Saturday, February 13, 2010

Heavy Is The Head That Wears One Of The Crowns

When one first enters into some organization or other entity, the first impulse is to appreciate it as it is. The second impulse, upon seeing its flaws, is to start pointing them out and saying someone should fix them. Some are content to just lob bricks in that manner, without taking the responsibility themselves. Why take that risk, particularly if you're in a lucrative and prominent position already (like tv and radio personalities in the realm of politics)? It's easier and more profitable to be irresponsible and, by turns, unkind and funny.
Then there are those who have the nerve to shoulder the burden. They are the ones willing to be what Theodore Roosevelt called "the man in the arena". There's precious little to gain personally, and almost everything to lose, but they feel an investment in the thing and an obligation to do what they can to serve the thing they care about.

I have been in both positions. When I have been the latter, the experience has sometimes been an enjoyable one of discovering the other side of the curtain to be even better, as in summer camp. It has, unfortunately, also at times been one of seeing the sausage made and one of seeing how the easy, pleasing and fun can be crushingly unpleasant and ugly behind the scenes. In front, all is cordial and smooth. Backstage, there is discord and disfunction. There are clumps of hair pulled out in frustration and teeth which had to be pulled out in order to get anything done. Somebody's got to take that responsibility, and I have, but it's unpleasant and thankless. I guess people who feel that way are the only ones who can really be trusted with any power. The ones who really want it are the most likely to abuse it in the end.

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