Pete's Dictionary
Now many of you that know me would be suitably frightened by the title knowing that many of the adjectives I am capable of using could have some interesting definitions!
This week and in subsequent weeks we will just pick the word for the week.
This time I choose to revisit an issue that is affecting the fire service and society in general.
Blame
1.) To hold something or someone at fault. 2.) To find fault with or censure. 3.) Responsibility for a fault or error, Synonyms: Censure, Charge, Condemn, Criticize denounce.
There are an awful lot of reasons why I chose this word this week and they range far and wide. It seems to me that this is a horrible word and I have used it, done it and been the victim of it so I thought that I am OK with speaking out about it.
First the remainder of my disclaimer. I have blamed others and items for many of the issues that have occurred in my life. That was and is wrong.
You see there really is no ending to blame. There is no positive outcome. There is nothing really good at all so why do we in society continue to place and issue blame. Sure I am not stupid, society places blame for monetary reasons of responsibility but again I ask what is the real end result.
On a large scale, we see that lawsuits have been filed in the major nightclub fire in West Warwick Rhode Island. All of the parties involved that have suffered immeasurable pain and suffering and loss of loved ones have been grievously wronged. In this major tragedy as in many of the tragedies it appears that if you wanted to blame someone or something there will be plenty of places to point. That is not my issue and I certainly have my own feelings on that but consider this...After you have blamed any and all of the parties involved...what has really been gained? Your loved ones are gone, your wounds and scars are there and lives have been changed forever. Responsible parties must be held accountable for their actions monetarily, civilly or criminally but nothing really has changed.
You see blame can only occur after a wrong or a fault has occurred. It is reactionary.
My point is why don't more people, (myself included) stand up and do unpleasant things before an action occurs. It is often difficult, unpopular, and very strenuous to do the right thing and try to prevent an wrong or injustice from occurring.
How about a much smaller scale every day in the fire house. When you ask someone why apparatus and equipment is not properly checked some answers I have heard are..."Yeah but the other shift didn't..." "yeah but the mayor or town manager doesn't care and did not fund..." "Yeah but..." and you fill in the blanks yourself. The point again is that nobody took one positive action to do the right thing beforehand but rather chose to blame somebody else. Placing blame did not get the equipment checked did it? The equipment is still not ready to go and time is being wasted in an unproductive way trying to decide who or what was at fault when some positive action could have been taken even during this time of wasted discussion.
What about safety issues. In every fire department accident and injury we hear about who's fault it is. What about the person involved? Do they have any blame? Do they accept any blame themselves or do we look to blame others?
The message here for this week is simple.
Blame is a wasted activity.
Placing blame wastes valuable time.
Who the hell do you think you are to condemn another anyway?
Blame is reactionary and happens after some horrible incident.
Take any positive action you can every day of your life so that there will be no accident in the first place.
If an incident occurs spend every ounce of energy and effort in preventing the next one from happening. Fix it...!
Sometimes Blame is a personal responsibility. Blame is not always for others.
As I am writing this a funny thought occurred to me...it probably is no wonder it is spelled the way it is....
Take a positive action and do the right thing and don't...
"B" "Lame".