I first heard of Miles’ Law “Where you stand depends on where you sit” in a graduate management class discussing how policy was or wasn’t made. The phrase was first coined by and named after Rufus Miles who was a government administrator who served as an assistant secretary to Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson.
His saying means that your view of a given situation is dependent upon your personal relationship with it. You are probably more familiar with the redneck variation of Miles’ Law as in “I got no dog in this fight.” Other variations include “Buy some popcorn and watch” and “I could give two shits.”
Miles’ Law however, has been on my mind a lot lately particularly when the conversation turns to the war in Iran and how we needed to do it. (Keep in mind that many times something like this is said, it is said by individuals who never served in the Armed Forces much less saw any combat duty. Thus, it is an easy observation for them to make and I get where they stand when they say it.)
However, with my Grandson Shawn in the Air Force and currently deployed over there in Jordan, I have a completely different take on it. While I am fairly certain that I would feel the same way if Shawn was not over there, my feelings are a little more deep seated with him there. Bottom line, with or without Shawn being deployed over there, where I stand is that us starting this war was indeed a very dumb thing to do. But then again, understand that I really do have a dog in this fight. So what.
Since today is a Twofer, and I did mention Miles, how about we google “What is Miles Davis’ most famous song?”
To hear Miles performing it live (click here.) However, check out this Eddie Jefferson version with lyrics:
Thinking of you and Shawn and hoping he and all of his fellow servicemen stay safe!