Former MDHHS Director Robert Gordon and Governor Gretchen Whitmer have parted ways for reasons that remain a bit elusive. By N3 Editorial Team
There is a bird called a Hermit Thrush that possesses an enchanting, pleasant to the ear sound. From what can be gathered from birders I know whose grasp of avian lore is well respected, it is far easier to hear this shy singer than it is to spot him. Often heard and seldom seen. Kind of like transparency. It gets bantered about, pols echo their personal commitment to it, organizations pride themselves on it, and the populace trumpets its desire to have it. But like the bird, seeing it in action can be elusive. Example point. A bit more than a week ago Director Robert Gordon abruptly announced his resignation from his position atop the Department of Health and Human Services...you know, the office that has been at the forefront of issuing the epidemic orders that have included the restrictions on restaurants and the continued postponement of the winter sports season unless you’re skiing, bowling or swimming. At the first press conference following his twitter announcement Governor Whitmer was asked about his action and whether or not she had asked him to resign. She stated she wished him well and added how tough the past year has been for all involved. Twice more she was queried as to if he had been asked to resign and she replied that she had already answered the question and that she wished Gordon well and that it has been a tough year. Ok. Agreed that her response doesn’t exactly fall into the atypical category when it comes to those who occupy the upper echelons of the political world. Like most media folks we encounter evasions, denials, and sidestepping from entities who, once again, claim transparency and don't hesitate will roll out a litany of proof of its existence. It's not an uncommon occurrence. And when something big goes down associated with any significant conflict, the shades also go down. In a hurry. Some of this likely has to do with living in such a litigious society, a primary factor in creating a culture of caution. But some do not. And it often becomes driven by a desire to control the message. While it is probably appropriate for some of the doings in the public sector to be accomplished without fanfare and, at times, there might be a need for discretion due to the sensitivity of negotiations and whatnot, many times a bit of sunlight- even when it reveals what might not be the most appealing of images- produces something invaluable and yet many times elusive. Trust. Transparency goes beyond telling us all the good stuff going on. It also means exposing a couple of warts along the way, even if they make one look bad for a time in the eyes of some. So our unsolicited advice to our Guv when it comes to what happened with Mr. Gordon? Just answer the damn question. “Everybody’s got something to hide except me and my monkey” -Lennon/McCartney, Beatles White Album.
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October 2024
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