So said Senator John McCain — and as a tortured POW, he ought to know. Oooh… I feel a rant coming on…

Frankly, I could not agree more with with my Arizona Senator. Torture IS wrong — and so is ANY kind of bullying. Because Senator McCain courageously went against his own political party (and was being beat up for it), I felt he deserved my support.

Thus, the following letter was sent yesterday:

Dear Senator McCain,

As constituents, we don’t always agree with your positions. But in the case of your position on torture by the CIA, we AGREE with you COMPLETELY!

Your speech yesterday was eloquent. You said what needed to be said. Unlike too many other politicians, you shared your views without any political rancor. It came from the heart.

We fear we have become a nation of bullies… It starts at the top with agencies like the CIA… It filters down to white police too quick to shoot black citizens*… It then extends to our children — who, when they see all this, think it is OK (and even normal) to bully their classmates.

But enough is enough! The bullying needs to stop. The change needs to begin somewhere, and exposing federal government involvement at the top levels is a good place to start. In fact, it NEEDS to start at that level.

So THANK YOU Senator — for standing up to the bullies in the CIA — for standing up to the bullies in the right-wing media — and for standing up to the bullies in your own political party!

Happy Holidays, and our Sincere Best Wishes…

(* Happened again last week here in Phoenix. Black man shot in front of his small kids reaching for a pill bottle. No crime being committed.)

There are some consulting lessons here too. The Senator did not choose the easy political route, but rather spoke out and let the chips fall where they may.

As consultants, we are often called to do the same. To speak the truth, regardless of the consequences.

But one can do so with compassion and understanding. I often joke that I sometimes must tell a client “their baby is ugly.” But I always try to do so in a positive way. That is exactly what Senator McCain did in his speech.

Yes, torture is WRONG. So is bullying. But standing up and speaking out with integrity is RIGHT. Thanks, Senator!

P.S. Don’t let clients bully YOU. Had it happen once, and I immediately “fired” the client. An Engineering Director, he bullied his employees. It was embarrassing to watch. When he tried the same with me, I simply told him to find a new consultant. I think he was a bit shocked, but it was not worth the fee to put up with the guy.

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