"The world's going crazy and no one gives a damn anymore."  So wrote Ray Davies way back in 1980s.  Oh if he thought that then, what he must think today.  Just a sampling of the things that are crazy in just the recent weeks.  We have a Presidential candidate who is being assailed about possible sexual harassment settlements.  A proud university community is being rocked by a child sex abuse scandal.

I can not speak for whether these acts are as they are portrayed in the media, because they are the only sources of information we have.  What troubles me is the situation of those who are the victims.  What I see are two patterns emerging. 

In the former scandal, the alleged victims are stifled from make statements as to the details by settlement agreements that were made with the employer in question.  For them to speak out one of two things must happen.  Either the other party to the settlement agreement must agree to allow the terms to be discussed, or the victim must violate a legally binding agreement and face legal sanctions.  This situation leaves the alleged attacker and his supporters free to take shots at the victims their mental state, their moral character and anything else to make them look unstable, or greedy or venal. 

In the latter scandal, the alleged victims are children and do not speak since the system is set up to protect their privacy.  They are reported to be 10 - 12 years of age and have suffered an unimaginable physical and emotional trauma at the hands of someone who appears to have been insulated and harbored by a great institution. (We have heard this story before haven't we.)  Instead of looking out for the well being of the young, the institution appears to have gone into CYA mode and looked to only protect the brand of the institution and the millions of dollars it generates annually.

The common threads that I find troubling are that institutions covering themselves and their names at the expense of those who are the victims.  I also find it troubling that so far no one is speaking for the victims.  The victims themselves are constrained by legal agreements or the need to protect their privacy.  Luckily the accused have shown little or no ability to cast themselves in a sympathetic light.

I await the outcome of both scandals and will hope that truth comes out and those who have been responsible end up facing the appropriate punishment.  The one thing that I find reassuring is that none are able to hide the truth from God and will thus be paying for their sins in eternity.

Random Thoughts

I haven't written in a while, and just feel the need to put some ideas down.  Since the blog is for me mostly, I am going to do an old fashioned brain dump.  When I do this it involves just jotting down random thoughts.  Their may be no common thread, and then again it just may not be visible to me right now.

• The MAC game between Toledo and Northern Illinois looks like a game where the coaches are playing the starters against the walk-ons.  Great offense on both sides and no defense. 63-60, it sounds like a hoops score where both teams are playing zone and not hitting threes.  But it was a football game.
• I am enjoying the Scott Westerfeld Leviathan trilogy.  Good storytelling, plus an interesting premise using alternative history. 
• I find political ads for the General Assembly that are premised on issues that state officials have no involvement in or control over incredibly ironic.
• It is also funny to see the prepackaged ads coming out of the Republican party that are using the exact same graphics and language to attack opponents in neighboring districts.
• All of these ad fliers don't even get read at my house, I just can them.
• I am glad that Tony LaRussa retired.  He always struck me as someone who is convinced that he is the smartest person in the room.  You may be, but acting like you are just makes you seem like a dick.
• LaRussa's strategy of using 112 pitchers in a game makes the game 
• This fall in Southwest Virginia was possibly the most beautiful that I have ever seen.  There were just tons of wow moments going up and down the road.
• It is really a treat to go someplace and observe how other people in your profession go about their business.  Today I saw male teachers without ties, teachers hugging and being hugged by students, classroom doors that were not locked, buildings that anyone can walk into without having to be buzzed in by the office.  None of which happens where I work.
• My recent weight loss has seemed to give me more energy.
• Playing golf for the first time in three years has whetted my appetite to play again.  Even though I am still horrid.
• Is it strange that I now have a Twitter account but do not Tweet?
• Is this a compliment or an insult; a co-worker commented that we have colleagues who don't like each other, then says "I can work with you."
• Albert Pujols should just be given a minority share of the team to keep him in St. Louis.