Oldsoldier
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Joined: 06/23/2008
Posts: 29 Location: Ringgold, Georgia Occupation: Manager
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Recent Comments by Oldsoldier
08/26/2008 09:30:10 AM
Aqua----C'Mon! If we stop playing up 'military experience', then what else did Bill Clark have going for him to develop his leadership style?? (More on that 'style' in a second.) I don't think we should have counted on his obtaining much leadership experience gained his private sector job experiences...impressive sounding as they may be.... Vice-President of Clark Farms - Is it really leadership experience since the farm's not a producing farm and has no employees? President of Ringgold Mining and Manufacturing- No mining, No manufacturing, No employees- how much leadership experience is learned in such an environment? And it is NOT true that military experience and it's leadership training is different from that needed in the 'private sector'.. FYI: The training that modern officers receive has a strong emphasis on upholding morale, developing self confidence of the troops/employees, and executing strategy (NOT just military combat, but planning, deployment and management of resources , incl. Budgets, and logistics, etc.). Your concept of an individual officer shouting orders, and having enlisted soldiers meekly saluting and blindly following their leaders off into battle is so much movie hype. A group of soldiers is an effective and productive team, just as is needed in local government and business. They do need an effective and expereinced leader. The leadership traits and successful methods required are the very same as the private sector requires. I recall that Greene has spoken of the cities and county trying to work together as a team..interesting concept, as we never heard that approach from Clark! In addition to being a father, husband, and community leader, I understand that Greene has a real job, with real deliverables, and probably a company organizational structure above and below him. I would expect that he uses the skills he has honed in the military, but also in college and in life experiences, to be successful. If he doesn't perform, I'd bet he would be fired, not promoted... But if Bill Clark doesn't perform, the executive branch of neither Clark Farms or R M&M will likely fire him. Back to the Clark 'Leadership style'....I will agree with a point you may be making... We have seen Clark's concept of leadership for the last 4 years, and it indeed is a stereotypic military 'Command and Control', cascade downward approach, which was probably in vogue when he was being trained in the military. If his example of leadership is your benchmark for the differences that exist between military and civilian leadership traits, I would agree with your conclusion. Especially given that Bill's leadership example may be your only reference point with which to draw such a conclusion. So, I accept that may be where you have the disconnect relative to leadership approaches between 'The Military Style' and 'The Private Sector Style'.... but give it a rest, and give it a chance. The world has moved on... in the military as well as in Catoosa County. Let the next four years be an opportunity to grow, not another opportunity to gripe! |
08/25/2008 09:45:55 AM
VoterWithBrain....Don't doubt you have one, but all brains are not created equal... Clearly your post is written from the perspective of a person with no military experience..but from someone who is heavy with platitudes about 'supporting our troops'. The military arena has about as many different MOS's (Military Occupational Specialities- like job titles) as does the civilian opportunity for job occupations. You cannot equate Greene's military experience with Clark's. Look at 30 years in a Veterinary Corps- vs. 25 years in a Combat Arms venue...It is quite a different leadership venue, I propose. As for Ronald Reagan's military experience, again, not to diminish it, but Come on with your comment! His supporters never flaunted it? Of course not! He served in a motion picture unit during WWII because he was nearsighted and that excluded him from serving overseas. What was there to flaunt about ? He made military training films stateside...hardly a risky, noteworthy military tour! Here's a comparison on military service - On the one hand Greene started as an enlisted man, but who took his role so seriously that he eventually became an Army officer..that a leap in both time and training. It is a strong stretch to accomplish in anyone's book- any ex-serviceman will tell you that- ..then to do it in one of the 'Combat Arms' is additionally exceptional (For your education, in the Army that is