While doing some research for an employment law matter, I came across a book called "The No Asshole Rule" by Stanford University professor Dr. Robert L. Sutton. The book was written to extend an article Sutton wrote for the Harvard Business Review seeks to quantify the cost to businesses in a variety of terms all HR departments confront daily with extremely arrogant and downright mean supervisors and employees.
Sutton litters his book with striking examples of senior staff who torture employees in direct and indirect ways. Aside from these stark examples, the author also illustrates evidence from Europe and increasingly here in the United States about a more insidious form of bullying: That which is done at the hands of front line managers.
The book argues the premise that as managers mistreat their employees through yelling, belittling them in front of peers, giving them the cold shoulder when things don't go the manager's way all lead to a decline in productivity, morale and a higher rates of employee turnover and theft.
You might think that with a bad economy, as companies seek to find ways to streamline operations, people who Sutton classifies as, "assholes" would be first on the employee chopping block. That isn't necessarily the case. Often, these managers are protected because of their ability to project fear and anxiety in those who must endure direct or indirect onslaughts from managers who are largely unaccountable for this destructive behavior.
Several of the case studies in the book look like they were lifted from one of the major employers in Sidney. One such manager routinely, "forgets" deadlines, and assignsblame on one or more unlucky subordinates. This manager also felt that the amount of time they had spent in their job entitled them to have their ass kissed by subordinates.
While many times this conduct is done in secret, astonishingly, this statement was made in front of HR representatives while pursuing a progress report of a subordinate. Despite admissions by senior HR staff that the manager was ineffectual and under the control of a domineering manager themselves, no behavior changes were ever reflected in either manager that would have indicated coaching or other disciplinary measures were taken with either manager. As a result, their conduct toward this subordinate became protracted and increasingly hellish.
In an effort to reduce exposure and to facilitate recruiting of new personnel, companies routinely rely on codifying their core values or mission statements to include things such as, "respect for individuals or zero tolerance policies regarding bullying. Our local company has explicityly stated one of its core values as respect for individuals. Our manager example, as well as their supervisor routinely violate this canon. Our subordinate was brought into a meeting and yelled at for a period of more than 20 minutes, resulting in such a reaction they had to leave and seek external assistance to cope with the shock of the episode.
It seems that in times of economic trouble, companies seem to tolerate bullies. Could it be the company secretly appreciates those who hasten the departure of talented people who can't conform to the whims of people such as the above described manager? Possibly, but the case is more likely that companies see the victims of this kind of abuse as troubled employees and often work to label the employee as the one with the deficient attitude, work ethic, or somehow lacking leadership competencies necessary to advance one's career.
Further more, when employees take the time to report this negative behavior, they become almost forced into a paranoid alternate reality, documenting everything that is foisted upon them, just to prove they are not doing anything wrong. These employees, often bring additional work and stress home with them in an effort to continue to produce at high levels, but seek the solace of a quieter environment.
In our local case, the employee was forced to do just that. They documented every bullying episode and attempted to utilize the company chain of command, including department directors and senior HR management. Each time, our employee was told that they lacked leadership and couldn't handle adversity. In the case of the department director, no action was ever addressed to investigate the charges alleged by the harmed employee.
One has to wonder how people become assholes as bosses. For some, a life of privilege leads them to believe that they can get away with anything. Likewise, people who know how to weasel themselves into the good graces of assholes often begin to imitate their behavior, knowing that they are shielded to some extent by the relatively stronger power umbrella their mentor provides. In other cases though, this tendency toward abusive behavior comes from a lack of self-actualization. Some times these managers just feel like they can never achieve greatness and adopt a misery loves company strategy. Whatever the case, the consequences on the team dynamic can be quite devastating.
The book seeks to quantify something called a "Total Cost of Assholes" or TCA value. This TCA is the sum total of many costs associated with bullying tactics such as those described above. Excessive turnover of personnel, recruiting costs and lost productivity are hallmark indications that a serious management problem exists. Perpetual low scores on employee engagement surveys, whereby specific leadership traits (of their supervisors) like trust and integrity are placed at or near the bottom by those taking the survey also point out the need for intervention. Bells should be ringing in this employer's ears, but the HR organization, insistent on reducing the company's exposure paint the employees as the problem, rather than the manager.
It isn't the direct cost alone that factors into the equation. TCA also includes the costs associated with lost time due to employee illness introduced by stress. Serious health issues arising from stress can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Employee theft has also been seen to rise when organizations promote a culture of animosity. When a boss is allowed to act with the impunity as described above, with the knowledge and (at the least) tacit consent of HR team members, the whole organization is at risk.
Companies who choose to look the other way, often paint employees who complain about such conduct as problem children. These employees are often targeted for additional harassment such as public verbal flogging, write ups, threats of termination or firing outright. The devastating impact such coercive tactics take often leads to employees who must seek psychological or psychiatric counseling or treatment and lost time from work.
It is time that companies in the U.S. begin to do something besides pay lip service to code words like Core Values and respect for individuals. In the local employer example above, the manager supervised the departure of more than a dozen employees in the last seven years. Several of these employees sought positions elsewhere in the company, while the vast majority of them left the company due to the working conditions, lack of respect and lack of response by the company when legitimate complaints were lodged.
