Basset hounds were once trained to hunt wild boar. They would be let loose to chase down and taunt their prey. The boar would charge toward the hound; however, the hound would then play dead. As the boar passed over head, the hound would tear the you-know-what from the boar, causing the boar to come to an immediate halt. Or so I’ve read.

The dog pictured is Brandy, the basset hound I received as my birthday gift in January — on the same day that I left for the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. She recently had her first birthday, when she promptly tore up the plush toy she was given! Lots of fun!

This photo was taken on April 25, 2008. © 2008 Leigh Ramsay. All rights reserved.

Anderson Cooper 360° reports that the United States military discriminates against non-Christian warfighters. Army Specialist Anthony Hall, an atheist, is suing the Department of Defense and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield for “failing to protect his religious freedom.”

Two issues strike me as important in this case. First, one cannot be discriminated against for having different beliefs if those different beliefs are not expressed to others. A warfighter is a professional and their place of work is wherever the military specifies. One should not discuss religion or politics in the workplace unless doing so is directly related and necessary to the performance of a profession.

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Server hard drive suffered a catastrophic failure. Backups were corrupted as well. Total data loss. I think there will be a delay before this blog is returned to the previous state…

Update (July 7, 2008): I’m slowly and selectively importing prior posts and comments.

Even the legendary King Arthur would have been awash with humility kneeling before the porcelain god, searching for a jewel-encrusted solution to his kingdom’s problems. Were he dismissive of the company he kept at his side, perhaps Arthur would not be the legend that he is today. Continuing my comments on Steve Farber’s third-book outline.

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Steve Farber, a local bestselling author and speaker on leadership, recently announced his commitment to write a third book. Even more recently, he presented an overview of the third book, tentatively titled Greater Than Yourself. Steve wants his readers to send in their thoughts about his proposed commandments. I will oblige his request since he is practically a neighbor!

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A competitor approaches you with a lucrative bid for your consulting services company. The advantage of the sale is clear: your shareholders get rich, and you are guaranteed a secure, cushy position as a senior vice president. You could afford that pristine, dream yacht! Your customers would benefit from the larger, integrated enterprise whose accounts are globally managed by subject-matter experts. And the only disadvantage of the deal is that your employees would have to be let go.

What’s your decision? Where are your priorities (in order from greatest to least)?

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