I would like to addess the "if you don't like it here, leave!" crowd.
That statement is close kin to "my way, or the highway", which is useful in action movies, but folly in real life. And akin to "America, love it, or leave it." I suspect the slaves did not love America, and had no opportunity to leave. I'd guess the Indians, who were here first, were not all that hot on Old Glory, either. Disenfranchised women? Child labor? Exactly how does one go about improving those conditions, if the answer is, Hey if you don't like it, leave?
Do all of you have perfect spouses? Jobs? Parents and siblings? I suspect not. Do you ever have discussions, or initiate a plan of action with your spouse, manager, co-workers, or family to improve things, or do you passively accept whatever they dish out, because you love them?
There is also a note of hypocrisy in the statement. Limbaugh, Gingrich, DeLay, et.al, most certainly did NOT accept the status quo. Guess "if you don't like it, leave", didn't work for them, either.
There is a reason the Founders made freedom of speech the First Amendment. Discussion, debate and disagreement is good (note the alliteration - I'm gonna be a political hack writing bad speeches in my next life!). Moreover, they recognized these three D's describe the human condition, and invented a government that channeled these passions to a beneficial end.
Check out your kid's crayon box - there are more than two colors, black and white, in it. Such is life. If all decisions could be reduced to an either/or, binary proposition, computers really would run the world.
I also take issue with the implication that if one disapproves of Palace actions, one is automatically lazy or incompetent. For hard-headed business-types, one would think you'd understand all about ASS-U-M-ptions.
Let us imagine a richer and more complex reality.
A 25 year agent, who can remember working for the finest airline aloft, and can remember many of his peers senior to him, who have long since comfortably retired.
Who realized, some 10 years ago, U as it was then, and now, operated was not viable. So he hoped for the best (good managment), and prepared for the worst (never bought a brand new car, bought a house much lower than he qualified for, lived modestly). And each day, no matter how much U pissed him off (Business Select, High Ground, MetroJet), his customers never saw it, because he honorably did his job, every day. Because he was raised that way, and believed he could not expect management to do their part, if he did not do his part. Never abused sick leave. Got the flights out on time, in good weather and bad, short-staffed or not, and tried not to make it a cattle call for his customers. Stayed current and knowledgeable about his job.
And now realizes the end is near for his station. On a rational level, he is prepared. On an emotional level, he travels between sadness, denial and rage, enroute to acceptance. He has done his best to keep the stress from spilling over onto his friends. He has explained to his wife the need for some quiet time to dissipate the sadness and anger, and tried his best to stand between 'it', and her.
Why hang on?
He figures he will get screwed out of severance, but there remains a slim chance of getting it. But unemployment will see him thru some education, and give him much needed respite from the workplace for a few months. And in those months, see folks, that due to hectic airline life, he has not seen as much of as he should have. Stop. Smell roses. Let go of U.
And re-enter the fray, renewed.
Perhaps not so irrational, yes?
That statement is close kin to "my way, or the highway", which is useful in action movies, but folly in real life. And akin to "America, love it, or leave it." I suspect the slaves did not love America, and had no opportunity to leave. I'd guess the Indians, who were here first, were not all that hot on Old Glory, either. Disenfranchised women? Child labor? Exactly how does one go about improving those conditions, if the answer is, Hey if you don't like it, leave?
Do all of you have perfect spouses? Jobs? Parents and siblings? I suspect not. Do you ever have discussions, or initiate a plan of action with your spouse, manager, co-workers, or family to improve things, or do you passively accept whatever they dish out, because you love them?
There is also a note of hypocrisy in the statement. Limbaugh, Gingrich, DeLay, et.al, most certainly did NOT accept the status quo. Guess "if you don't like it, leave", didn't work for them, either.
There is a reason the Founders made freedom of speech the First Amendment. Discussion, debate and disagreement is good (note the alliteration - I'm gonna be a political hack writing bad speeches in my next life!). Moreover, they recognized these three D's describe the human condition, and invented a government that channeled these passions to a beneficial end.
Check out your kid's crayon box - there are more than two colors, black and white, in it. Such is life. If all decisions could be reduced to an either/or, binary proposition, computers really would run the world.
I also take issue with the implication that if one disapproves of Palace actions, one is automatically lazy or incompetent. For hard-headed business-types, one would think you'd understand all about ASS-U-M-ptions.
Let us imagine a richer and more complex reality.
A 25 year agent, who can remember working for the finest airline aloft, and can remember many of his peers senior to him, who have long since comfortably retired.
Who realized, some 10 years ago, U as it was then, and now, operated was not viable. So he hoped for the best (good managment), and prepared for the worst (never bought a brand new car, bought a house much lower than he qualified for, lived modestly). And each day, no matter how much U pissed him off (Business Select, High Ground, MetroJet), his customers never saw it, because he honorably did his job, every day. Because he was raised that way, and believed he could not expect management to do their part, if he did not do his part. Never abused sick leave. Got the flights out on time, in good weather and bad, short-staffed or not, and tried not to make it a cattle call for his customers. Stayed current and knowledgeable about his job.
And now realizes the end is near for his station. On a rational level, he is prepared. On an emotional level, he travels between sadness, denial and rage, enroute to acceptance. He has done his best to keep the stress from spilling over onto his friends. He has explained to his wife the need for some quiet time to dissipate the sadness and anger, and tried his best to stand between 'it', and her.
Why hang on?
He figures he will get screwed out of severance, but there remains a slim chance of getting it. But unemployment will see him thru some education, and give him much needed respite from the workplace for a few months. And in those months, see folks, that due to hectic airline life, he has not seen as much of as he should have. Stop. Smell roses. Let go of U.
And re-enter the fray, renewed.
Perhaps not so irrational, yes?
