I've been on this board for a few years now and I've had a debate or two with some of you. What I've just realized after reading your thoughts on KDB's (ahem) departure is that you all have the biggest hearts I've ever seen. I sincerely mean that. Here is/was a guy who has become exactly what he keeps warning us about. He calls us names, ridicules us, taunts us and is just plain obnoxious. And dispite all that, you wish him well and ask him not to go. Maybe it's the "liberalness" in you. You tend to believe that all people are good, honest, sincere and have the best interest of others first and foremost in their minds. This, I'm vey ashamed to say, is character trait I no longer possess.

I have managed people for over 15 years in one profession or another. I have seen some unbelievable things. Everyday I see people lie, cheat, harrass, backstab, complain and manipulate. The amount of effort they expend trying to do as little as possible amazes me. People ignore those who've worked hard to make a better life for themselves. Instead, they focus on those who've found a hole in the system and have chosen to exploit that hole so they can get something for nothing. I've seen people who'd rather collect a $200/wk unemployment check or disability check than work a 40 hours a week and earn twice that! How do I reason with that mind set? What do I do to motivate these people? I've come to realize there's nothing I can say or do. All I can do is continue to work with and reward those who are of the opposite belief; hard work = success. But the problem is, it's easy to just give up and give in. "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

I've gone on long enough. Again, I truly admire those of you who believe that all people are good and have good intentions. I wish I had your compassion and understanding. Right now I have to go spend the next few hours of my day trying to understand how one of my employees developed a "repetitive stress injury" (i.e. carpel tunnel syndrome) after just two days on the job. Her doctor has given her a work restriction of only 15 minutes per hour. The other 45 minutes she can't do anything. How long do you think it will it be before another employee see this and gets "injured"? I'll give it a week. The cycle continues.

In closing I ask you all to keep fighting the good fight. I know most people are good, honest, caring, hard working people. Unfortunately, from where I'm sitting, the numbers are dwindling.

Cynically yours,

Dale