I know it is a little early, but I thought I would write about
my father, a career soldier. He served in the South Pacific during WWII, Korea, and twice in Vietnam. He and my mother divorced when I was six, and I saw my dad once when I was sixteen. Shortly after I graduated from West Point, he and I
reconnected. He was a First Sergeant in the Army Transportation Corps and I was a Lieutenant in the Infantry.

By chance, we had an overlap in Vietnam of six months. He came up to I Corps on a pass to visit me. I was working at 1st Brigade HQ at the time as a Duty Officer in the Tactical Operations Center. I let it be known that my father, a First Sergeant, was going to visit. That caused some consternation among some of the officers there. Since I out ranked my father there were certain protocols dictated by military tradition. They asked me if I would call my father, “dad” or “First Sergeant.” Would he address me as “sir”? Would he walk to my left and one-step behind me as we walk together? Would he call me “son” or “Lieutenant”? Would he salute me?

Actually, I had never thought about it before, because in the past we always met in our homes, not on a military base. I also wanted to know how we would act. When he arrived, he was very professional in public. He addressed me as Lieutenant and walked on the left and one-step behind. He always stood when I talked to him. At the end of his visit, I dropped him off at the airport  As  he
was leaving, he came to attention and saluted me.

We were never close as a father and son, but as two military men, we had a special connection. It was a unique relationship-professional, and proud. Years later, I stood at his gravesite and returned the salute to a career soldier, a hero, and my father.

I was unable to blog yesterday, because I had a doctor’s
appointment in NYC, a four and a half hours drive away. I did not get back until 10:30 pm last night. 

When I go to NYC to the VA Hospital, I have to walk 15 blocks to the doctor’s office. Something was very apparent to me as I observed the people walking around me. I also notice it here in Elmira, NY-a much smaller city than NY.

The zombies have arrived! They are walking around bumping into people and building, crossing the streets against the traffic, and otherwise oblivious to their
surroundings. While they do this, they are also texting on their cell phones. It is a very frightening sight to see them walking around in public. I went for an ice cream cone today, and a woman walked right in front of my car. I did say something to her, but I doubt she could understand the danger she was in by texting while walking. The day (or night) of the living dead has arrived. How long will be before they attack us for our cell phones?

I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to attend college. On the docket for the Supreme Court is a case that challenges the affirmative action policy of the University of Texas in Austin. In Fisher v. University of Texas, a student, Abigail Fisher, sued the university after it rejected her application in 2008. She claims the university rejected her, in part, because she is white. The school defends its affirmative action policy. While I have always believed in affirmative action to reverse years of discrimination, now that the US population is becoming 50% or more minorities, perhaps it is time to end this policy.

I have long had an idea that all students should be able to attend college if they want. I think we need a type of universal service similar to the draft from years ago. In my plan, anyone could receive a loan to attend college based on financial need, not merit. Of course, they would have to maintain some level of performance like a B or C average. The loan would cover all costs. I helped to put two of my children through college, so I know how expensive it can be. Scholarships help, but room and board can also be very expensive. I have also witnessed the hardship caused by trying to pay back the loans after graduation. Under my plan, upon graduation, the students would have payback options: 
 
1. Pay back the loan in full or over time like a regular college loan.

2. Serve in the military for a set number of years (similar to ROTC). This could include the Peace Corps. After a term of service, the loan would be considered paid. The military already has a good college savings program for soldiers.

3. Service the US government. For example, if there is a need for a teacher in Alaska, or Guam, or wherever, the graduate would serve for a set number of years for a set salary. It would include teaching or working in urban schools-wherever we need people. It might even include fighting wildfires, floods, and disaster relief working for FEMA. Again, after a set term of service, the loans would be considered paid. 

It will be interesting to see how the Supreme Court rules on this case.

Happy Memorial Day! Yesterday, I blogged about my uncle Monte whose name I share to honor him. He died in the South Pacific during WWII during a firefight. My family has had a long tradition of military service. My father served in WWII, Korea, and twice in Vietnam. In fact, he and I had a six months overlap in Vietnam. All of his brothers except one served in WWII, but uncle Monte was the only one killed. Many members of my family continued to serve either on active duty or in the National Guard. MY oldest son is an Air Force stationed at the Air Force Academy in CO. 