Depending on which side of the fence you are on, Sutton's book will either encourage you to stand up and fight for a better environment, or will scare the hell out of your company. There are companies out there who not only survive, but thrive and yes, they have a No Asshole Rule. Check out Sutton's book. It might just give you the ammunition or guidance you need to make a change in your Asshole manager. If you are being bullied by your manager or your company's HR team, do yourself a favor, get this book and then mention to them in writing that the bullying needs to stop. We all need one asshole. No one needs two.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
From my archives
Letter To The Editor
Being Wise To The Lessons Of History
Published: Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Editor,
There is a practical reason why the nations of the European continent are so ... cautious about sending troops or making other commitments to world progress. They are broke.
Huge numbers of countries are clamoring for the U.S. to pony up for peace-keeping efforts, food drives and other security initiatives. The same nations also complain that they cannot pay their fair share because they don’t have the wealth of the U.S. and that the U.S.A.’s prosperity should be used to better mankind across the globe.
While it may be true that other nations cannot afford to contribute more, it is a justification largely of their own making. When dictators steal from the people, or national policies require enormous taxes to fund social justice projects, there is less capital to fund ingenuity and entrepreneurship. It is these things, not governmental controlled and parceled out services that lead to economic prosperity. It is precisely due to the rate of taxation and lack of freedom these other countries have that now makes it difficult to do what should be done as in previous generations.
England was unable to defend itself without massive aid from the U.S.A. in World War II. Frankly, the world would have a much different face on it today were it not for the industrial capacity and willingness to sacrifice treasure and blood to liberate large pieces of the world.
Now we face staggering debt, caused by a desire to replicate the designs of European nations. It begs the question: Didn’t we throw off the oppression of European dictators over 230 years ago? Why would we seek to enslave our people for generations to come just to be more like them today?
Think about it.
Mike Rowland,
Sidney
Being Wise To The Lessons Of History
Published: Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Editor,
There is a practical reason why the nations of the European continent are so ... cautious about sending troops or making other commitments to world progress. They are broke.
Huge numbers of countries are clamoring for the U.S. to pony up for peace-keeping efforts, food drives and other security initiatives. The same nations also complain that they cannot pay their fair share because they don’t have the wealth of the U.S. and that the U.S.A.’s prosperity should be used to better mankind across the globe.
While it may be true that other nations cannot afford to contribute more, it is a justification largely of their own making. When dictators steal from the people, or national policies require enormous taxes to fund social justice projects, there is less capital to fund ingenuity and entrepreneurship. It is these things, not governmental controlled and parceled out services that lead to economic prosperity. It is precisely due to the rate of taxation and lack of freedom these other countries have that now makes it difficult to do what should be done as in previous generations.
England was unable to defend itself without massive aid from the U.S.A. in World War II. Frankly, the world would have a much different face on it today were it not for the industrial capacity and willingness to sacrifice treasure and blood to liberate large pieces of the world.
Now we face staggering debt, caused by a desire to replicate the designs of European nations. It begs the question: Didn’t we throw off the oppression of European dictators over 230 years ago? Why would we seek to enslave our people for generations to come just to be more like them today?
Think about it.
Mike Rowland,
Sidney
"The most progressive era...ever"
This week's announced retirement by long-term city attorney Jordan Ball brought with it a statement from city manager Gary Person, Ball's departure represents the end of an era. The 22 year run by Ball, according to Person, will be seen as, "the most progressive eras of our community's lifetime."
Interesting choice of word, "progressive." One of the definitions at Dictionary.com defines progressive as
pro·gres·sive
[pruh-gres-iv] Show IPA
–adjective
1.
favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, especially in political matters: a progressive mayor.
2.
making progress toward better conditions; employing or advocating more enlightened or liberal ideas, new or experimental methods, etc.: a progressive community.
3.
characterized by such progress, or by continuous improvement.
So what is the problem? We all want things to improve, don't we?
You would be a fool to say no to that question. The rub comes from which side of the political spectrum you come from. Liberals and their ilk see progress as the path by which more people are, "helped" along the path of life. This help, of course is provided by the government, and the government funds this through taxes, fees and other mechanisms designed to separate you from your earning powder.
Progressives believe that it is important to ensure people have certain basic necessities. The biggest problem for progressives is to figure out how they can help more people. Over time their definitions the use to qualify people expand to allow more people to take advantage of their help and people begin to take advantage of their progress.
It would be wrong to say that all progress is bad. Used in moderation, just like red meat, a little bit of help can go a long way. The problem with political progressives such as Gary Person, and his retiring puppy Jordan Ball, is that they seek to create a future that is inherently more expensive to maintain. Just like social security and medicare, that continue to expand their draw in excess of monies taken in, seeking ways to deploy street construction, techniques costing half a million dollars a block is cost prohibitive when expanded to the level needed to get the city streets back in order.
This is of course, just one example. The construction of $250,000 homes in Prairie Winds while calling it affordable housing is non-sensensical. But if you factor in the 30,000 free ride that was built in to the pricing model with the tax increment financing plan, these "affordable" homes are quite the steal.
I wish Jordan a quiet life as he transitions out of the public eye. I miss things like his 20 minute speech on what consnltitues the definition of gifts at council meetings. I won't miss his misguided interpretations of state laws on the identity of cars width flat tires.
