Re: [Freeflight] Rubbing it in

[Nate Waddoups <thoughts@n...>]

On Sun, 16 Feb 2003, Janet Jeanpierre <jeanpierre@v...> wrote:

> This may sound unkind and unfeeling, but too much is at stake to think
> assuaging your guilt feelings is more important than this very
> important message. It serves no useful purpose to tell you that you
> did everything possible when you didn't.

It's not about "assuaging her guilt," this is about rubbing it in. It's
not a matter of telling her she did everything possible, when she herself,
in the original message, acknowledged the mistake - in fact acknowledged
it to be THE crucial mistake. I quote:

"I also believe that we would have recovered her the next day had we
stayed where she could see us instead of thinking we could come and go
from the area (we both went to work and left our daughters to watch her,
call for her, keep an eye on her - but not non-stop). It's a regret I
shall live with the rest of my life."

Does that not stand on its own??? Are these the words of a person looking
for someone to assuage her guilt? Are these the words of a person who
doesn't realize what her mistake was? Is it really necessary to repeat
her own words back to her? How many times?

More importantly, how many people are now going to keep honest reports of
their progress to themselves? Now that it's been established that any
mistake will be rubbed in at least twice no matter how clearly one
acknowledges it, I'm sure there's people on this list (heck, count me in),
who would rather keep their mistakes to themselves than be drawn and
quartered publicly. And how does that help ANYONE learn?

I'm REALLY GLAD that I DON'T see anyone lecturing Chris on ways to prevent
the loss of $20,0000. It wouldn't be out of line though, given the
atmosphere that's being established here.

-- 

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA
http://www.natew.com