Got your attention, didn't it?
In today's world of computers and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, along with the popular use of iPhones and iPads, every minute of one's life could literally be out there for the whole world to see.
Who knew that we would be able to take photos and videos from our little cell phones and then post them on an international site called "YouTube?" I never, in my wildest dreams thought that I would be here typing my ramblings on to the 'blogosphere' for the whole world to read. Thank goodness for anonymity.
Each time another bit of technology is released to the public, I can't help feeling older. Hell, I'm so old school I learned to type on a manual typewriter. I'm so old school that even when I send a text or email, I have trouble bringing myself to use anything but proper English and punctuation. In fact, if I try to read the ramblings of some of the language used by today's youth, (and some adults for that matter) I become bleary eyed and frustrated. I can sympathize strongly with the struggle of Dyslexics. I have acquiesced too much of my privacy, sanity, and I have literally been 'dumb downed' to the point of feeling stupid for not being stupid.
As with all electronic devices, there's a trail. I don't profess to understand even half the lingo associated with today's technology. In fact, I had a discussion with a computer geek the other day and he wasn't even 2 sentences in to describing the issue, when my eyes began to glaze over and he took notice, stopping in mid-sentence. Before he had a chance to tell me how stupid I looked, I confessed to being so. However, when he broke it down in simple language and told me what the specific words and parts meant, my eyes cleared and I understood. I guess as we get older, the words 'whatchamajiggers', 'thingamabobs' and 'whaddacallits' start to make sense.
Returning back from my tangent.....we've all read the appalling stories of thoughtless people taking pictures of anything and everything and posting them everywhere and anywhere. Some of these inconsiderate, cruel and heartless people have intentionally used social media sites and other open websites, to harm, bully or belittle others, and I firmly believe that they should be punished accordingly. Some of these victims of such electronic abuse have gone so far as to commit suicide because the untold embarrassment is too much to continue on with their lives. Talk about peer pressure. Being a teenager is difficult enough, add in visual aids, and it can be horrific.
As with all these new found gadgets, there's always a new found way to use it. Texting or sexting between 2 consenting adults is not in any way harmful to those that may enjoy it. Whatever works for ya. However, think of the consequences. A friend could share, another button may be accidentally punched, and if you're using a device that doesn't belong to you, such as your employer's, you might want to use caution. Rep. A. Wiener (D) from NY is a prime example of someone who should be thinking with something else other than what is in his underwear. People in high profile positions have an image and almost certain obligation to maintain some ethical control of their lives. You send one person an image of a bulge in your underwear, you're liable to find out the true meaning of "viral." Wiener certainly did. We all know he lied from the beginning. Now his party has turned their backs on him. If he had admitted to it in the beginning, there probably wouldn't have been so much backlash. My personal observation is that there's just so much sexually related dirt on so many high profile people out there, that it's almost a yawner when we hear of another one.
People in high profile positions in many different forms of government have been caught sending compromising photos and text messages to co-workers, lovers and sometimes total strangers. Apparently some of these people were not thinking of the long term repercussions. A bitter lover may have saved some of those compromising photos and texts and may, in the heat of anger, later use them as ammunition in divorces, extortion or just plain vengeance.
In a small town in upstate NY, it appears it may be newsworthy to share with the public that the police chief was having an exchange of sexual photos and text messages with another city employee while they may or may not have been on duty. The article indicates that they are 2 single and consenting adults who had an on-again, off-again relationship, but that most of the time, they used their own personal electronic devices to share those intimate messages.
While I am not a prude or begrudging anyone their sexual thrills, I must say that while holding a public office such as police chief, I am going to watch my every move. Most departments have a set of standards and ethics for all police officers to adhere to, but the Chief really should set himself to an even higher standard than those of his personnel. What kind of example is he setting for his subordinates when he sends pictures of his junk out in to cyberspace? The Chief attempts to justify his actions by stating he was on his "lunch break." A lunch break in his office! This is quite an embarrassing predicament and one wonders how the news media even found out about it. You know there had to be some kind of incriminating evidence for the Chief to call a press conference to address and confess. To understand the local newspaper's reasons for printing such a story, read this editor's blog. The Wiener-gate reference is amusing.
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A later news story from a different media source, not only identifies the other party involved in this sexting scandal, but she is also initiating legal action against Cole and the city for the shame and humiliation caused by the Chief's announcement. She says he continued sending these texts and photos even after asking him to stop. Here's where the 'I told you so' comes in. They always come back to bite.
