Extra, Extra, Read All About It

The New York Post made its own headlines last week, after being sued by a former employee for a range of blatant, outrageous acts of sex- and race-based discrimination and retaliation. We don’t know what’s true or not, but let’s assume there are just a few grains of truth in this sordid story. For years, the Post has covered others’ claims – most recently the ESPN and David Letterman legal melodramas. Surely their own leaders read their own paper and must, if through no other source, have gotten the glimmer of understanding that bad acts lead to messy public relations and shocking front-page stories. So how could those involved miss the message that they needed to reign in their own conduct?

San Franciscans know there will be an earthquake, but many must assume it won’t happen now – not in my lifetime. I live on a flood plain and have a lake in my backyard, protected by a small strip of land that separates the Chattahoochee River from my living room. On September 21, the river raged into my backyard, sending four feet of water surging through the first floor. Not until I left my house by canoe did I fully realize what living on a flood plain means.

We know the risks of earthquakes, floods, and outrageous, uncivil behavior. Yet, for many it’s easier to dismiss those dangers and live in denial – until the quake hits, waters rage, or legal papers are served and hit the news. Then we wonder (in the case of natural disasters) why we didn’t realize the obvious and give some thought to making some plans, no matter how futile. But with the Post, reigning in calamitous behavior is far easier than stopping nature’s catastrophes. Failing to do so is insanity, not just poor disaster planning.