feel when we are actively with our own hands, minds and hearts creating our own dreams.
This type of process has always been harder to be precise about because it is based on qualitative vs. quantitative “facts”. Arthur C. Brooks in his thought and writings tries to quantify the qualitative. It all boils down to the idea of whether people feel happy in the sense of being more fulfilled or content with themselves. He makes a case that people are happier with the end result, when they have had an actual hand in the choosing of the result and the methods of obtaining it.
Brooks proves the fallacy that just by the government giving people things will make them happy. The beauty of Mr. Brooks innovative thought is that he does not in a “knee jerk” way respond by wanting to do away with government. I feel he espouses that the government can actually do something to help people’s pursuit of freedom.
Again if you’ve read my blogs or seen my side bar about “Updates from across the Pond”, you’ll know that I find the New British Conservative Movement is closely following along these lines of the government being a facilitator vs. a dictator of action.
For all of these reasons and more I was happy to see Arthur C. Brooks becoming the head of The American Enterprise Institute. I hope his leadership will bring an awakening within the leadership of the Republican leadership along the lines of his thoughts as I’ve outlined above. I think it is a positive thing.
-----link-----
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/arts/15aei.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
---------------
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
By “uplifting” I don’t mean a pie in the sky liberal kind of “Miss America” answer to our problems. I’m talking about specific solutions that will work based upon “human nature”. A type of solution that we can take a hand in, vs. the government telling us, doing it for us. The whole idea of our “American” democracy that our citizens gain their strength through the actual individual hands on problem solving. The idea that this qualitative type of idea is where we as citizens draw our strength, is I think what Arthur C. Brooks is all about.
He puts the spin back where it belongs on human nature, on it’s positive side. Conservatives seem to more easily accept human nature as what it is and go about their lives; allowing them to focus on the good aspects of human nature, trying to rebalance life back towards the positive. In the basic form we try to punish the bad and reward the good. What is so “conservative” to me about Mr. Brooks is that he accepts that there is a good and bad, and that we know it. He goes on to claim that fact alone helps conservatives to be happier. Mr. Brooks claims further that by concentrating on furthering the good aspects of human nature, such as family, charity, and a sense of a job well done; government can actually help it’s citizens in the pursuit of those goals. Only in this way can government help increase the “Gross National Happiness”.
By facilitating this process instead of hindering it, government can be a vehicle to help Americans empower themselves in finding that sense of fulfillment we find in the pursuit of happiness. The contentment we feel when we are actively with our own hands, minds and hearts creating our own dreams.
This type of process has always been harder to be precise about because it is based on qualitative vs. quantitative “facts”. Arthur C. Brooks in his thought and writings tries to quantify the qualitative. It all boils down to the idea of whether people feel happy in the sense of being more fulfilled or content with themselves. He makes a case that people are happier with the end result, when they have had an actual hand in the choosing of the result and the methods of obtaining it.
Brooks proves the fallacy that just by the government giving people things will make them happy. The beauty of Mr. Brooks innovative thought is that he does not in a “knee jerk” way respond by wanting to do away with government. I feel he espouses that the government can actually do something to help people’s pursuit of freedom.
Again if you’ve read my blogs or seen my side bar about “Updates from across the Pond”, you’ll know that I find the New British Conservative Movement is closely following along these lines of the government being a facilitator vs. a dictator of action.
For all of these reasons and more I was happy to see Arthur C. Brooks becoming the head of The American Enterprise Institute. I hope his leadership will bring an awakening within the leadership of the Republican leadership along the lines of his thoughts as I’ve outlined above. I think it is a positive thing.
-----link-----
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/arts/15aei.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
---------------
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Star Trek, Me Kirk Spock and Drucker
It wasn’t till now that I realized the main reason why I am such a Star Trek fan. Of course, I loved the fantasy and the action and all the obvious Star Trek stuff. I liked to imagine different worlds and how I’d react to things. Let me give you a free form idea of where my thinking came from today.
