Archive: Opinions

There is nothing more horrifying than a crash.  Whether from personal experience or reading about a crash or watching one on television, a feeling of utter helplessness and dread overwhelms you.  For a brief moment, time stops, and the notion of mortality suddenly takes precedence in your life.  Your one thought focuses on survival, and if you are fortunate or lucky, you will indeed survive the crash.

Anytime you are involved in a crash, there are certain unavoidable outcomes.  Cars and personal property are damaged or destroyed.   People suffer injuries as well.  A few are fatal, but most are minor injuries that heal within a few months or can be taken care of through physical or occupational therapy. 

Society can be involved in crashes as well.  The Stock Market Crash of 1929 injured an entire generation.  It set off a world-wide financial crisis that eventually led our country into the Great Depression.  Individuals lost their entire fortunes.  Many companies suffered irreparable damage and were forced to declare bankruptcy.  In some cases, entire towns felt the effect of the market crash and become ghost towns overnight.

To this day we feel the effects of that Stock Market Crash every time we visit our parents or grandparents.   Simply open the door of their linen closets and observe some of the finest collections of hand and bath towels that resemble cheese cloth and have the absorbency of saran wrap, yet are still in use.   It takes along time to get over the affects of a crash.

Most of us believe that crashes can be prevented with a little care and planning.  When you consider how most crashes occur, whether financial, vehicular, or social, all of them originate from poor choices in behavior.  The ways we invest our money, drive our cars, trucks, bikes, trains, or planes, and the way we choose to present ourselves to others all affect the outcome of our decision making process.

So why would any rational person intentionally engage in behavior that would certainly lead them into a crash?   Is it sheer ego? Perhaps it might be a feeling of invincibility or entitlement?  Or maybe it is a combination of all three. 

No matter what you choose, you can find an example for all three reasons in the Salahis, the couple that crashed the White House Dinner Party, Tiger Woods, who crashed into a fire hydrant just outside his driveway, and former New York State Senator Joseph Bruno, whose career and lifetime of public service finally crashed after a lengthy corruption trial. 

Each of them demonstrated beyond any doubt that their chartered courses were doomed to crash at some point.  They exhibited very poor behavior.  A larger than life ego fueled their decision making process.  As they continued on their reckless course, they thought themselves invincible to the rules and societal norms for the rest of us mere mortals.  In the end, they believed they were somehow entitled to their ill gotten gains, thinking of no one but themselves.  Though no one has been physically harmed from their “crashes”, they have emotionally, psychologically, and socially injured many by their actions. 
I do not expect the social elite, sports stars or politicians to act like saints, though Tiger’s wife might offer him up for martyrdom.  But I do expect them to abide by the same legal, ethical, and moral norms that govern the rest of society.  The punishment should fit the crime. 

The Salahi’s crashing of the White House Dinner may land them with a felony charge if they lied to a federal official in order to gain entrance into the White House.  Tiger’s infidelity might cost him a few endorsements, but his reputation is forever tarnished, and a nation stands firmly behind his wife and their children.  And Joe Bruno, having been convicted on two felony counts of corruption, will be serving some time behind bars.

Socialites, celebrities, sports stars, and public officials are a unique species.  They posses some remarkable talents, and often serve as role models, heros, and pillars of society.  Their generosity, selflessness, and dedication to this country are commendable.  Alas, they are still mortal, and can be tempted, like the rest of us, by questionable offers and unsavory deals.  When this happens, we need to voice our outrage and demand a change in behavior.   Term limits, boycotts of certain endorsed products, and a total media blackout on attention seeking behavior is a good place to start.   And that is to the point.

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