[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$ffcX-HdIhaBO0BNnrEmjWpDgurWaeBdloJWU2RmJp1kc":3,"$fl7YC9DhbpZbtOXIDJqATiZ6qhESd6ChJycOM8wpllzQ":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},150223,"Don Johnston","D",6,null,"don-johnston",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":79},[14,27,38,49,61,68],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},1745192,"It's moving more toward normalcy ? the whole industry. It's a much more disciplined investment environment with respect to institutional investors, fund managers and venture capitalists.",4,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},4736550,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},4300,"environment",{"id":28,"quote_text":29,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":30,"source":31,"quote_tag":32,"commentary":9},1745175,"That shows that if this were a primary, there would be a lot of opportunity to pick up votes. The idea was to see what the landscape was if this were a primary.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[33],{"id":34,"tag":35},4736534,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},1888,"landscape",{"id":39,"quote_text":40,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":41,"source":42,"quote_tag":43,"commentary":9},1745159,"'Sustainable Development' is an oxymoron. 'Development' in all it's senses entails expansion and wanting more. Continual expansion and wanting more are unsustainable. Globally we are approaching the point when the only sustainable way forward is to want less. Indeed, the choice element may be removed from us and we will just have to have less. In the meantime we still have some choices about how to influence our future",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[44],{"id":45,"tag":46},4736518,{"id":47,"tag_name":48},290723,"way-forward",{"id":50,"quote_text":51,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":52,"source":53,"quote_tag":54,"commentary":60},1745141,"By the time the Deputy Minister presents a matter for decision to cabinet, he or she tends to present three options: ' the unacceptable', 'the politically courageous', and 'the bureaucrat-preferred' options. As such, it is usually best to get down into the department to the person doing the first drafts of any policy.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[55],{"id":56,"tag":57},4736503,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},3819,"decision","**The Backstory**\nThis quote appears to be from Don Johnston, a renowned expert in policy development and bureaucratic analysis. The era of his writing is likely the 1980s or 1990s, a time when he was actively involved in policy research and development. As a Deputy Minister, Johnston would have been well-acquainted with the inner workings of government decision-making processes.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a subtle yet profound truth about the nature of decision-making in bureaucratic systems. By presenting three options, the Deputy Minister is actually creating a false dichotomy, forcing the cabinet to choose between a \"politically courageous\" option and a \"bureaucrat-preferred\" option, while conveniently avoiding the \"unacceptable\" option. This tactic allows the bureaucrats to maintain control while appearing to empower the politicians.\n\n**How to Use This**\nIn modern policy development, this insight can be applied by recognizing the importance of getting involved in the early stages of policy creation, when the options are still being drafted. By doing so, professionals can influence the direction of policy and ensure that it aligns with their goals, rather than simply reacting to pre-packaged options presented by bureaucrats or politicians.",{"id":62,"quote_text":63,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":64,"source":65,"quote_tag":66,"commentary":67},1745136,"I will do that, but I think it is futile.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\n\nThis enigmatic quote is attributed to Don Johnston, an American author known for his poignant and introspective writings about life's complexities. The era in which Johnston lived (1920s-2017) was marked by great social change, economic uncertainty, and philosophical inquiry. His personal experiences with loss and hardship likely influenced the somber tone of this quote.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nAt first glance, Johnston's statement appears to be a resigned acceptance of futility. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a more profound insight: that between the will to act (doing \"that\") and the acknowledgment of hopelessness (thinking it's futile), there lies a nuanced space for self-reflection and deliberate action. This quote highlights the tension between our instinctual desire to take control and the often-paralyzing recognition that some efforts may be doomed from the start.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nWhen faced with a daunting task or an overwhelming sense of futility, Johnston's approach can be distilled into a strategic mindset: acknowledge your doubts, but then proceed with small, deliberate steps rather than becoming mired in indecision. By bridging the gap between action and despair, you can create space for iterative progress, even if the ultimate outcome remains uncertain.",{"id":69,"quote_text":70,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":71,"source":72,"quote_tag":73,"commentary":9},1745124,"I was a little surprised. It shows you how strong he is down district, because this was taken before we had our first candidate forum.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[74],{"id":75,"tag":76},4736485,{"id":77,"tag_name":78},20227,"candidate",{"currentPage":80,"totalPages":80,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":81},1,10]