Accountability

Padmini Arhant

The latest developments in the United States government, media and entertainment industry on sexual allegations involving members of U.S. Congress and Senate and others in the media and Hollywood are a welcoming change in recognizing sexual harassment as unacceptable behavior though harassment and bullying in general should be condemned as it is the trend to exert authority and prominence.

Similarly, the criminal conduct from top to bottom in government contributing to loss of lives in domestic and foreign shores are never held accountable especially when actions or inaction from the highest office i.e. Presidency of the United States, State Department, National Security, Defense and Treasury holding key portfolios are immune to violations and misuse of power. The same are prevalent in state and municipal level.

Unless the individuals introducing laws in society as elected officials are bound by the same rules and regulations that are implemented on rest of the society, the law is meaningless lacking in credibility due to privileges to certain members in a democracy.

Furthermore, the posts held by them are taken for granted assuming they are at liberty to misinterpret the electoral mandate and often turn that against ordinary citizens leaving them with no choice but to accept government and influential forces crimes against them as an unfortunate experience.

In fact, the responsibility beginning at the top to bottom rarely acknowledged with unethical dealings and egregious decisions ignoring impact is the tradition.

Whenever the elected representative in the White House to Halls of Congress unilaterally act against the will of the majority and in some instances knowingly authorize actions with no proper justifications defying immediate and long term effects, the manner slight the code of ethics and office integrity.

However, the same behavior from mainstream population is subject to the fullest extent of law without any concessions on criminal activity and civil law suits. Again, those who are at the helm are not only protected in the office by virtue of the designation but they are also defended by media and other sources in the network.

As a result, the society is confronted with the dynamics of ordinary people vs. VIP category comprising the powerful and dominant members in society. The former is expected to obediently follow the rule while the rule never even applied to the latter and those associated with them or performing work under their purview or instruction.

The political party representation, race and other identity factors also play a major role in accountability.  In an effort to maintain party majority in Congress including the executive branch, there is a tendency and established system to cover up scandals and incidents regardless of adverse outcome such as civilian deaths and denial of citizens civil and constitutional right.

There are many to cite in this regard with both parties sharing numerous implications that are simply swept under the rug for they are considered either highly sensitive or inconvenient to the interests they represent in politics.

The case in example is the White House Secret service and Washington D.C. police shooting of the young African American mother Miriam Carey with a toddler in the back seat of her car on October 3rd, 2013.  Despite the victim’s medical record and autopsy conclusively ruling out any alcohol or drug consumption usually expected to influence behavior or mental state, the exoneration of everyone who were engaged in the summary execution of Miriam Carey exposed ordinary citizens vulnerability to abuse of power.

Additionally, the report finding the victim with 26 bullets shot at least five times from behind on the neck downward is a gruesome assault.  The victim posed no danger as she was unarmed and the vehicle she was driving was blocked denying her exit from the White House periphery seen in the video footage of the crime.

There was not only any sympathy offered to victims’ family from the White House and other high profile entities from various groups and organizations usually responding immediately with a demand for justice in racial violence and social prejudice,

Some congressional members celebrating and rejoicing the gunning down of the young mother with a toddler witnessing the murder is beneath human nature. These members obviously demonstrating lack of respect for ordinary citizens life whose votes grant them the power evidently threatens the foundation of democracy and human rights. As such politics reputation is tarnished in the handling of issues connected to political members and citizenry.

To make matters worse the prime media reporting on this incident did not want to be left behind in this art. Some women reporters from mainstream media could not restrict themselves to mere reporting of the horrific scene, instead they chose smear reporting with their opinionated versions.

The reporting “the female driver packed her stuff and took the baby in her car and drove from Connecticut to Washington D.C. to share the audience with the President.”

Then there were other female reporters who visibly could not resist characterization of the victim as a crazy terrorist and so on without realizing their reckless statements and unprofessional remarks were reflective of journalism at the lowest ebb much to their embarrassment.

The questions relevant to this case is the public funded security service and law enforcement agency employed to protect the safety and security of not only the residents in the White House but also the citizens in the state and nationwide including foreign tourists visiting cities and towns could care less about the latter’s life or right in firing multiple times at the unarmed victim.

1. Does this mean the lives and rights of ordinary people have no value?

2. Why is complicity to protect high profile people and individuals engaged in operations such as this and several in every administration the norm holding them above law?

3. Are the bearers of office of Presidency and law enforcement ranks more important than state, nation and the people as electorate necessitating the positions in government?

4. Why is justice always denied to those whose rights are blatantly violated by upper echelons in society?

5. What is the purpose of law that shuns transparency and accountability required at the top down to preserve democratic principles and values?

6. What culture in politics prompts some members to express joy on the murder of a citizen rather than exercising the responsibility as people’s representative to obtain facts without obstruction of justice?

7. Should people regarded not worthy of authorities’ concern be abandoned and their families deprived of fairness in matter related to public execution of their loved ones in a democracy?

8. Should media and state be the decision makers in selective declaration of right to life and justice?

9. Why members in political establishment and circle always more significant than citizens electing them to power?

10. When will the law be applicable across the spectrum barring preferences and exemptions regardless of status in the country?

Miriam Carey, the dental hygienist from Connecticut irrespective of media, political and others’ perspectives one way or another did not deserve to die and that too in a merciless execution at the White House compound on October 3rd, 2013 together leaving the fate of her daughter Erica then a toddler entirely in the hands of those responsible for the crime. 

The reopening of this case in public is critical to transcend unruly precedence safeguarding discriminatory practice in criminal investigation associated with law enforcement and anyone higher up in government.

Revisiting sexual harassment, the Alabama Senate race republican contender Roy Moore faced with sexual allegations tied to teenagers and young adult women in the past pose a great challenge to undecided voters and probably the republican base as well.

The incumbent President Donald Trump idea of draining the swamp in Washington D.C. touted during 2016 Presidential campaign reversed in endorsement of Roy Moore candidacy is political opportunism.  The current option to extend support to such candidacy could cost republican race in 2018 Midterm election among women voters amid sexual harassment charges snowballing in recent months and perhaps to continue upon retaining the custom to serve political interests than defending esteem and honor of women and anyone confronted with such situations in society.

The political parties have responsibility to conduct rigorous vetting process to eliminate such problems and verify credentials in all aspects prior to fielding candidates seeking entry or re-election to public office. The failure to do so often has electoral backlash sooner than later for not having met essential requirements to serve the public.

Winning and losing political race alone should not be the criteria that allows free pass on contestants and elected representatives to shield wrongdoings and evade accountability.

The government responsible to govern city, state and nation are primarily responsible to exemplify corrupt free governance with fair and equal treatment of all in the application of law and ethical standards without bias towards powerless and fear of the powerful.

In holding none above the law, the nation would appropriately qualify as the land of justice and a functioning democracy earning trust and confidence on and offshore.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter PadminArhant.com

Spouse in Divine Mission