First at 8am this Sunday morning I went to McDonalds downtown for my 7th weekly Conservative Coffee of the City of Muskegon, and as usual no one attended but me. I’m getting used to that and now spend a quiet hour catching up on my political reading. Today it was “The Effective Executive” by Peter F. Drucker. I’m only on the 2nd chapter which is defining what effectiveness is in the executive setting. This book is great, it is simple and effective.
Drucker explains the difference between idea people and the people who carry out those ideas. Let us say the shoe factory executive and the actual shoe maker. He points out how the two have become different. But while they may be different people, the success of the executive is measured by the effectiveness of producing a shoe people will buy in the outside world. The shoe maker artisan of the past was responsible for making a shoe that was not only mechanically good but artistically pleasing in order to sell it. Now there is no one person who is the maker. But a group who put the pieces together. The Shoe Factory. The market is not the one person asking for one type specific, but the total shoe market. That is the way it is good or bad. The Executive must be effective to be successful. Drucker makes the case that it is a given that a shoe company has to be run efficiently to be a player in the market. The executive is there primarily not to do that but to give an overall reason why their shoes are better than the others. He is the idea man, the driver of the corporate reason for existence. The one who picks what new styles will sell. He will be judged in the real world for how well his shoes sell. That will be the measure of his effectiveness.
Drucker points out the dilemma executives face in trying to change what they are in charge of, the factory. The factory demands the status quo. The factory demands that they not change things based on keeping the internal workings smoothly running. While not necessarily worrying about where it is running toward. Success or failure. He shows the tightrope the Executive must walk between satisfying the inner workings with what the outside reality demands. I think of Lee Iaacoca and Chrysler as a good example.
This constant battle between the “collective” good of the group, vs. the freedom of the individual and their individual good, bring me back to what always intrigues me about Star Trek. Spock is a being entirely fact driven. His decisions are based upon the facts within the parameters of the decision to be made. Then there is Captain Kirk. His decisions are more like those the Executive faces. He must accept the facts from Spock as true and accurate, but also see to it that they combine with the reality of the larger picture. During one of the Star Trek movies, Spock is dying after sacrificing himself for the good of the crew, as he lies dying he tells Kirk that his suicide is justified by the idea of the Good of the Many OVER the good of the one. Kirk replies or the Good of the One FOR the good of the many.
This seemingly silly human frailty, “Individual Freedom”, Spock can not incorporate into his decision making process. His inability to base his decisions in the reality of the world outside his own, is the reason Drucker would suggest is why Kirk usually wins the argument in the end and is the Captain. I would note here also that McCoy the doctor who is constantly making fun of Spock is not the Captain either. Kirk makes perfect use of the facts in house and rewards them properly then applies them to the bigger reality. This constant interplay is what I find interesting. Of course blowing a Klingon war bird out of the sky occasionally is great fun too.
As the institutions of the World become larger, from government to business, I see the danger that the Captain Kirk’s of the world are being overrun by the Spock’s. The quantitative in this computer age is overwhelming the qualitative. I believe the constant drumbeat of “Throw the Bums Out” regardless of party is a reflection of the lack of personalization in the institutions that control our lives. Not to mention that they do control our lives more and more. Politics and our individual right to vote for our leaders is all we have left between our just becoming a number. It may not be much but it is something, outside of armed rebellion it is all we have. In this time I have, I’m trying to do what I can. I’m voting for smaller, more efficient, and less intrusive government. Right or wrong I want to be my own Executive.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
PS The other aspect that I loved about Star Trek was it’s sense of humor. Humor is a human qualitative thing. I was reminded this weekend of the absolute necessity of a sense of humor to make our way through this life, by the passing of one who was always optimistic in his view of the world. Of one who could bring common sense with a smile to the most heated of rhetorical debates. I of course refer to Tony Snow. He will be missed. He has served as inspiration to many.
