Justice marches on in Flint, Michigan …
Word comes this week that six more officials have been [link url=”http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/07/29/flint-water-charges/87699876/” title=”charged with felony crimes”] in connection to the Flint Michigan water crisis, bringing the total number of officials charged to nine.
Charges include misconduct in office, willful neglect of duty, and altering official reports. Motives given for the crime include arrogance and treating people as expendable. Most likely more charges will be forthcoming.
… while the victims are left behind
One thing that must not be forgotten is that [link url=”http://www.salon.com/2016/06/19/the_media_may_have_stopped_talking_about_it_but_the_flint_water_crisis_is_far_from_over/” title=”this crisis in not over”]. After an early surge of media attention, donations came pouring in, and short-term relief was enacted. That media attention is now gone, donations are dwindling, and initiatives to provide permanent fixes [link url=”http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/13/politics/congress-flint-michigan-water-funding/” title=”languish due to lack of funding”].
Lessons we all need to learn
- As a public safety and health official, people’s lives depend on you. There’s probably no worse charge than can be leveled against a public official than that of being arrogant. We’re not paid to be arrogant. We’re paid to save lives.
- ‘Integrity is doing the right thing, even if no one is watching.’ (C.S. Lewis). A good corollary might be: ‘Courage is doing the right thing even when everyone is watching.’ The world can take everything from you except your integrity and courage. You have to give those away.
- Look at yourself in the mirror often. Ask if you’re acting with integrity and courage. If you don’t know the answer, then ask your grandmother. She knows.
Imagine the different world we would live in if everyone behaved with integrity.
Learn more:
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