Legacy?

I see an increasing amount of time spent on local news about the impacts of social networks and the postings or boasts people are putting on them. It is almost as if it is wrong of employers to use the Internet to see what people are saying about themselves. For example, a federal employee who is collecting disability for her depression, and posts pictures of herself at Chippendale's is distressed when her disability is called into question, and her benefits are rescinded. Newly graduated college students are bewildered when their drunken festivities, posted for the world to gaze on, call into question their claims of sound and mature judgement.

We all have ghosts and skeletons in our closets. I am sure there is only one who has walked among us that has nothing to regret, nothing to wish they had not done. The difference between my youth and the youth of today is we had time to consider the error of our ways before the entire world was made aware of them. We did not grow up believing that everything we thought, everything we did, everything we tried to do was worthy of public discourse. Obviously this must be a problem brought on by Soccer Mom's and Dad's who want everyone to be winners!

One truth I have always understood was the young had to find their own identity. They would not accept the advice of the elders, and would often choose a contrary path just to show their independence. Unfortunately for too many, that need to take a contrary path, and the desire to share their perceived triumphs collide now on the Internet with a record that will last far beyond the moments of fame they seek.

To all the American youth who want the world to know they get drunk every night, work hard to contact every available STD, or hate their boss, job, life, parents, teachers or spouse I offer this thought. Hope it works out for you in the future! Don't whine when it is thrown back at you.

To every American scamming the disability system who get caught because of a stupid posting. Too bad, so sad, maybe they will offer federal disability for stupidity in the new health care plan! Call your legislator for clarification.