RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Almost everywhere I have gone these past few days, people have been talking about the massacre at Fort Hood. That persons who had put themselves in harm's way for their nation and the cause of liberty were the victims of this malicious assault only magnifies the outrage.

But now there are those inevitable news reports that the "authorities" were aware of the threat posed by the man now charged with 13 counts of murder and attempted murder. These were not merely rumors, but in some cases highly public statements made by the accused.

I strongly suspect that this outrage and the tragedy it created could have been avoided if someone in responsiblity (this time in the military) had actually taken responsibility. Taking, responsibility, however, is something people are reluctant to do. For that means being accountable.

Or on the other hand, too many people want to be responsible for themselves only. They do not want to be accountable to others, and therefore resist someone else's discipline, boundaries, or intervention.

A nation where no one takes responsibility becomes leaderless, rudderless, and chaotic (to say the least). A nation where those who are responsible, dodge that responsbility or hope that someone will do the hard work of accountability--is a nation where tragedies come unnecessarily at the hands of irresponsible people.

As one who must lead, it is sometimes frustrating that more people would choose followership than shared leadership. As one who deals with people who do not want to accept boundaries and consequences for their unrestrained self-centeredness, it is an uphill battle to keep us all safe, secure and sane.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY ... SHARE RESPONSIBILITY ... MAKE YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE ... HOLD OTHERS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.