Retired Lt. General Ricardo Sanchez speaks out and so does qualityg

WHEN IS IT TIME TO SPEAK OUT?

Retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez former leader of the Iraq forces blasted the Bush administration recently for a “catastrophically flawed, unrealistically optimistic war plan” and denounced the current “surge” strategy as a “desperate” move that will not achieve long-term stability.

“There was been a glaring and unfortunate display of incompetent strategic leadership within our national leaders,” he said, adding later in his remarks that civilian officials have been “derelict in their duties” and guilty of a “lust for power.”

These are some pretty strong words. I’m not going to comment on his remarks. I would rather comment on why he made these after he had the job and why did it take so long (I hope there is no book on the way).

Perhaps General Sanchez is like most of us feel when it comes to speaking our minds in what we believe to be the truth must be weighed against what you would lose to do it why you are still working. I suppose the whistleblower Protection Act provides some legal protection but other than that you are on your own. Don’t look to co-workers for help because they too are weighing the risk of job loss, resentment and embarrassment. Unfortunately they will disown you in a heartbeat. Can I blame them? No, but would I do it? Depends if I believe the complaint/cause is true. And, if it would put too many people at risk other than myself.

I am generally regarded to be outspoken and one that is not afraid to take on the establishment, my bosses or whomever I believe is dictating “Absolute Power” (http://qualityg.blogspot.com/2005/08/leadership-absolute-arrogant-power.html) over myself or against someone I know that needs help, if I believe in their cause.

What makes me do this? Perhaps the right to do so and all the books I’ve read about King Arthur influenced me. In the movie Richard Harris says, “Not might makes right, but might for right.”

To me the secret of picking “The right castle to die on depends on how much knowledge (might) you have on the subject. I have said this and written this in many of my posts:

“Knowledge Is The Great Equalizer”

When one can supply objective facts, figures, examples and experience it allows one to play at the same poker table with anyone. Oh yes, it still is a gamble to risk all the reasons I mentioned above, but it comes to soul searching and picking the right castle.