Two high profile scalps have fallen this week in the quest for squeaky clean sportsman and politicians.
Chris Hulme, The Minister for Energy and Climate Change, has resigned over the claims that he asked his ex wife to take speeding points for him to avoid a driving ban back in 2003. Mr Hulme has now been charged with something (fraud, perverting the course of justice, not sure) by the Metropolitan Police as has his ex and they will both appear at Westminster Magistrates Court next week.
John Terry, the Chelsea and England captain, has also been stripped of his England captaincy (not for the first time) due to allegations of racial abuse he made towards an opposing player some months ago and for which he is now due to stand trial. Unlike Chris Hulme, who has done the decent thing for once and stood down, John Terry was arrogant enough to stay put until he was pushed.
I don't know what evidence there is against Mr Hulme, but there must be something concrete or the CPS would never have agreed to progress the case. John Terry, the twat, was caught on camera. Both of them of course, deny everything.
What is it about public or high profile figures, who should be role models, which makes them act in these ways and not expect to get caught? We have such a vicious and predatory press that anyone in the public eye is watched like a hawk for anything which might be slightly out of line or newsworthy. Scandal, like sex, sells papers and ensures viewers.
The principal of course holds good for us ordinary mortals. If you are in a position of responsibility and you step out of line or you cock up, you have to hold your hand up for the blame and if necessary, fall on your sword. Endless damage can be done if people put their personal position above everything else, including justice for others.
Whatever the outcome of these two cases, they should be a lesson for us all. Simply it's this - don't do things you may later be ashamed of or which you will regret and if you step out of line, don't do it so bloody obviously that you will inevitably get caught. Big Brother is everywhere, and your sins will find you out, even if it takes a few years (10 in Mr Hulme's case, and then as the result of a bitter divorce from aforementioned ex who was trying to get her revenge . A tactic which has now, because she is being tried too, backfired somewhat!).
Me of course, well I'm blameless. I'd never do anything like that. I'd never do something reprehensible then try to cover it up and I certainly wouldn't try to get someone else to become an accessory after the fact. Would I? At least, I haven't yet!
Couldn't agree more Mrs W, it is all about that old chestnut of taking responsibility for your own actions. It is also noticeable that the three main areas where people 'get caught out' are also the three most heavily publicised, i.e. sport, politics and showbusiness. These days, I'm constantly surprised that people like this still think they can get away with it. Take football, I'm a passionate supporter of the beautiful game. Not just because when it is played well it can be wonderful to watch, but also it is a truly international sport and a great leveller of nations. So when numpties like Terry bring the game down, protest their innocence and still get away with it, it is a sad thing to watch because it tarnishes the sport and the many genuine, honest players. When cameras catch you diving or blatantly fouling someone, can you really expect public sympathy when you try to weasel out of it? Particularly when these days you can get a hundred different camera angles and endless slow motion replays of you holding your face in apparent agony when it was obvious to all but the blind that you never got touched at all.You only come away looking a fool. In Terry's case, a racist fool. Politicians are worse. Abusing their privileged position (and their secretaries), lying, evading, freeloading. They are supposed to represent us, not to make a quick buck or play power politics. In my life, I have made mistakes, some honest, most minor and one or two, sadly, fairly reprehensible. I've always admitted blame where it is due, never tried to cover up, have never blamed others and I've taken the consequences. As a result, I sleep well and can take comfort in the fact that even when I wasn't all that decent, at least I took responsibility.
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