Make no mistake about it, Gary Person and his new in-the-pocket consortium of Gaston, Nienhueser, and Hiett will assuredly seek to find someone just as progressive, if not more so. They need your money to clean up and stepfordize Sidney.
Congratulations on your retirement Jordan. We have certainly earned it!
Interesting choice of word, "progressive." One of the definitions at Dictionary.com defines progressive as
pro·gres·sive
[pruh-gres-iv] Show IPA
–adjective
1.
favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, especially in political matters: a progressive mayor.
2.
making progress toward better conditions; employing or advocating more enlightened or liberal ideas, new or experimental methods, etc.: a progressive community.
3.
characterized by such progress, or by continuous improvement.
So what is the problem? We all want things to improve, don't we?
You would be a fool to say no to that question. The rub comes from which side of the political spectrum you come from. Liberals and their ilk see progress as the path by which more people are, "helped" along the path of life. This help, of course is provided by the government, and the government funds this through taxes, fees and other mechanisms designed to separate you from your earning powder.
Progressives believe that it is important to ensure people have certain basic necessities. The biggest problem for progressives is to figure out how they can help more people. Over time their definitions the use to qualify people expand to allow more people to take advantage of their help and people begin to take advantage of their progress.
It would be wrong to say that all progress is bad. Used in moderation, just like red meat, a little bit of help can go a long way. The problem with political progressives such as Gary Person, and his retiring puppy Jordan Ball, is that they seek to create a future that is inherently more expensive to maintain. Just like social security and medicare, that continue to expand their draw in excess of monies taken in, seeking ways to deploy street construction, techniques costing half a million dollars a block is cost prohibitive when expanded to the level needed to get the city streets back in order.
This is of course, just one example. The construction of $250,000 homes in Prairie Winds while calling it affordable housing is non-sensensical. But if you factor in the 30,000 free ride that was built in to the pricing model with the tax increment financing plan, these "affordable" homes are quite the steal.
I wish Jordan a quiet life as he transitions out of the public eye. I miss things like his 20 minute speech on what consnltitues the definition of gifts at council meetings. I won't miss his misguided interpretations of state laws on the identity of cars width flat tires.
Make no mistake about it, Gary Person and his new in-the-pocket consortium of Gaston, Nienhueser, and Hiett will assuredly seek to find someone just as progressive, if not more so. They need your money to clean up and stepfordize Sidney.
Congratulations on your retirement Jordan. We have certainly earned it!
A truly touching memorial
Publisher's note: As we celebrate our military fallen this weekend, I found the following letter published and it moved me so much, I wanted to help its writer perpetuate it forward forever, in as much as I can. The way the men and women who served during that contentious time were treated was deplorable. Though we have learned much as a nation since the end of the conflict, groups such as Code Pink and the crazies at Westboro remind us that ill-intentioned people or groups still fail to get it. Please read, reread and forward this letter to everyone you know. Let good-intentioned folk push back against the politically correct and welcome all our military vets as three heroes they have been and continue to be.
During President Johnson’s 1965-68 Operation Rolling Thunder, Carrier Air Wing 16 suffered the highest loss rates of any naval aviation unit in the Vietnam conflict. Flying from the USS Oriskany, we lost 86 aircraft with 59 aviators killed and 13 captured or missing. Oriskany normally operated with 64 combat aircraft and 74 pilots, so a pilot’s statistical probability of surviving those deployments was less than 30 percent. Serving with the VF-111 Sundowners, I lost two roommates and a wingman. Norm Levy, Ed Van Orden, and Bill McWilliams sacrificed their lives for America. I was honored to be a part of their lives for those years. Since Norm’s career as a Navy Fighter Pilot paralleled mine, I resolved to continue his name and memory here on earth until I also depart. To that end, I write him a letter every Memorial Day. The combat loss of a pilot is described as being “smoked.” Before the internet, I simply burned the letters in tribute. Now, I publish them. My 2011 (45th) letter follows:
“Good morning, Norm. It’s Memorial Day, 07:29 Tonkin Gulf time. Haven’t talked with you in a while. That magnificent lady on which we went through hell together, the USS Oriskany, has slipped away into the deep and now rests forever in silent waters off the Florida coast. Seems like a good day to make contact. This is the 45th year since I last saw you, sitting on the edge of your bunk in our room on the “O” boat. You remember – it was the 26th of October 1966.
We were on the midnight schedule. There was a solid wall of thunderstorms over the beach, with tops to 50,000 feet; but McNamara’s Pentagon planners kept sending us on “critical” missions all night. At 04:00, they finally ran out of trucks to bomb – in that downpour – and we got a little sleep.
The phone rang at seven; you were scheduled for the Alert Five. I had bagged a little more rack time than you, so I said I’d take it. I went to shave in the restroom around the elevator pit, the one near the flare locker. The ordnance men were busy putting away the flares. They’d been taking them out and putting them back all night. I had finished shaving and started back to our room when the guy on the ship’s loudspeaker screamed: “This is a drill, this is a drill, FIRE, FIRE, FIRE!” I smelled smoke and looked back at the door that separated the pilot’s quarters from the flare locker. Smoke was coming from underneath.
