March Madness

If only the upcoming NCAA basketball tournament was the most important issue of the day. Alas, the madness I refer to is a smattering of events that reflect, in various ways, the state of our society.

Recently, a captive Orca whale at Sea World killed an experienced trainer. Yes, I know that it occurred in February, but the discussion continues into March. And the discussion centers on the wisdom of using wild beasts to entertain the masses. On one side, were it not for zoos and other wildlife centers, our familiarity with critters would be minimal. So what? Well, without that familiarity, we don’t put a face on the beasts and their futures are far less assured. We learn of their value and role within the ecosystem. On the other side, though, do we need to see them flying through the air with humans on their back? Or on stage with two guys in Vegas? Or in one of three rings under the Big Top? There is a fine line between education and exploitation, profit and progress. One would think that we could put the welfare of all involved ahead of corporate coffers. Apparently, we have not come to that point yet. In the meantime, though, it is madness to be shocked when a captive turns on the captor. Nothing personal...simply the nature of the beast.

This past week, madness arose at the Pentagon where a man opened fire and wounded two police officers. John Bedell appeared to be a normal, well-dressed individual until he brandished his weapon and opened fire. He died from his wounds. Reports suggest he was suffering from a variety of mental disorders. Regardless, no one can refute the anti-Washington sentiment flowing freely through today’s conversation. Such language serves to inflame already simmering resentments and may sometime serve as the catalyst for those who are familiar with Mr. Bedell’s demons. His “madness” may have been multi-faceted, but today’s atmosphere of distrust and emotional rhetoric causes some to make the leap from rational to rabid. Again, to be surprised at such leaps is, in itself, madness.

Yet another form of madness appeared in the shape of harmless interaction between a father and his children. The father in question is an air traffic controller in the tower of New York’s Kennedy International Airport. He allowed his children to make routine transmissions to departing aircraft. He did not leave them unsupervised and more than likely rehearsed their lines well in advance. Nevertheless, he is now suspended (as is his supervisor) for this breach of protocol. Gadzooks! A child on the radio? This is tantamount to your Doctor’s child asking you to say “Ahhhh” as Dad examines your mouth. Or your attorney’s child objecting when prodded by Pop. Simple exclamations that have nothing to do with the overall efficiency or outcome of the proceedings. The FAA seems intent upon making an example of this controller. Why? They have been something less than successful in upgrading the equipment used by their controllers or the pay and benefits of the controller force. They do not seem as intent on attracting new controllers in the numbers required to replace an aging workforce or addressing the associated fatigue and shortage of manpower. Maybe this “bring your child to work” brouhaha is something they feel up to and they hope you don’t notice the elephants in the room while they swat at the mosquitoes. Madness? With a capital M!

Allow me to paraphrase “Man of LaMancha” when Don Quixote defines the greatest degree of madness as “seeing things as they are and not as they should be.” Perhaps the best thing to do is immerse ourselves in the roundball tourney if, for no other reason, to find some semblance of sanity. It sure seems to be in short supply as of late. And whether you’re a college hoops fan or not: take heart for seeing things as they should be.