MONDAY THOUGHTS: HINDSIGHT

Who's causing the problem, and who’s being impacted by it, has a lot to do with whether the problem will be adequately, or promptly addressed, and rightly identified. 

One person's criminal activity, is another person's silly prank or sickness. 

One person's sin, is another person's mild indiscretion, or harmless habit. 

One person's terrorist is another person's troubled, misunderstood soul. 

One person’s bully, is another person’s hero.

Sometimes there's a problem that, it seems, everyone knows about. 

To some, it's no big deal; it's not that bad. 

To others, it's a danger, or a horrible nuisance. 

Something has to be done. It's been complained about, documented, investigated, and brought to the attention of those persons/ agencies designated to handle it, but it persists, is suddenly acceptable, deemed harmless, is swept under the rug, is allowed to stink and grow, or is forgotten altogether. 

People affected by it, are often left powerless to do anything about it because their hands are legally, or actually tied. 

If they, out of frustration, untie their hands, take up the matter, and find an actual solution, there's the possibility of being in more trouble, and dealt with more swiftly than the person or entity that caused the problem in the first place. 

 "If you see something, say something" only works if, after you say something, SOMEONE, will care and take you seriously. It only works if SOMEONE, who has the authority and wherewithal, will immediately DO something about what you saw, and make sure you never see it again. 

People have rights. We hear that all the time, but what about the responsibilities and consideration for others that go along with them? Too often we wait until something tragic occurs to recognize that a lot of balls have been dropped--or were never in play at all. We only THOUGHT they were in the air. 

There's always enough blame to go around when something awful happens, but who is actually accountable? 

While one disaffected, yet sympathetic group is shaking their heads in disbelief, another disgusted, exhausted, oppressed, mourning group is saying, "See? We told you, but no one would listen. We knew this was gonna happen. Why do you seek my help now? Why is it suddenly an emergency? Why is it unacceptable now? Why should everyone speak up about it? Is it because, this time, it’s happening to you?”