Skip to main content

What Happened to Human Decency?

Often in suicide cases, I have no sympathy and empathy for any person that decides to take their life. No matter how hard life becomes, ending your own life is for lack of a better phrase, a cop out.

However, when it comes to the tragic story of Tyler Clementi, a part of me has sympathy for the victimized young man. Not because his life was ended, but because he was a victim of a growing epidemic in this country.

In fact, the story is one that emits sadness as well as an awareness to examine how truly heartless, inconsiderate, and selfless our society has become. Clementi, obviously ashamed after not only his sexual encounter with another man was revealed on the internet, but the identity of his sexuality, decided to end what many friends and family described as a talented and bright future.

This was a life that was baited into being cut short. Suicidal thoughts that were forced into his mental well-being by two individuals who found the humiliation of another person to be simply, humorous.

No matter the choice of Clementi’s sexual preference, the mere invasion of someone’s privacy along with a willingness to publicly humiliate them in their most intimate and private moments is despicable. Nothing short of of a scumbag move. Maybe even beyond that.

And while the family, friends, and acquaintances of Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei describe them as “good” people, nothing about their decision to publicly humiliate another person reflects that description.

This has nothing to do with Technology or “cyber bullying.” Technology doesn’t kill anymore people that guns do. We control computers. We control guns.

And no, this has nothing to do with bias or discrimination towards homosexuals. This is not about gay rights, hate crimes, acceptance, or anything related to the gay and lesbian community.

This is about human courtesy and human decency - a dying component of our generation and society.

A concept that is not about being a “good” or “bad”, but having respect for the basic human rights for all of mankind.

Ravi and Mei didn’t think that was important. In an age where encouraged self-centered behavior continues to grow, Ravi and Mei conformed to the world’s direction. What was important was being cool, humorous, and well known in their tweets and videos about their discovery. Ultimately, they wanted to be the center of everyone’s attention.

Well, they sure have it now.

Hopefully, living with this on their conscious for the rest of their lives was well worth the notoriety, and the laugh.

Recent Favorites

Quick Ponder: The Long Way

The long way is, the best way,  if the Lord is on it. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/15/24

3 Up 1. James Earl Jones - The voice GOAT. But I'll always remember him in one of my favorite movies, Coming to America , in the absolute epic role of King Joffe Joffer. "Where is my son, Akeem!". A great gift to us.   2. A'ja Wilson - The WNBA has entered our mainstream sports landscape because of Caitlin Clark. Yes, that is very true. But there is an amazing talent in A'ja Wilson who continues to dominate, and this week, she set the single-season scoring record and likely will do the same in smashing the single-season rebound record.  3. Inflation Lowest in 3 Years - I know it's a hot-button issue during this election season. BUT! It is the lowest it's been in three years. I'm not crediting or blaming anyone! Just saying! Enjoy the change, y'all.  3 Down 1. Trump Shooting at Golf Course - Look, this is crazy. No matter how you feel about Trump, your thoughts on him as a Presidential candidate, or anything else regarding politics, this should NOT

Thoughts on Second 2024 Presidential Debate

That was soooooooooo much different than what we witnessed in the first debate.  So. Much. Different.  Yet, why does it still feel like not much was impacted? Overall, I stepped away from this debate with the overarching theme that Kamala Harris did what she needed to do. And that was not engage in a pity back-and-forth with Trump who wants to muddy the waters of any debate or discourse, force him to bring something new to the table and force him to get into a policy discussion beyond the usual surface sayings and fire-alarm narratives.  She did that.  For Trump. He has his voters. He is not losing them. But I thought Trump didn't do enough to interest those voters who have soured on him as well as those who are not yet sold on Kamala (this administration, or even the Democratic Party).  We saw the same from Trump. No need to answer questions. Dictate the narrative with what you want. Reply with emotion. Evade policy discussion. And you know, be Trump.  Was there a winner? In a tra