The gist of our discussion was there are two factions of an organization she is affiliated with that are fighting over the direction and leadership of the organization. This in-fighting is not good for the organization and it is distracting them from their real purpose.
As we discussed this challenge, she suggested to me that both sides should be locked in a room and left there until the white smoke appears. In case you don't understand the "white smoke" reference, when it is time to select a new Pope, the College of Cardinals meet behind closed doors and they vote repeatedly on who should be chosen as Pope. The only way the public knows what's going on in the College is through the colored smoke coming out of the chimney. If the smoke is black, there is no agreement and the discussion and voting will continue. Once they have agreed on a new Pope, white smoke comes from the chimney.
I'm not Catholic so I've never really paid attention to this process, but my friend shared the story that some time long ago, the Cardinals couldn't reach a decision and those outside the building ultimately decided to lock them in building with no food or water until they reached a decision and sent up the white smoke. Neither of us knew if this was really the truth, but it was enough to make me think it could be the solution to the challenges we see facing government, both in OKC and Washington.
As we watched last week's near government shut-down and as I visited DC this week and listened to both democrats and republicans tell us why their version of the near shut-down and looming budget fight was the right version, all I could think was maybe it's time to smoke 'em out.
I know reasonable people can differ as to the best answer to our nation's budget challenge. What they really can't differ on is that something absolutely must be done. My fear is, much like they all did last week with threats of a government shut-down, there's going to be more and more posturing by both sides with neither side really listening to the other or doing what's truly in the best interest of the country.
While it pains me to contemplate the time that will be wasted while the public banter continues, it does put a smile on my face when I think about how quickly could they solve this problem if we just locked 'em in without food and water and waited for the white smoke to appear.
