“This is essentially a book about stupidity, which, as Harlan Ellison stated, is the most common element in the universe along with hydrogen.” Charlie Campbell’s slim little book about blaming other people shows this method of defecting accountability has been around for a long time. Jews and women were blamed for the Black Plague (and paid with their lives). We saw a prime example of scapegoating last week at the Benghazi hearings. GRADE: A
I’m afraid I’m going to have to blame you, Geroge, for any future scapegoating I might do. (Beginning with the fact that I first typed out “scare goating” — an act that is most definitely not PC. Curse you, George Kelley!)
Like Hillary said, “I accept the responsibility, but not the blame,” Jerry.
This is the Republican Party’s modus operandi.
Everybody does it, Jeff, but the Republicans seem to do it better.
What bothers me the most is that a high percentage of younger gens seem to do it more or less automatically as a way to say “hey, not my fault, they (parents,teachers, neighbors, peers, media, whatever) influenced/made me into who I am and what I do.” This seems to include everything from parking illegally or speeding to armed robbery or worse.
It’s not just kids. I saw an interview on the local “news” with a mother whose two kids both caught the flu. “It’s not my fault, she said. “No I didn’t get them flu shots, but I shouldn’t have to.” Good grief.
Exactly, Rick! Scapegoating and avoiding responsibility run rampant in U. S. culture now. That’s why we’re losing ground…
George, the first one I remember doing that was [St.] Ronald Reagan – he “took responsibility” for Iran-Contra (even though he denied doing what he did) and that was that. No repercussions and Ollie North was paraded as some kind of hero-patriot.
Reagan was called “The Teflon President” for a reason, Jeff. Ollie North hosted a talk show for years.
Hitlery was to blame, period.
I recently saw a book with a title that just sums it up; it was called, Mistakes Were Made, But Not By Me.
/That’s my new favorite catch phrase!
MISTAKES WERE MADE, BUT NOT BY ME sounds great, Deb. I’m going to track it down!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0156033909
MISTAKES WERE MADE is on order, Deb. Thanks for the link!