typical
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/09/30/some-call-it-appalling-defense-secretary-not-meeting-with-community-over-red-hill-defueling/

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is facing criticism for not meeting with families impacted by the Navy’s water contamination during his trip to Hawaii this week.

President Biden’s top military leader is in the islands to tour the Red Hill Bulk Storage Fuel Facility and meet the new commander of the joint task force in charge of defueling, Rear Admiral John Wade.

What would his meeting with local families accomplish? If my water is tainted and he comes to my house to shake my hand and say sorry I don't see anything being accomplished.

What would his meeting with local families accomplish? If my water is tainted and he comes to my house to shake my hand and say sorry I don't see anything being accomplished.

Offer him a glass of water.

Like how Monsato was offered after saying their product is safe. The rep refused to take a sip.

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What would his meeting with local families accomplish? If my water is tainted and he comes to my house to shake my hand and say sorry I don't see anything being accomplished.

The meeting would be for the families to get questions answered, like how long until my water is safe?  Will it ever be safe?  Are there plans to provide water for all the affected households without impacting quality of life?  Like water towers, subsidies for bottled water, ...

Not all meetings are about accomplishing tangible objectives.  Simply getting information and answers into the hands of the people that need it is sufficient to have a meeting.

Everyone has a variety of needs.  Maybe a Town Hall type meeting could result in those issues being raised -- maybe some the Navy has yet to hear or address.

The meeting would be for the families to get questions answered, like how long until my water is safe?  Will it ever be safe?  Are there plans to provide water for all the affected households without impacting quality of life?  Like water towers, subsidies for bottled water, ...

Not all meetings are about accomplishing tangible objectives.  Simply getting information and answers into the hands of the people that need it is sufficient to have a meeting.

Everyone has a variety of needs.  Maybe a Town Hall type meeting could result in those issues being raised -- maybe some the Navy has yet to hear or address.

There definitely needs to be town hall type meetings with someone in attendance on behalf of the military for Q&A. Doesn't make a difference if it is the SecDef in my opinion but thats just me.

Offer him a glass of water.

Like how Monsato was offered after saying their product is safe. The rep refused to take a sip.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Great idea

There definitely needs to be town hall type meetings with someone in attendance on behalf of the military for Q&A. Doesn't make a difference if it is the SecDef in my opinion but thats just me.

If there hasn't been a Town Hall meeting on the issue yet, having the new SecDef involved makes more sense than having some lowly O-6 run it.  You want the guy making and approving decisions to understand the situation from your side, and hoping someone else conveys that as well as you can isn't realistic.

This was an opportunity missed.  You don't have to agree.  It is what it is -- or isn't.   

Offer him a glass of water.

Like how Monsato was offered after saying their product is safe. The rep refused to take a sip.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

no need to enflame him, I heard he has a temperment

This is another camp Lejeune lawsuit in the works.

I think it would be good for SECDEF to meet and hear out the people affected.  That said, logistics, including security for those folks can be a bear.  For the program I'm working on now, we've met and briefed to the Asst Sec and Chief of Operations levels.  Those were logistical nightmares, and I wasn't even part of the planning.  And that was meeting with people who are planned and vetted prior. . .

I think it would be good for SECDEF to meet and hear out the people affected.  That said, logistics, including security for those folks can be a bear.  For the program I'm working on now, we've met and briefed to the Asst Sec and Chief of Operations levels.  Those were logistical nightmares, and I wasn't even part of the planning.  And that was meeting with people who are planned and vetted prior. . .

It's never easy to plan any high level visit, let alone one that involves public participation.

If this were an Arizona Memorial rededication, the christening of a new vessel, or any number of other events in which the public was invited, I don't see them being canceled over "security concerns" or "logistical nightmares."  If they really want it to happen, it will happen. 

If the SecDef can participate in dog & pony show gatherings, they can absolutely accommodate a Town Hall meeting for such an important and high profile issue.

Yahoo said he plans to visit. So guess it isn't that difficult to plan.

It's never easy to plan any high level visit, let alone one that involves public participation.

If this were an Arizona Memorial rededication, the christening of a new vessel, or any number of other events in which the public was invited, I don't see them being canceled over "security concerns" or "logistical nightmares."  If they really want it to happen, it will happen. 

If the SecDef can participate in dog & pony show gatherings, they can absolutely accommodate a Town Hall meeting for such an important and high profile issue.

I didn't say he can't.

Yahoo said he plans to visit. So guess it isn't that difficult to plan.

Not that difficult eh?   From your vast experience with CoD. . .