the Infantry, Artillery, and Armor). Greene was an Infantry leader, even though he had a degree in Engineering and COULD have become an officer in the Engineering area- usually less risky as an engineer, too. He got impressive decorations. Getting a 'Combat Infantry Badge' means foot patrol fighting in combat, and 'Purple Heart' means 'wounded' and neither of these are awarded if you are sitting in an office in a rear area. Leading combat soldiers means a Life and death call at every turn..and their lives hang in the balance. Clark's service - He never saw any combat, has no combat related medals, and I would guess the stress of giving orders to other veterinarians may not be quite as harsh as commanding soldiers going building to building in a combat zone. I wonder if Clark ever was in a position to be placing another's life at risk due to one of his commands..? Look, making a broad brush statement about various military leadership experiences being similar and how they translate to a civilian leadership role is just not possible... but a constant I would suggest is this- If the leader (in any situation) has had to weigh the outcomes of one leadership decision against another, then the magnitude of the consequences of each call must be weighed. The type leader this county needs is a leader who understands how important EACH decision is as to the impact it has on other people's lives, and with his experience, I suggest the man best prepared is Greene. The last 4 years in Catoosa County under 'Col. Clark's leadership have shown that he is cavalier about what he personally wants to do. And he does it with impunity! He has no idea (nor does he care) what consequences are to others as they cascade downhill from his lofty perch. He been heard to say many times, when asked about consequences and impacts to others- "I don't give a damn!" He has also been heard to say..and I think, quoted in the paper..that "Politics in Catoosa County is a Bloodsport!" Interesting comment, as he must have read that in a history book somewhere. Because in relationship to his military leadership, he certainly has never been in a situation to where he has ever had to risk spilling any blood..at least not human blood. Bloodsport, indeed! Catoosa needs new leadership. The voters (well, the 11% who care enough to vote) have said that already. I believe that 'military' experience is NOT a criterion for good leadership..but it may be a good basis, if it is the right kind of experience.. certainly, serious leadership experience is a critical need for the role, wherever it is obtained. We all have worked for a boss who may, or may not be, a leader. Still, they are the boss. We can rarely pick our boss at work, but we can select our county's leaders. I suggest that we have already said we want some else for the Chairman role.. now lets get behind them.. How long does it take for the followers of a defeated candidate to accept that they have not prevailed? Maybe they will never accept it. But the stark fact is, many of us have had to swallow the antics of Bill Clark, et al, for 4 years. Many older 'lifetime' Catoosans who know him have had to put up with his arrogance for many years, well before his election to this office. It is now almost over...not the arrogance, but the antics. Let's survive the next 4 months of whatever vindictiveness occurs and get ready for a new day in Catoosa County! |
08/19/2008 09:01:27 AM
American Citizen.....You ask, any reason I am against Mr. Long....? Well, do i need to have a specific reason? I could ask, why are you against Mr. Greene? I would bet we'll both agree that when you support one candidate, that genmerally precludes you being for the other. Right? I just do not see how a person can be for 2 people in a single election. I only have one vote.... it should be clear to anyone reading this that I will be expending my vote for Mr. Greene, just as I did in the primary, just as I did in the run-off, and just as I will in the fall. I agree, going to the Commissioners meetings from now on 'til January would be smart for anyone who is concerned that Mr. William H.H. Clark may try to hijack the county before leaving. I think he likes it when just he, Phyllis, Mona, Cherise, Roger, Don, Sara, Brad, and Marshall are there. Then he feels like he actually has a mandate for his shenanigans... In the light of a broader public scrutiny, he may be less likely to be blatant about his actions... not to say he won't have backroom sessions! Oh, the Sausage Factory (which is a real small white block building just down the side street from NWGA Bank in Ringgold) is where the 'Clark Club' often meets to have a discussion. (No prying eyes!)You can drive by on your way to church and usually see a car or two there Sunday mornings... Don't worry about Bill being in church..he claims to be a member of a church in Dalton, but the word is, he's an irregular attender, not a member. Maybe the old Sausage Factory Bldg. is sort of a place of 'worship', with a photo of Gen. Cleburne hanging on the wall beneath Gen Robt. E. Lee's photo. However, the south won't rise again, certainly not under Bill Clark's leadership!! |