I think we tend to forget some of the non-military people who served in their own way. My mother, for example, was an Army wife for two military career officers and sent her son off to Vietnam (me). My brother served in Japan during the war. Even the children, the military “brats”, make a
sacrifice when their parents serve their country. Now my grandchildren must sacrifice whenever my son has to leave home for an extended tour of duty. 
 
I salute them all-the dead and the living heroes. I would like to share the words of Vice Admiral Norb Ryan Jr. (US Navy, Retired).

“We will also remember all who have gone before us, the thousands of men and women who have given their lives and enabled our great country to survive through some very difficult times. These great Americans are remembered as those who served a cause greater than themselves. They are not celebrities; they are true heroes and deserve a very special place in our thoughts. Those we are remembering today serve as an example to us all, and especially for our elected leaders. They are
individuals who looked out for one another and had one another’s best interests, as well as the nation’s, at heart. We honor these selfless veterans this Memorial Day and remember how much we owe to their heroism.”

Here it is Memorial Day weekend already. We think of this weekend as the unofficial start of the summer and BBQ season, but we also take time to honor our fallen service men and women. Today, I am thinking of some soldiers and
classmates who died in Vietnam. I was fortunate not to lose any of my platoon, although, we did have some wounded. I survived without a scratch.

I am also thinking of family members like my father who served in WWII, Korea, and twice in Vietnam. I was born soon after he returned from the South Pacific. My father named me after my uncle who was killed in the South Pacific and whose body was not recovered. My uncle's name was Marlin, but he did not like the name. He went by the name Monte, and that is the name my father chose for me. There is a VFW post in Wyoming named for my uncle.

I have always liked my name-better than being called "Andy". I named my first-born Monte and he named his first-born Monte. I guess that makes us self-centered, but I like to think, in a small way, we honor my uncle who gave his life for his country. Not many of the veterans from WWII are still alive and we Vietnam vets are now the old guys. I think it is nice to know that, at least for two more generations, there will still be a Monte Anderson.

Happy Memorial Day!

I see on the news a big uproar about a sexist comment made by Paul Tudor Jones, a big hedge fund manager. Apparently, he made the comment on a TV  that women are not good hedge fund managers. I am not sure why his comment upset so many people.  I understand he is a mega fund manager, but that does not make him an expert on women, equality, or diversity. According to CNN, a recent study showed that
hedge funds managed by women out perform those managed by men. Women manage only 3% of hedge funds. I would think that based on that study, funds would hire more women as managers, or, at least, more investors, including women, would seek out funds managed by women. The problem is that the people who hire managers are mostly men. This is not the first time that a very successful person expressed an opinion on a subject outside his expertise.  Jones
should stick to what he knows.  

I think that he really believes what he says. People who have biased opinions do not like their beliefs challenged by facts. Isn’t that the whole problem with the evolution verses creation debate? Jones’ bias is based on his values and upbringing. He reflects his own culture and society.

I think it would be good karma for any female investors in Jones’ fund to withdraw their money and invest in funds managed by women. (http://clicktotweet.com/Oea81)


 

I read in the WSJ that Ms. Lois Lerner, the IRS official who led the unit at the center of the investigation over unfair targeting of conservative organizations seeking non-profit status, is on administrative leave. Ms. Lerner is criticized for not reporting this practice to the House Oversight Committee. She has pleaded her Fifth Amendment Rights in testimony
before the committee. I wonder why she would make an opening statement that she has done nothing wrong and then plead the Fifth so as not to incriminate herself. Something does not make sense to me. I guess she is afraid that she may incriminate herself in a crime that she is not aware she committed. Seems strange to me.

