This is really addressed to the LEs here, but it certainly applies to others as well.
Many people hold jobs where their words and actions are open to public scrutiny and where the general public can not place themselves into the shoes of the individual doing the job. This is the case with judges whose every word is public record; it is the case with many Federal positions where every word written or spoken in public is in the public domain and subject to scrutiny--second guessing, criticism, complaint.
Grumbling that others "can't understand" is fair enough, understandable enough, but at the same time there needs to be a realistic acceptance that it is part of the job.
When I was still working for Uncle I was in a position where every word I wrote, every word I spoke was public property. I once got quite an upset when I and a co-worker were publicly accused of certain inappropriate actions. Animal rights folks insisted that we did not need to use live animals to obtain certain information. For awhile, I feared picking up my mail and answering my door.
The lesson learned is that you need a certain thick skin, maybe a layer of mental teflon, and an acceptance that the scrutiny and second guessing goes with the job. Also when in a job where public scrutiny is routine, you need to be open to the possibility that the critics might not be mere cranks, and might have something worthwhile to say.
Many people hold jobs where their words and actions are open to public scrutiny and where the general public can not place themselves into the shoes of the individual doing the job. This is the case with judges whose every word is public record; it is the case with many Federal positions where every word written or spoken in public is in the public domain and subject to scrutiny--second guessing, criticism, complaint.
Grumbling that others "can't understand" is fair enough, understandable enough, but at the same time there needs to be a realistic acceptance that it is part of the job.
When I was still working for Uncle I was in a position where every word I wrote, every word I spoke was public property. I once got quite an upset when I and a co-worker were publicly accused of certain inappropriate actions. Animal rights folks insisted that we did not need to use live animals to obtain certain information. For awhile, I feared picking up my mail and answering my door.
The lesson learned is that you need a certain thick skin, maybe a layer of mental teflon, and an acceptance that the scrutiny and second guessing goes with the job. Also when in a job where public scrutiny is routine, you need to be open to the possibility that the critics might not be mere cranks, and might have something worthwhile to say.
