Brain Damage/Eclipse


Five years ago, for whatever reason, I happened to read a book authored by Bob Woodward which was titled The Commanders. It was about the first Bush administration and their military strategies and political policies concerning countries like Panama and Iraq. Powell and Cheney were the main characters. The cast in that book is very similar to today's characters you see on the news in fact. You know what, I recommend reading it. I enjoyed it very much when I read it back then. Reading it a second time would be good for me. Seeing a war over there a second time around though is much different. When these guys muscled their way into power again, you knew the military policies and actions of America would come into play. Let's face it, the majority of the current leaders know war very well. They are all cut from war and oil.

Anyway, enough of that talk. We'll let the universe unfold as it should. So today Colin Powell went to the world stage and presented a case to go to war with Iraq. Did you all find it convincing? Did any of you even care? Back to the book I mentioned above now: What I was most impressed with from that book when I read it was how the author described a list of 'rules' Colin Powell had on his desk. I even took time to write them down and keep them pinned on my corkboard at home and at my office. They have been in my line of vision pretty much everyday for the past five years. Here they are for you:

It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.
Get mad, then get over it.
Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position fails, your ego goes with it.
It can be done!
Be careful what you choose. You may get it.
Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.
You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours.
Check small things.
Share credit.
Remain calm. Be kind.
Have a vision. Be demanding.
Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.
Sometimes being responsible means pissing people off.
You never know what you can get away with, unless you try.

I wonder if he still follows those rules.