Archive for June 3, 2012
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
Here is one of my favorite clips on using power wisely. This clip came to mind as I reflected on John Edwards trial (http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/john-edwards-acquitted-on-one-count-as-jury-deadlocks-on-five-others-and-judge-declares-mistrial/2012/05/31/gJQAffi34U_story.html) that just concluded. Here is a man who came close to becoming the leader of the World and failed to realize that his actions were not just putting his career in jeoardy but an entire country.
What about all those people who spent hours on the phone calling on his behalf, mailing materials or going door to doors? What about his aides? Isn’t a higher level of responsibility expected from someone who might come into contact wiht the current president, future president and other political leaders? Shouldn’t he fear blackmailing specially in a post 9/11 era?
To some extent, we are all in positions of responsibilities as parents, managers, supervisors, brothers, officers in a civic or religious organization. With whatever power or influence we may have on other individuals come the responsibility to use it wisely.