Monday, April 22, 2013

"I'm Sorry" In Statement Analysis



During Cindy Anthony's 911 call, she handed the phone to Casey, who appeared to be

unprepared to speak and when asked about not searching for Caylee said, "I'm sorry?" in what 

appeared to be a pause to gather her thoughts. 


The need to pause and think indicates sensitivity. 

We listen for the words "I'm sorry" to 'leak' from the brain of the guilty.  Not everyone that says 

the words "I'm sorry" is guilty, but it is interesting to notice how these words seem to slip out of 

those suspected of deception.  



"To the people who don't believe in cycling, the cynics and the skeptics," Lance Armstrong said from 

the Tour de France podium in 2005. "I'm sorry for you. I'm sorry that you can't dream big. I'm sorry 

you don't believe in miracles."


Some people will say "I'm sorry", politely while, perhaps indicating that they did not hear or correctly 


hear the speaker in a manner where people used to say, "I beg your pardon?" yet it is also not to be 

ignored that "I'm sorry" seems to leak out of someone while under accusation.  It is in this light, 

that is, while under accusation, that we might consider if the words "I'm sorry" are leaking from 

the brain of the accused. 

For Lance Armstrong, these words came out three times in a row, which, in principle, makes them 

sensitive just for the repetition alone. 

Sometimes, someone does say "I am sorry" for what they have said and/or done: 



REESE WITHERSPOON 
ARRESTED 
'You're About to Find Out Who I Am!'
EXCLUSIVE DETAILS
Reese Witherspoon Mugshotupdate_bar
9:40 PM PT-- Reese has just released a statement, saying,

"Out of respect for the ongoing legal situation, I cannot comment on everything that is being reported right now. But I do want to say I clearly had one drink too many and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said. It was definitely a scary situation and I was frightened for my husband, but that was no excuse. I was disrespectful to the officer who was just doing his job. I have nothing but respect for the police and I am very sorry for my behavior."

gray-bar-update
Reese Witherspoon
 pulled her celebrity card out while her husband was getting arrested for DUI, telling the officer who ended up busting her, "You're about to find out who I am."

The arrests went down in Atlanta early Friday morning. Cops say they spotted Reese and her husband Jim Toth's car -- a silver Ford Fusion -- weaving in and out of lanes, so they pulled them over.

As officers dealt with Jim, Reese allegedly started acting up, telling cops, "Do you know my name?" The officer answered by saying, "No, I don't need to know your name."

Witherspoon then came back with, "You're about to find out who I am ... You are going to be on national news."

During Jim's arrest, Reese allegedly became ornery, demonstrating visual and verbal frustration over how long it was taking to arrest her husband. At one point, she got out of her car and the officer ordered her back inside. When she got out a second time, he arrested her for disorderly conduct, a municipal ordinance.

They were both taken to jail, booked, and released a short time later.

As for Toth's part of the arrest ... the officer in the report described him by saying his "eye lids were droopy" and his eyes were "blood shot and watery." The officer said he smelled a "strong odor" of alcohol coming from Toth.

The officer stated that Toth told him he only had one drink, but -- as first reported by Variety -- when given a Breathalyzer test, Toth's blood alcohol level was .139.

In Reese's defense maybe she played the celeb card because she had as much to drink as her hubby. Just sayin' ...




56 comments:

Nic said...

It's interesting that when some people get their "beer goggles" on how "shy" people can become gregarious and/or uncharacteristically social, and the "laid back" and/or "quiet" can become disruptive, argumentative or even combattive/abusive. Then there's the type that are the same only "more" so.

Reese may be sorry and embarrassed now; but, imo her larger than life ego/diva-like behavior came shining through when she was confronted with the fact that not everyone (outside of Hollywood) is impressed with her celebrity status.

Also, if embarrassed, why the grin and averted gaze? Does her grin give away her true thoughts on the matter? Would she "act" that way if she was playing a part?

jmo

Anonymous said...

