Moving at the Speed of Creativity - Transparency and Candor

Transparency and Candor

Published by Wesley Fryer in christian, digitalstorytelling, military, podcasting, politics on September 23rd, 2005

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I had the wonderful opportunity this morning at my Friday morning church men’s fellowship meeting to hear Walt Huffman speak to us about his life experiences as a soldier, national leader, and now Dean of the Texas Tech School of Law.

Many thoughts ran through my head as I listed to Major General (Retired) Huffman speak about his life. First, the stories of life can be compelling and engaging in ways reading and studying can never be. Especially when stories are shared personally and orally. It is so important we take time to listen to each other. The wisdom of those sages living in our midst is something we must take time to seek and listen to, and that happens too infrequently in my own life. This morning was a great opportunity. From his stories about being on the border between Iraq and Kuwait on the night the air war of Desert Storm began, and having F-117 Stealth Fighters streak overhead (unexpectedly) just a few hundred feet off the deck– completely blacked out…. to stories about his trips to China as the Army’s Judge Advocate General to reestablish relations with the Chinese military following Tiananmen Square…. to short anecdotes about his relationship with Texas Tech basketball coach Bob Knight and the superb doors of opportunity he has helped open for TTU law school students and faculty (like inviting US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to visit and speak)– the stories were as varied as they were compelling.

Of course, the other thought I had was how wonderful it would be to share this message from Walt Huffman with others via a podcast. And I wondered if we had been recording for a podcast, if he would have said the same things. Certainly he did not share anything “classified” or what would seem controversial, so I am not sure. But I wonder.

We live in a day of increasing ideological and conceptual transparency, from CNN news reporters on the front lines in Middle East conflicts to classrooms in the United States podcasting book reports for a global audience to hear. Does this affect the candor with which people speak or will speak? Perhaps. But perhaps not.

I wish you could have been there with me this morning, listening to Walt Huffman talk for about 45 minutes. Texas Tech, the Lubbock community, and our church family is very lucky to have him with us.