Did we ever doubt it? Did we really think someone could change their ways so easily and for the long term? Remember the contrite and humble Chris Christie of just 11 or 12 weeks ago as he stood before the press?
Well all of that came to an end on March 28th as Christie held his first press conference since his internal investigation began and two days after attorneys he hired, issued their report and cleared him of any wrong doing in the George Washington Bridge scandal. The report also has cost the taxpayers of New Jersey at least $1Million. It was some 300 pages long and reporters have been scrambling over every page. I've read a large portion of it but not all.
The main story though is Christie's return to his old self - loud, boisterous, blunt and to some a bully. He went out of his way to demean members of the press who bothered him. It's an attitude more than anything. What's so surprising is how comfortable he seemed to be as he slipped back into his old self. A lot of statements like "I am who I am", "You get what you see", and so forth.
In the process he continued to throw people under the bus. Bridget Kelly, one of his top aides seems to be his favorite to toss but he seemed to be dragging Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York over to see how he'd fit under one of those bus tires. Christie remarked about the NY side of the Port Authority pretty clearly being part of the problem. And Cuomo's guy at the Port Authority, Patrick Foye, in Christie's mind started this whole thing by leaking a memo about the stupid and potentially illegal lane closures. Cuomo has tried to steer clear of the whole thing. We'll see what happens now as Christie starts the discussion on structurally changing the operations of the Port Authority. It's also no small detail that Christie's appointee and the Chair of the Port Authority, David Samson, resigned just hours before the press conference.
The bottom line is that Christie returned as his prior self in this most recent press conference, taking on the press, calling them out as well as calling them incompetent and stupid. He controlled the podium and cut a number of responses short. That all plays well with much of the general public and Christie knows it. Although there's a lot of anti bullying talk around the country everyone remembers their high school days. Bullies do what they do in large part because of the attention their behavior grabs. Bystanders watch, sometimes in awe of the power of the bully, sometimes enjoying the combat that takes place. Most of the time their behavior is a crowd event and they are fed by the attention, silent or sometimes vocal.
Many have called the report itself a whitewash. To me, it actually reads like a defense attorney's presentation. The difference is that the taxpayers of New Jersey are paying for it. Its worse than that in its treatment and reference to the women who had a role in all of the events that are discussed. Only the women, Bridget Kelly and Mayor Dawn Zimmer, are identified as having emotional issues related to the events that took place. None of the male players, it seems, had any emotional issues. Interesting.
All of this will continue to play out but one thing is for sure. Chris Christie is who he is and he wants to be sure we know it.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
TED Talks - Take Advantage!
A few years ago I discovered TED Talks and I've been taking advantage of them and spreading the word about them ever since. TED Talks are an example of what a great resource the Internet can be for millions of people, giving access to terrific information on a wide range of topics. Short, entertaining and information filled sessions on hundreds of thousands of subjects.
If you haven't ever heard of TED Talks or listened to any of their sessions here's a brief description taken directly from their website:
"TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design covered, and today covers almost all topics - from science to business to global issues - in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world."
So here's a place where you can hear well known experts or up and coming doers and thinkers talk about leadership, education, technology, business practices, politics, philosophy, architecture and any number of other topics. It's all there for the taking and sharing. My advice is, take advantage of it and spread the word about it. We all benefit.
So click on the link and begin to enjoy TED Talks.
If you haven't ever heard of TED Talks or listened to any of their sessions here's a brief description taken directly from their website:
"TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design covered, and today covers almost all topics - from science to business to global issues - in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world."
So here's a place where you can hear well known experts or up and coming doers and thinkers talk about leadership, education, technology, business practices, politics, philosophy, architecture and any number of other topics. It's all there for the taking and sharing. My advice is, take advantage of it and spread the word about it. We all benefit.
So click on the link and begin to enjoy TED Talks.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Breaking News Syndrome At CNN
This past week, CNN has really given all of journalism and the media in general a bad name. That's my view at least. The news network has done it with its 24/7 reporting of breaking news about the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370. Even when there has been nothing to report, CNN has used the banner indicating Breaking News. In the process, they are trying to fool viewers. It's the classic crying wolf scenario. At a certain point viewers catch on and realize there really isn't any breaking news or worse yet, finding nothing in the vast Indian Ocean has become breaking news.
