PDA

View Full Version : The Blame Game


LongStepMantis
10-21-2008, 09:27 AM
It comes as no surprise that people rarely seem to blame themselves for anything anymore.

But this is getting ridiculous. I read two articles in a 5 minute span where people
blamed their woes on anything and everything but themselves or their family members.

First we have the case of a car salesman who blames the fact no one is buying gas guzzlers like Tahoes and Suburbans on the Banks (http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/10/21/economy.cars.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview).

Her story is at least somewhat level-headed, except that she seems surprised that no one wants to buy SUVs that get horrible mileage during an economic downturn.

But this story (http://www.wsbtv.com/news/17763243/detail.html) is the one that takes the cake. A disgruntled 78 year old man in Atlanta, Georgia bombed a law firm's office because he was unhappy with the way a land dispute was handled. He died, the building was destroyed, and many others were injured. His son's response?

The son of a 78-year-old man who bombed a north Georgia law firm involved in a bitter family legal dispute blamed local leaders on Monday for not doing enough to prevent the attack.

Authorities say Lloyd Cantrell set off the Friday explosion at a Dalton law firm that represented his son Bruce Cantrell in a long-simmering land dispute. The blast killed the elder Cantrell, injured four others and left residents struggling to come to grips with the bombing in their blue-collar town of 30,000.

"I blame the justice system here in Dalton because they did nothing," said Bruce Cantrell, a 50-year-old contractor. He said his first reaction to the blast was: "I told you so.

Don't mind my rant, I'm just getting sick and tired of everyone taking the "It has to be someone else's fault, because it can't be mine" attitude.

I'm probably just pissy because my sister called me yesterday and told me her husband's brother borrowed their car last week...and helped himself to the Debit card she had in her console. When the police finally tracked him down after 4 days (he said he would return their car in 2 hours) he had also emptied their bank account. His excuse? "You should have known better than to trust me, so it's your fault." It boggles the damn mind.

Johan
10-21-2008, 09:30 AM
Human behavior can be boiled down to one of the following four responses:

1. Projection: It's your fault that it happened.
2. Denial: I didn't do it.
3. Rationalization: I had a great reason for doing it.
4. Acceptance: I did it. I'll make restitution.

Oh, did I neglect to add that #4 DOESN'T EXIST?! :D

People suck. News at 11. ;)

LongStepMantis
10-21-2008, 09:32 AM
Yea, I know no one will be shocked by this information...but that says something all by itself.

And just in case anyone thinks my OP is too long, it's your own damn fault...so there. :p

President Fred
10-21-2008, 09:35 AM
Human behavior can be boiled down to one of the following four responses:

1. Projection: It's your fault that it happened.
2. Denial: I didn't do it.
3. Rationalization: I had a great reason for doing it.
4. Acceptance: I did it. I'll make restitution.

Oh, did I neglect to add that #4 DOESN'T EXIST?! :D

People suck. News at 11. ;)
What are you talking about, it's people like you that cause problems like this in the first place. It certainly isn't my response, and if it were I'm sure it would be warranted. You suck.

Loki_09
10-21-2008, 09:46 AM
I blame Bush... for everything.

NoName
10-21-2008, 09:48 AM
I generally blame Johan... for everything.

:)

Rock Bandit
10-21-2008, 10:08 AM
I've come to the (correct) conclusion that if everyone just submitted to my wishes and let me have what I want, even if it had to come at the sacrifice of what they wanted, I would lead an optimal life. Therefore any setback, letdown, or unfortunate incident that happens in my life is the fault of other's and I can in no way be held responsible for other people's obstinance.

Seriously, why do I have to work for all the things in life I want? That's like saying I don't deserve it.

LongStepMantis
10-21-2008, 10:12 AM
I think the late, great George Carlin said it best.

"I love it when someone, like a politician, fucks up and says "I'm going to take responsibility for my actions." How fucking novel. Imagine that, taking responsibility for something you did. They act like it's some kind of radical new way of thinking. You know what I want to see? Someone who will take responsibility for my actions."
:D

Inspector Fowler
10-21-2008, 12:04 PM
When I worked at the jail, I knew a child molestor. One night, when a very nice deputy (not me) was working in the "special needs" area where all the chomos go, this particular guy (who had, over the years, molested his own daughter and then his granddaughter), wandered out of his room, looking very upset.

He'd just taken a plea deal, and was going to have to do 4 years for what he'd done. He was shaking, and told the deputy that he couldn't sleep. The deputy asked him what was wrong, and he said something like, "I can't believe I got 4 years. There are murderers who get less time than that. I never put my penis in her, all I did was finger her."

This is his six year old granddaughter he was talking about. But it wasn't that bad, right? He didn't actually get his dick in there! Not to mention the trauma he was causing his daughter, who, out of shame as a child, had never told anybody about what dad had done to her - when her sister then placed the granddaughter in daddy's care, she was instantly re-vicitimized, and felt guilty beyond words - if only she'd told somebody.

But here he was, not wanting to take responsibility, thinking that what he did wasn't really that bad, was it?

Johan
10-21-2008, 12:15 PM
Inspector Fowler, that is just totally reprehensible, but I am glad you shared it. Interesting insight. Sad. :(

Schnoogs
10-21-2008, 12:21 PM
It's the victocrat mentality...

pseudopseudo
10-21-2008, 02:24 PM
He'd just taken a plea deal, and was going to have to do 4 years for what he'd done. He was shaking, and told the deputy that he couldn't sleep. The deputy asked him what was wrong, and he said something like, "I can't believe I got 4 years. There are murderers who get less time than that. I never put my penis in her, all I did was finger her."

But here he was, not wanting to take responsibility, thinking that what he did wasn't really that bad, was it?

If what I've read and heard over the years has a nugget of truth, child molesters generally get the worst treatment (as far as the other inmates/guards/whomever) at correctional facilities. I'm sure he was fearing for his life a little.

Not that it makes what he did any less disgusting and wrong.