This is so true!! -- Where did "The Green Thing" come from ?
In the line at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."
The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment."
He was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.
But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.
But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.
In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us.
When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water.
We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.
But we didn't have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service.
We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.
But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?
Please forward this on to another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smart ass young person.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Hewlett-Packard's board vs. Mark Hurd: The right decision?
Hewlett-Packard's board vs. Mark Hurd: The right decision?
The board's response sent a clear message that dishonesty and deceit will not be accepted at HP. Its decision to allow Hurd to resign and to keep his contracted severance package was humane. It acknowledged his record of excellence in his professional performance while conveying the unacceptability of misuse of funds.
......
In announcing his resignation as chief executive of Hewlett-Packard, Mark Hurd said: "There were instances in which I did not live up to the standards and principles of trust, respect, and integrity that I have espoused at HP and which have guided me throughout my career." I have no way of knowing who wrote and approved that statement, nor whether the last phrase is true. But as an observer of how difficult situations are discussed publicly, I can say that Mark Hurd's statement is an impressive model.
There is no attempt to wriggle out of the accusations, nor to spread blame ( for example, on the media). And, importantly, Hurd praises a company that, even after the death of its founders and the unhappy tenure of Carly Fiorina, still occupies a privileged niche among major international corporations. In the past, when someone said that he or she worked for HP, it meant something special. The speed and manner of Hurd's resignation increases the likelihood that working for HP will continue to mean something special. Redeeming that likelihood is the challenge for the next leadership, thousands of supporting employees and, especially, the board.
..
.......
From my vantage point, the board has performed its governance role admirably. Its action was particularly important because it expressed the character of the company and showed it is living up to the espoused values the leaders are legally and ethically bound to uphold. In this tragedy, the chief executive permitted his self-interest to override the greater interests of HP. The board made its decision based not on his personal failings but on his betrayal of corporate values.
The board's response sent a clear message that dishonesty and deceit will not be accepted at HP. Its decision to allow Hurd to resign and to keep his contracted severance package was humane. It acknowledged his record of excellence in his professional performance while conveying the unacceptability of misuse of funds.
......
In announcing his resignation as chief executive of Hewlett-Packard, Mark Hurd said: "There were instances in which I did not live up to the standards and principles of trust, respect, and integrity that I have espoused at HP and which have guided me throughout my career." I have no way of knowing who wrote and approved that statement, nor whether the last phrase is true. But as an observer of how difficult situations are discussed publicly, I can say that Mark Hurd's statement is an impressive model.
There is no attempt to wriggle out of the accusations, nor to spread blame ( for example, on the media). And, importantly, Hurd praises a company that, even after the death of its founders and the unhappy tenure of Carly Fiorina, still occupies a privileged niche among major international corporations. In the past, when someone said that he or she worked for HP, it meant something special. The speed and manner of Hurd's resignation increases the likelihood that working for HP will continue to mean something special. Redeeming that likelihood is the challenge for the next leadership, thousands of supporting employees and, especially, the board.
..
Saturday, August 7, 2010
What's the Big Deal - It's tame compared to Latvian transgressions - Hewlett-Packard boss Mark Hurd quits after sexual harassment inquiry
As a retired HP employee who in my 18+ year career had almost committed the HP Standards of Business Conduct (printable copy) to memory, I am shocked and dismayed over the recent resignation of Chairman and CEO Mr. Mark Hurd.
The funny thing is that before my relocation from the USA to my current home in Latvia (European Union) in 1999, I would not have had a second thought about the details and ethics behind Mr. Hurd's situation and resignation.
However after experiencing the more relaxed attitudes and values in Europe and especially here in Latvia, I am perplexed about the intensive reaction by the HP Board of Directors.
In discussing the matter with my Latvian wife this morning over coffee, I told her that deep inside, I was feeling somewhat guilty about several times while I was working for Hewlett-Packard Company, that I basically stole from HP by using the company copy machines to make personal copies.
My wife in her quick wit responded. ah.... "here in Latvia... when someone leaves the company they simply take the copy machine with them"
So I am left pondering why there is such a wide divide between the values in the USA vs Europe (Latvia).
... whimm... "food for lots of thought" !
... whimm... "food for lots of thought" !
Mr Hurd, chairman and chief executive of the world's largest personal computer manufacturer since April 2005, agreed to step down with immediate effect after he was found to have violated the company's own business conduct standards.
The HP probe was sparked following allegations from a former contractor, with whom Mr Hurd admitted he had a 'close personal relationship'. The company also said that Mr Hurd submitted false expense reports in an effort to conceal the relationship."
Hurd said: “As the investigation progressed, I realized there were instances in which I did not live up to the standards and principles of trust, respect and integrity that I have espoused at HP and which have guided me throughout my career. After a number of discussions with members of the board, I will move aside and the board will search for new leadership. This is a painful decision for me to make after five years at HP, but I believe it would be difficult for me to continue as an effective leader at HP and I believe this is the only decision the board and I could make at this time.
Latvian Government moves to block airBaltic brand sale
RIGA - Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has launched an investigation into the sale of the airBaltic brand (Trademarks and logos) to company CEO Bertolt Flick.
Dombrovskis has instructed the Transport Ministry, as the state's shareholder in "airBaltic", to evaluate whether it was legal for the airline's board and council members to approve the sale.
Economy Minister Artis Kampars lambasted news of the sale, saying it benefits Flick personally over the company.
“The transaction, published today, clearly shows that airBaltic CEO Bertolt Flick is working for his own interests rather than the company’s. This transaction is a blow to the airBaltic company’s value,” Kampers told business newspaper Diena Bizness.
At the end of last year Latvia’s national airline sold the branding and trademark of airBaltic and its subsidiaries -- including "airBaltic", "airBaltic.com", "airBaltic Travel.com", "airBalticHotels", "BalticMiles", and "Baltic Taxi" -- to Flick. Despite the fact that the Latvian government is the majority owner of airBaltic, transport minister Artis Kampers said the ministry only found out about the sale now after reading about it in the company’s annual shareholder’s report.
If it is established that members of the board or council have violated the Commercial Law, the transport minister Kaspars Gerhards will take appropriate legal action.
Flick's company, Baltijas Aviacijas Sistemas, already owns 47 percent of airBaltic.
.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
SOVIET STORY - Americans - before your cry "wolf" code named SOCIALISM - study your history
Please excuse me for a moment - I want to get on my "soap box" for a short speech...
I am getting a little sick of all the Americans who are complaining about the new Socialist movement in the USA.
Sorry, folks, you need to study your history more before you make that statement.
So, may I suggest you start by watching the following video - It's "chilling" and YES, it is real SOCIALISM..
WARNING - This video contains GRAPHIC Scenes.
Buy your own DVD - The Soviet Story - http://www.sovietstory.com/
.
I am getting a little sick of all the Americans who are complaining about the new Socialist movement in the USA.
Sorry, folks, you need to study your history more before you make that statement.
So, may I suggest you start by watching the following video - It's "chilling" and YES, it is real SOCIALISM..
WARNING - This video contains GRAPHIC Scenes.
Buy your own DVD - The Soviet Story - http://www.sovietstory.com/
.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Hewlett Packard HP Phenomenon New Book
From what I hear this is suggested reading !
The HP Phenomenon: Innovation and Business Transformation
(Stanford Business Books)
The HP Phenomenon: Innovation and Business Transformation
(Stanford Business Books).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
