Walter Reed and the Abilene Paradox

The "Abilene Paradox" revolves around the fact that everyone in a group or organization is in such a state of agreement that they cannot manage needed change. As I watched the re-creation of the true story of the Abilene Paradox today, I thought that it probably applies in part to the Walter Reed hospital fiasco.

In our staff meeting today at work, we watching a very interesting re-enactment of a true story, narrated by the guy it happened to. He, his wife, and her parents were sitting in the sweltering heat playing dominoes, and obviously every one of them were bored and irritated at the current situation. The father-in-law suggested that they get in the car and drive to Abilene, Texas, 53 miles distant, to have dinner at a restaurant. The looks on the faces of all (even the father-in-law) suggested that, as bad as things were, none of them wanted to do it, but none felt comfortable speaking out. Such inability to speak out when it appears that all are in agreement has come to be known as the "Abilene Paradox."

Four or five hours later they returned from what every one of them had endured as a not-fun time. But it wasn't until they got back that they realized that no one had wanted to go, but that all felt pressured to toe the line of propriety.

So it goes in large organizations as well. I don't know much about the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, even though it's been in the news quite a bit lately. But I'll bet there were a lot of people who knew that things were wrong, and they didn't have the courage to speak out.

People are afraid to speak out because of the fears they conjure up about what might happen if they do divulge their feelings. Ironically, however, the ultimate result, is that much worse things do happen when people don't speak out.

In large organizations, when the poop ultimately hits the fan, everyone really knows it is going to hit and scatter everywhere, but they hope that they can either push the inevitable off as long as possible or avoid getting splattered on.

Part of the Abilene paradox is that when the splattering finally occurs, there is always a search for a scapegoat (ergo General Janice Karpinski as the fall gal for abu Ghraib). In reality, however, the problem is systemic, and the problem cannot be solved by blaming just one person. Most everyone knows what's going on, but doesn't speak out.

Those who have been scapegoated at Walter Reed thus far are responsible. But so are probably a lot of other people. I suspect that scapegoating won't fix the problem this time either. Honesty and speaking out will, however.

When the Truth is Tardy

When the United States military acts without integrity, it is a huge blow to the integrity of the entire mission of the United States. We thought we had learned this with the Abu Ghraib embarrassment. Then came Haditha. It's good that finally today justice is served, but the atrocities were hidden for way too long.

Whenever I pray for the United States military troops, I pray not only for their success and safety, but also that they act with as much dignity and aplomb as they can under the duress of the situation.

When we don't act as we should, it undermines everything we are trying to accomplish. But when something such as the Haditha murders are covered up for several months, it is a major embarrassment to the United States. The Abu Ghraib travesty was more than enough. In retrospect of both Abu Ghraib and Haditha, all we can say is that our best attempt at retro-active justice is complete. But the lives lost can never be replaced.

It is far past time that today 8 Marines were charged either with murder or with complicity in its cover-up of the incident that occurred just over 13 months ago.

I tend to agree with the sentiments of some of the Iraqis.

"Are they terrorists or are they fighting terrorism?" said Jamal al-Obaidi, a 40-year-old teacher. "The trial is not fair because it is taking place in America.

"The American troops should be brought here, in front of an Iraqi court," Naji al-Ani, a 36-year-old laborer, said by telephone from Haditha. "They committed a horrible crime against innocents."

Der Speigel writes recently that the US Army is teaching what it has learned from its mistakes. Let's hope that avoiding future travesties such as Haditha is a required course.