Need for speed

The speed limit on most of Parkwood Drive is 45 mph. However, there is that one stretch — about a half-mile long — where the road is unfinished and abruptly narrows from six to two lanes. The speed limit on this stretch has long been 35 mph. Few people observe that speed limit, though, and when somebody does, it creates a dangerous traffic jam where people have to merge.

Recently I observed a police officer observing traffic at this location for several days in a row. Naturally I thought our men in blue were cracking down on the speeders. Much to my surprise, however, I noticed that the speed limit was *increased* a few days later — from 35 to 40 mph.

This is a great example of local officials making local decisions to take care of local problems. This is how our country’s founding fathers envisioned that our government should work. Local governments are best at solving local issues. If this had been a state highway or a federal highway, we’d still be driving 35 mph. Actually, we’d still be driving 45, but feeling more guilty about it.

And if you think this is a commentary about speed limits, you might be wrong…

Need for speed

The speed limit on most of Parkwood Drive is 45 mph. However, there is that one stretch — about a half-mile long — where the road is unfinished and abruptly narrows from six to two lanes. The speed limit on this stretch has long been 35 mph. Few people observe that speed limit, though, and when somebody does, it creates a dangerous traffic jam where people have to merge.

Recently I observed a police officer observing traffic at this location for several days in a row. Naturally I thought our men in blue were cracking down on the speeders. Much to my surprise, however, I noticed that the speed limit was *increased* a few days later — from 35 to 40 mph.

This is a great example of local officials making local decisions to take care of local problems. This is how our country’s founding fathers envisioned that our government should work. Local governments are best at solving local issues. If this had been a state highway or a federal highway, we’d still be driving 35 mph. Actually, we’d still be driving 45, but feeling more guilty about it.

And if you think this is a commentary about speed limits, you might be wrong…

In need of an Easy button

I used to be a big fan of Office Depot, but lately they seem to be struggling to keep up with Staples. Their latest advertising campaign is an example.

Staples has “That Was Easy” and the big red easy “Easy” button. I’m amazed at how many people spend $5 to have an Easy button on their desk. My boss has one on his desk, and even my wife has one in her classroom. Their commercials are fresh, fun and engaging. While the commercials never really explain how the Easy button works, we are left to imagine that the little Staples elves somehow work their magic in the background to solve all of our problems.

Now Office Depot has the “helping hand.” Is is just me, or does this have too much of a “Me, too!” ring to it? It’s like the local grocery that advertises “Friendly service.” And not to be outdone, the competitor down the street offers “Courteous service.” It’s the same thing, just packaged differently. The “Helping Hand” is the essentially the same idea as the “Easy Button” — just packaged differently. And not even as well.

Maybe somebody should get Office Depot an Easy button… and fast!

In need of an Easy button

I used to be a big fan of Office Depot, but lately they seem to be struggling to keep up with Staples. Their latest advertising campaign is an example.

Staples has “That Was Easy” and the big red easy “Easy” button. I’m amazed at how many people spend $5 to have an Easy button on their desk. My boss has one on his desk, and even my wife has one in her classroom. Their commercials are fresh, fun and engaging. While the commercials never really explain how the Easy button works, we are left to imagine that the little Staples elves somehow work their magic in the background to solve all of our problems.

Now Office Depot has the “helping hand.” Is is just me, or does this have too much of a “Me, too!” ring to it? It’s like the local grocery that advertises “Friendly service.” And not to be outdone, the competitor down the street offers “Courteous service.” It’s the same thing, just packaged differently. The “Helping Hand” is the essentially the same idea as the “Easy Button” — just packaged differently. And not even as well.

Maybe somebody should get Office Depot an Easy button… and fast!

Good-bye, Gerald Ford

Like many Americans, I’ve been moved by the recent state funeral for former President Gerald Ford. I am deeply saddened by the loss of what I believe to be one of our country’s most courageous and underappreciated leaders.

When he became president on August 9, 1974, the country was in a crisis. For more than a decade, the nation had been rocked by political assassinations, a long and frustrating war, riots in our streets and on our campuses, economic distress, and scandals at the highest level of government.

The most defining event of his presidency may have been his pardon of President Richard Nixon, which effectively ended the Watergate scandal. The decision was very controversial and unpopular at the time, and most political observers agree that it cost him the 1976 presidential election. Today, most Americans agree that the pardon was a good decision, and a courageous act.

