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Accountability

Update: March 18th, 2010.  BackingIn.com contributor, Craig Lipset, sent me this link about accountability.  North Korea executes official for blunder.  Now, that's what I call being held to account!  Yikes!  I bet Bernie Madoff is glad he's an American after reading that story.  Then again...  Madoff reportedly assaulted by another inmate.

On October 21st, 2009 Northwest Airlines Flight 188 overflew its destination by about 150 miles.  The two pilots reportedly became distracted by a discussion of airline scheduling while using their personal laptops, a violation of airline regulations.  It was only after a flight attendant asked the pilots about the delay that the two men realized that they were 150 miles past the airport.  According to the FAA, the pilots had been out of radio contact for seventy seven minutes.

As a result of this incident, the two pilots had their licenses revoked and according to CNN on Monday, March 15th:

Under a settlement with the FAA, the pilots will not contest their license revocation but can reapply for their licenses in 10 months instead of 12, the agency said.

So much for accountability.  Why in the world would there be a settlement?  The two pilots in question, after a full investigation and due process, should have been fired, had their licenses revoked, and been prosecuted for criminal negligence.  Also, Northwest Airlines, its parent Delta, and the FAA should all have had their heads handed to them.  How can, in this post 9/11 world, an airliner be out of contact and deviate from its flight plan for almost an hour and half?

There is no accountability in the world today.  It's not just famous athletes and movie stars that get away with murder.  The Federal and state governments and institutions routinely offer up some sacrificial lamb after a huge mistake and all is soon forgotten.  Below is a short list of atrocious incidents in which little to no punitive action was taken.  Do remember them all?

• 2007 United States Air Force nuclear weapons incident -- Four USAF commanders were relieved of their commands.  That's right nuclear weapons went missing, and some commanders lost their commands.  Wow, talk about harsh punishment.  No way that will ever happen again.
• The Attacks of September 11, 2001 -- No consequences for anybody in the government.  Did anybody even lose their job?
• I-35W Mississippi River Bridge Collapse -- Minnesota bridge collapses without warning.  Thirteen dead, more wounded, millions of dollars lost.  Accountable?  Nobody, of course!

I'm too annoyed to continue, but I'm sure you can add more to the list.  It seems the only ones that are held accountable is this society are the 'little' people.  If you are a large corporation, government agency, or celebrity you have a free pass.  But hey, that's why pencils have erasers.  Maybe I'm being too harsh on the poor pilots of Northwest 188.  Maybe when they get their licenses back they can fly nuclear weapons transports for the Air Force.