- Again, don’t interpret these comments are sideline criticisms. Officials deserve extensive praise and even more extensive prayers. Well done.
- To clarify, as a result of this event, unified command was used for the first time in a major incident in Indianapolis, not for the first time in the U.S.
- In saying I’m a bit of a Calvinist, I’m referring to my spiritual life. I’m saying that I tend to believe in the fallen nature of men and women, in God’s role in our daily lives, in the vitality of faith and works together, and in the honor of work.
- Riding the Nickel Plate Train from the 39th Street station in Indianapolis to the Fishers station north in Hamilton County was almost surreal. It lent an other-wordly feel to the event, almost like stepping back in time to a period when the rawest emotions were rippling at the surface. It was like going back to 18th century Williamsburg by actually being in the 18th century, not in a re-enacted setting. Train whistles on one hand and twitter on the other.
- Think back to the recent riots in England. How many of those rioters would have rushed toward the stage to help lift the scaffolding? I don’t know the answer. Do you?
- We’ve just got to do better in blending our knowledge and in reaching out creatively to find knowledge for the blending. We’re smart in a lot of ways but this doesn’t tend to be one of them. While it’s important to filter information these days, it’s equally important to be able to make sense of the information that remains after the filtering.
- Interesting to watch Governor Mitch Daniels’ remarks on Sunday. He broke down when he began to talk about ordinary people. It’s not a big leap to realize that the potential safety of his wife and one of his daughters–both of whom were there–rested on the actions of everyday folks. This harkens back to my video comment on the power of people. The governor’s remarks were well-received.
- We visited Universal Theme Park in Orlando, Florida this past June. They shut down the park during one afternoon we were there. We asked an employee of the park about it–he said that the park’s policy was to close all rides whenever storms are reported within twenty miles. Thinking about the Indiana State Fair, a common-sense application of a similar policy (maybe 15 miles? or whenever there is a severe storm warning due west of Marion County?) should be considered.
- My oldest daughter and I had just finished riding the Log Flume around 8:30pm or so. As we were running back to find our family, I saw State Police cars speed down the crowded Midway street toward the grandstand. Then I saw what appeared to be a sort of haze in the air. My first thought was that either a fire or some sort of gunplay was involved. Then, it became clear by everyone’s behavior that it was something else. While running, I managed to get a scrap or two of information from people. They said the stage had collapsed. I knew without anyone saying that fatalities and many injuries had occurred. At this point, I asked my daughter to say a prayer.
- What makes for a leader in these moments?
- My oldest daughter and I found our family about 20 minutes later. They had no idea what was occurring, thinking that everything must involve a tornado. I told them about the stage and my certainty about deaths and injuries.
- All cell phone traffic (calls and texts) was jammed from overload. Only smartphones with internet access to facebook and twitter could gather information.
- While it’s important to follow instructions from officials in these instances, I also think we need to be open to and aware of the value of personal decisions, individual action, and the responsibility for self-support.
- I’ll never forget a handful of things–1) the cloud of dust combined with people’s look and my conclusion to our daughter “that something was seriously wrong”; 2) our daughter’s sturdy visage–nine years old; 3) the glorious call of the train whistle; 4) the miraculous text from my wife; and 5) knowing with bedrock certainty that I could depend on the soundness of decisions by the rest of the family separated from us, including my wife, my oldest niece, and her husband.
- The wide variety of first responders behaved with impeccable professionalism. It’s so easy to forget that behind the armor of training, preparation, and moxy, they carry the same burdens in these events–if not more–as all of us.
- You just never know when history–good, bad, and both–will be made. And you also never know what each day holds for you. So many of the concert-goers were there for birthdays, for anniversaries, and for generally a good time. I’m reminded of one of my modules: the last full day of life, in this case of Martin Luther King, Jr. He had a normal routine of meetings and was murdered the next day. You just never know.
- 70 people died in the last tragedy at the Indiana State Fair grounds. It was in 1963.
My Night At The Indiana State Fair: Leadership And You
August 15, 2011 by
