Part of the Job

Once upon a couple years ago I had a job where I was on call 24/7/365. No time was considered sacred.

I was called at night at home.

I did 72 hr no sleep shifts during 3+ ft blizzards.

I've been called during Easter Mass.

I was called right before & nearly missed both of my oldest daughters' high school graduations.

I've grilled a turkey with a cellphone on each ear. The fireball nearly torched my house.

I've been called at my favorite pub. When they couldn't reach me by cellphone they knew where I hung out and called the bar directly. Talked more than one tech through a problem with a Wild Turkey in hand.

They called me in to work on an emergency as I was leaving for the hospital to bring my wife and newborn home. I was 2 hours late for the pickup. For that one the manager sent my wife a dozen roses the next day, fearing he and/or I were in grave jeopardy.

And I have certainly spent more than a few hours of a vacation talking someone through trouble while the wife and kids were waiting for me to hit the beach.

And I was okay with all that. It was part of the job and I understood that.

The ONLY time I had to recuse myself was the night they called me when my daughter was relocating to Alaska the next day. We didn't know when we'd see her again, and family & neighbors and I had more than a few. They were okay with that.

Curiously (and coincidentally), 2 days later my position was eliminated.

So, Sarkozy has a financial crisis and has cancelled his vacation.

Berlusconi has a financial crisis and has cancelled his vacation.

Cameron has far more than a financial crisis and has cancelled his vacation. As has the mayor of London.

Meanwhile, Uncle Barry blew town and hid for 3 days as the downgrade was hitting and is leaving shortly for 10 days in Martha's Vineyard.

Congress blew town almost as the downgrade was hitting and has no plans on returning until September.

Dear Mr President and Congresscritters,

Be advised.

Tackling this situation is part of the job.

If you recuse yourself too long from this crisis you may very well find your position curiously eliminated at the next opportunity as well.

Trust me.

Sincerely,

Midnight Rider