I ran the last few steps to our room and turned on the light. You sat up on the edge of your bunk. I shouted at you: “Norm, this is no drill. Let’s get the hell out of here!” I went down the passage way around the elevator pit, banging on the metal wall and shouting: “It’s no drill. We’re on fire! We’re on fire!” I had rounded the corner of that U-shaped passage when the flare locker exploded. There was a tremendous concussion effect that blew me out of the passage way and onto the hangar deck. A huge ball of fire was rolling along the top of the hangar bay.
You and forty-five other guys, mostly Air Wing pilots, didn’t make it, Norm. I’m sorry. Oh, dear God, I am sorry! But we went home together – Norm Levy, a Jewish boy from Miami, and Dick Schaffert, a Lutheran cornhusker from Nebraska.
I rode in the economy class of that Flying Tigers 707, along with the other few surviving pilots. You were in a flag-draped box in the cargo compartment. The San Diego media had found out about the return of us “Baby Killers.” Lindberg Field was packed with unruly demonstrators enjoying the right to protest. The “right” you died for!
There was a bus with our wives waiting for us – there was a black hearse for you. The protestors threw things at our bus and your hearse – not a policeman in sight. When we finally got off the airport, they chased us to Fort Rosecrans. They kept interrupting your graveside service, until your honor guard of three brave young Marines with rifles convinced them to stay back.
I watched the TV news with my kids that night, Norm. Sorry, the only clips of our homecoming were the Baby Killer banners and bombs exploding in the South Vietnam jungle (recall our operations were up North, against heavily defended targets, where we were frequently shot down and captured or killed). It was tough to explain to my four pre-teens.
You know the rest of the story. The profane demonstrators were the media’s heroes – they became CEO’s, who steal from our companies – lawyers, who prey off our misery – doctors, who we can’t afford – and elected politicians, who break the faith and the promises.
The only military recognized as “heroes” were the POW’s. They finally came home, not because of some politician’s expertise, but because there were those of us who kept going back over Hanoi, again and again. Dodging the SAM’s and the flak, attacking day and night, keeping the pressure on – all by ourselves! Absolutely no support from anyone! Many of us didn’t come home, Norm. You know – the guys that are up there with you now. But it was our “un-mentioned” efforts that brought the POW’s home. We kept the faith with them, and with you.
It never really ended. We seemed to go directly from combat into disabled retirement and poverty, ignored by those whose freedoms we insured by paying the very high premium. The current administration’s politically adjusted report, issued for the 100th Anniversary of U.S. Naval Aviation, confirmed that we have been written out of American history! The only thing many of us have left is our memories, and we hold those dear. We’ll all be joining you shortly, Norm. Put in a good word for us with the Man. Ask Him to think of us as His peacemakers, as His children. Have a restful Memorial Day, you earned it Norm!
Your Roommate,
Dick (Brown Bear) Schaffert”
During President Johnson’s 1965-68 Operation Rolling Thunder, Carrier Air Wing 16 suffered the highest loss rates of any naval aviation unit in the Vietnam conflict. Flying from the USS Oriskany, we lost 86 aircraft with 59 aviators killed and 13 captured or missing. Oriskany normally operated with 64 combat aircraft and 74 pilots, so a pilot’s statistical probability of surviving those deployments was less than 30 percent. Serving with the VF-111 Sundowners, I lost two roommates and a wingman. Norm Levy, Ed Van Orden, and Bill McWilliams sacrificed their lives for America. I was honored to be a part of their lives for those years. Since Norm’s career as a Navy Fighter Pilot paralleled mine, I resolved to continue his name and memory here on earth until I also depart. To that end, I write him a letter every Memorial Day. The combat loss of a pilot is described as being “smoked.” Before the internet, I simply burned the letters in tribute. Now, I publish them. My 2011 (45th) letter follows:
“Good morning, Norm. It’s Memorial Day, 07:29 Tonkin Gulf time. Haven’t talked with you in a while. That magnificent lady on which we went through hell together, the USS Oriskany, has slipped away into the deep and now rests forever in silent waters off the Florida coast. Seems like a good day to make contact. This is the 45th year since I last saw you, sitting on the edge of your bunk in our room on the “O” boat. You remember – it was the 26th of October 1966.
We were on the midnight schedule. There was a solid wall of thunderstorms over the beach, with tops to 50,000 feet; but McNamara’s Pentagon planners kept sending us on “critical” missions all night. At 04:00, they finally ran out of trucks to bomb – in that downpour – and we got a little sleep.
The phone rang at seven; you were scheduled for the Alert Five. I had bagged a little more rack time than you, so I said I’d take it. I went to shave in the restroom around the elevator pit, the one near the flare locker. The ordnance men were busy putting away the flares. They’d been taking them out and putting them back all night. I had finished shaving and started back to our room when the guy on the ship’s loudspeaker screamed: “This is a drill, this is a drill, FIRE, FIRE, FIRE!” I smelled smoke and looked back at the door that separated the pilot’s quarters from the flare locker. Smoke was coming from underneath.
I ran the last few steps to our room and turned on the light. You sat up on the edge of your bunk. I shouted at you: “Norm, this is no drill. Let’s get the hell out of here!” I went down the passage way around the elevator pit, banging on the metal wall and shouting: “It’s no drill. We’re on fire! We’re on fire!” I had rounded the corner of that U-shaped passage when the flare locker exploded. There was a tremendous concussion effect that blew me out of the passage way and onto the hangar deck. A huge ball of fire was rolling along the top of the hangar bay.
