You're Fired

I got no small amount of enjoyment yesterday watching the hullabaloo over Romney saying "I like being able to fire people." Most of the commentary focused on how easy it would be to take that out of context. Ah karma.

But over at The Atlantic, James Fallows has a more interesting take on why people may react strongly to Romney's comment, even knowing the context.

But people with any experience on either side of a firing know that, necessary as it might be, it is hard. Or it should be. It's wrenching, it's humiliating, it disrupts families, it creates shame and anger alike -- notwithstanding the fact that often it absolutely has to happen. Anyone not troubled by the process -- well, there is something wrong with that person. We might want such a person to do dirty work for us. (This might be the point where the Romney campaign wants to take another look at Up In The Air.) We might value him or her as a takeover specialist or at a private equity firm. But as someone we trust, as a leader? No - not any more than you can trust a military leader who is not deeply troubled when his troops are killed.

Check out the full piece here. You know. For more context.