The declaration

What must it have been like, that summer of 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was being crafted? The thing was written by committee, after all, yet it reads -- 236 years later -- like the bold manifesto it was then. I get chills reading it. Or reading it out loud, although my audience is generally only being polite.

Not everyone is a fan of this kind of writing, of course. A blogger for The Economist notes that

"Everything in America has gotten bigger since 1776 but the sentences. Were Thomas Jefferson writing today, the baggy monsters with which he opens the Declaration of Independence would be hacked to bits by editors and spin doctors mindful of the need for quick sound bites."

But really, what's not to like? Go through it at a measured pace. Remember that nothing like this was ever written before, so the opening frames the document's purpose (it's time to dissolve "political bonds" with Great Britain) in grand fashion (within "the course of human events").

The stage set, the Declaration notes that this is a big deal. In fact, it would be far easier not to break off with Britain.

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."

But, really, things have gotten so bad -- there has been such "a long train of abuses and usurpations" -- there is no other choice.

Now comes the best part. The authors set forth a list of  crimes and hardships they have suffered. But it's not just a list imposed by some power across the seas. The authors are not content to complain about a faceless "government." They name the perpetrator: "the present King of Great Britain."

This was mighty bold.

On and on it goes, with strong words: quartering, imposing, denying, cutting off, suspended, abdicated, plundered ... This is a list of wrongs like no other.

And then, the kicker:

"A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people." 

Take that, King George.

I grew up not more than a few miles from where one of the signers of The Declaration was born. Samuel Huntington and his colleagues were not just taking pen to paper that day; they were risking their lives. In fact, they knew it and said so:

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Take a few minutes. Settle back and read it deliberately. Or watch this 10-minute video of famous actors reading The Declaration. The language is at times odd, but it's not impossible.

And it's really bold stuff.

Most Wired - The William W. Backus Hospital

Most Wired - The William W. Backus Hospital

On being a good (or better) boss

Heaven knows, I try to be a good boss. I try to be a good writer, too, but often I don't hit the mark.

This story in today's NYTimes Biz section about Google's study of what makes good bosses is nothing less than inspiring.

“Have a clear vision and strategy for the team.”

“Help your employees with career development.”

“Don’t be a sissy: Be productive and results-oriented.”

The list goes on, reading like a whiteboard gag from an episode of “The Office.”

A new "Newsweek"

Damn. My subscription to Newsweek is due to expire next week, and for more than a few months I've thought that it's time to give it up (pun intended).

I've been getting both Time and Newsweek since college, but the latter has one through so many permutations in the past two years that it's gotten annoying. Which personality will arrive this week? The one with mostly columnists? ... The one that takes a "longer view" on world events?

Now comes Tina Brown, fresh from The Daily Beast, as new editor and has me thinking I'll re-up for another year. The first issue under her editorship is both entertaining and thoughtful. I liked what Brown did many years ago at The New Yorker (not a universally held opinion) and I think she may have a thing or two to try with this mag.

Good luck, Tina. You came in the nick of time for this reader...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

OK, come up with your own healthcare fix

From today's New York Times editorial:

President Obama had a splendid idea this week. He challenged governors who oppose his health care reforms, most of whom are Republicans, to come up with a better alternative. He has agreed to move up the date at which states can offer their own solutions and thus opt out of requirements that they oppose, like the mandate that everyone buy health insurance and that most employers provide it.

So far, all I have heard from those who oppose "Obamacare" (as it's been branded; although I don't think that's such a bad nickname) is how this will break the bank and corrupt our society. What should be done differently? Not so much volume.

This is the way to proceed. Our healthcare system is broken. It's not even a "system" at all, but a bunch of disconnected pieces that don't work well together. Something must be done. So, if not Obamacare ... what?

One business leader on 'self-awareness'

My favorite newspaper is The New York Times. Of course, my favorite issue of the week is Sunday. There are sections of the Sunday Times that can be savored all week long -- or longer if I don't stay on top of things (last week's magazine section is still in the "I'll-get-to-it-soon" reading pile). But I've just realized that my favorite sections of the Sunday Times are Sunday Business and Week In Review.

And my favorite part of those is the "Corner Office" column on page 2 of Business.

Each week, a CEO or top-level biz exec answers a series of very straightforward questions about leadership: What was it like the first time as a manager? What questions do you ask in an interview? How do you hire?

The questions are mundane and similar week to week, but the answers surprise and delight. They make me marvel at how similar -- and how different -- top-level managers think and act.

A line today that struck me, in answer to a question about what skills Laura Ching, co-founder and Chief Merchandising Officer of TinyPrints.com looks for:

"... I also want to get a sense of [the person's] emotional I.Q. Self-awareness is really big for me. When it comes to the review period, I'll evaluate you, and you'll evaluate yourself. Some people are right on in terms of their performance -- or even better, their worst critic -- and I think it says a lot about their maturity and their insightfulness and wanting to get better."

What are your 'entitlements'?

I am among those who think the President's budget proposal is a bit cynical. It leaves tough decisions to the GOP. I even agree with Obama's critics who accuse him of "kicking the can down the road," as he famously commented in one of his books.

I think it would be fine to touch the "third rail" of politics. I think it's logical to raise the age of retirement; it was set when the average life expectancy was about 67. The average American (even given our best efforts to kill ourselves with lousy diets and lack of exercise, and counter this with high-priced healthcare ... a story for another day) now lives to be 79.

But let's look at the meaning of "entitlement." When does war become an entitlement? Is healthcare a right or a privilege? (I maintain it's a right, but that all rights require equal parts of personal responsibility.) What about education -- is it a right or an entitlement that I believe my kids should receive an education that prepares them for a successful 21st-century future, IF they work hard to succeed?