I recently watched a re-run of
the television serial Downton Abbey. For those not familiar with show, it
revolves around the class and hierarchy of the British life at the turn of the
20th century. Those that own and live in the big house, and those
that that work there, the servants.
In this particular episode, Branson, the chauffer,
was instructed by one of the daughters Lady Sybil, to drive her to a political
rally. Branson, made protestations to Lady Sybil, pointing out that it was not
a good idea for one of her class to be down with the sort of people likely to be at
the rally. Whilst these two characters have an underlying romantic storyline,
the position of power was used to override the objections.
At the rally a fight breaks
out, and Lady Sybil receives a nasty blow to head. Branson extricates her unconscious
body, and eventually returns her home to her family. Later the Lord, father of
the family, confronts Branson. He chastises him, and lays the blame for the
whole incident squarely at the chauffeur’s feet. Despite protestations from
Branson, and an attempt to define mitigation from Lady Sybil, the chauffer is
deemed to be responsible for the whole incident.
This is a situation that continues to play out in the
real world. Those in position of authority, make the rules and hand out the
punishment. Those without the power, follow the rules. Branson protested but
was over-ruled, he had no choice but to obey. But, when things go wrong, he is
blamed for doing as he had been ordered to do. Assuming he had refused, he
would have been dismissed from service without a reference, and therefore made
virtually unemployable for that period in history.
A real world example of this hypocrisy, enacted by
the state, is that of gun licensing authorities. They create many, many laws,
regulations, and restrictions, all in the name of public safety. Do not misunderstand,
these rules, in general, are not a bad thing. But the hypocrisy when things go
wrong is legion.
There have been, mercifully,
few such incidents over the years. But with each atrocity there are more calls
for more restrictions and regulations. And in so many of these incidents, after
all the knee jerking and calls for more control, there is an underlying commonality.
Those that make the rules, do not follow the rules. Yet, those that abide by
the rules, have made representation to the rule makers, only for their concerns
to be ignored. Are to be blamed later for the outcome.
In recent times, those committing crimes with legally
held firearms, have overwhelmingly had their licence revoked and their firearms
removed, only for them to be returned at a later date. The reason in most cases
is domestic abuse, ABH, GBH, or, other acts of violence or threatening
behaviour. In all these instances, the authorities are well within their remit to
prosecute and permanently deny the ownership, or, possession of firearms. But they
fail to carry out their responsibilities. Choosing to pass the blame onto those
that were not culpable, and had no control over the situation. Much like the
Lord, in the television series.
In short, rules are made for a reason. And, in
general we all live by these rules. But when the creators of the rules fail to
abide by them, blame those that follow them; and then endeavour to make more
rules, in order to deflect from their failure, we all lose!