08/18/2008 04:23:59 PM
Are any of the political bloggers still reading? I have heard rumblings that Bill Clark and Don Hutelin are actually planning to back Lyn Long for Chairman against Keith Greene in the fall Commission election. If that is true, it is indeed the most childish reaction I have ever heard from a bunch of political has-beens. Since they lost the primary, can you believe they won't even support their own party's candidate(?), just so they can try to get even. We always said that the Clarkites/Luddites were really Libertarians, and while that may be true, one thing is certain.... that they aren't Republicans! I'd say for anyone who actually IS a Republican, perhaps it is time we took back the official Catoosa Republican Party from these carpetbaggers. Mr. Clark, you can have 5 generations of ancestors in the county, but that doesn't make you an aristocrat. Actions speak louder than words, or lineage. And a families legacy is only as good as the most recent representative. If they are supporting Mr. Long, then the only satisfaction I'll get from this activity is that, finally and once again, the Sausage Factory Gang will get beat another time in 2008.. Wilson lost, Scott lost, Clark lost, and now Long will lose. Hutelin, Bandy, Nelson and Allday don't have the nerve to run (Nelson lost once and hasn't been back!).... but you folks do know that you are labeled same as the pack with which you run - in this case, the Used-To-Be's. This group of politically experienced Boys and Girls just don't learn too easy..., They should have figured by now.." If you can't find a horse that can get you across the stream, maybe you should figure you were meant to stay on the side where you already are ", which seems to be ....in the past. |
08/08/2008 03:45:51 PM
This time next year, if they are talking at all, the Bandy, Hutelin, Allday(Everyday), Scott, Nelson crowd (oh, did I miss a name?) will be gloating because the county fiscal situation will be in dire straits... and the new administration will be working to solve the problem, but not fast enough for them...And they will surely not place any blame on the Clark administration for not managing well when their 4 years was in session. The fiscal health of a county has two approaches, just like at home.. sort of like the Aesop's fable about the Ant and the Grasshopper.... In the past, 'SOME' counties have used the "NEVER PLAN ahead and NEVER increase our income" approach... Counties using this method: Never increase taxes Keep reducing existing sources of income, Develop NO new sources of income, have NO idea what to do next, have no strategy for facing future inflation and needs, and then... live on fear of what tomorrow may bring. Some people live like this county approach... they are unable to meet many of their bills in later life. A few may have had very bad luck. I feel for them, but for the majority of this group, it is a future of their own making... they never invested over the years, Bought no insurance, lived beyond their means, never planned for their retirement, never saved, never looked down the road and said, 'What can I do NOW, so that I won't need to in fear when I retire?' However, when it is too late, and their earning power is gone, their only recourse is to be bitter, live only on social security, and develop anger toward those who have planned, and pray that costs don't go up, and taxes stay the same. Or there are those counties who tend to be managed in a balanced manner... They develop new sources of income, tax at an appropriate level to meet their current needs, invest in the future by having a plan to increase the tax base, and have leaders who have no personal agendas that are in conflict with the county they serve. Many successful people are like these counties. They also have considered their future needs. They have Saved money, Paid off bills and homes, Lived well but within their means, avoided credit cards, consulted advisors, bought insurance for catastrophes, and thus have nesteggs for emergencies, and regular (albeit perhaps fixed) incomes to live on. Which management approach would like for your county to use? Which appriach HAS it been using? And which long term retirement lifestyle are you headed for? And is it too late to change to the way you'd LIKE it to be? |
08/06/2008 03:23:23 PM
