I too prayed as I went by - I am so sorry.

The front axel was torn off the truck.

We need speed control - this would be the best prevention

LOL!

I did not feel this in Rainier, Or - just across the river from St. Helens.

I too was on the mountain - this is a pretty fair clarification.

Here's my story:
http://www.daddytude.com/2010/04/bully-pulpit/

I did this 15 years ago - smartest thing I ever did. Yes, there have been bumps and bruises - but I've never been happier!

Maybe it wouldn't be such a small dent if more people would support the attempts at fixing it.

It's so hard when one's greatest strengths are also their greatest weakness. From the reports I've heard, McChrystal was a pretty sharp dude - and even your post mentions that Obama hired him because of his willingness to be, um, "transparent."

Several years ago, when I was pastoring a church, I had a leader going around and saying things to others about my leadership style, methods, and objectives. This volunteer never spoke to me. They were in a position of high influence and were used to saying whatever they liked - or didn't, as the case may be.

Although I haven't seen it used much with volunteers in particular, or in churches generally, I used a series of progressive discipline with this individual. First we spoke and I suggested that this approach was not conducive to an effective team. Next I brought in another leaders and the three of us spoke - but still, this influential leader was assuming they could do or say anything they wanted to.

At last, I essentially fired this influential, volunteer leader. I don't see this happen very often in churches. It was during an evangelistic event and this individual was talking to non-member attendees and telling them what a horrible pastor I was. After pulling this person aside, I asked for their name badge and relieved them of their responsibilities on the spot.

Addendum: A pastor who was there, a friend of mine, recently called me and related a derogatory email he received from my former leader. My friend also reminded me of the above event - which I had essentially forgotten. My pastor friend said that at the time, he was shocked with how I fired this other person, but now he sees the wisdom in what I did.

Thanks for a good post. I hate to see good people go, but this guy dug his own grave.