If you have been reading the newspapers or watching the news on television, you know that John Bolton is President Bush's nominee for the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. And you also know that his nomination is in danger because of reports that he often becomes uncontrollably angry toward his subordinates, has in many cases tried to get them fired for minor annoyances, and in general does not seem to have the temperament for someone that most of us would want for the position of ambassador to the U.N.
Bolton seems to be, in my opinion, a "rage-aholic." And he has his defenders, those who, like President Bush, say that getting angry at a subordinate has nothing to do with one's qualifications for the job of U.N. ambassador. In fact, his defenders say, getting angry is just part of life; all of us get angry at one time or another, and sometimes anger serves a useful purpose. All strong leaders will exhibit this emotion in the heat of the moment. Nothing to be ashamed about, nothing that should deny the man a job.
But most of us, I suspect, realize that exhibiting the kind of anger that Bolton is accused of *is* something to be ashamed of. It's a character flaw, one that can be emotionally and vocationally fatal. It can ruin friendships, mess up marriages, and destroy the self-esteem of children. And it can create an unhealthy atmosphere in the work environment.
What's the connection to Jews for Jesus? Well, if you've read the stories at http://www.exjewsforjesus.org or the postings on this blog, you know that the Executive Director of Jews for Jesus is also a "rage-aholic." I'm referring to Moishe Rosen primarily, but also to David Brickner (mini-Mo) to a lesser degree (and anyone who aspires to leadership in JFJ). Throwing chairs and pipes and other objects, screaming at subordinates in public and private, firing people on a whim, this is the modus operandi of the Model Jews for Jesus Leader. It's not seen as a bad thing. In fact, it is seen as something that can be used in a manipulative sort of way, to achieve results that might otherwise not be achieved. Instilling fear in others, for one. If your subordinates are scared of you, they will often do whatever you want. It's the modern version of the King who could order a servant to be tortured or killed if they didn't do exactly what he said to do.
And why don't most Christian leaders have a problem with this Jews for Jesus style of management. I suspect that one reason is because many of them subscribe to the same sort of philosophy, or have the same sort of "anger management" tendencies.
When John Bolton gets denied his job at the U.N., maybe he can apply for a job at JFJ.
8 comments:
The difference is, Bolton (if all these 11th-hour allegations are even true) and the morally preening senators (I don't doubt there are any number of horrid bosses in their ranks) work in a completely secular environment surrounded by mostly unsaved people in all likelihood. Mr. Rosen and the J4J crew are supposed to be born-again Christians who are subject to all of the biblical commands to treat their fellow Christians well, to crucify their flesh daily, and to strive to exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control, etc.)
Mr. Bolton may not be all that different from many of his peers, and his management style may be pretty typical in high-level government work. A completely different standard applies to Mr. Rosen and his executive staff, whether they think it does not not.
Ironically, mini and mity Mo justify their rage with their version of Christianity (remember mity discussing the "centurion's 'biblical ruthlessness'--we know mini paid attention during these lectures!).
I wonder what Bolton uses for an excuse.
I'll talk with Bush about this.
Moishe Rosen is a bully? And David Brickner too? Never in a million years would I believe that!
But... now that I think about it for a moment, maybe you are right. Yelling, screaming, throwing phones through windows, physical and emotional intimidation. Yes, that sounds like bullying behavior to me.
Heck, the Democrats put a murderer on the Senate ethics committee. "I didn't have sex with that girl" brought back the presidency to the pain pill popper JFK days.
I guess morality is something one decides after seeing which party is represented.
My observation of Rosen was that he would demonstrate controlled rage, then when he had uncontrolled rage he could claim he was simply using a management tool.
When it came to brickner, one is dealing with a bully. Brickner has a demonstrable problem in that if he doesn't get his way, the man loses control and snaps.
I understand how you saw a difference between Rosen and Brickner...However, perhaps the difference between the two lies in the number of years they engaged in uncontrolled rage. Rosen developed all sorts of (elaborate) justifications--perhaps in reaction to the horror other people responded with who happened to witness the fits of rage.
Yes, VERY VERILY, David had temper tantrum toward me before I got a suspending for one and half week. I almost got fired for being a temper tantram but I had to control myself not to show my temper!
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