AT LEAST WE HAVE HOPE

WE HAVE HOPE

A cranky opinion for

Cranky Opinion Saturday

 

The following is the opinion of a cranky old man.  Opposing positions are welcome (wrong, but welcome) but please, no name calling.  And that means you…you big stupid-head

 

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Every once in a while I come across an article which reminds me just how fortunate we are in the good old USA.

We worry and complain about unemployment, minimum wage, immigration, welfare, cost of health care, cost of living, civil rights, God in school, inflation, pollution, global warming, gun control, fracking, education, and on and on and on.

Don’t get me wrong, these are all important issues, and as a nation we should strive for the very best for all our people and for the planet.

And then.

I read about a woman in a North Korean prison camp who was forced to drown her new born child.  A man who was born in a North Korean work camp who had several fingers cut off because he dropped a sewing machine…he was relieved it was not his whole hand. 

I read where there is almost no wild life left in North Korea as anything that can be killed and eaten is killed and eaten.

There are People around the globe who suffer hardship and indignities for the way they worship God, or for even believing in a God.  There are women who are not allowed to learn, work, choose their life partner, drive a car or even be seen in public.  There are homosexuals that will never leave the closet.

There are people without food, without homes, without dignity, without hope.

While we worry and complain about unemployment, minimum wage, immigration, welfare, cost of health care, cost of living, civil rights, God in school, inflation, pollution, global warming, gun control, fracking, education, and on and on and on, make sure we never forget what we do have.

We have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We are far from perfect, but at least we have hope.

 

The preceding was the opinion of a cranky old man, and not necessarily that of management…Mrs. Cranky.

RHETORIC

RHETORIC

 

Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the capability of writers or speakers that attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations.*

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I recently posted a Cranky Saturday Opinion post where I thought my position was well constructed, cogent and convincing.  My argument included anticipated retorts and responded to them in kind.

I was convinced as I pressed publish that even the most staunch dissenters would agree with my point of view or at least would be unable to dispute it.

What I did not count on was a counterpoint which refers to an argument as just “so much rhetoric.” 

A particular commenter, one for whom I have much respect, started his rebuttal with, “Despite your rhetoric…”

Isn’t it funny how Rhetoric, an art of persuasion, has become a word to simply dismiss and trivialize an argument for which you have no real logical come back.

“Despite your rhetoric…”

“Interesting, but this is just so much rhetoric…”

“This is terrific rhetoric, but…”

All these retorts really mean is, “I have no reasonable response to the argument as you have presented it, but despite the clear persuasiveness of you position I will never waver from my stance, and I choose to ignore everything you say.  I cannot respond, but here are my tired old talking points anyway.  If you respond with more well thought out statements which make my position seem ridiculous it will just be more of the same old rhetoric.”

This use or of the word rhetoric is like waving the flag of ignorance.  I will not attempt to put a wedge into a closed mind that can so easily dodge logical discourse.

How can you not agree?   (That was a rhetorical question.)

*From Wikipedia

THE SECRET TO SUCCESS

THE SECRET TO SUCCESS

 

People often ask me, “Cranky, what is the secret to success in the business world?”  As one who spent 40 years toiling for a large brokerage firm, starting at the bottom and ending up above bottom, it is little wonder that I am chosen to impart the secret to success in the business world.

My qualification in answering this burning question is in watching dumbass after dumbass rise to the higher levels of management without ever having a single idea.

First let me clarify; one way to get to the top in the business world is to get an education, network yourself, ask questions, and work your ass off.  No one who asks, “What is the secret to success…” is interested in that route to the top.  They know that formula and are not interested in earning success.

Here is the other way to the top:

Number one, and I cannot overstate its importance is, YOU MUST LOOK GOOD IN A SUIT!  You can do all those things that actual leaders do to break the glass ceiling, but if you do not look good in a suit you have no chance.  Get in shape…fat fails!  Buy a suit for each day.  Invest in good dress shirts, ties, handkerchiefs, and expensive perfectly shined shoes.  If your choice is to invest in an education or an expensive impressive wardrobe…go with clothes.

Number two, act important.  Carry yourself as if you belong.  Don’t ask questions, and never answer a question if you are not sure of the answer.  Learn to respond with, “What do you think?” or “I’m busy, check with Ralph” and “You’re kidding me right?” Of course learn the all-important commands, “I don’t care how you get it done, just do it!” and “I don’t want excuses, I want results!”

Number three; never do anything if you can get someone else to do it for you.  This allows you to take credit for skillful delegating when a project is successful, while allowing you to throw someone under the bus if the project fails.  Never offer an idea at a meeting, but always voice your concern, “That sounds great Bob, but I’m concerned that if it doesn’t work it could be expensive.”  If the idea works, you were behind it.  If it flops, well you were concerned!  If anything goes wrong, such as a new computer program or a sales idea flops, be the first to question, “Didn’t anyone test that?”

Number four, learn the terminology.  I have been out of the loop for a while so these may be passé but, “Pick the low hanging fruit first” was always a good one.  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” always sounds like such great advice and is perfect for putting some little shit who is way smarter than you in his place.  It is really another way of saying, “If it’s not my idea, stuff it!”  Always express things as from a “Perspective.”  “From a time management perspective…” “From the client’s perspective…” I don’t know why, but “From a …perspective" always sounds like you are really smart.

Last but not least, number five; keep a high profile while doing nothing.  Come in to work early, even if you have nothing to do.  Stay late, even if you have nothing to do.  Send emails cc’d to everyone at 10 pm, and 6 am. 

That is it.   The secret to corporate success as told from an observer.  Don’t let my inability to rise beyond a supervisor of 6 people fool you; I had all the right stuff.

I just never looked good in a suit!