[quote me] Age is never an excuse for a wrongdoing.

Image from Speartoons

Or anything else for that matter. And even more so for a crime.

Are you guys like me, and hate it when some old person just suddenly cuts in line without even trying to ask politely? They think they're exercising a right for old people to have priority in many things, falling in line included. But the reality is they don't know that they don't have the right to disrespect others. The reality is, no one has the right to disrespect others.

So you're old, and you've gone through a lot already. Sure, I can respect that. But when you start shouting at young kids like it's the end of the world, or when you start hurling profanity at other people, young or old alike, or any other action that is just really wrong, no, sorry, I don't have any respect for you, no matter how old or how "wise" you think you are.

Again, it seems to boil down to kids thinking they're all grown up just because they're of a certain age already. No, it doesn't work like that. Age doesn't necessarily come with wisdom.

Because if you're wise enough, you would ask politely if you could go ahead in line. Or you would complain to the institution where you're falling in line at about them not having priority lanes for the elderly. Or you would complain to someone who has authority, like the Senior Citizens' Center, or similar. Can't speak? Actions would do. Can't move so much anymore? Ask a loved one to do the falling in line for you. Personal vendettas (or insisting on doing things in the way most convenient to you but inconvenient to others) only equal lack of maturity. The thing is, there are many ways to do the right thing, but there's always that easy but wrong way out.

If you've been disrespectful once or twice, saying sorry and meaning it helps. I think people can respect that. Don't hurl names and insults at someone if he/she was only disallowing you to disrespect him/her and others.

If you've been disrespectful a number of times, change is difficult but it is your only way, if you would like to get back any respect from the people around you.

I wrote this more than a month ago in reaction to Philippine Vice-President Jejomar Binay's offer of legal services to help 91-year-old (now 92) former Senate President Jovito Salonga's arrest warrant for estafa/swindling charges. Binay's stand was that Salonga was too old and weak already, and that he was an instrumental figure in the overthrow of dictatorship and the restoration of democracy. But, he still did something wrong. And anyway, he's not yet convicted; he just needs to go to trial. I just think Salonga's camp should just post bail, and even appeal. No one should be shielded from the law, or what else is the reason for laws if it will only protect the few? Of course, Binay has his own motives, being one of the potential candidates for the presidency in the next Philippine elections. 4 years from now.

Anyway. Note though that I am in no way saying that youth is likewise an excuse for wrongdoing or disrespectful behaviour. "Oh he was able to do that because he's still young and immature, and he didn't know better." But we all know that already, right?

Age is never an excuse for a wrongdoing.