Pathetic response inexcusable

Here I am this morning reeling from learning that my fellow Bostonians stood by and watched an 82-year-old woman die in an escalator accident yesterday. I’m including the front-page article from The Boston Globe.  The article tells you how utterly self-absorbed people are these days. They walked by her, walked over her, and generally ignored the seriousness of the situation. In other words, they did everything but help someone dying before their eyes. Amazing.

Only four people chose to assist, one was a resident of Framingham and his son, who called for a knife, scissors or fingernail clipper so that they could free her. Instead of responding, people took the high road. So absorbed have we become with ourselves and our own discontent that we can’t be bothered helping someone whose life is hanging in the balance.

One eyewitness spoke on the condition of anonymity so he wouldn’t become part of the case. Unbelievable. Chumps like this exist everywhere and the economic situation in this country brings out both the worst and the best in people. It’s pretty clear what was on display yesterday.

The good samaritan who tried to help said, “I just felt they all let this woman down…” Indeed. And themselves as well. They should be hanging their heads in shame. It should be difficult for them to see their reflections in the mirror today. I have a feeling, however, that they will find a way to rationalize their disgraceful behavior.