Here is an edited sampling of what they had to say. Lobby hard for what you believe in, but be ready to give up a losing cause. Dead horses smell bad. At every opportunity, be positive. Your criticism will lose its punch if you're constantly bitching.
Life is too short to be a yes-man.
Eventually I decided to quit. I had a new job waiting, but I hadn't told anyone. I had nothing to lose, so I feared no one. I started enjoying my job again, and people enjoyed my straight answers and no-nonsense opinions. I decided to stay for another couple of months.