Conversations with Calliope- Service or Power

(Troubled Seas- Peter Langen)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are Dreamweaver and your website coming along?
JOE: I'm making progress and will let you know when it's finished.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like you have something else on your mind this morning.
JOE: I do. Reading the paper earlier about all the posturing and infighting in Washington and Albany, I recalled the saying, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
CALLIOPE: I remember the saying. What was the context?
JOE: I wondered that myself. It turns out that John Acton said it in response to Pope Pius IX promulgating the dogma of papal infallibility.
CALLIOPE: I didn't realize that.
JOE: Neither did I. But it fit right in with my thoughts about our legislatures.
CALLIOPE: How so?
JOE: They were elected to serve their constituents but now the New York State and Federal legislators both appear too busy with their power struggles to get anything done for the public benefit.
CALLIOPE: That's a pessimistic conclusion for you to express.
JOE: I agree. I try to see the positive in any situation, but I'm still looking in this case.
CALLIOPE: Do you suppose it's another of life's mysteries?
JOE: I suppose so. But somehow I have trouble letting it go at that. Talk with you tomorrow.

Registering a Compliment

Several years ago I searched for a comfortable pair of sandals and was consistently disappointed until I found a pair at a big box department store. I was very happy with them and stopped by the customer service desk one day to tell the clerk I would like to register a compliment. She had no ideal how to react to such a thing. She stammered and seemed quite flustered. I decided my attempt was more trouble than it was worth. This week I had a problem with my car insurance and called the company which happened to be based in Hartford. I had some reservations about getting the problem solved easily long distance. I was pleasantly surprised to find an agent who pleasantly, efficiently, quickly and professionally resolved the issue in a matter of minutes. Since I could not easily visit the office, I sent an e-mail to the customer service counter complimenting the agent and received a grateful reply within a brief time. Maybe times have changed. I hope so.