You and forty-five other guys, mostly Air Wing pilots, didn’t make it, Norm. I’m sorry. Oh, dear God, I am sorry! But we went home together – Norm Levy, a Jewish boy from Miami, and Dick Schaffert, a Lutheran cornhusker from Nebraska.
I rode in the economy class of that Flying Tigers 707, along with the other few surviving pilots. You were in a flag-draped box in the cargo compartment. The San Diego media had found out about the return of us “Baby Killers.” Lindberg Field was packed with unruly demonstrators enjoying the right to protest. The “right” you died for!
There was a bus with our wives waiting for us – there was a black hearse for you. The protestors threw things at our bus and your hearse – not a policeman in sight. When we finally got off the airport, they chased us to Fort Rosecrans. They kept interrupting your graveside service, until your honor guard of three brave young Marines with rifles convinced them to stay back.
I watched the TV news with my kids that night, Norm. Sorry, the only clips of our homecoming were the Baby Killer banners and bombs exploding in the South Vietnam jungle (recall our operations were up North, against heavily defended targets, where we were frequently shot down and captured or killed). It was tough to explain to my four pre-teens.
You know the rest of the story. The profane demonstrators were the media’s heroes – they became CEO’s, who steal from our companies – lawyers, who prey off our misery – doctors, who we can’t afford – and elected politicians, who break the faith and the promises.
The only military recognized as “heroes” were the POW’s. They finally came home, not because of some politician’s expertise, but because there were those of us who kept going back over Hanoi, again and again. Dodging the SAM’s and the flak, attacking day and night, keeping the pressure on – all by ourselves! Absolutely no support from anyone! Many of us didn’t come home, Norm. You know – the guys that are up there with you now. But it was our “un-mentioned” efforts that brought the POW’s home. We kept the faith with them, and with you.
It never really ended. We seemed to go directly from combat into disabled retirement and poverty, ignored by those whose freedoms we insured by paying the very high premium. The current administration’s politically adjusted report, issued for the 100th Anniversary of U.S. Naval Aviation, confirmed that we have been written out of American history! The only thing many of us have left is our memories, and we hold those dear. We’ll all be joining you shortly, Norm. Put in a good word for us with the Man. Ask Him to think of us as His peacemakers, as His children. Have a restful Memorial Day, you earned it Norm!
Your Roommate,
Dick (Brown Bear) Schaffert”
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
It's a Byrd, it's a plane, it's another story about the playstation
I was doing some research on the local hometown newspaper and I came across an interesting statistic. Klark Byrd, self-professed, self-made writer has a penchant for writing about the obvious love of his life: the Sony Playstation.
A search of the S-T archives shows, given the chance, Mr. Byrd loves to eschew any tidbit of information he can find about the gaming consoles, or the parent company, Sony. Nearly 30 times in the past year, we have learned many exciting stories, including recent hackings of the beloved playstation network.
While I suppose that a story about computer crime is something to ponder, is there nothing the prolific scribe would rather share with the 6500 residents of Sidney? Seriously, there has to be some kind of other news or opinion worthy of the Shakespeare of Cheyenne.
Not only does he love the playstation, he also revels in relating to us over and over about his tough childhood, his accidental career choices or his new found love of the ink and quill. I will give him credit, that when given direction, he can apply himself and do a good service to the community. Far too often, however, Mr. Byrd is often failed by his leadership and s left to fall back on the all to familiar and strangely non-poetic comfort of his unchallenging mind.
It would be truly nice if the S-T would actually develop some kind of actual guidance for its content. Guidance, possibly patterned after its Letters to the Editor policy...only once per week, and on a subject with interest to those few echo actually still buy the paper. That would take leadership. Unfortunately that is as hard to come by there as calm day on the high plains.
A search of the S-T archives shows, given the chance, Mr. Byrd loves to eschew any tidbit of information he can find about the gaming consoles, or the parent company, Sony. Nearly 30 times in the past year, we have learned many exciting stories, including recent hackings of the beloved playstation network.
While I suppose that a story about computer crime is something to ponder, is there nothing the prolific scribe would rather share with the 6500 residents of Sidney? Seriously, there has to be some kind of other news or opinion worthy of the Shakespeare of Cheyenne.
Not only does he love the playstation, he also revels in relating to us over and over about his tough childhood, his accidental career choices or his new found love of the ink and quill. I will give him credit, that when given direction, he can apply himself and do a good service to the community. Far too often, however, Mr. Byrd is often failed by his leadership and s left to fall back on the all to familiar and strangely non-poetic comfort of his unchallenging mind.
It would be truly nice if the S-T would actually develop some kind of actual guidance for its content. Guidance, possibly patterned after its Letters to the Editor policy...only once per week, and on a subject with interest to those few echo actually still buy the paper. That would take leadership. Unfortunately that is as hard to come by there as calm day on the high plains.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
What if you couldn't Emagine anymore?
More than a year ago, milling company representatives from Fort Collins based Emagine Concepts came before the Cheyenne County Commissioners with a plea for community reinvestment funds in order to set up shop at a location hosted by Adams trucking.
The 160,000 loan, designed to be repaid back to a fund that recycles the money to other growing businesses without raising taxes was needed to move equipment and personnel to the county. According to information presented at the meeting, Emagine Concepts indicated that they would bring double digit new jobs to the local economy.
