1) We’re looking into IT.
2) We’re talking about IT now.
3) IT’s being done as we speak.
4) We will form a committee to look into IT.
5) We will privatize IT; that will solve the problem.
6) The previous administration should have done IT. It’s their fault.
7) We need to check IT with the A.G.
8) We will hire a consultant, for thousands of dollars and they will do IT.
9) We will put out an RFP so others can do IT.
10) Our budget and staff are limited — we need more funding for IT.
11) The typhoon destroyed our records, so IT’s GOD’S fault.
12) The other guy did IT, so we can too. IT’s a tradition — our culture.
13) IT’s the Asian economy, the war in Iraq, SARS etc.
14) The department head is off-island, and it is
a. for health reasons
b. for family business
c. on a junket
d. to meet investors
e. on government business
15) IT’S OUR COMPUTERS; THEY ARE DOWN!
But the real top 15 reasons are:
1) I don’t know anything about THIS.
2) I don’t have any training or experience at THIS.
3) I am here only because of my uncle. THIS was his idea.
4) They didn’t tell us anything about THIS job.
5) We are not allowed to think or talk about THIS.
6) I am only here to get THIS government paycheck.
7) I’m on break, so don’t ask me about THIS now.
8) THIS department head is out, and I don’t know if he’ll be back.
9) We can’t do THIS without asking a supervisor, and no one is here.
10) Can’t you see I’m playing solitaire on THIS computer?
11) Don’t bother me now, THIS is a personal phone call.
12) Don’t you know THIS is FRIDAY? We don’t work FRIDAYS.
13) THIS is our lunch break, from 11 till 3, so come back later.
14) We are off in one hour, so we are already closed for THIS day.
15) IT’S THESE COMPUTERS, WE DON’T HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TO USE THEM.

GLEN DOUTRICH
San Jose, Saipan