 It may just be a case of loyalty, or misguided loyalty. Leaders have a certain loyalty to their employees (with in the IRS) and expect them to be loyal to them and to the organization (IRS). Ms. Lerner might feel that the Republicans are unfairly treating the Democratic Party, with a political agenda unrelated to justice (http:clicktotweet.com/Akg2n). She certainly has loyalty to the  President. However, there are other loyalties at play here. What about loyalty to the constitution? What about loyalty to the American people? Loyalty can be a good value, but it can also be improper, for example, when someone puts loyalty to family or race above all other loyalties. I guess we have to see how this case plays out. 

I wrote about loyalty in my e-book, Leadership for New Managers: Book Two, available at http://smashwords.com/b/300090.

Former congressman Anthony Weiner has officially declared his intent to run for Mayor of New York City. You may recall that he resigned from his last position as congressman after sending lewd photographs of himself on Twitter. He is now back on Twitter and YouTube appealing for a second chance. He says that he has learned his past mistakes. Really?

 I do believe that he may have learned not to make the same mistakes. I am not so sure he has learned to make sound judgments. What he did shows a lack of the ability to make proper decisions-sound judgment. While he may have reformed his behavior, I doubt he is any smarter than before. There is no rehab for stupid. The Mayor of New York City must make some tough decisions,
an ability that requires a certain intellect and sound judgment.  The Mayor must be a good leader and set a good example. The fact that Weiner thinks he is in the same company as Rudy Giuliani, Michael  Bloomberg, and Ed Kock proves that he lacks sound judgments (http://clicktotweet.com/TYbmv). He has $4.3 million in funds. I think he just wants to spend it rather than return it.

 I only hope that the voters can see that and make the smart decision when they vote. However, anything can happen in politics. The voters proved that when they elected Mark Sanford to Congress in South Carolina.

The investigation into the IRS scandal continues. Congress is still playing the “who knew what, when did they know it, and what did they do about it” game. I can understand how a high-level official might be in the dark,
but a direct report supervisor should have known. It appears that now, some of the highest IRS officials are clearing saying they did not know or will plead the Fifth Amendment not to incriminate themselves. I find that
interesting.

In the past, I have talked to people while they were under investigation. I discovered that those who say they are innocent or did not know are truly innocent. Those who stated that they were advised by their lawyers not to discuss the investigation with anyone are guilty as charged. Innocent people are eager to prove it, and those who are guilty will try to hide it. It just seems to work out that way. When a high-level government official pleads the
Fifth to Congress, they are guilty. I could be wrong, but I doubt
it.


 

Bad news day yesterday and today. Our hearts go out to the people affected by the tornado damage. Let’s hope that many of the missing are found alive. 
 
Sex scandals, once again, rock New York State politics. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) is under fire for his handling of two sexual misconduct complaints against Assemblyman Vito Lopez. Silver secretly settled two
complaints without referring them to the Assembly Ethics Committee. Why would anyone do that? He probably covered it up because: A) he is also guilty of sexual misconduct, B) he is covering up for a friend, C) he is corrupt, and/or D) he is stupid. In all cases, he should resign as demanded by republicans. Vito Lopez finally resigned. 

Why do people in powerful positions sexually harassment their employees? Good question! Some think they are above the law. They have done it before and got away with it, and that encouraged them to continue their misconduct. People tend to forget that sex is also a value, not always in a positive way. Some leaders find the sex drive more powerful than values such as honesty, family, and loyalty. In my e-book, Leadership for New Managers: Book Two, I wrote about harassment in the workplace. Here is what I wrote:

Leader/managers need to be aware of harassment in the workplace and should eliminate it.
Harassment can take many forms including sexual, bullying, racial, religion, age, or disability, or personal appearance. Harassment may be verbal, non-verbal, or physical. Some 37% of the US work force has been bullied at some time during their work life, according to the Workplace Bullying Institute. 

Failure to take action could result in a substantial lawsuit. Leader/managers are accountable for failing to prevent or stop harassment. Leader/managers should be aware and enforce organizational polices as well as the law. Leader/managers may have a role in the investigation of harassment, prosecution of the offender, supporting the victim(s), and healing the environment.