Responsible

Responsible?

Responsible for …

Responsible to …

This is the Soda Creek lockup in the 1880s
If it was decided you were responsible for some malfeasance you had the opportunity to stay here until you could be transported to Oakalla Prison. No "country club" incarceration available.

This is a group of Chinese immigrants arriving at the William Head Quarantine Center in 1917. Following 30 days here (minimum) they had the opportunity to enter Canada ... with the very little they had or could bring with them and no hand-outs. However, they still wanted to come. The camp below is the marvelous accommodations supplied. You were supplied with whatever food the center could acquire from local farms or warehouses. Too bad about your religious eating requirements.

  

Much of my last post was about responsibility. That is, about those who did not accept responsibility for their actions which contributed to what happened. On the other hand some accepted responsibility; one of the witnesses who had been riding in the SUV apologized for his involvement, his contribution to what happened, and for lying to the investigation. Good for him and I hope he continues to walk a better path.

Traditional media is not involved they say, at least they refuse to accept their responsibility in creating a division between the peoples that make up Canada. Sometimes the wedge they drive between us is quite supple such as expounding on how some group has been mistreated when any discrepancy was slight or unintended. At other times they completely ignore a truly serious mistreatment which then results in the growth of mistrust which then festers into hate.

Example 1 – Presenting the idea that a group (aboriginals, teenagers, refugees) should be given handouts that they do not deserve. Eventually the group actually starts believing this “we need to sell more papers/advertising” propaganda. Once they believe this then the “rights” card is played and some coward in government gives in and actually distributes a handout. After enough time a large enough part of the population begins to believe this idea/promotion/propaganda is actually true. While the group in question is getting away with actions that might be immoral, destructive to society, or financially unsupportable, the rest of the population becomes very angry because they have to pay for this foolishness.

After years of this someone dies because they/he/she didn’t know where they could/should safely be or what actions are acceptable.

Example 2 –Parents are told that creating borders or “acceptable areas of action” for their children is “bad parenting.” Children “should be allowed to develop freely” so they are not “restricted to any level of development.”

Without borders people learn they can do whatever they can get away with. Moral actions are not a part of life. Perhaps they bully people at school or in the workplace. No one else in the school/workplace has received proper training about right or wrong, the “golden rule”, or anything else that makes society work. As a result several people at school or in the workplace are injured or killed.

I have to mention a politician who has made statements along these lines and offer a connection to one of his statements on video. True, in the US state that he governs he will not lose a single vote for his statement (and may even gain a few) but the statement still makes sense.

No I do not agree with him 100% … perhaps 85%.

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin responding to a question about guns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6XTVuUP0Ho

As parents, responsible parents at least we try to teach our children values that will result in their realizing sustainable development, longevity, productivity and happiness. A study of history, even a short history of perhaps half a lifetime will show that a moral approach to life is the most promising way to achieve those goals. More extensive study of generations, eras or eons will show that those following such teachings constantly enjoy better long term results than those who are cheating, lying, stealing, and generally destroying.

So is that what we, as a society, do? Do we support those who espouse morality, truth, brotherly love and charity?

As demonstrated with examples above or with earlier posts on this site ---No, not in any significant way.

Oh sure, a few of us get together because we are embarrassed by a general response and we see that someone who has made significant contributions to our community receive at least some recognition. We all know of someone who has given unselfishly of themselves by volunteering, raising foster kids, and generally stressing their own well-being for the betterment of others. These efforts are recognized by an article in the local newspaper or perhaps on a blog like this one that a few people take time to read.

However, very little funding for any of their humanitarian or teaching efforts is even proposed.

Why is so much accomplished through volunteer efforts? Why is there no money for decent military pensions? What about the workers out there, the equipment operators, ware-housemen, computer techs, nurses, why don’t they receive livable pensions on retirement?

Why do elected officials think that they should receive larger pensions than those out in the work force who actually are responsible for development and progress in the country? (Any Country!)

The news media has upset me in other ways and more than once. Too often I see coverage of killers, rapist, terrorist, and other slightly less despicable low-lifes continued on for hours, days or weeks when all they deserve is a nameless mention in order to warn other potential victims. The lives of the victims, who should be made into societal heroes are the ones not mentioned.

I could continue in this vein but it is far too depressing ….

The answer to all those questions is that we throw money at many things, places and people that don’t deserve it and didn’t earn it. Some one who has done little (or anything) productive is whining and complaining that “life isn’t fair” so we throw money at them – which they don’t fully appreciate and eventually want more.

So now we come to why I write the stories that I do.

Sure the primary reason is because I enjoy it, but I also enjoy having the “good guys” win. The characters sometimes do things that can be called questionable, but on the whole they are trying to do the “right” thing and because of that they defeat their opponents who – just as in the life we all experience – don’t care about right or wrong.

I find it comforting and entertaining when the people who should win do. I hope it relieves stress for readers.

Yes, it isn’t just the media, bureaucracy, or government that is responsible for the world we live in.

We are all responsible - including this writer of historical fiction - despite my intentions.