A (hopefully) last thought on the topic above from me. I agree that personal responsibility for actions would be the ultimate most could hope for. When I was leading group therapy in a hospital, the one thing I always stressed to my patients is that an individual can only control how they act, not how another reacts to any situation. From guns to drugs to all facets of life, I can only hope that in the future, everyone will be willing to step forward into the role of their personal responsibility. Often it is hard, even on the little things. Excuses are the great apologists for refusing to take personal responsibilty. From 'it's too much trouble' to trying to shift blame for ones actions (does the Twinkie Defense ring any bells" In work and in life, I always have more respect for someone who can say "Yes, I screwed up!" or "No I did not do that task" and can present a valid reason for not doing it even if they don't explain (rather than excuse) then someone who often says "Well, so and so (or such and such) made me do it." No one can "force" you to do something... you always have a choice (although often the choice is painful or costly to make it seem there is no choice). Did great people in history blame others for their actions? Gandhi did not... MLK did not... and both paid a terrible cost for their choices.

Off my soap box now.

John OSh