The last time I checked, perjury was punishable as a criminal offense. Cheating results in the acquisition of a big, fat, meaningless zero. It can also result in expulsion from college and barred entrance into various academic societies. Even accidental plagiarism has resulted in jobless professors. In a society in which untruths are apparently condemned, how do a few people manage to violate the truth so blatantly and get off with, at worst, a scowling rebuke.
Every Christmas Eve, I sit in front of my ridiculously priced plasma screen and flip to a news channel to hear and see what morbid and and not so morbid happenings have taken place during the day. Instead, I see a bunch of adults tracking jolly old Kris Kringle’s apparent trek around the globe. Aside from the logical fallacy of a chubby old guy traveling around the world in a single night mounted on a magical, deer-driven sleigh, the most appalling thing is the fact that these trusted men and women, the ones who are paid to deliver facts to us, are lying. What is even worse is that parents who usually reprimand their children for breaking rules, condone this national sham.
News reporters aren’t the only ones who contribute to this outright mockery of the law, and its implications. Anyone remember any of the former presidents? From the election campaign to final farewell, all presidents have told a lie or two to the populous. However, when political prevarication is taken to such a high degree as Clinton’s former claim to virtue, the apathetic state of society is brought to the light.
I suppose there is a 28th amendment in the Constitution stating that presidents, politicians, and news reporters can tell bold faced lies and receive absolutely no punishment for it. Perhaps there is some esoteric addendum to the constitution that only a handful of people have knowledge of. Then, I would completely understand why politicians, government, officials, and news dignitaries can misconstrue the truth, while students technically can’t.
The most disturbing idea is not the fact that those in higher positions can obstruct the truth, but that most people are okay with these lies. The huddling masses are quick to accept every promise a President makes in a campaign speech as truth. The nondescript majority perceives each sound that emanates from the mouths of the nations news reporters and high officials as absolute fact.
I see no protests against the way in which news anchors reduce the height that truth once stood at each Christmas Eve (and on many other days). Probably because most people who tune in to the Santa Hunt are the marauders who have spent years leading their own children into the logical depravity that plagues so many of America’s youth.
This acceptance of lies as tolerable is a monstrous tapeworm that has been feeding on apathy for years. Just because the idea of Santa Claus is appealing to children doesn’t mean it can pass off as truth. Even though the President is chief executive of the nation doesn’t mean that he is above the law. The Constitution of the United States of America calls for equal treatment under the law for everyone. This isn’t 17th century Britain and we aren’t under the rule of King George III. We have this thing called “the supreme law of the land” and it is supposed to be followed.
Students are told to emulate those in the highest positions in our nation, the Presidents and politicians, those who control the media, and those who are portrayed as ideal role models. Unfortunately, many of these supposed role models can’t even live up to the standard they claim to enforce. How, then, can they expect any student to abstain from lying or cheating, they themselves can not.
Each day, people place their oxymoronic pursuits of happiness before the life and liberty of others. Each day, the constitution is mocked by those who feel they have been abstracted from its rule. Every single day, the laws governing students are strictly enforced, while the same laws are lax in execution for certain others. This sets a horrible example for the youth of the nation. An example that is followed meticulously by far too many.
Miss Young,
I want to thank you for an inspiring commentary on one of the many downfalls of a modern society, for, as you so succinctly stated, rules seem to apply to but a few of us. Our high school is fraught with such inequalities, for some teachers strictly enforce the letter and spirit of dress codes, rules about hallway conduct and PDA. Yet, should another adult wander into the same hallway, these shortcomings become “just the way kids are”. These adult-world double standards make it impossible for well-meaning youngsters to appropriately guess as to what the exact standard is from time to time. We should make the standard exactly the same for every single kid, without deviation or excuse. I believe you are very courageous and correct when you say that the same standards should be equally, not equitably, applied to all members of a group, be they students or drivers along the roadway. I also believe you were right when you suggested that we should concern ourselves with the success of our nation rather then winning a social popularity contest among our peers. Well put.