Jay Paterno

In this country, perhaps we have entered the Age of Enablement. In many major stories we see the casting of blame on an organization, or powerful person or existing “culture” as bearing the guilt of enabling the criminal.

It is possible that we are wading through a nightmare where reason and rational discourse have slept and we create monsters around every corner with every breaking news story. It’s Ebola, ISIS, Vladimir Putin, Home-grown radicalized Muslim Terrorists, dangerous illegal immigrant children.

There was a time when rivalries and traditions were valued and honored over money. Now everything is for sale. Naming rights to the stadium? No problem. Putting a corporate logo on the nets behind the goalposts? No problem.

The rush to the moral high ground only occurs when there is a big enough target for the media to exhort its viewers, readers and followers to sharpen their virtual pitchforks and light their virtual torches on social media.

The lightning strikes of the media generally are attracted to the highest object standing. We have seen this movie over and over again.

I’m not advocating we lock down students or bring back “dorm mothers”, nor am I advocating we turn back the hands of time to the “good old days.” I’m stating that technology may be cheaper and more efficient but it isn’t always better.