She admitted she was drinking which means her DRUNKENESS was shining through, not any "egostistical" "diva" behaviour

She was drunk and that's how drunks act when confronted with being drunk

Only idiots obsessed with "celebrity" define "drunkeness" as "egotistical" and "diva" (moron!)

Nic said...

Here's the incident report if anyone is interested in reading it.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2312672/Reese-Witherspoon-arrested-disorderly-conduct-Pictured-Jim-Toth-police-mugshots.html

Interesting word you introduce, Anonymous (obserssed). You're a tad over the top and defensive about a "brand".

I stand by my "diva" "egotistical" comment. I'll aslo add that she comes off as an a@@.

Nic said...

*also

Trigger said...

Reese played the celeb card because she wanted the officers to know that she has special rights.

You're going to be on national TV because of her status.

Unknown said...

Its possable to be legaly blonde.
Not possable to be legaly drunk an drive a vechicle.
This LE officer may have saved her an husbands life.As well as any others the vechicle could have had a collision with.
By driveing drunk he endagered there own an others life,

Its not as if they cant afford a taxi or even a choufer .

The policeman not regogniseing her pissed her of more than the stop an arrest i m o.

Anonymous said...

Peter:
There are some comments that appear suspicious to me in the article below. Could you take a crack at them, please?

The search off Florida's western coast for a young boy has been called off because there is little hope the child is still alive, Fox 13 reports.
Lamontea Taylor, 6, was swept away Saturday while swimming with his siblings during a family get-together.
"We were having a cook out for the kids and stuff. I just wanted to get out of the house with them," said his mother, Laketa Taylor.
"We thought they were over there eating at the table with everybody else," said Shakedrian Outing, Lamontea's older sister. "When we looked and we were walking, we saw all of them up in the water and ... we saw my other brother, Nick, he was screaming, 'Help!'"
Authorities said the area is a no-swim zone because of its strong currents, and no lifeguard was on duty at the time. Family members and other beachgoers saved three of the children who had gone into the water.
Officials with the Coast Guard, Bradenton Beach Police, Manatee County Sheriff's Office and Longboat Key Police Department were among those searching for the child after he disappeared. They suspended the search because of darkness, and on Monday, officials said the search will not resume unless they receive a tip.
"They need more boats. They need more people looking. They need more rescuers," said Laketa Taylor, who admitted she and her family are frustrated. "I just want them to find him, that way I can get a little closure that he's not in that water."
Investigators said the changing currents and tides have made the search difficult because Lamontea's body could have drifted in any direction.
"Anybody that may be out on a boat or near the water along the Gulf or the Bay could keep an eye out for [the body]," said St. James Gill.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/04/22/search-suspended-for-missing-swimmer-6-off-florida-coast/?test=latestnews#ixzz2RCeSUEr5

Anonymous said...

I agree with Nic. I know people who are abusive and violent when they get drunk, and people who are bubbly and charming. These people are always consistent - eg I know what to expect from each of them after they've been drinking. Alcohol liberates what's hiding under the surface. It doesn't 'change' someone's personality.
And Anon, don't come on this site and call names. If you can't control your fingers, take it somewhere else.

S + K Mum said...

Is her apology genuine? She mentions how she was scared for her husband before saying she respects the authorities.
Trying to use her celeb status as a get out of jail free card. Maybe it's worked before for her or others.
No mention of her husband's wrong-doing....is that because of the legal process though?

Mouse74 said...

It was scary, because her perfect image was about to be tarnished.

"Do you know who I am" - This was her hoping to get her husband off based on her celebrity status.

"You're about to know who I am" - Her anger at the cop not caring of her celebrity status. He may very well have known who she was, but he cared more about getting the drunk driver off the road. His reply of "I don't need your name" was honest at that time. He was ignoring her obvious attempt behind her question, and focusing on his job at hand. She was annoyed with his answer, because she was expecting her celebrity status to work.

