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Ted Turner Speaks At Doordan Institute

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Stop Doing The Dumb Things. Start Doing The Smart Things

Media mogul, Ted Turner addressed a crowd of 300 this morning to kick off the first Doordan Lecture Series at Anne Arundel Medical Center.  The invitation only event was attended by local business and community leaders, hospital and foundation board members, key hospital staff and supporters of the mission of the Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Ted Turner holds a discussion at AAMC
Ted Turner holds a discussion at AAMC

Local sailor, ESPN commentator, and close friend, Gary Jobson led a discussion with Turner which ranged from Turner’s initiative to create a nuke-free world, to his political stance, to health care, and to his personal initiatives that drive him to make the world a better place. The morning was peppered with quips from Turner which elicited hearty laughs and applause from the audience. When discussing the situation in the world today, Turner put world policy into very simple terms, “Stop doing the dumb things, and start doing the smart things.”

 

Jobson asked Turner about some of the driving forces behind his success. According to Turner, one critical trait is infectious enthusiasm. But, he cautioned the crowd, “There is a fine line between being infectiously enthusiastic and being a jerk.” But more than anything, Turner said it was his honor that drove his success. He read an excerpt from Richard II,

Mine honor is my life, both grow in one. Take honor from me, and my life is done. Then, dear my liege, mine honor let me try; In that I live, and for that I will die.

Perhaps the greatest chuckle came when Turner explained that he had come up with an alternative to the Ten Commandments–“because people don’t like to be told what to do.” Here are Ted Turner’s Ten Voluntary Initiatives:

  1. Ted Turner reads his initiatives
    Turner explains his initiatives, because people don't like to be told what to do!

    I promise to have love and respect for the planet earth and living things thereon, especially my fellow species–humankind.

  2. I promise to treat all persons everywhere with dignity, respect, and friendliness.
  3. I promise to have no more than two children, or no more than my nation suggests.
  4. I promise to use my best efforts to save what is left of our natural world in its untouched state and to restore damaged or destroyed areas where practical.
  5. I pledge to use as little nonrenewable resources as possible.
  6. I pledge to use as little toxic chemicals, pesticides, and other poisons as possible and to work for their reduction by others.
  7. I promise to contribute to those less fortunate than myself, to help them become self-sufficient and enjoy the benefits of a decent life, including clean air and water, adequate food and health care, housing, education, and individual rights.
  8. I reject the use of force, in particular military force, and back United Nations arbitration of international disputes.
  9. I support the total elimination of all nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons of mass destruction.
  10. I support the United Nations and its efforts to collectively improve the conditions of the planet.
Jobson and Turner lead discussion
Gary Jobson (l) and Ted Turner (r) lead discussion at Anne Arundel Medical Center

Anne Arundel Proud

Turner is presented with Lab Coat
Gary Jobson (left) and George Moran (center) Chairman of the Board of Trustees, present an AAMC lab coat to Turner.

Prior to the discussion between Jobson and Turner, Martin L. “Chip”Doordan, CEO of the Anne Arundel Health System was honored with a citation from Governor O’Malley presented by George T. Moran, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the hospital. In his remarks, Doordan briefly commented on his tenure and his confidence in the leadership of the hospital going forward. Stealing from the Army, Doordan looked across the room at said it was events like this that make him “Anne Arundel Proud.”

 

The Doordan Lecture Series was dedicated in December 2010 in honor of Martin L. “Chip” Doordan, Chief Executive Officer of Anne Arundel Health System who will shortly be retiring. Since 1972, Chip has guided the Anne Arundel Health System through unprecedented expansions and with much success. The Doordan Lecture Series features regionally, nationally and internationally known speakers who exemplify Doordan’s legacy as an inspirational leader.

 

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