Herm Edwards – Flaws of Cronyism
Good Old Boys, buddies, cronies, buds – terms of endearment. Harry Truman had a bunch of cronies. He gave some of them jobs in the White House. Not important jobs, just a paycheck to hang around and play poker at night. The important jobs of Vice President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense were reserved for professionals.
Truman was a product of the Pendergast Political Machine of 1930’s era Kansas City – but Truman was able to separate his loyalty to cronies from his responsibility as a Senator, Vice President, and President.WeI respect loyalty. We respect Harry Truman for being loyal to his friends. We also respect Harry S. Truman for recognizing that responsibility was always the trump card. Responsibility trumps loyalty.
That is not the case with all people of power and position. King Carl Peterson, the President and General Manager of the Kansas City Chiefs does not value responsibility more than cronyism. (the King reference is the joke around Kansas City in reference to Peterson’s closed-minded attitude.) King Carl appointed another old crony, Herm Edwards, to be the Head Coach of the faltering Chiefs. King Carl and Herm Edwards go back to Philadelphia – back to the ‘good old days.’ Taking care of your buddies is a luxury awarded to those who have earned power and position. People earn power and position by being responsible – what the heck happened?
President George Bush values loyalty. As we said, we respect that. But not at the cost of responsibility. The disaster of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina was a result of Bush appointing political cronies to head FEMA. The Disaster of the Attorney General’s office is a result of cronyism. And second worst of all – the disaster of Iraq and the war on terror. The appointment of cronies to watch regulations over Wall Street has cost the American public about a trillion dollars. Bush demonstrates that he values loyalty over responsibility – the purity of politics over the responsibility of leadership. How shameful.
The failing Kansas City Chiefs are suffering the illness of cronyism. Lamar Hunt founded the Chiefs. His son, Clark Hunt, now runs the family business. Clark Hunt has been left the legacy of a proud football family.
Where are his loyalties?
Comment by Shane on 13 October 2007:
It will be interesting to see where Clark Hunt lands with Carl Peterson after a couple years of losing. I wonder if he will tolerate it as long as his dad did since those balance sheets always look so darn good.
My hope is the Clark will see Carl ultimately for what he’s been for the past 18 years – a great CEO and terrible GM.
Let’s hope he figures it out soon too.
Comment by Ohg Rea Tone on 13 October 2007:
Shane,
We shall see, we shall see. I fear King Carl has his talons dug in pretty deep.
Ohg
Comment by Inquisitor on 15 October 2007:
http://www.firehermedwards.com
Comment by Capt America on 23 September 2008:
When they started their “rebuilding” phase, they should have started at the top. We see the same thing with the Royals. The Glass dynasty should sell off to someone who will actually hold on to talent. All the Royals have become is a farm team for other greats MLB teams.