Despite questions from commissioners regarding the financials of Emagine Concepts, Gary Person kept singing the praises of how this would be a good thing for the economic development of the county (note, I said county and not the city of Sidney, which would also benefit the county). County attorney Paul Schaub, likewise found no significant issues with financials.
Here we are more than a year after the money was passed out, and where is EMagine Concepts? No jobs have been created In Cheyenne County and more importantly, no money has been repaid. I would call that a win-win for EMagine Concepts who gets the money basically scott-free. It is a shame, really that the one, non-Cabela's related economic development project that the snake-charmer could have hung his hat on seems to have evaporated like the morning dew.
It makes me think of the old John Lennon song, "EMagine all the people........"
The 160,000 loan, designed to be repaid back to a fund that recycles the money to other growing businesses without raising taxes was needed to move equipment and personnel to the county. According to information presented at the meeting, Emagine Concepts indicated that they would bring double digit new jobs to the local economy.
Despite questions from commissioners regarding the financials of Emagine Concepts, Gary Person kept singing the praises of how this would be a good thing for the economic development of the county (note, I said county and not the city of Sidney, which would also benefit the county). County attorney Paul Schaub, likewise found no significant issues with financials.
Here we are more than a year after the money was passed out, and where is EMagine Concepts? No jobs have been created In Cheyenne County and more importantly, no money has been repaid. I would call that a win-win for EMagine Concepts who gets the money basically scott-free. It is a shame, really that the one, non-Cabela's related economic development project that the snake-charmer could have hung his hat on seems to have evaporated like the morning dew.
It makes me think of the old John Lennon song, "EMagine all the people........"
Friday, May 20, 2011
Huh?!
The S-T published a news article in place of a letter to the editor today. Probably just a slip-up so I am letting them know about it.. Am curious to know about the person's viewpoint.
Ah...hem....
S-T letter to the editor writer Ron Holscher of Ogallala complains that Adrian Smith isn't doing his job, "five months into the job." after the landslide victor last November, I would say he is doing a good job, except for the vote to allow the oil company subsidy. We should be against every form of subsidization in this country, but that is a horse for a different race.
I don't know Holscher, but it seems to me he is one of the few people in District 47 who voted for the other guy. You can argue that Smith is voting with his constituency as his election was so one-sided.
The truth of the matter, financially speaking, in order to save the long-term economic and geopolitical security of the U.S., we must alter in a structural manner, the way in which we appropriate and spend money at the federal level. The S-T said it right in a piece the other day: We are far too dependent on this country to provide us the solution to our problems, too quick to judge politicians, not by what they do for the country, but by what the do for US.
If we allow the government the power to provide a certain minimum guarantee to our lives, it is an exercise in math and patience before They will have enough time and money to ensure that we all live at that minimum value. While we generally are much more afraid of this conduct at the national or state level, we must also guard against this at the locals governmental level. An example of this is, given the current economic climate and uncertainty, why does the Cheyenne county government maintain a policy of zero dollar contributions for employee health benefits? Why, since they are the governmental agency, unable to modify the policy that exempts elected officers and their deputies from and changes to regular staff, (presuming they seek to require employee contributions in the future)? Who is giving you all of your health benefits for free?
As a member of the opposition to Mr. Holscher's point of view, I respect his thoughts, but likewise respectfully disagree with his assertions.
I don't know Holscher, but it seems to me he is one of the few people in District 47 who voted for the other guy. You can argue that Smith is voting with his constituency as his election was so one-sided.
The truth of the matter, financially speaking, in order to save the long-term economic and geopolitical security of the U.S., we must alter in a structural manner, the way in which we appropriate and spend money at the federal level. The S-T said it right in a piece the other day: We are far too dependent on this country to provide us the solution to our problems, too quick to judge politicians, not by what they do for the country, but by what the do for US.
If we allow the government the power to provide a certain minimum guarantee to our lives, it is an exercise in math and patience before They will have enough time and money to ensure that we all live at that minimum value. While we generally are much more afraid of this conduct at the national or state level, we must also guard against this at the locals governmental level. An example of this is, given the current economic climate and uncertainty, why does the Cheyenne county government maintain a policy of zero dollar contributions for employee health benefits? Why, since they are the governmental agency, unable to modify the policy that exempts elected officers and their deputies from and changes to regular staff, (presuming they seek to require employee contributions in the future)? Who is giving you all of your health benefits for free?
As a member of the opposition to Mr. Holscher's point of view, I respect his thoughts, but likewise respectfully disagree with his assertions.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Another flush from the liquid plumber
*****UPDATE AND CLARIFICATION*****
One of the points that Mike Hartzler made in his S-T rant was that councilman Van Vleet and I were "liberal." Really, Mike? Please, someone get me his address. I want to send him a Thesaurus and dictionary as a way of helping him to be able to see reality a little more clearly.
*****
Last week, The S-T published a letter to the editor from me in which I railed against the new big three of Nienhueser, Gaston, and Hiett. The letter, more than a week after the city council meeting, conveniently coincided with a near direct response from former councilman Mike Hartzler.
Hartzler, who rarely pokes his head out of the bar unless his friend Gary (or one of his accomplisces), suffers some PR issue, then seeks to chastise the S-T for allowing me to damage the reputation of these men.
