Norman Rockwell & the Art of Listening //// 13

What do Norman Rockwell, Iranian protests over head coverings, and Northwestern's denial that a slogan “from the river to the sea '' is indeed anti-semitic have in common? Rockwell, influenced by the four freedoms enumerated in a state of the union address by FDR and impressed with a town meeting in vermont in which a patient audience of fellow citizens listened with respect although in silent disagreement — painted the first of his “four freedoms” pictures,  which he called freedom of speech.

Scott and Harry worry that the underpinning of our freedoms and the constitution that embodies them are threatened by our current unwillingness to engage in open, truthful  and respectful dialogue. Along the way they discuss the complexity of our federal system with its dual sovereignty (federal and state), the many other safeguards reflected in checks and balances at the founding, and, in the area of corporate governance, the wisdom of separating the roles of CEO and Chairman. Scott and Harry remind us that checks and balances play a role in both government and the private sector. They conclude the conversation with some concrete suggestions on how we can move forward by returning  to fundamental principles.