There are already many documented cases of police officers losing their jobs because of sexting. The moral implications are too numerous to mention and the Police Chief of this department of 65 officers really should consider early retirement.
Finally, since this too happened in New York, I have to wonder what's in the water.
In today's world of computers and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, along with the popular use of iPhones and iPads, every minute of one's life could literally be out there for the whole world to see.
Who knew that we would be able to take photos and videos from our little cell phones and then post them on an international site called "YouTube?" I never, in my wildest dreams thought that I would be here typing my ramblings on to the 'blogosphere' for the whole world to read. Thank goodness for anonymity.
As with all electronic devices, there's a trail. I don't profess to understand even half the lingo associated with today's technology. In fact, I had a discussion with a computer geek the other day and he wasn't even 2 sentences in to describing the issue, when my eyes began to glaze over and he took notice, stopping in mid-sentence. Before he had a chance to tell me how stupid I looked, I confessed to being so. However, when he broke it down in simple language and told me what the specific words and parts meant, my eyes cleared and I understood. I guess as we get older, the words 'whatchamajiggers', 'thingamabobs' and 'whaddacallits' start to make sense.
Returning back from my tangent.....we've all read the appalling stories of thoughtless people taking pictures of anything and everything and posting them everywhere and anywhere. Some of these inconsiderate, cruel and heartless people have intentionally used social media sites and other open websites, to harm, bully or belittle others, and I firmly believe that they should be punished accordingly. Some of these victims of such electronic abuse have gone so far as to commit suicide because the untold embarrassment is too much to continue on with their lives. Talk about peer pressure. Being a teenager is difficult enough, add in visual aids, and it can be horrific.
As with all these new found gadgets, there's always a new found way to use it. Texting or sexting between 2 consenting adults is not in any way harmful to those that may enjoy it. Whatever works for ya. However, think of the consequences. A friend could share, another button may be accidentally punched, and if you're using a device that doesn't belong to you, such as your employer's, you might want to use caution. Rep. A. Wiener (D) from NY is a prime example of someone who should be thinking with something else other than what is in his underwear. People in high profile positions have an image and almost certain obligation to maintain some ethical control of their lives. You send one person an image of a bulge in your underwear, you're liable to find out the true meaning of "viral." Wiener certainly did. We all know he lied from the beginning. Now his party has turned their backs on him. If he had admitted to it in the beginning, there probably wouldn't have been so much backlash. My personal observation is that there's just so much sexually related dirt on so many high profile people out there, that it's almost a yawner when we hear of another one.
People in high profile positions in many different forms of government have been caught sending compromising photos and text messages to co-workers, lovers and sometimes total strangers. Apparently some of these people were not thinking of the long term repercussions. A bitter lover may have saved some of those compromising photos and texts and may, in the heat of anger, later use them as ammunition in divorces, extortion or just plain vengeance.
In a small town in upstate NY, it appears it may be newsworthy to share with the public that the police chief was having an exchange of sexual photos and text messages with another city employee while they may or may not have been on duty. The article indicates that they are 2 single and consenting adults who had an on-again, off-again relationship, but that most of the time, they used their own personal electronic devices to share those intimate messages.
While I am not a prude or begrudging anyone their sexual thrills, I must say that while holding a public office such as police chief, I am going to watch my every move. Most departments have a set of standards and ethics for all police officers to adhere to, but the Chief really should set himself to an even higher standard than those of his personnel. What kind of example is he setting for his subordinates when he sends pictures of his junk out in to cyberspace? The Chief attempts to justify his actions by stating he was on his "lunch break." A lunch break in his office! This is quite an embarrassing predicament and one wonders how the news media even found out about it. You know there had to be some kind of incriminating evidence for the Chief to call a press conference to address and confess. To understand the local newspaper's reasons for printing such a story, read this editor's blog. The Wiener-gate reference is amusing.
_________________________________________
A later news story from a different media source, not only identifies the other party involved in this sexting scandal, but she is also initiating legal action against Cole and the city for the shame and humiliation caused by the Chief's announcement. She says he continued sending these texts and photos even after asking him to stop. Here's where the 'I told you so' comes in. They always come back to bite.
There are already many documented cases of police officers losing their jobs because of sexting. The moral implications are too numerous to mention and the Police Chief of this department of 65 officers really should consider early retirement.
Finally, since this too happened in New York, I have to wonder what's in the water.
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