In our society we see so many stories of very talented people with extraordinary skills become entangled in difficulties that call their character into question.
Bishop Walter Thomas made this salient statement that, "talent will take you; where character will not keep you".
Care must be taken in life to insure that your word is your bond and that you practice what you preach. Recent stories describe the tragic predicaments talented people have found themselves in because character flaws crop up that become an albatross around their necks.
You only have to look at the situation of Michael Vick who lost the opportunity to play in the NFL, who lost millions of dollars in salary and endorsement, and who eventually was imprisoned for a character flaw involving dog fighting. The list of Rap Stars seems never ending as they wrestle to become the leader in their field, only to fall prey to the same circumstances they were seeking to escape, i.e Little Kim, Tupac Shakur, and Biggie Smalls.
Returning home from the Hampton Minister's Conference and its electric atmosphere of praise, preaching and prayer; I was confronted with a telephone inquiry asking me what my opinion was about a front page article in the Baltimore Sunpapers describing the appointment of Mr. Brian Morris. I was not able to respond to the article. I was still driving on the highway. But after I returned home, I read the article. My first reaction was that the appointment of Mr. Morris to the position of Deputy CEO did not meet the "smell test." The smell taste suggests "does the aroma of a transaction smell sweet or foul." Unfortunately this matter smells foul.
Personally I like Mr. Morris. But on a professional level, I wonder what Dr. Andres Alonso was thinking to make such a high level appointment without an executive search, without posting the position, or without subjecting Mr. Morris to more than a brief interview.
Can Mr. Morris perform in the position? That is not the question.
The situation smells foul because Mr. Morris played a major role in the hiring of Dr. Andres Alonso and voted in favor of a very lucrative and secure contract for him. To have Dr. Alonso hire Mr. Morris for a $175,000 position without establishing hiring standards, or qualifications smells "fishing."
I would pray that all efforts are made to air out the details of this appointment to insure that the public's best interests are served.
It's funny how many "complex, legal issues" could be solved by the smell test.
"Comples, legal issues," and life issues as well.