Wuss!

I asked the CEO of a quasi-government insurance organization (which has within its power the ability to save--or ruin--countless lives by its interpretation of insurance coverages) to participate in a discussion of his company's policies and positions on various topics affecting my neighbors and me.

He asked for a list of prepared questions.

Two weeks ahead of time.

I told him I generally do not have those prepared that far in advance.

When I could not give him those questions until a couple of days before the conversation was to be held, he dodged the appointment, writing in an e-mail that "other folks asked for [my] time...so I made commitments that I cannot break."

Does that mean that the commitment you made to me was breakable, sir?

(Apparently, it was.)

How telling it must be that the CEO of this insurance company feels no compunction for breaking small appointments in such a cavalier manner: This is the same organization that has forced many of its policy holders into financial ruin over the nuances of policy language, and now seeks to obtain legsilative re-definition of its status so as to avoid punitive lawsuits when they make a mistake.

No wonder this wuss didn't want to participate without a heads-up beforehand.