God, bless him, and share Your Grace on his family
First at 8am this Sunday morning I went to McDonalds downtown for my 7th weekly Conservative Coffee of the City of Muskegon, and as usual no one attended but me. I’m getting used to that and now spend a quiet hour catching up on my political reading. Today it was “The Effective Executive” by Peter F. Drucker. I’m only on the 2nd chapter which is defining what effectiveness is in the executive setting. This book is great, it is simple and effective.
Drucker explains the difference between idea people and the people who carry out those ideas. Let us say the shoe factory executive and the actual shoe maker. He points out how the two have become different. But while they may be different people, the success of the executive is measured by the effectiveness of producing a shoe people will buy in the outside world. The shoe maker artisan of the past was responsible for making a shoe that was not only mechanically good but artistically pleasing in order to sell it. Now there is no one person who is the maker. But a group who put the pieces together. The Shoe Factory. The market is not the one person asking for one type specific, but the total shoe market. That is the way it is good or bad. The Executive must be effective to be successful. Drucker makes the case that it is a given that a shoe company has to be run efficiently to be a player in the market. The executive is there primarily not to do that but to give an overall reason why their shoes are better than the others. He is the idea man, the driver of the corporate reason for existence. The one who picks what new styles will sell. He will be judged in the real world for how well his shoes sell. That will be the measure of his effectiveness.
Drucker points out the dilemma executives face in trying to change what they are in charge of, the factory. The factory demands the status quo. The factory demands that they not change things based on keeping the internal workings smoothly running. While not necessarily worrying about where it is running toward. Success or failure. He shows the tightrope the Executive must walk between satisfying the inner workings with what the outside reality demands. I think of Lee Iaacoca and Chrysler as a good example.
This constant battle between the “collective” good of the group, vs. the freedom of the individual and their individual good, bring me back to what always intrigues me about Star Trek. Spock is a being entirely fact driven. His decisions are based upon the facts within the parameters of the decision to be made. Then there is Captain Kirk. His decisions are more like those the Executive faces. He must accept the facts from Spock as true and accurate, but also see to it that they combine with the reality of the larger picture. During one of the Star Trek movies, Spock is dying after sacrificing himself for the good of the crew, as he lies dying he tells Kirk that his suicide is justified by the idea of the Good of the Many OVER the good of the one. Kirk replies or the Good of the One FOR the good of the many.
This seemingly silly human frailty, “Individual Freedom”, Spock can not incorporate into his decision making process. His inability to base his decisions in the reality of the world outside his own, is the reason Drucker would suggest is why Kirk usually wins the argument in the end and is the Captain. I would note here also that McCoy the doctor who is constantly making fun of Spock is not the Captain either. Kirk makes perfect use of the facts in house and rewards them properly then applies them to the bigger reality. This constant interplay is what I find interesting. Of course blowing a Klingon war bird out of the sky occasionally is great fun too.
As the institutions of the World become larger, from government to business, I see the danger that the Captain Kirk’s of the world are being overrun by the Spock’s. The quantitative in this computer age is overwhelming the qualitative. I believe the constant drumbeat of “Throw the Bums Out” regardless of party is a reflection of the lack of personalization in the institutions that control our lives. Not to mention that they do control our lives more and more. Politics and our individual right to vote for our leaders is all we have left between our just becoming a number. It may not be much but it is something, outside of armed rebellion it is all we have. In this time I have, I’m trying to do what I can. I’m voting for smaller, more efficient, and less intrusive government. Right or wrong I want to be my own Executive.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
PS The other aspect that I loved about Star Trek was it’s sense of humor. Humor is a human qualitative thing. I was reminded this weekend of the absolute necessity of a sense of humor to make our way through this life, by the passing of one who was always optimistic in his view of the world. Of one who could bring common sense with a smile to the most heated of rhetorical debates. I of course refer to Tony Snow. He will be missed. He has served as inspiration to many.
God, bless him, and share Your Grace on his family
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