Saturday, August 30, 2008

Anger Management


  • I've always been convinced that too much income inequality is not a good thing. It's nice to read someone who can explain why. I'm no socialist, but I just can't buy the whole libertarian position.
  • What do I think of McCain's selection of Palin as his VP running mate? I'm pleased that he picked a woman, even if he did so purely for political reasons (well that, and probably a bit because he couldn't get along with the men under consideration). She seems like the kind of woman you might want to have a beer with or go camping with. But a heartbeat away from the Presidency (and a 72 year old heart at that)? I never faulted Obama for a lack of experience because no one has the experience to be President. But at least he seemed a bit battle tested and as ready as someone could be. Palin? Sure, she may be up to it, but how would we know? Ultimately though, the thing I want to get on the record is that, whether McCain wins or loses this election, everyone will be attributing it to his choice of running mate.
  • I come into my office today to find an expense reimbursement returned to me in my mail box. I had submitted this over three weeks ago, and it's a couple thousand dollars. There's a note in there with a couple issues which don't apply in this case, and one matter that should have been easily resolved without my involvement. I'm steaming. So much so, I can't work. I call the administrator who returned it, knowing she'll be at lunch since it's noon. I turn to email her but know that I shouldn't, not in my agitated state. At 1:30pm, I call again and she's still not there. I write an email addressing each matter. I spend 10 minutes deleting every word and phrase that's not absolutely necessary. The email is terse, but not obviously angered. Though still mad, I'm at least pleased I've not yelled at anyone yet. Five minutes later I get an email from her with the first sentence saying she's working from home, but either through dedication or insanity she's responding to emails. The next paragraph basically just tells me to send the paperwork back and she'll address it promptly. Fine. It's dealt with. I email her back a nice thanks, hopeful she'll be better next time. But here's the rub...I had emailed her boss as well, and sure enough about an hour later, her boss emails that the administrator is out today for a family medical issue but should be back in tomorrow. So I respond that she took care of it from home, and the boss emails me back extolling the virtues of the people under him! So this administrator who seems barely able to do her job, is getting kudos from her boss because of me! What did I do wrong?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

your mail was clean of any unnecessary words and didn't express your feelings - you've got what you wanted, i.e. you managed to convince the other party that everything is fine, but this small issue, which was fixed for you under extreme pressure of medical emergency :)

CarlBrannen said...

"I'm pleased that he picked a woman, even if he did so purely for political reasons (well that, and probably a bit because he couldn't get along with the men under consideration)."

I wonder if anyone ever picks a VP for any reason other than political. If there are other reasons, I suspect that they're worse.

And I guess the reason Obama didn't pick Hillary was because he didn't get along with her.

Angry said...

Carl,

Sure, always political. I suppose instead I should have said that McCain picked Palin solely for the demographics with no concern for getting political points for competence, experience, or benefit to the office or country.

There are other possibilities I think more likely with Obama's failure to pick Hilary: the role of Bill, and that she might not have wanted the job.

Did you see SNL? Tina Fey did great, but funniest when, during the new segment, they mentioned that Palin was soon to be a GILF.