1 EAGLETON NOTES: It's Not My Fault

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Monday 7 July 2014

It's Not My Fault

Many people complain about the nanny state.  Until, that is, someone does something that annoys us.  Then the first thing many say is "Someone should do something about that."  Which, of course, means the government in one of its many central or local forms.

At the weekend I came across last winter's magazine from the company that provides my vehicle breakdown service.  The fact that drink-driving is on the up caught my eye.  Then I saw the question "Who's to blame?".  What?  Surely there is only one person to blame when someone drinks and drives and that is the person who drank and drove.

The government may be able to help prevent it by executing drink-drivers or even by imposing some lesser penalty but does that make the government to blame for drink-driving?  You could outlaw alcohol production and sale (fat chance!) but are the producers and sellers of alcohol actually to blame for its misuse?  

Isn't it about time we actually started taking responsibility and blame for our actions?

19 comments:

  1. Gee, execution is a bit extreme, isn't it, GB? Surely a good old fashioned caning would do the trick. You're right, of course, it comes back to personal responsibility.

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    1. Sometimes Pauline it is very difficult for someone not directly involved to see the reasoning behind sentencing practices but execution is a bit much I have to agree. I'm not sure what happened to keelhauling but I imagine it's a pretty good deterrent.

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  2. I blame the vehicle manufactures. It's them that put the glass holders in cars. Without them the drink would spill.

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    1. You've got a point there Adrian. I'm not sure it's relevant. But it's certainly a point.

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  3. Responsibility is one of my favourite topics. Too many people go about their lives, whining and complaining about anything from money to health, weather to politics, but do they take responsibility for their own lives and DO something about getting fitter, managing their money better, or dress according to the weather (or move to a warmer/colder/wetter/drier place)? No. I must admit I have less and less patience for such people the older I get. I think I am turning into a grumpy old trout. Now, who's to blame for that...?

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    1. You are and I wish I could take the blame.

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    2. I'm with you there all the way Meike and I feel more that way with every month that passes.

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  4. Those at fault always love to pass the blame around.
    I agree wholeheartedly with Librarian above and just like her, my tolerance for STUPID people is zero.

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    1. Virginia I used to be intolerant as a teenager. Then I became tolerant. Now I'm reverting to my more youthful stance.

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  5. You're absolutely right that we have to take responsibility for our own actions. You use one particularly hazardous example but there are many more instances where we have to take responsibility instead of trying to get away with something.

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  6. I blame GEM Motoring Assist for the alleged rise in drink-drive deaths.
    But seriously I'm with you on this. There's too much blaming of others and refusing to accept responsibility for our actions.

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    1. Well, YP, so far we all seem to agree on this.

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  7. Basically I agree. But as long as there are people who do not take their individual responsibility, that means it remains a problem for society as a whole as well. Finding ways to increase awareness must be more important than "blame".

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    1. Yes I agree, Monica, it is a problem for society as a whole and society needs to change its attitude. In the UK the culture of blame has almost caught up with the US. We sue at every opportunity. Everything has to be 'their' fault. Unfortunately it has become ingrained in us now. Finding a way back to personal responsibility will be very hard indeed.

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  8. . . . to your question - yes, but it has to be on a broader than personal plane. We live in communities and within various cultures. We need to act individually and collectively, and we need constant reminding and prodding to remember that and act accordingly. The expression "it takes a village. . . " comes to mind.
    Cheers! McGregor

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    1. I can't disagree with you McGregor but that comes down to the question as to who will do the reminding and prodding and how will we ever change the culture that we have developed so very quickly over the last half century or less.

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  9. I agree, people need to take responsibility for what they do. I live in the USA and do not care for the ever growing government which continually reaches more into people's lives.

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    1. Terra isn't one of the problems that under the present culture of blame and lack of personal responsibility if the government doesn't act then finally society will fall apart as the underdogs eventually rebel beyond any reasonable control?

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