The End

Mouse74 said...

I also very much agree with Nic and anon@1040.

Ladyluck WI said...

I was never a fan of Reese..and this confirms why I never thought she was "cute" and "charming"

Baxtie said...

I never got the feeling -- now or ever -- that Lance Armstrong was EVER sorry for what he did. ("What he did" running the gamut from cheating to bullying to bilking money out of a charity and misrepresenting said charity as "raising money for cancer".) He still doesn't seem sorry. He arrogantly feels that he did what he had to do, what the sport made him do. I don't think he feels any responsibility at all.

Nanna Frances said...

OFF TOPIC:

This seems like a light sentence to me. He may get to see his grandmother again.

http://www.wlbz2.com/news/article/240668/3/Porter-gets-16-years-for-drug-related-killing-of-Fla-man

Anonymous said...

I'm not defending her but it did occur to me that the cop, if pulled over himself, might mention their Blue Brotherhood too. Or a mayor, politician etc..

Light the Way said...

Why is it that celebrities in this country think everyone should just give them a free pass on---PARTICULARLY--DUI's??

As if starring in legally blonde gives one carte blanche to put the public's safety at risk?

Tell the parents of the child you kill someday how it should be overlooked because of this monumental 'achievement', Reese.
I'm sure they'll understand.
:/

Trixiebelle said...

Not that I expect further statements from Reese Witherspoon but I would ask why she was "fearful" of her husband being arrested for drunk driving? Doesn't sound like she was "fearful"---it sounds like she was angry. IMO, "Fearful" would be "hey, don't treat my husband that way" in response to perceived verbal or physical abuse by the arresting officer. So, what did Reese "fear" during her husbands "scary" arrest?

Nah, I'm not buying it. She's a drunken jerk, along with her husband. They ought to be thanking God they didn't hurt some innocent person or themselves during their night out boozing. The fact that she has a little one at home and pre-teen-age children from her first marriage makes me think her credibility as a parent just took a big hit.

? said...

"Out of respect for the ongoing legal situation, I cannot comment on everything that is being reported right now."

Why can't she comment on what's being reported. The only reason I can see for staying quiet is that one or both of them plan to argue the arrests later. Is an apology sincere if you don't admit that what you did was wrong

She had one drink too many? It is interesting that as Peter has pointed out, the number three doesn't apply when someone is asked how much they've had to drink. Then it's usually one.

"It was definitely a scary situation and I was frightened for my husband, but that was no excuse."

BUT...
If it wasn't an excuse, why repeat it in your apology?

"I have nothing but respect for the police and I am very sorry for my behavior."

Stated in the negative. She obviously has no respect for the police (not the term she used that night I bet) at certain times and under certain circumstances, like when she has been drinking or they don't defer to her celebrity.

It looks to me like he did cut her some slack. She was arresting for the municipal offense of disorderly conduct, not for interfering with an officer of the law in the performance of his duties.

Ladyluck WI said...

I interperet the fear she talks about, as public scrutiny, fear of going to jail, losing their license, etc

Shelley said...

The reason celebrities act this way is because society treats them like they are above it all.

I will never understand why "acting" puts people on such a pedestal.

Go out and save a life. Then you can get on my pedestal.

But this is America. Firemen save lives and earna bout $50k a year. Play one in a moving, $10million.

Anonymous said...

Agreed, Shelley!

Ladyluck WI said...

Shelley, I definitely don't get it! now if you asked my husband, who has a thing for movies he might agree there's a big difference but he really appreicates movies. I, on the other hand, do not appreciate movies all that much. I used to as a child...but now it takes a lot for me to enjoy a movie. i've seen several over the past year and not a single one stands out to me that I liked or appreciated. and i'm only 26!!

Seagull said...

Reading this article, a question that comes to mind is how applicable is Statement Analysis when someone is drunk. Is it as meaningful as when the person is sober. How valid is it when applied in this context? Can we apply the same principles? It got me thinking....