It’s too bad that it took the rest of the country so long to see what Gerald Ford instinctively understood in 1974. The country needed to move forward. It needed to heal. Perhaps Ford’s greatest presidential legacy is that he restored confidence in the office of the President and brought hope to the country.

That would be enough for most men, but his greatest legacy may have occurred in 1978. Concerned about his wife’s addiction to alcohol and pain killers, Ford had the courage to intervene. That intervention, according to Betty Ford, saved her life, and led her to found the Betty Ford Treatment Center where countless others have been treated for addictions.

I’d like to comment more on these actions, but I’ll save that for a future post. It seems more fitting for the moment to simply reflect on Gerald Ford’s contributions and let this post be a tribute to him.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Good-bye, Gerald Ford

Like many Americans, I’ve been moved by the recent state funeral for former President Gerald Ford. I am deeply saddened by the loss of what I believe to be one of our country’s most courageous and underappreciated leaders.

When he became president on August 9, 1974, the country was in a crisis. For more than a decade, the nation had been rocked by political assassinations, a long and frustrating war, riots in our streets and on our campuses, economic distress, and scandals at the highest level of government.

The most defining event of his presidency may have been his pardon of President Richard Nixon, which effectively ended the Watergate scandal. The decision was very controversial and unpopular at the time, and most political observers agree that it cost him the 1976 presidential election. Today, most Americans agree that the pardon was a good decision, and a courageous act.

It’s too bad that it took the rest of the country so long to see what Gerald Ford instinctively understood in 1974. The country needed to move forward. It needed to heal. Perhaps Ford’s greatest presidential legacy is that he restored confidence in the office of the President and brought hope to the country.

That would be enough for most men, but his greatest legacy may have occurred in 1978. Concerned about his wife’s addiction to alcohol and pain killers, Ford had the courage to intervene. That intervention, according to Betty Ford, saved her life, and led her to found the Betty Ford Treatment Center where countless others have been treated for addictions.

I’d like to comment more on these actions, but I’ll save that for a future post. It seems more fitting for the moment to simply reflect on Gerald Ford’s contributions and let this post be a tribute to him.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Happy New Year’s Resolution

I have never been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions, perhaps because mine have always been driven by guilt. I tend to think of things I should stop doing, or more frequently, things that I feel guilty for not doing more of. Such as exercising more often, calling my friends and relatives more often, saving more for retirement, or praying more often.

Yes, I can heap mountains of guilt upon myself for these omissions of discipline in my life. But I’ve discovered that guilt is not a good motivator. This year, I decided to take a different approach to a resolution. Rather than letting guilt be my motivator, I decided to let opportunity be my motivator. In other words, what opportunities am I missing or overlooking? Not something I feel guilty about not doing, but something that – if I started doing it – would enhance my life.

Hence, my 2007 New Year’s resolution is to start blogging. I’ve called this blog Waypoint, which is simply a navigational marker along a journey. Metaphorically speaking, this blog represents the milestones and markers along my personal journey. My hope is to create some dialog, crystallize my own thoughts, and increase learning.

Now, if I could just overcome the guilt of sitting in front of the computer instead of exercising…

Happy New Year’s Resolution

I have never been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions, perhaps because mine have always been driven by guilt. I tend to think of things I should stop doing, or more frequently, things that I feel guilty for not doing more of. Such as exercising more often, calling my friends and relatives more often, saving more for retirement, or praying more often.

Yes, I can heap mountains of guilt upon myself for these omissions of discipline in my life. But I’ve discovered that guilt is not a good motivator. This year, I decided to take a different approach to a resolution. Rather than letting guilt be my motivator, I decided to let opportunity be my motivator. In other words, what opportunities am I missing or overlooking? Not something I feel guilty about not doing, but something that – if I started doing it – would enhance my life.

Hence, my 2007 New Year’s resolution is to start blogging. I’ve called this blog Waypoint, which is simply a navigational marker along a journey. Metaphorically speaking, this blog represents the milestones and markers along my personal journey. My hope is to create some dialog, crystallize my own thoughts, and increase learning.

Now, if I could just overcome the guilt of sitting in front of the computer instead of exercising…