April 3, 2008
Good afternoon all. While some here might know or guess my opinion on the three Selectmen candidates, that is not my main point. And, what follows is not meant to reflect on any specifics of the race.
Why is there always a concern about if a person stays true to earlier comments or changes those opinions. Let me ask - "Is the earth flat?" Back 2500 or so years ago, it was the widespread belief. While no one can know for sure, but I would bet that Aristotle probably spoke of a flat earth in his earlier days. Then, as he studied the issue in greater detail, hypothesized that the earth must be round. Most of us can now probably agree that his later work and discussions on the earth being round are correct.
Does anyone think lesser of him for at one point believing the earth flat and then later believing it round?
Or take various periods in history - when women were not allowed to vote, when there were slaves, when there were "white" and "colored" notations for most everything. Discussion and analysis by many led to changed opinions.
So, perhaps not always a perfect benchmark to say that a change is bad.
On the other hand, there are many instances when a person has held true to their beliefs and convictions and been proven correct. Perhaps Warren Buffett is a good example. He has been successful for a very long time with one investing principle - to invest in companies that are strong even when the marketplace might not see the value, especially when the next "hot" stock or industry is on the horizon as a temptation. He believes in a process and stays with it even though others might be more successful for an instant with their "sure thing".
So, perhaps one should never change their focus.
Actually, it is probably in between. We have debates, discussions, forums to exchange ideas. And even if we do not wish to admit it, there is a hope that we can sway someone else's opinion. Is that person suddenly "bad" because our argument was able to prove a point to another to such a degree that he/she now agrees with our position?
You probably do not agree with your husband/wife 100%, so why do we have this requirement on leaders? People, candidates... they are a compilation of many things. Think about what caused each of their decisions to be made whether it be Selectmen or President, and choose someone to support. Become involved in the process. And, remember to vote!
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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