The Penn State scandal has taken down a legendary coach, the university leadership of a prestigious university, and now a witless celebrity.
With 8 million followers, Ashton Kutcher's side comments on Twitter gave him considerable influence. When he witnessed the sudden sacking of the Penn State football coach, he jumped to conclusions, assuming that Paterno was taken down for some benign or political cause.
Only later did he realize the coach's alleged role in failing to report child abuse.
Unfortunately, the damage was done; numeroud followers flowed nothing but outrage at his short-sighted tweet.
There are two concerns that arise from this fallout:
Why are people following the inane rantings of a celebrity who commands little intellect or respect on current events?
Why do individuals insist on attacking the invidious or indiscriminate comments, when they need to dedicate their attention to more pressing matters, like proper care and protection for young people? The same outrage that flooded Kutcher's Twitter account is motivated by the same vile and violent immaturity that propelled supporters of the coach to riot at Penn State, toppling media vans and gathering around the coach's home.
Everyone wants to rage about something. If only people would pay attention to the political implications of their words and actions. If only individuals would think before spouting off their opinions on very controversial issues.
The court of public opinion is inherently flawed and corrupted, suffused with emotionalism and immediate hysteria. The rule of law demands reason free of passion or loyalties. Let us hope these allegation are dealt with properly and judiciously, free of the partisan rancor and parental anxieties which have frustrated previous investigations into child abuse.
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