"The fact that you have opinions and feelings on issues means you are at the table; It is the ones that have no opinions.They are the dangerous ones"

Right before the Finance committee meeting last night, one of the alderman was explaining his position on an issue to Finance Chair, Karen Aikman ,and ended by saying, "I am sorry, I just have strong feelings on this issue."

"Don't ever feel sorry about it," Karen Aikman replied. "The fact that you have opinions or feelings about the issue means you are at the table. The one's who have no ideas or opinions. They are the dangerous ones."

While I was startled by the comment at the time, I have pondered on it, and believe that this is exactly so. Whether you are a young man who does not propose because he is worried about what his mother or mother in law or frineds might think or the person who does not speak out because of fear of being wrong on an issue, nothing happens till the person has enough committment to risk being occasionaly uncomfortable. Being at the table.

As we approach election time, it is helpful to realize that some do not want to be uncomfortable either in dealing with others opinions or their own. Yet that is what committment is all about.