Rumours
It was ever thus. When the president appears in the oval office with one of his key people to announce an unexpected resignation, everyone comes to atention. Because it is fun. Yesterday it was even more fun than following the misfortunes of yet another Kennedy politician. Bad news for Republicans who would have considered Patrick Kennedy's woes a god news days had it not been for Porter Goss. And the fact that the Bush handlers would not have waited a day, so they could enjoy a day of one Democrat heading for rehab and another - congressman from Louisana - for court, should tip us off to the urgency of whatever it was that made getting Goss gone a priority.
One of the less admirable traits of our species is our attraction to the miseries of others, especially those we label our opponents. The misperception is that their downfall will enhance our rise. We seem never to learn that we almost always go down with those we drag down.
I was once head of the nominating committee of a board that governed an institution. Our chair had been named suddenly when the long-standing chair died suddenly. He came to me and said that he understood that he was an interim appointment, not the person for the job over the long haul, and he assured me that when a more suitable candidate appeared, I should not hesitate to tell him and he would gladly step aside.
All of that happened and I did go to him and he was gracious.
But when I announced it to the full board at an official meeting, I felt a strange pall settle over the room. For a moment I didn't understand what was afoot. But it suddenly dawned on me that, though no one disagreed with what I had done, they were all uncomfortable with me - the assassain - being in position to do it again.
I quickly announced that in addition to the resignation of the chair, I was announcing my own resignation as well.
The relief in the room was palatable.
One of the less admirable traits of our species is our attraction to the miseries of others, especially those we label our opponents. The misperception is that their downfall will enhance our rise. We seem never to learn that we almost always go down with those we drag down.
I was once head of the nominating committee of a board that governed an institution. Our chair had been named suddenly when the long-standing chair died suddenly. He came to me and said that he understood that he was an interim appointment, not the person for the job over the long haul, and he assured me that when a more suitable candidate appeared, I should not hesitate to tell him and he would gladly step aside.
All of that happened and I did go to him and he was gracious.
But when I announced it to the full board at an official meeting, I felt a strange pall settle over the room. For a moment I didn't understand what was afoot. But it suddenly dawned on me that, though no one disagreed with what I had done, they were all uncomfortable with me - the assassain - being in position to do it again.
I quickly announced that in addition to the resignation of the chair, I was announcing my own resignation as well.
The relief in the room was palatable.
posted by Blayney at 12:40 PM
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