Conversations with a Manager

Manager: Would you give me your opinion on this?
Me: Sure, I think xy and z.
Manager: Ah, but don't you think p, q and r are also good points?
Me: I guess, but I think it's backward. I think you have to do x, y and z first and THEN you can consider p, q, and r.
Manager: But if we don't just give the scientists p, q and r and then let them tell us what they think and what we need to change, we'll never get anything done.
Me: Can't we just herd the scientists into a room and sit with them and help them come up with a plan of what they think we need before we run off and do anything?
Manager: Well, I guess, but I don't see why we shouldn't just go and do something because if we wait for them to come up with an idea before we do anything we won't have anything to do for a couple of days.
Me (internal voice only): Why did you come ask for my opinion on this at all? Why? You know what you want to do. Just do it. You know I am not a yes-girl. Why would you come and ask me this?? (External voice): Whatever you want to do then, I just think we'll all be less frustrated if we know what we're doing before we sit down to do it.
Manager (very annoyed): Well, just whatever you can do to help.
Me (watching him walk away in stunned silence)
Manager: If you can come up with anything helpful.

Oh yeah. So my job is secure. Why can I not remember that when people here ask me for my opinion they really don't want MY opinion, they want my endorsement of THEIR opinion??