I love scathing feedback
2023-03-14
Dear friend,
I love scathing feedback.
There's always something to learn. As I argued to my son on the T-bar at the Brattleboro Ski Hill on Sunday afternoon, if you're only hearing and only wanting to hear positive feedback from people, are you taking any risks? (I proceeded to catch an edge and almost take a digger on one of my next GS turns.)
Several folks wrote in to my email yesterday calling for support of H.267, to enact Permanent Standard Time.
Feedback has been about 2 to 1 in favor, with another 30% undecided. Here's some anecdata from voter emails:
In favor: "I support your move to establish permanent standard time."
Maybe in favor...?: "My head agrees with Permanent Standard, but my heart wants Permanent Daylight. I like getting up in the dark, and late sunsets mean more fun evening activities outdoors. But that's just me--I get the science that says Permanent Standard is more human, and it's probably right. Also, Permanent Daylight was tried by Nixon, and despite it being popular in concept it was rolled back a year later. So, the part of me that doesn't want to repeat the mistakes of our fathers says Permanent Standard is the way to go. Good luck with your bill!"
Mixed: "Loved reading about your day and thoughts concerning the time change. It really doesn't matter too much to me since I'm retired. Everyday is Saturday! Since I don't have to get up early for work, I enjoy having more light at the end of the day."
And then we had this rebuke:
"For someone who I thought would be able to think, you astound me.
"You rant on about all the harm possible from the loss of a little sleep, and you seem to be oblivious to the fact that you could have set your clocks ahead Saturday afternoon, followed your regular schedule from then forward, and eliminated all of the sleep deprivation and other troubles you decry.
"If you want to be a true leader, think of leadership solutions to perceived problems, develop your solution so you can explain it those you represent and others who may need to be enlightened, and show yourself as a true leader."
I love our democracy. I love that people have the freedom to say what's on their mind. And I love that people of all persuasions care enough to write to their elected leaders and give them a piece of their mind. I love the diversity of opinion that I get to hear, as someone privileged to hold elected office.
I often tell people that the best thing about running for office last year was finding out, one door knock at a time, that people aren't as one-dimensional as cable TV would have you believe.
Keep it coming!
P.S. In response to your questions, all is well -- thanks! By the way, here I am with DJ Water Deluxe and DJ Flexirak on Brattleboro community radio Sunday. Check out my friend's show Sundays at 5 p.m. -- he picks some great tracks! https://www.wvew.org/