Hartzler also wonders why the paper would allow me to attack, mislead, yada, yada....and then proceeds to do the very things to me that he chides the paper for failing to prevent.
While I doubt that LP Hartzler posseses the necessary grammatical skills to effectively use Mr. Roget's book of synonymns, his personal attack is quite hypocritical.
Having been personally harrassed by the Liquid Plumber, or being called disarranged by someone with the social skills of the famed Otis from Maberry, doesn't especially bother me. The fact that the newspaper allowed him to criticize their policy, while simultaneously violating it is the biting irony. It is just one more example of lack of leadership at the helm at the paper, who, after publishing their letters to the editor policy, then publishes a letter, clearly over that limit.
For the record, I am neither disarranged, nor am I a Sidney hater. It seems that Bucko Hartzler mistakes dissension (that means disagreement, Mike) for hatred. This blog is published only to counter blow toads such as the Liquid Plumber, and to provide a different perspective on the overreaching grab for power that the city manager and his new found alliance will continue to seek.
I have asked the S-T to remove Hartzler's letter from their website, and we will see if Sue Mizell will reach beyond her education and use common sense in this and future policy applications.
Next up.....I will publish an analysis of the proposed new clothing store. You won't want to miss that one, I promise.
One of the points that Mike Hartzler made in his S-T rant was that councilman Van Vleet and I were "liberal." Really, Mike? Please, someone get me his address. I want to send him a Thesaurus and dictionary as a way of helping him to be able to see reality a little more clearly.
*****
Last week, The S-T published a letter to the editor from me in which I railed against the new big three of Nienhueser, Gaston, and Hiett. The letter, more than a week after the city council meeting, conveniently coincided with a near direct response from former councilman Mike Hartzler.
Hartzler, who rarely pokes his head out of the bar unless his friend Gary (or one of his accomplisces), suffers some PR issue, then seeks to chastise the S-T for allowing me to damage the reputation of these men.
Hartzler also wonders why the paper would allow me to attack, mislead, yada, yada....and then proceeds to do the very things to me that he chides the paper for failing to prevent.
While I doubt that LP Hartzler posseses the necessary grammatical skills to effectively use Mr. Roget's book of synonymns, his personal attack is quite hypocritical.
Having been personally harrassed by the Liquid Plumber, or being called disarranged by someone with the social skills of the famed Otis from Maberry, doesn't especially bother me. The fact that the newspaper allowed him to criticize their policy, while simultaneously violating it is the biting irony. It is just one more example of lack of leadership at the helm at the paper, who, after publishing their letters to the editor policy, then publishes a letter, clearly over that limit.
For the record, I am neither disarranged, nor am I a Sidney hater. It seems that Bucko Hartzler mistakes dissension (that means disagreement, Mike) for hatred. This blog is published only to counter blow toads such as the Liquid Plumber, and to provide a different perspective on the overreaching grab for power that the city manager and his new found alliance will continue to seek.
I have asked the S-T to remove Hartzler's letter from their website, and we will see if Sue Mizell will reach beyond her education and use common sense in this and future policy applications.
Next up.....I will publish an analysis of the proposed new clothing store. You won't want to miss that one, I promise.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sun-Telegraph breaks its own rule
One of the primary reasons this blog was fired back up was to counter the severe bias of the Sun-Telegraph and the Media Empire!? of the Young family. The following is a response to that bias.
Recently, the local hometown rag published a response by Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson, in which he offered a response a letter to the editor published under my name. The subject was the impact of the shutdown on military families and the lack of attention budget passage had been given while the Senator's party had total control of the Congress last year.
The Senator proffered that he had been busy on his sub committee trying to pass a portion of the overall budget, but that Republicans held up the vote. To each of you and to Senator Nelson, I say: Look it up!
The fact that subcommittees, or even committees work on components of the budget to bring to the floor for votes discounts the fact that all funding bills must originate in the House of Representatives. The House was solidly under the control of the Democrats, and yet no bill ever came to the floor to vote on.
Senator Nelson would have you believe that he is fighting for you and that non-Nebraskans such as myself shouldn't mislead you good people. I counter that The good Nebraska Senator should not be misleading you good Nebraskans, which is exactl what he did in his response.
Finally, I will close with the notation that the hometown paper recently instituted a muzzle on your first amendment right to free speech by curbing thte length of letters to the editor to just 250 words (it had been a modest 400). They likewise limited the number of submissions to one per week as the astounding number of letters they receive from the good doctor C and I, were making it more difficult to figure out the layout of the editorial page.
It seems that the editorial limit for Senator Nelson was overlooked as the paper needed to afford him an extra 55 words he needed to mislead you all.
*****UPDATE******
It was nice of Sue Mizell to let the people of the town know that there had been a change in the editorial practices of the Sun-Telegraph. It is amusing nonetheless that a paper thet size of the S-T would be remotel concerned about the length of letters to the editor rather than actually building trust with the readership.
A newspaper is only as good as the publishing leadership. It is clear that the S-T is in need of refurbishment in leadership and intellectual capital. As long as the staff is interested in limiting the view and coverage to that which clearly points to the agenda of Mr. Person and the other FOG, then, this publication will gladly keep applying the pressure of a truly disparate platform.
Congratulations, you earned competition just by being yourselves.
Recently, the local hometown rag published a response by Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson, in which he offered a response a letter to the editor published under my name. The subject was the impact of the shutdown on military families and the lack of attention budget passage had been given while the Senator's party had total control of the Congress last year.
