Placing The Blame

Once again, I bring to you a little story of improperly placed blame.

A bit of trampling happened at a Wal-Mart in Michigan on 'Black Friday.' Two people had to be taken to the hospital.

Where to story really take sour turn though is near the end when one of shoppers, Karen Dietstra said to the reporter:

"Wal-Mart did not do enough to protect us."

Let's knock Karen around with the clue bat shall we?
(Karen, I know you're reading this because you've Googled your name since the story came out)

1. Karen was an active and willing participant in the mob.
2. Wal-Mart security is not likely trained in riot tactics.
3. Wal-Mart is a retail store, not police agency.
   
4. Karen was an active and willing participant in the mob.
   

Why does Karen think it was Wal-Mart's job to protect her from the bad behavior of other shoppers? If she was getting roughed up by geriatric greeters, she would have a good point. Karen willingly placed herself in the midst of merchandise mad maniacs in order to run a relay race to buy crap and she wants Wal-Mart to protect her? How? Sure, they could put up velvet ropes and make everyone stand quietly in line but what are they supposed to do when the crowd enters the store? There is nothing they can do.

Unfortunately, it's the mentality of people like Karen and the other mobsters who think it's someone else's responsibility to protect her that keeps people from acting like a mob in the first place. If someone isn't there to stop you, it must be ok. I'm not accusing Karen of actually pushing people down, but she was part of the mob and contributed to the mayhem.

Take some responsibility for yourself Karen. Everyone knew the risks when they show up at the door. You can't expect someone else to protect you from yourself.