Chuck Todd from MSNBC has recently criticized CNN for their tactic as has Frank Sesno who worked as a producer at CNN for many years, Sesno's critique was on CNN itself. Bill Maher, love him or hate him, has raised an even broader concern about CNN's coverage of the missing plane referring to some of the coverage as 'disaster porn'. He points out that photos and footage of a distraught relative of a missing passenger is reduced to offensive and pretty much useless information. Many will debate the fine line between information sharing and free speech but Maher has a valid point.
I would argue that all of the cable news networks have fallen into the same trap around this story but some realized it sooner than others. For whatever reason, CNN just keeps on going. Worse yet, much of it is really bad reporting. Examples are anchors generalizing and speculating on issues over and over, even while so called experts that they've brought in, caution viewers about speculations. How many times and ways can you ask why pilots are able to turn transponders on and off?
So I hope CNN can try to get its act together soon and begin to realize two things. There is other news going on around the world and crying wolf does have its consequences.
Chuck Todd from MSNBC has recently criticized CNN for their tactic as has Frank Sesno who worked as a producer at CNN for many years, Sesno's critique was on CNN itself. Bill Maher, love him or hate him, has raised an even broader concern about CNN's coverage of the missing plane referring to some of the coverage as 'disaster porn'. He points out that photos and footage of a distraught relative of a missing passenger is reduced to offensive and pretty much useless information. Many will debate the fine line between information sharing and free speech but Maher has a valid point.
I would argue that all of the cable news networks have fallen into the same trap around this story but some realized it sooner than others. For whatever reason, CNN just keeps on going. Worse yet, much of it is really bad reporting. Examples are anchors generalizing and speculating on issues over and over, even while so called experts that they've brought in, caution viewers about speculations. How many times and ways can you ask why pilots are able to turn transponders on and off?
So I hope CNN can try to get its act together soon and begin to realize two things. There is other news going on around the world and crying wolf does have its consequences.
Friday, March 14, 2014
No One Asks Chris Christie A Key Question
I'll get to that question but first....
I've hesitated in writing anything about the Chris Christie issue. Initially I wanted to give it some time because I thought more information would be forth coming. There's been lots of information but very little from Christie himself.
Now I was raised in New Jersey so I have a little bit of understanding about Christie's bravado and attitude. Many from Jersey act in similar ways. I've been accused of it myself. There are a number of things we recognize in someone from New Jersey. I'll just list a few here. Impatience and a sense of urgency is pretty common in folks from Jersey. We express it in driving, horn blowing, interrupting speakers, finding seats in a theatre or a pew in church. We can be loud without realizing it but sometimes we do realize it and use it to compete with others who are also loud. Quiet people tend to become even more quiet when they see and hear all of this. There is also the gangster, tough guy image that comes from real and imagined life in Jersey.
All of this, when left unchecked, either by buddies or friends in general, can evolve into bullying. It seems to me that Gov. Christie reaches this level on a pretty regular basis. As a matter of fact, it's so regular that he most likely doesn't see it as bullying at all. He most likely thinks he's just being clear and blunt with people. Looking in the mirror isn't always easy when you're such a powerful figure.
So we have this bridge scandal that actually is much bigger then the incident at the George Washington Bridge and lane closures that created some chaos in Fort Lee, NJ. It's bigger because it seems too be connected to other practices of tit for tat treatment of friends and enemies. It all came to light in a very public way and I think the Governor had plenty of opportunity to clear the air, get things straight and move on. In all honesty he probably still has some of that opportunity left.
I've watched the pundits on all of the cable news stations. MSNBC has been a real disappointment in this regard because in their passion over what they and others call Bridgegate, they've become very much like FOX News. Things do seem to be fading somewhat but I think we all know that there's more to come in this affair.
This all leads to the question that I've been waiting for some good, seasoned or hungry journalist to ask. It goes something like this. "Governor at your first news conference you expressed shock and dismay at what had transpired and you indicated that you were going to conduct a complete and thorough investigation of everything that lead up to the events of August and September." Here it comes. "Can you provide us with any of the results of that investigation or if it's not complete, a timeline on when it will be wrapped up as well as what information you will release and to whom?"
I certainly don't know the facts behind any of what went on but I do know that when you say you'll conduct an investigation and when you're a former prosecutor, you have to be prepared to deliver. Unless the Governor thought this whole thing would just go away, he had to realize he'd have to deliver on the investigation promise. On the other hand, since no one has asked, maybe he doesn't. Of course any good investigation would have gotten information from Bridget Kelly before she was fired. Another misstep I suppose.
