In an epic length movie, such as South Pacific or Gone With The Wind, there always seems to be a point to it. Somewhere under all the panoramic photography and the grand facade of bigger than life entertainment there was a point to be made by the movie. In fact there is a point to be made by any movie worth seeing, and even some that aren't. It would be nice to think the point contained within the story line were it, but it's not. For you and me as the viewers, it is, but we're the only ones.
It would also be nice to thing the point of the so-called, concerned citizen busybody who does the polices Job die it for the good of those around them, and out of caring for others, but they don't; and, it would be nice if everything that governments do was for the betterment of the people they claim to be serving, but it's not.
Following the same line of reasoning, it would be nice if everything done by the CSD was in the service of those whom it claims to serve, but it's not.
The fact is that the movie makers who made all the epic and not so epic movies, with or without intermissions, did it for capital gain. From the producers to the actors, cameramen to the sound men, from the lot security personnel to the maintenance personnel, they all did it for money.
The fact is that most of those concerned citizens who turn into the eyes and ears of law enforcement only do it to protect themselves, not their neighbors, and most certainly not out of concern for the lost souls who they turn in as suspect.
The fact is that many of the things that people in government propose, support, vote for, or otherwise cause to happen, aren't always because of all the reasons they tell us. No, all to often there is another reason they'd rather we never found out about. Money. Somehow, somewhere, in some way all to often there's a payday involved.
Have you ever noticed what they do when somebody even mentions the idea it was done for money?
The people who make the movies profess to have a greater message to send, and in a few cases that may have been true. But if it were true, why does it cost money to receive their messages? That's easy, the movie was made with making money as the goal; the talk about the greater message is just talk. Everybody knows that, even the ones who are talking. (Did you notice the great big smile while they said it?)
.. and when asked why they turned in most of their neighbors as suspected of some crime or another during the rush to clean up the neighborhood, why does the reply usually have to do with safety, and concern for others? If they tell the truth, most neighborhood cleanup campaigns don't start until somebody recognizes the monetary loss due to the reputation applied to the area. Until then, who cares? Usually, but not always, the motivation is monetary.
As for the legislators or their staffs, at the first wore uttered about the improprieties of their activities, the first thing they do is claim total ignorance or hide behind a shroud of confusing reports and rumors manufactured just for that purpose, to confuse the issue and cloud the air. Did Nixon or his allies erase the tapes? Someone did, and I bet it wasn't someone who had nothing at stake.
The examples I have just written about all have a common theme. Each and every person involved had some sort of monetary stake in the venture. In the case of the movies, the rhetoric about a greater purpose or message to deliver is usually given and taken tongue in cheek. We all know the reason Bob Hope really does those USO shows. It was never a bad plan to give a little when the returns are so great. We both know every GI and his family is grateful to Mr. Hope for the moral boost. The USO shows of W.W.II and all the rest since then are what make Bob Hope a household word, and his wealth.
If you see anything wrong with the movie industry or Bob Hope, you need your head examined. None of them did what they did for anything but honest motives, money being the big one.
In the second example, the reasons for those home owners actions is, if not completely honest, accepted for what it is. An excuse to talk about so we don't feel so cheap. If our property values, and therefore financial security weren't affected, only a small percentage of those who actively participate in a neighborhood cleanup campaign would be inclined to do so. Most if not all of them turned a blind eye while the problem developed, but it wasn't until some smart cop pointed out the decline, or at least stagnation of property values, that anyone is even interested in public safety or saving someone else from themselves.
But nobody talks about the financial motivation, while the noble motives are trumpeted. I really can't see any real problem with the honest motive. I'd defend my financial position too. Wouldn't you?
Now, when it comes to government employee graft, and the obvious acts of self-preservation the guilty so often take, my, but aren't we incensed by the news. "Hang 'em all", and "got what he deserved", are commonly heard when the subject of dishonesty in government is exposed, and all they die was further secure their financial position just like the movie maker or the home owner, although it was a bit more like larceny than the previous two examples.
In their haste to protect themselves, those who have something to hide almost never take the blame at all, let alone willingly. Most of the time some "Fall Guy" takes most of the heat, while the rest quietly cut off all ties they can, and leave town. Well, I guess if you take the fall for them, either you've already been taken care of, or ignorance really isn't bliss.
My guess is that the fall guy got his out of sight before the proverbial waste matter got involved with the air propulsion device. Most of those willing to take a fall don't do it for their health. Would you sacrifice your reputation for nothing?
My point exactly, almost. So what in blazes is my point, and what does all that have to do with CSD and Tylor?
On the surface, nothing at all, but it was nice to change the subject for a while.