The Buck Stops ...?

I didn't watch the President's speech last night. Even his most ardent supporters among the talking heads weren't impressed. But it brought to mind what New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has said about accountability, and what the late Admiral Hyman Rickover once said about it:

Responsibility is a unique concept. It can only reside and inhere in a single individual. You may share it with others, but your portion is not diminished. You may delegate it, but it is still with you. You may disclaim it, but you cannot divest yourself of it. Even if you do not recognize it or admit its presence, you cannot escape it. If responsibility is rightfully yours, no evasion or ignorance or passing the blame can pass the burden to someone else. Unless you can point your finger at the man responsible when something goes wrong, then you have never had anyone really responsible.

Discuss.
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