Bad Guy
I read an article the other day in the Browneye about some corrupt cops in Chicago. Now this is not surprising of course because there is an article like this in the paper every week. In this situation a group of narcotics cops were going to jail because they would bust drug dealers, steal their drugs, let them go, sell the drugs on the street, and keep the money. Sounds like a pretty profitable scheme to me. Well, the judge didn't like it so they are all going to jail for a long time (19 to 40 years). My favorite part of the article is the section at the end where they give quotes from one of the dudes as he was asking the judge for leniency. He said, "My mother raised me to be a hard worker, honest. I learned responsibility at an early age. Basically, I'm in a situation because of greed. I'm not a bad guy."
I find this to be both amusing and sad. It is funny because it is so outrageous and it is sad because I think the guy probably has himself convinced that he's not a bad guy. Just like Michael Vick didn't think of himself as a bad guy for hanging and electrocuting dogs. If greed doesn't make you a bad guy than what does? This guy watched too much Wall Street. I thought I would write about this because you always hear people defend others by saying, "He's not a bad person but/it's just...." I don't think the people saying it usually believe it but they see it as defending themselves for associating with such people. I also like the excuse, "He's only like this when he drinks." Oh yeah? How often does he drink. Every weekend. It's also interesting to see people who treat others they think are below them like shit and treat their peers well. I'm thinking about how certain people treat service workers such as restaurant servers, cab drivers, housekeepers, etc. Somehow a person can treat these people like they are worthless and still be considered good people in the community? Same with people who cheat on their spouses and people look the other way. I guess I'm kind of like Kevin Spacey in Seven but without the killing.
Here's what I'm getting at, if you are an asshole 5% of the time you are an asshole period, and therefore a bad guy. I guess it's like the old saying about being a little bit pregnant. There are far too many people out there that think you aren't a "bad guy" unless you physically harm someone and there are far too many people that accept that premise.
posted by Jonathan @ 8:32 PM
10 Comments:
You make a good point and I completely agree with you. But no one is perfect and everyone does asshole things every now and then, whether they mean to or not. (Yes, even you dear Jonathan.) Does that mean that everyone's a bad person? Where's the line?
I believe I gave a 5 percent cushion. ;o) And I was referring more to the repetitive behavior. Or in SEC speak "recidivists." And the line is hard to find because only the person who is conducting the behavior truly knows the motives and intent so sometimes there is misinterpretation because mean and funny. That would be called a "gray area" in the compliance world. ;o) Some would say I'm being an asshole right now but I know my audience.
Yes, Kimberly, everyone is bad. You and Jonathan included.
It was an interesting post, Jonathan, and I was in agreement with you until I started reading these comments, where you start to blur the moral clarity that was present in your post.
So, you don't kill, but you have hate in your heart. This is why Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire."
You haven't committed adultry, but you lust after someone to whom you aren't married. This is why Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Hey, at one time or another you've wanted to kill, you've lusted, you've lied, you've cheated, or you've stolen. Bottom line: we are all sinners. Not 5% sinners, or repetitive sinnners, or sinners because our motives were bad, just plain sinners in need of God's forgiveness.
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(1 John 1:8-9)
We're all sinners and we're all going to hell. Yeah right. It's no wonder why so many people don't want to go to church anymore. Well you know what john?? I'm not buying it and you can quote all the damn scripture you want. There is a big difference between cheating on your spouse and thinking a lustful thought about someone that is not your spouse. And I can't believe that either one condemns you to eternal damnation.
If you want to do some good, why don't you preach to people about staying healthy, and being good parents, and going to school, and voting, and taking care of their neighbors, and recycling. All this hell and damn fire talk is so 1800's.
Speakin of wanting to kill somebody....just kidding. Crazy John has a right to say whatever he wants, it's just too bad he chose this venue.
I see I screwed up my first comment. I meant "between mean and funny."
Isn't using John thebaptist in your screename somehow blasphamous?
Yes, indeed, it is blasphemous (irreverent, sacrilegious, improper, etc.). How do I know this? Because John IS NOT John the Baptist (newsflash to John, I'm sure).
Ditto on Kim's comments- but John won't buy it because talk is cheap and easy, which is why he talks so much.
G
You ladies are tough as nails on poor ole' John-boy. Good thing he didn't bring up his thoughts on women voting and having jobs.
We all know they shouldn't be allowed to do either!!
Hey, man, I thought this was an environmental blog! Now you are writing about who's a bad guy?
Did you see the big story the other day about China banning free plastic bags? It's incredible! According to this site, China's actions will save roughly 37 million barrels of oil.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/china-plastic-bags-47010907
I think you should get back to writing about plastic bags, plastic bags, make-up, and the evils of all those petroleum products, bud.
You thought wrong, bud. There's more to life than hugging trees.
Yeah, I guess you could better spend your time taking pictures of owls in trees. Oh, wait...you're already doing that.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home