Haft of the Spear

I was in a meeting today where this was brought up and there all sorts of disparaging comments. I held my tongue at the hypocrisy of what I was hearing. Why hypocrisy you may ask? I was in a meeting with a group of law enforcement professionals. “Cops” have used the “gut feeling”, “hair on neck”, whatever you may call it for eternity. (The one who did accept “gut feeling” as a good thing is a former cop who is now an analyst.)

“Gut feeling” is developed on experience and instinct over time (and a lot of it is inate to being human - you just know something is wrong but cannot describe why). It is much easier for people to make fun of Chertoff’s “gut feeling” than embrace it. (I don’t know much of Chertoff’s background but I am reading Bernie Kerik’s bio now and he would have been in a position to “gut feel” something based on what I have gotten through so far. Remember Kerik was supposed to be in Chertoff’s job now if not for some indescretions. Another debate.)

Let’s not dismiss “gut feelings”. I use them all the time and depending on circumstance, I try to research why. In nearly every case, I can find the reasons I felt that way which further emboldens me to use my gut more - experience. Our brains work in ways we don’t understand or can’t explain. They take input, process, and provide a result. We may not know the process but that does not mean the result is incorrect.

Had a nice side discussion about this with colleagues past and present. My beef is less with the “gut feeling” from a “I’m-an-analyst-and-something-is-up-I-can’t-put-my-finger-on-it” sort of thing as it is with the “I’m-a-cabinet-officer-and -this-is-the-best-message-I-can-conjure-up.” This isn’t just a dozen reporters in Chicago, its a statement carried worldwide in minutes.

Either he’s communicating a warning or he’s playing CYA; either way do it right and don’t open yourself up to ridicule. He’s supposed to be taken seriously and this doesn’t help.