Here we go again.

I suppose it's time to talk about accountability. Again.

Huge oil spill in the Gulf. And, unless you're a nationally-syndicated radio talk show host whose job is apparently to pander exclusively to one segment of the population and whip that segment into a frenzy at every opportunity, I think you'll agree with me that it's a mess. A big mess. To suggest that "the ocean is capable of handling this on its own" is beyond irresponsible.

But that talk show host is not the topic of my ramblings today. Nor is the leadership of any company that is involved in the situation. I will say this: It's very difficult for me to believe that anyone wanted this to happen. And I do believe it's important to be mindful of intent. Was there negligence? That will be determined by someone with the credentials to do so. And that someone is not a radio or television personality. I am not referring to media credentials.

I would like, however, to talk about the media and its role in the aftermath of disaster. The role is typically that of agitator.

Here is what happens. Some sort of disaster strikes. Financial, environmental or otherwise. The media arrives on scene immediately. Too immediately. The finger-pointing begins, with very little thought beforehand. If you work for the company in question, and you have the letter "C" in front of your title, God help you.

Somehwere in all this rush to assign blame, we forget that 90 percent of the employees at whatever company is currently under the microscope simply show up and do their jobs each day. I'd actually like to refer you back to Arthur Andersen.

Who?

Exactly.

Do you know how many people lost their jobs when the news media (aided by an overly-aggressive prosecution team) ripped that company to shreds?

By the time the decision was reversed, the damage had been done.

But I guess the ocean of humanity had already absorbed that spill.

I'm not saying that someone isn't at fault in these situations. I'm not saying that some wrong has not occurred. I am saying, however, that wrong does not always equal criminal. That if we expended the energy in thoughtful and rational examination (which I believe some people do--we just never hear from them until years after the fact)...that if we expended our energy in living our own lives and solving our own problems and letting these thoughtful and rational and, oh, qualified people do their jobs, instead of allowing the news media to spin us into an endless cycle of outrage and vitriol...

[I know; I'm such a dreamer.]

These things would go much better. The outcome would be so much better.

For everyone.

Comments

[Stasa]

Bravo!