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Babbel - In so Many Words
Whenever I find myself in trouble regarding the spelling or the
exact meaning of a word I resort to my trusty Webster
dictionary. I developed this habit a long time ago in the days
when I had to write important reports and absolute accuracy was
an essential prerequisite.
In those days computers with spell check did not exist, nor did
cell phones or any of the communication technology that are
available to us in this era. A typewriter along with typing
paper and carbon paper were the tools of the trade. I have a
question for the younger generation, do you know what carbon
paper is, and have you ever seen a sheet of the accursed item?
If the answer is yes, good for you. If you haven't you may want
to check it out and it will help you to understand the absolute
wonder of a printer, a copier, and a fax machine. Let us move
on to the real point in issue, accurate and timely
communication.
There is no doubt that we attempt to communicate as accurately
as possible and of course we are inclined to assume that the
message or information was sent and received intact and without
ambiguity. However I must tell you that this is not always
true. Miscommunication is very inconvenient and in some
situations it can become dangerous. Many years ago I received
instructions to assemble a team and to quietly insert ourselves
into a farming community some distance from the capital. Our
orders were to find and arrest a suspect who was wanted for
several murders and burglaries. The Assistant Commissioner made
it clear that he must be captured alive if possible or dead if
necessary, he was known to be armed and dangerous.
Shortly after our arrival, we received good information from a
farmer who happened to be a victim, and acting on the tip we
quietly surrounded a cottage on the outskirts of the village.
According to the informant the suspect was in the habit of
visiting a lady who lived alone in the cottage and he would
usually arrive after midnight and leave before dawn. At around
10 p.m. the team was in position behind trees and brushes. The
instructions were simple, watch and wait and close in before he
entered the house.
Ten o'clock became midnight and then 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. and
still nothing. Shortly after 4 a.m., the front door of the
house was opened and standing there was our suspect. He had
entered the house before we were in position. I made a quick
decision not to make a move until he was away from the house,
too far away to turn and run back. When I judged the time to be
right I shouted to the team, "move in" and I sprinted toward
him intent on bringing him down. I was almost there when I
heard the sound of gunfire and I saw tracers whipping past my
head and body. I hit the ground screaming, one of my team
member was trying to shoot the suspect and almost shot me. The
suspect took off like a bat out of hell, scaled the fence and
disappeared in the brushes. We managed to corner him a week
later in a sugar cane plantation and with the aid of a police
dog named Butch. He was tried, convicted and sentenced to
death.
A review of the episode revealed serious lapses in our planning
along the way. My orders were, "shoot to kill if necessary."
The officer who opened fire said that he did not hear, "if
necessary." I made a serious, almost fatal, mistake when I took
off after the suspect, I should have turned on my flashlight to
indicate my position, and last but by no means least, I should
have sent for Butch (the police dog). I survived the incident
but I learned an important lesson, make sure that everyone
understands what is required in detail and follow through or
rehearse when necessary.
Misunderstandings and mixed messages are the bane of the human
society and this condition is made worse by the fact that we do
not speak the same language. Try to imagine the suspicion and
fear when two potential antagonists confront each other and
begin in to babbel.
by Bernard Steele - 10th August 2008
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Bernard Steele is a veteran law enforcement officer
(operational and administrative), now retired. He was the
former chief security officer of the National Banking System of
Guyana S.A. To learn about his new book visit http://www.deathinsmalldoses.com
Article Source:
http://www.creativewriter.me.uk
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