Ezra Klein’s juicebox-level of Leftist propaganda-feed group-think journalism and the defenders of General McChrystal’s crew of wisecrackers as being abused by the Rolling Stone’s reporter have something in common: Neither are willing to stand in public behind the truth that anything that passes from one’s lips is public property.
Yes, if one explicitly says to another “Private” or “Secret” or “Do not quote”, that might be respected. And, it might not. If you don't have discretion or maturity, why expect that of others who also may not or have interests other than covering up for your lackings?
And, if one says to oneself that anything I say should be properly stated and reflect my views, and I will either stand behind it or explain why and how I was wrong or off-mark, then one is acting with integrity to oneself and others.
To feel otherwise is immature and irresponsible. It is an abuse of one's public position to not be forthcoming and transparent.
This is particularly so when entrusted with the ears of millions of Americans on important public issues, or the fate of millions of Americans and allies’ lives.
In my garage, I have boxes full of literally thousands of published pieces I’ve written during and since college. That’s 46-years of comment and analyses. Many, most?, are easily available on the web. I'm also surprised at how many correspondents have archived my emails, when I haven't. If any want to publish them, have at it.
I said it. I stand behind it, or will answer for it.
But, I will not hide behind some notion that I can be allowed to deceive or excuse or cry when someone quotes me.
But, then, I am not a careerist feathering my nest by expecting tolerance for having a lack of respect for myself, for others or for my responsibilities and ethics, and thinking I have some sort of right to be deceptive or a manipulator.
Be an adult, be a professional, or get the hell off the stage, or be exposed for a child playing with other people’s lives and too self-concerned to admit it.
We need more public and private integrity, straight-talk and standing behind it, openly, not less or any more excuses for being immature kindergartners playing with other people's trust or lives.
P.S.: An earlier version had "kindergarden" and "kindergardners." Now corrected for proper, Germanic-root spelling. - Thanks Glenn.
Tracked: Jun 26, 15:46
Tracked: Jun 26, 17:48
If there’s a theme that ties this week’s events together, it’s to assume that all mics are hot, all emails risk becoming public, and all information captured by journalists no matter how off the record will eventually escape. David Br...
Tracked: Jun 26, 17:50
Tracked: Jun 27, 12:49
Ezra Klein's juicebox-level of Leftist propaganda-feed group-think journalism and the defenders of General McChrystal'screw of wisecrackers as being abused by the Rolling Stone's reporter have something in common: Neither are willing to stand in public behind the truth that anything...
Tracked: Jun 27, 14:57
Character is what we do in the dark when no one is looking. It is defining. Today, there's less darkness and more lights. That may be a hindrance to some, sometimes justifiably and sometimes not, but that's the way it is, and it is preferable to have
Tracked: Jul 21, 12:34
Character is what we do in the dark when no one is looking. It is defining. Today, there's less darkness and more lights. That may be a hindrance to some, sometimes justifiably and sometimes not, but that's the way it is, and it is preferable to have
Tracked: Jul 21, 13:09
Character is what we do in the dark when no one is looking. It is defining. Today, there's less darkness and more lights. That may be a hindrance to some, sometimes justifiably and sometimes not, but that's the way it is, and it is preferable to hav
Tracked: Jul 21, 13:31
Character is what we do in the dark when no one is looking. It is defining. Today, there's less darkness and more lights. That may be a hindrance to some, sometimes justifiably and sometimes not, but that's the way it is, and it is preferable
Tracked: Aug 01, 19:19