The First Annual Zenpundit Big Pair of Stones Award
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Rock on Mr. Secretary !
“One day you will come to a fork in the road. And you’re going to have to make a decision about what direction you want to go.” [Boyd] raised his hand and pointed. “If you go that way you can be somebody. You will have to make compromises and you will have to turn your back on your friends. But you will be a member of the club and you will get promoted and you will get good assignments.” Then Boyd raised the other hand and pointed another direction. “Or you can go that way and you can do something–something for your country and for your Air Force and for yourself. If you decide to do some thing, you may not get promoted and you may not get the good assignments and you certainly will not be a favorite of your superiors. But you won’t have to compromise yourself. You will be true to your friends and to yourself. And your work might make a difference.” He paused and stared. “To be somebody or to do something. In life there is often a roll call. That’s when you will have to make a decision. To be or to do? Which way will you go?”
– Colonel John Boyd
April 7th, 2009 at 4:24 am
Boyd, of course, won the Lifetime award.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:28 am
Well said!
April 7th, 2009 at 6:23 am
“In life there is often a roll call. That’s when you will have to make a decision. To be or to do? "
Wow.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Zen : I know he’s got cajones but what’s this ’bout. Forgive ignorant me for I’ve not been readin’ the news of late.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Zen : I know he’s got cajones but what’s this ’bout? Forgive ignorant me for I’ve not been readin’ the news of late.
April 7th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Big PAIR of stones? I figured the guy must have at least 3!!!
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At any rate, this is all fine and dandy until the congressional wing of the Defense Contractors gets a hold of it.
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Good Luck, SECDEF.
April 7th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
@YT: This article in the Financial Times might give you an idea.
April 8th, 2009 at 1:41 am
[…] so the play repeats again, this time with Secretary Gates as the hero. Even the always insightful Zenpundit is fooled (which shows the power of this simple drama). But you cannot fool all the people all […]
April 8th, 2009 at 3:35 am
The Big Pair of Stones Award is much needed. But it should be given like the Congressional Medal of Honor of the Victoria Cross — when it is earned. That may be more or less frequently than annually. Probably less.
April 8th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Hi Lex,
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No doubt you are right. "Annual" probably is too ambitious a unit of time 🙂
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Hi FM,
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Commented at your site.
April 8th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Thanks! Your comments are always welcome and appreciated.
April 8th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
T. Greer : Thanks very much. Was just checkin’ out FM’s site as well.