Tuesday, June 1, 2010

A letter to President Obama

Dear Mr. President:
You’ve recently given several powerful speeches regarding the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, replete with references to accountability and responsibility.

I remind you that your predecessor also gave great speeches. In his case, it more often than not seemed that he believed that simply giving the speech – saying the words – was sufficient to change reality. Sadly, reality did not often comply.

I recall a delightful dueling-duet from The Andy Williams Show, circa 1968:
Andy Williams: "It's only words, and words all i have to take your heart away."
Cass Elliot: "Words of love, so soft and tender, won't win a girl's heart anymore."
(Here’s the YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpf6-TlA-v4)
Wonderful words are great.
Action is even better.

Suggestion: BEFORE giving a speech promising ‘accountability’ and ‘responsibility’ – on ANY issue – put in place the administrative machinery to ensure that these words have an operational meaning!

This free advice has been worth EVERY PENNY!

Sincerely,

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