i'm curious
Why do people take such revelry in other peoples’ discomfort. The classic, prat-fall, comedy of Charlie Chaplin and Chevy Chase have made generations of us laugh out loud. Home video shows on television have made fortunes on men getting hit in the nuts by a five year olds swinging golf clubs or baseball bats or while trying to hit pinattas. The fat lady going head over heels after her bicycle hits some obstruction. The dog dragging the screeming baby around the backyard by its diaper. Real funny. Don’t people realize that most of this requires somebody to be in some form of physical or emotional pain? At least Messers Chaplin and Chase were getting paid well for their efforts.
This afternoon there is a story out of Dallas about an executive with the Boy Scouts of America who was arrested for having a computer full of German child pornography. That anybody should have a computer full of child pornography should hurt us all. That anyone would relish the fact that a paid professional working with a youth organization would have a computer full of child pornography is macabre at best.
I am a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. Have been since 1985. All of my friends who aren't brain-dead and everybody in my office with a pulse know this. Some of them have a great deal of respect and admiration for someone who does so much for others. I had heard rumors out of Dallas but had seen nothing. As soon as the story hit CNN I was inundated with e-mails, rubbing it in. People in my office were printing it out and hand delivering it to me. Doing all they could to rub my nose in it. A few of these people wanted to innocently make me aware of it. Others (not particularly friends) were pleased at my discomfort.
What’s wrong with people to cause and take enjoyment from hurting others? I know how devout Catholics and the countless good priests feel when it comes to light that another child has reported being abused by a priest. Why is there such glee at this pain?
This afternoon there is a story out of Dallas about an executive with the Boy Scouts of America who was arrested for having a computer full of German child pornography. That anybody should have a computer full of child pornography should hurt us all. That anyone would relish the fact that a paid professional working with a youth organization would have a computer full of child pornography is macabre at best.
I am a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. Have been since 1985. All of my friends who aren't brain-dead and everybody in my office with a pulse know this. Some of them have a great deal of respect and admiration for someone who does so much for others. I had heard rumors out of Dallas but had seen nothing. As soon as the story hit CNN I was inundated with e-mails, rubbing it in. People in my office were printing it out and hand delivering it to me. Doing all they could to rub my nose in it. A few of these people wanted to innocently make me aware of it. Others (not particularly friends) were pleased at my discomfort.
What’s wrong with people to cause and take enjoyment from hurting others? I know how devout Catholics and the countless good priests feel when it comes to light that another child has reported being abused by a priest. Why is there such glee at this pain?