The Senator proffered that he had been busy on his sub committee trying to pass a portion of the overall budget, but that Republicans held up the vote. To each of you and to Senator Nelson, I say: Look it up!
The fact that subcommittees, or even committees work on components of the budget to bring to the floor for votes discounts the fact that all funding bills must originate in the House of Representatives. The House was solidly under the control of the Democrats, and yet no bill ever came to the floor to vote on.
Senator Nelson would have you believe that he is fighting for you and that non-Nebraskans such as myself shouldn't mislead you good people. I counter that The good Nebraska Senator should not be misleading you good Nebraskans, which is exactl what he did in his response.
Finally, I will close with the notation that the hometown paper recently instituted a muzzle on your first amendment right to free speech by curbing thte length of letters to the editor to just 250 words (it had been a modest 400). They likewise limited the number of submissions to one per week as the astounding number of letters they receive from the good doctor C and I, were making it more difficult to figure out the layout of the editorial page.
It seems that the editorial limit for Senator Nelson was overlooked as the paper needed to afford him an extra 55 words he needed to mislead you all.
*****UPDATE******
It was nice of Sue Mizell to let the people of the town know that there had been a change in the editorial practices of the Sun-Telegraph. It is amusing nonetheless that a paper thet size of the S-T would be remotel concerned about the length of letters to the editor rather than actually building trust with the readership.
A newspaper is only as good as the publishing leadership. It is clear that the S-T is in need of refurbishment in leadership and intellectual capital. As long as the staff is interested in limiting the view and coverage to that which clearly points to the agenda of Mr. Person and the other FOG, then, this publication will gladly keep applying the pressure of a truly disparate platform.
Congratulations, you earned competition just by being yourselves.
The Mayans must be right, cause it looks like the end of the world
Tuesday's excitement at the Sidney town hall has given new hope to all of the end of the worlders who believe the End of the Mayan calendar next year portends the end of the world.
It is simply stunning that Mayor Gaston would break free just when he had small business where Gary Person wanted it. In voting against the meassure that likely would have put the city at risk of a lawsuit by the damage it would have done to small businesses, Gaston showed some good sense.
Do not count your chickens too quickly as the laudable Mr. Gaston rarely does this kind of thing without having a plan for the future. The fact that this was pushed back to a planning commission, loaded with Gary Person's cronies (including alleged child support non-payer/employee child support taker Jeff Campbell), shows that he is looking for political cover and the goons at the planning commission are likely to vote to impede businesses that have been in town for decades.
Time will tell.
It is simply stunning that Mayor Gaston would break free just when he had small business where Gary Person wanted it. In voting against the meassure that likely would have put the city at risk of a lawsuit by the damage it would have done to small businesses, Gaston showed some good sense.
Do not count your chickens too quickly as the laudable Mr. Gaston rarely does this kind of thing without having a plan for the future. The fact that this was pushed back to a planning commission, loaded with Gary Person's cronies (including alleged child support non-payer/employee child support taker Jeff Campbell), shows that he is looking for political cover and the goons at the planning commission are likely to vote to impede businesses that have been in town for decades.
Time will tell.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Ah how times have not changed
Folks,
I just wanted to take a moment to point out the obvious. KSID radio and the Sidney Sun Telegraph are working to stifle information and control what you can see or at least be aware of.
These two media outlets have worked in concert to be "the" media outlets in this small town. It seems now that you have to get you message out in the telegraph in a paltry 250 words, and you can only speak once per week. That limitation can only allow people to throw firebombs such as Ms. Huggans' letter to the editor regarding social security.
It being the case that the continued need for an alternative outlet for people's ideas needs to be presented, I welcome you to start re-reading theguardiannews.blogspot.com. As publisher, I intend to facilitate a place for information, and discussion and since I do not need to worry what people think of me, please feel free to convey your thoughts, problems and suggestions.
I wish the people of Sidney the best and I intend to afford you some interesting choices in free classified advertising as well as an online auction site that will benefit a local needy charity. I will solicit no funds from these operations, but I will invest my time and capital from my new employment venture to build up a community resource that will benefit the majority and not the small minority of people beholden to the largest employer in Cheyenne County.
Until then,
Adieu
I just wanted to take a moment to point out the obvious. KSID radio and the Sidney Sun Telegraph are working to stifle information and control what you can see or at least be aware of.
These two media outlets have worked in concert to be "the" media outlets in this small town. It seems now that you have to get you message out in the telegraph in a paltry 250 words, and you can only speak once per week. That limitation can only allow people to throw firebombs such as Ms. Huggans' letter to the editor regarding social security.
It being the case that the continued need for an alternative outlet for people's ideas needs to be presented, I welcome you to start re-reading theguardiannews.blogspot.com. As publisher, I intend to facilitate a place for information, and discussion and since I do not need to worry what people think of me, please feel free to convey your thoughts, problems and suggestions.
I wish the people of Sidney the best and I intend to afford you some interesting choices in free classified advertising as well as an online auction site that will benefit a local needy charity. I will solicit no funds from these operations, but I will invest my time and capital from my new employment venture to build up a community resource that will benefit the majority and not the small minority of people beholden to the largest employer in Cheyenne County.
Until then,
Adieu
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