Words to Live By

Perhaps many of you watched the Obama press conference tonight on television or listened in on the radio on the drive home. There is one quote that I intend to take away and live by and hope that others will do the same -- especially those who have legitimate or legal power over my ability to do my job -- and it was when he said, "I like to know what I am talking about before I open my mouth." Imagine just how much wasted time, money, and opportunity could have been saved in our lives, our society, and our planet if everyone who opened their mouth to voice an opinion on something did the same.

Obama made that remark in response to a follow-up question asked by one reporter as to why he and his administration did not come out sooner and voice their rage at the AIG bailouts. Honestly, do we want a person sitting in the oval office who has a knee-jerk reaction every time he faces a crisis? I know I have worked for those people and it is no picnic as their decisions are a steady stream of over-reactions that others have to endure due to their acting at an emotional as opposed to a logical level, especially when the decision are based on ignorance.

So from this day forward I will continue to strive to weigh in on things for which I know something about to avoid looking foolish before those that know better. And on those things that matter to me most I will be sure to do my homework before stepping into the circle of debate. I will also press others to do their homework before they voice an opinion on something I am working on that they have no clue about, no matter their pay grade. I offer this challenge to you. Especially those of you who stand before students and make stuff up in the face of a question you do not know the answer to instead of saying, "I don't know, that is a good question, and I will find out." Trust me, the students know when you are "tap dancing around their question" so stop it.

Can I have an, "Amen!" Teach on my good brothers and sisters!