If you own a semi-automatic, you want to kill policemen, kill kids, says Jimmy Carter

[Jim K]

Jimmy Carter is (or at least was) not a moron. He was, if anything, overeducated. Further, he was an engineer. Normally, engineers get things accomplished, but Carter was one of the kind who obsess over "what ifs", trying to get things not just good, but perfect. The result was that he was a ditherer, and a sick joke as president. Up to now, though, I have always thought he was essentialy a good person. After that remark, I have come to the conclusion that he is either senile or just another looney left winger who doesn't know or care about anyone or anything except a far left political agenda.

Jim

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[Louis of PA]

Jimmy Carter is (or at least was) not a moron. He was, if anything, overeducated. Further, he was an engineer. Normally, engineers get things accomplished, but Carter was one of the kind who obsess over "what ifs", trying to get things not just good, but perfect. The result was that he was a ditherer, and a sick joke as president. Up to now, though, I have always thought he was essentialy a good person. After that remark, I have come to the conclusion that he is either senile or just another looney left winger who doesn't know or care about anyone or anything except a far left political agenda.

Jim

Jim, I read some years ago that, when Carter would ask for a full report on some issue, he would sometimes receive a one-hundred or so page report, THEN READ EVERY WORD OF IT!

To me that's the sign of a perfectionist, not a moron. Recall that McClellan, the Civil War failed general, was a master of inspiring and training troops but became paralyzed with indecision when it came to actual battles.

I'm convinced that he too was a perfectionist. Perfectionists have a dread fear that things won't work out perfectly - what things ever do? And so they often freeze up when it comes to actually getting things accomplished, things they'll be judged on.

A smart manager who trusts his people will have his staff read a report and then tell him what it says. I think Reagan operated like that.

And Winston Churchill, as Prime Minister, instructed all his advisors to "submit your reports on one side of a single sheet of paper".

Regards,

Louis of PA

[talucah]

Patton quote: "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."