Just as I suspected..Losers are losers, whether they are in political race, or whether they are in the aftermath of a political race. How despicable to attack the way a man and his family chose to worship his Lord, just because you SOUNDLY LOST the election. May I remind you that Catholicism is indeed a Christian denomination ? This lamebrained attack is not a surprise, for now we have come full circle and have experienced the basest of lowlife religious attacks from the the Clark camp. You unsuccessfully tried to win by: (1) Lying ("Bill Clark is an economic development supporter who has been preparing for the VW plant!" Nothing in 4 years, not until last Monday when he thought he'd lose the election!) (2) Stealing signs (One day a Greene sign is there, the next day it is gone and 3 Clark signs are in its place. How totally elemental is that approach?) (3) Threatening people - (Emails to county employees saying Greene will fire all existing employees if elected...really sweet!) And you STILL lost 2 to 1 (1876 to 1037). So now in bitterness, you add (to lying, stealing, and threatening) the specter of religion. God will smite us in Catoosa County because we have erred in NOT electing Bill Clark. I must believe that looking down on us are all the patriotic ancesters of Mr. Clark, and they must be roiling in their graves at this final and mean spirited attempt to smear the winner of a political race. How ashamed they must be, if they have any feeling at all! For such comments as these to be attached to their Clark name must be a disgrace that is so hard for them to bear! Shame in you, Thunderscot, or would that be "Thunderpot" (?), the old name we used to use for the Latrine.. For indeed, that is where these comments are coming from. You are indeed a piece of work! |
08/06/2008 09:17:13 AM
Top 14 Things on Bill Clark's list of TO DO's for Wednesday, 8-6-08:1. Rationalize that it wasn't ME who lost. It wasn't! It wasn't! NO commissioner has been re-elected in Catoosa, so IT WASN'T ME! 2. Remove my election signs... Darn! Why did we remove SO many 'Greene' signs and put up ours in their place? (If those signs could have voted, I'd have won!) 3. Take Judy O'Neal out to dinner, at least SHE voted for me! 4. Congratulate myself on fooling over 1000 people to stick by me and 'stay on the path'! (P.T. Barnum was right!) 5. Pay the charges for last weeks large colored mail brochure. 6. Devise a plan to 'get even' with Catoosa county in next 4 months. THEY'LL PAY!! 7. Call meeting of Gateway Bank officers. Fire them all for not getting me re-elected! 8. Figure out how to 'wire up' Dwayne and Bobbie so I can coach them how to vote during 2009 Commission Meetings! 9. See if I can return new Plaid shirt bought for brochure.(Worn only once! 10. Devise a plan to get the county to buy some of MY land to use as a 'Spec' Building' site! 11. Advertise and Sell new tractor I bought for brochure photos. (Driven only 15 minutes!) 12. Call Mona and tell her I am not paying for postage on her recent letter! It didn't work! 13. Call Wal-Mart- see if they need any new greeters! 14. Open up a new bottle of 'Jack'! |
08/06/2008 08:55:22 AM
Goldwater, if you mean what i think you mean, you should be saying 'Yellow Dog' Democrats, not 'Bluedog' democrats. Bluedogs' are current Representatives, But Yellowdogs were the traditional southern democrats who would rather vote for a yellow dog than a Republican. Is that what you mean? |
08/05/2008 03:39:05 PM
I was at a golf outing today, and people were saying that last nights 'debate' was a setup, as Judy ONeal and Bill Clark knew people would be calling in (and Bill subsequently set up the calls), but no one told Mr. Greene that was a part of the format. If you folks have not voted..you have until 7PM..please, GO NOW and vote in the Republican primary runoff and get Clark out of office. He is a 'dirty tricks' politician, much like Nixon was... We need him out of Office. While we're at it, does anyone actually think the Judy show is anything more than self-aggrandizement for Judy ONeal? I will never watch it again, as she gives me a pain .... her opinions are not relevant and her style is not informative, it is manipulative... She may think she is Barbara Walters, but I do not... More a Nancy Grace, it seems.. and she seems often confused about what is going on around her! |
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At this point, we probably can't be too sure whether it would be Bill Clarke or Don Hutelin who will actually be writing Lyn Long's speech. Strong rumor around Catoosa County has it that they are paying enough in support of Mr. Long's campaign that certainly one of the 'Clark Camp' will be assisting in preliminary debate preparations.