(By John Katz, Editor, The American Dossier)
It seems that we have had a common theme in recent weeks with celebrities making headlines for criminal acts. Yet we continue to forget celebrity does not equal role model.
Regardless of the public/social media driven opinion, we must allow for due process, whether the accused be from "Full House" or "Empire". If proven guilty they must be held accountable to the laws which we should all abide by.
Yesterday, the story broke about the involvement of celebrities (including Academy Award nominee Felicity Huffman and "Full House" star Lori Loughlin) involvement in a college admissions cheating scandal. Federal prosecutors allege that wealthy parents paid to help their children cheat on college entrance exams and falsified athletic records of students to enable them to secure admission to elite schools, including UCLA, USC, Stanford, Yale and Georgetown.
The problem with the college admission process lies not the child or the parents, but the misalignment of the institutions themselves, which we once again saw in the headlines yesterday. I am not making excuses for any criminal act, whether it be committed by a celebrity or not.
As of this writing, none of these academic institutions themselves are being held accountable or facing any criminal charges. I don't know about you but I find that a bit disturbing. As they are the ones that set the standards of admission, including the price gouging tuition rates we are expected to follow and pay for.
It has been over 30 years since I had to encounter the college admissions and financial aid process. It was nothing short of a circus of over-regulated bureaucracy than and clearly worse now. Meanwhile, much like the other debacles of immigration and healthcare, the mainstream media house cat has a new mouse to banter and finger point about, as we once again are sure to get bombarded about the 'benefits' of socialism and the sins of the 'privileged'.
Comments