In this role he plays the role of "procedural technician," controlling access to the President rather than materials. O'Donnell gives the impression of knowing the people he works with very well, allowing him to make quick, decisive decisions. He comes to a stalemate with Jackie over the guest list for a party, but trusts that the person seeking to speak with the President has used good judgment in his request and admits him immediately.
He also recognizes his partial role as a functionary, and does not follow the man into the Presidential office, but waits until he's been invited. Once O'Connell is in the President's office, the President acts as gatekeeper. He immediately has O'Connell look at the photographs Bundy has brought in because of O'Connell's military background. This also serves to accelerate group consensus so that everyone agrees that the pictures show Russian missiles in Cuba. The President plays the role of the "Orienter," summarizing the options on the table for the group. However, body language suggests that he is aware of how strongly the military thinks their plan should be the one adopted. At the end of the meeting, Dean Atchison lays out how the war will spread from Cuba to Berlin and involve NATO, and probably, nuclear weapons, and finally says, "Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail." The head of the Joints Chief of Staff's facial and body language, grimacing and leaning forward, suggests that he does not want to give diplomacy chance, but put military plans into play immediately. This meeting reflects the textbook's observation that at a rectangular table, people tend to talk across from each other and not in any kind of circular pattern (textbook, p. 275).
In these meetings, he himself does not initiate ideas, but he encourages ideas from others. He applies reason to each idea, keeps an open mind, seems to be aware of hidden agendas, and encourages participation by others (textbook, pp. 272-274). In meetings with just Robert Kennedy and Kenneth O'Donnell, he states what he thinks more directly, probably because the three are in agreement that they want to avoid war if any way can be found. One management approach never used in this movie is "Laisssez-faire" (textbook, p. 280). Events are never allowed to just unfold; O'Connell and others always provide steerage.
How this meeting breaks up is interesting. The two Kennedys and O'Donnell leave through one door, and the strong proponents of an immediate military action leave through another, gather in the hall, and realize that the President has not yet been persuaded to take a first-strike military approach. The movie has visually and verbally laid the groundwork for a group storm (textbook, p. 245).
As the group storm develops, the Chief of Staff confronts President Kennedy directly in the presence of Robert Kennedy and Kenneth O'Donnell and insists that military action is the only option. Kennedy then insists that the advisors come to consensus. Kennedy continues to remain open to all options, and has two speeches prepared: one if the United States imposes a quarantine around Cuba to block ships, and a second if military action is taken. Adlai Stevenson puts his beliefs on the line and offers to work out a "back-door" diplomatic solution.
Ultimately, the President, Robert Kennedy and Kenneth O'Donnell come to a consensus to try a combination of quarantine, which really is a blockade combined with diplomatic efforts. While Kennedy wants consensus among all his advisors, he really does not completely have it. In a meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the President realized that the Navy's plan for running the quarantine includes firing on Russian...
Efficacy and Quality of Cuba's Educational Program Tensions continue to wax and wane between the two countries, but Cuba's economy has largely stabilized and the situation between Castro's country and the United States is also essentially at an impasse (Suddath 2009). The increased stabilization of the Cuban economy and society has led to many internal changes in the country, however, and these have largely been to the benefit of Cuba and
Cuba's Future After Fidel Castro There are many schools of thought when considering the future of Cuba without its leader Fidel Castro. Many think that Cuba is on the cusp of greatness while others warn of coming doom. It can be difficult envisioning the true Cuba from an Americanized point-of-view. Many Americans cannot understand a socialist framework where everyone is treated equal because America is the land of unique opportunity and
Leftist leaders preach a sermon of economic equality, of providing the "little man" with the ability to live the same life as the doctor or engineer - because though he may have less education, his contribution to society in terms of labor (particularly manual labor) is more significant, challenging, and sacrificial than the practice of medicine or law. The sugar-cane farmers and rum producers, the tobacco growers and the
Those officials who did look at the question of Japanese intentions decided that Japan would never attack, because to do so would be irrational. Yet what might seem irrational to one country may seem perfectly logical to another country that has different goals, values, and traditions. (Kessler 98) The failures apparent in the onset of World War II and during the course of the war led indirectly to the creation
("Economics," 2004) What is the role of women in your country deciding reproductive strategies? The total estimated 2004 fertility rate of Cuba was1.66 children born per woman. The de-emphasizing of the Catholic influence in the region is largely thought to have reduced the yearly population growth. Women have free access to birth control, as much as the health care system can be accessed by the individual woman -- however, access as
Comparing a blockade to the first option (air-strike) was a no-brainer. First of all, a guarantee of the airstrike being effective was highly unlikely. At the time, the pinpoint weaponry employed by the present day United States was not available, and in fact such weaponry had not even been invented yet. The Soviet Union, of course, knew that such a course of direction would not be effective and therefore the
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