So when you're in your next meeting or press conference Governor, don't be surprised. Better yet, be prepared when that reporter shouts, "Hey Gov, how's that investigation going? Anything to report?" Anyway, that's the question that ought to be asked and maybe all the other queries would be a bit less important - depending on the answer.
Important Follow Up
On March 23, 2014, the NY Times reported that the internal investigation ordered by Gov. Christie was complete and about to be released. The article also indicated that, although it hasn't been seen or reviewed publicly, it shows no wrong doing by the Governor and in fact clears him of any prior knowledge of the events that led to the lane closures on the George Washington Bridge. As I stated in my original post, there will continue to be much more that comes of this story but I did want to acknowledge this recent development. The NY Times article can be viewed HERE.
I've hesitated in writing anything about the Chris Christie issue. Initially I wanted to give it some time because I thought more information would be forth coming. There's been lots of information but very little from Christie himself.
Now I was raised in New Jersey so I have a little bit of understanding about Christie's bravado and attitude. Many from Jersey act in similar ways. I've been accused of it myself. There are a number of things we recognize in someone from New Jersey. I'll just list a few here. Impatience and a sense of urgency is pretty common in folks from Jersey. We express it in driving, horn blowing, interrupting speakers, finding seats in a theatre or a pew in church. We can be loud without realizing it but sometimes we do realize it and use it to compete with others who are also loud. Quiet people tend to become even more quiet when they see and hear all of this. There is also the gangster, tough guy image that comes from real and imagined life in Jersey.
All of this, when left unchecked, either by buddies or friends in general, can evolve into bullying. It seems to me that Gov. Christie reaches this level on a pretty regular basis. As a matter of fact, it's so regular that he most likely doesn't see it as bullying at all. He most likely thinks he's just being clear and blunt with people. Looking in the mirror isn't always easy when you're such a powerful figure.
So we have this bridge scandal that actually is much bigger then the incident at the George Washington Bridge and lane closures that created some chaos in Fort Lee, NJ. It's bigger because it seems too be connected to other practices of tit for tat treatment of friends and enemies. It all came to light in a very public way and I think the Governor had plenty of opportunity to clear the air, get things straight and move on. In all honesty he probably still has some of that opportunity left.
I've watched the pundits on all of the cable news stations. MSNBC has been a real disappointment in this regard because in their passion over what they and others call Bridgegate, they've become very much like FOX News. Things do seem to be fading somewhat but I think we all know that there's more to come in this affair.
This all leads to the question that I've been waiting for some good, seasoned or hungry journalist to ask. It goes something like this. "Governor at your first news conference you expressed shock and dismay at what had transpired and you indicated that you were going to conduct a complete and thorough investigation of everything that lead up to the events of August and September." Here it comes. "Can you provide us with any of the results of that investigation or if it's not complete, a timeline on when it will be wrapped up as well as what information you will release and to whom?"
I certainly don't know the facts behind any of what went on but I do know that when you say you'll conduct an investigation and when you're a former prosecutor, you have to be prepared to deliver. Unless the Governor thought this whole thing would just go away, he had to realize he'd have to deliver on the investigation promise. On the other hand, since no one has asked, maybe he doesn't. Of course any good investigation would have gotten information from Bridget Kelly before she was fired. Another misstep I suppose.
So when you're in your next meeting or press conference Governor, don't be surprised. Better yet, be prepared when that reporter shouts, "Hey Gov, how's that investigation going? Anything to report?" Anyway, that's the question that ought to be asked and maybe all the other queries would be a bit less important - depending on the answer.
Important Follow Up
On March 23, 2014, the NY Times reported that the internal investigation ordered by Gov. Christie was complete and about to be released. The article also indicated that, although it hasn't been seen or reviewed publicly, it shows no wrong doing by the Governor and in fact clears him of any prior knowledge of the events that led to the lane closures on the George Washington Bridge. As I stated in my original post, there will continue to be much more that comes of this story but I did want to acknowledge this recent development. The NY Times article can be viewed HERE.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Constant Vigilance
On Sunday March 9, 2014, the New York Times published an article titled "The Boys In The Bunkhouse". It is a horrific story of men with intellectual and developmental disabilities who were abused and exploited working on a turkey farm and processing plant in Atalissa, Iowa. These men had been through state systems set up to support and protect people with intellectual disabilities in Texas. The story can be read and seen here. As I said, it's horrific what occurred to these men but everyone should be aware of it and understand how systems fail people all the time. So read it and pass it on to others. It's critically important that people understand how systems sometimes fall apart.
