Its Not My Fault

Today I am contemplating the disappearance of personal responsibility. After watching television the other evening, with news that covered the gamut of culture, from Former CIA Director George Tenet admitting in a book that the US was pushed into war without just cause to Paris Hilton’s legal trouble, I came to one inescapable conclusion. Personal responsibility no longer exists, and from what I have been seeing lately, has been missing for quite some time. But exactly where has it gone?

Avoiding trouble is something we all do. I can recall from my recent past an example where I pulled a prank on a friend, at the time thinking it was the funniest thing in the world. A few too many cocktails will do that to you. But the next day, when he called me on it, at first I tried to play it off, as though I had no idea of what he was speaking. I was still in joking mode and found that even funnier. But after a few minutes of joshing back and forth I relented and admitted guilt, and offered to make up for it. He graciously declined and admitted he had a good laugh about it later, though not at the time. But I knew he would discover it was me, and had no problem admitting fault or my own part in the prank. I felt the need to be responsible for my actions. Because of that, we are better friends today. But that need to take responsibility for ones actions seemingly no longer exists.

Either due to fear of punishment, loss of reputation or pure ego, many no longer see the need to stand up and own their actions, to admit fault or be responsible for what they do. This concept is slowly driving me mad. I really cannot stand when people cannot admit that they are wrong, and just take a tack of arguing and indignant shock in the face of a mountain of evidence that their actions or behavior is wrong. I cannot understand this line of thinking that permeates throughout society. What is the big deal about admitting you are wrong? Why is this concept, and that of personal responsibility, so foreign in our society? Is it because failing or admitting fault is looked upon as a sign of weakness? Is it ego driven, where one will not allow themselves to admit their wrong, because their narcissistic tendencies will not be able to handle the fact that their actions or decisions were off? Or is it merely another example of life imitating art?

It is not difficult to see where this behavior comes from when all anyone has to do is turn on the television to see a myriad of people refusing to take responsibility. Tenet illustrates this trend in politics with his admissions regarding the war we are currently fighting. Sure, he looks big now for spilling the beans on something that has long been suspected, but if that is true, why did he do nothing about it at the time? If he feels so strongly about such things, why did he not blow a whistle or raise a red flag when it could have made a difference? Mind you, he is not taking any responsibility for doing nothing then, merely working now to sell books.

Follow that up with a stunningly sad and unbelievably aggravating example from the world of celebrity with the attention hound Paris Hilton and her latest escapades with the law. After getting busted, for a second time, for driving with a suspended sentence, the law finally flexed their muscle and sentenced her to 45 days in the clink. And even in the face of her actions and flaunting of the law, she is pleading for a pardon from the governor of California. She has done wrong, broke the law on multiple occasions and now she is being called to the carpet for her behavior, she still does not get that her wealth and privilege to not justify her behavior. Even worse is the nonsense her mother spews about the conviction being disgusting. If I may take a moment here to address the elder Hilton directly, I would like to impart that what is truly disgusting about this situation is the child you raised, or more probably paid someone to raise, behaving in such a manner. And on top of that, the more disgusting nature of the situation is you apologizing and defending her actions. Thank you. The Elder Hilton does not care about her child’s behavior as long as it continues to generate publicity and fame. As long as her behavior does that, and she can gloom some of that fame and therefore she is fine with whatever Paris does. Someone like Paris, who flaunts her wealth and fame and creates an atmosphere where stupidity and whoredom are lionized, should not be looked upon fondly. She should be ignored and shunned by society for providing absolutely nothing for the common good. And yet we cannot turn away.

Perhaps the sporting world can provide better. Alas, that is not to be thanks to the saga of one Pacman Jones, who has been arrested or questioned by police 10 times on 10 different incidents, all in the span of one calendar year. Rightfully the league suspended Mr. Jones for his behavior, but why? Why should they suspend him for his actions? Jones is now attempting to reduce the suspension, complaining that the punishment is too harsh, and should be lessened. Why I ask? He became embroiled in police investigations, a few of which have not been closed and may still bring punishment to him. If these things had been done by regular people who are not rich or famous, they would be spending far more than 45 days in jail and would have been fired from their job as opposed to merely suspended.

People look at examples such as this and begin to feel emboldened in dismissing responsibility for themselves. The attitude of, if they can get away with it, why can’t I fosters and grows. The more others see people being excused or, in some cases, even rewarded for poor behavior and lack of accountability only allows this behavior to spread like wildfire. No longer are actions put upon the shoulders of those who committed them, but on someone, or something else. Blame is shifted and distributed to a myriad of people and reasons, except for the one place is should be, on the perpetrator of the actions.

Seemingly, the only time people tend to take responsibility anymore is for a success. When that happens, out from the woodwork people will pour to claim responsibility, whether they had anything to do with said success or not. That matters not, as long as the accolades and awards keep flowing.

Perhaps I am over simplifying this issue. Or perhaps I am overstating the scope of the problem. I know there are good people out there who stand up when it matters and say; yes I am the one responsible. Unfortunately, they do not get the press or exposure they deserve and we need to see. And because of this, it just seems that fewer and fewer people have the ability, or desire, to stand. We need more people to stand, and walk for that matter. We need them to organize a search party for personal responsibility and soon. If we do not, then we may all be in trouble. Well, not me, I had nothing to do with it.