Reading this story what strikes me the most is the need for constant vigilance, especially where vulnerable people are concerned - people with disabilities, the frail elderly, children, the poor and disadvantaged. You see, our world doesn't lack people who will take advantage and abuse vulnerable people. It's a sad but true fact. Someone always slips through no matter how much checking is done.
The other thing that strikes me is that we need to recognize and understand that vulnerable people are vulnerable. Changing their location, their program or the people who support them doesn't change their vulnerability. Most of the men from the bunkhouse live today in nursing homes, all of which are regulated. How safe are they now? Safer then they were, I'm sure, but bad situations can happen in nursing homes or anywhere else. We must be vigilant and we must recognize vulnerability.
In New York State we have seen our share of abuses. Willowbrook as an institutional name has gone down into history as a symbol of change. The system of supports for people with intellectual disabilities in NYS has become more community based as a result. That hasn't come without other abuses. Systems have become spread out and accountability sometimes has been lacking. But the type of support, in the community, has been wonderful for thousands of people and families.
In a quest to save money, systems continue to change. Managed care for long term supports is planned and toyed with. I don't happen to believe this is the right approach. Living in a home in a community is very different from a physical health issue that needs treatment in a health care setting. Community supports are being opened to a larger base of providers and family members themselves or even to individuals that are being hired by people who need support. Be vigilant. Saving money and responding to problems with more regulations is the way many governments operate. Is any of this really in the best interest of people who need support. Be vigilant.
The fact of the matter is that the good usually does outweigh the bad but when the bad happens, it tends to be really bad. All of us need to know how to identify the difference and how to maintain all of the good that takes place everyday. Reactive policies are usually the result of someone's need to cover their rear end, reputation, job or reelection. But there are heroes everyday, supporting people, identifying better ways to support people and managing systems that sometimes defy management. Being vigilant and recognizing that some people are more vulnerable then others is a big job and requires all of us. Read 'The Boys In The Bunkhouse' and you'll realize how big the job really is.
Reading this story what strikes me the most is the need for constant vigilance, especially where vulnerable people are concerned - people with disabilities, the frail elderly, children, the poor and disadvantaged. You see, our world doesn't lack people who will take advantage and abuse vulnerable people. It's a sad but true fact. Someone always slips through no matter how much checking is done.
The other thing that strikes me is that we need to recognize and understand that vulnerable people are vulnerable. Changing their location, their program or the people who support them doesn't change their vulnerability. Most of the men from the bunkhouse live today in nursing homes, all of which are regulated. How safe are they now? Safer then they were, I'm sure, but bad situations can happen in nursing homes or anywhere else. We must be vigilant and we must recognize vulnerability.
In New York State we have seen our share of abuses. Willowbrook as an institutional name has gone down into history as a symbol of change. The system of supports for people with intellectual disabilities in NYS has become more community based as a result. That hasn't come without other abuses. Systems have become spread out and accountability sometimes has been lacking. But the type of support, in the community, has been wonderful for thousands of people and families.
In a quest to save money, systems continue to change. Managed care for long term supports is planned and toyed with. I don't happen to believe this is the right approach. Living in a home in a community is very different from a physical health issue that needs treatment in a health care setting. Community supports are being opened to a larger base of providers and family members themselves or even to individuals that are being hired by people who need support. Be vigilant. Saving money and responding to problems with more regulations is the way many governments operate. Is any of this really in the best interest of people who need support. Be vigilant.
The fact of the matter is that the good usually does outweigh the bad but when the bad happens, it tends to be really bad. All of us need to know how to identify the difference and how to maintain all of the good that takes place everyday. Reactive policies are usually the result of someone's need to cover their rear end, reputation, job or reelection. But there are heroes everyday, supporting people, identifying better ways to support people and managing systems that sometimes defy management. Being vigilant and recognizing that some people are more vulnerable then others is a big job and requires all of us. Read 'The Boys In The Bunkhouse' and you'll realize how big the job really is.
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