? said...

Good question Seagull. I'd like to know that too.
Since drugs can interfere with a polygraph it seems like it could with SA too. But poly is based on physical reactions, so maybe it's completely different.
If SA isn't reliable when someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs then we would probably never get a usable statement from someone like Mark Redwine.

Anonymous said...

Only idiots define DRUNKENNESS as "egotistical" and "diva" (idiots!)

Anonymous said...

Um, if you read a little slower you might see catch the "Do you know who I am?". How else would you interpret that then I'm above the law? Looks like an egotistical diva to me. Our need to drive ourselves home drunk and risk other people's lives strikes me as a bit egocentric if not egotisticial.

Anonymous said...

Somebody's got a cruush. :)

Nic said...

From the DPS Incident Report...

...When asked where he had his drinks, Mr. Toth looked at the passenger, Mrs. Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, and she began to answer. Mrs. Witherspoon stated that he had his drink at a restaurant. Mrs. Witherspoon stated that the drink was consumed two hours prior to the incident.

(Sounds like she at least studied the script.)

.... Before we began field sobriety, Mrs. Witherspoon got out of the vehicle. I told Mrs. Witherspoon to stay in the vehicle and she sat back in the vehicle. ...As I performed HGN on Mr. Toth, Mrs. Witherspoon got back out of the vehicle. I had to tell Mrs. Witherspoon several times to get back into the vehicle before she did so. I told Mrs. Witherspoon that I would arrest her the next time she got out of the vehicle. ... I went and explained to Mrs. Witherspoon the reason why I wanted her to stay in the vehicle. The reason was for my safety. Mrs. Witherspoon stated, "Yes sir."

...After I had administered the PBT, Mrs. Witherspoon began to hang out the window and say that she did not believe that I was a real police officer. I told Mrs. Witherspoon to sit on her butt and be quiet.

... Mrs. Witherspoon got out of the vehicle and walked up to me and Mr. Toth. I asked, "What had I already told you?" Mrs. Witherspoon asked what was going on. I told Mrs. Witherspoon that Mr. Toth was under arrest. I told Mrs. Witherspoon to get back into the car. Mrs. Witherspoon stated that she was a "US Citizen" and that she was allowed to "stand on American ground." I put my hands on Mrs. Witherspoon's arms to arrest her. Mrs. Witherspoon was resistent but I was able to put handcuffs on her without incident due to Mr. Toth calming her down.

Mrs. Witherspoon asked, "Do you know my name?" I answered, "No, I don't need to know your name." I then added, "right now." Mrs. Witherspon stated, "You're about to find out who I am." I stated, "I am not worried about you ma'am." I stated, "I already told you how things work." I told Mrs. Witherspoon that she was obstructing my investigation of Mr. Toth. I placed Mrs. Witherspoon in the rear of my patrol car on the right side.

I took Mrs. Witherspoon out of the right side and placed Mr. Toth in the right side of the rear of my patrol car. As I put Mrs. Witherspoon in the left side rear of my patrol car, she told me her name. Mrs. Witherspoon also stated, "You are going to be on national news." I advised Mrs. Witherspoon that was fine.

___________

egotist: 1. A conceited, boastful person.
2. A selfish, self-centered person.

diva - noun

one who behaves as a goddess or queen. A diva is a celebrated female singer, similar to a "prima donna" (literally "first lady.") Both the terms "diva" and "prima donna" are now used disparagingly for someone who acts overly entitled

Anonymous said...

Drunk people say all kinds of things and they say things they don't mean and drunk people are incapable of understanding the situation at hand

Only egotistical self-centred idiots define "the state of being drunk" as "egotistical" and "diva" and instist drunk people aren't really drunk

If you idiots want to continue to insist she was not drunk and was acting like a "diva" instead of acting like a drunkard then females who are raped while drunk WERE NOT DRUNK and THEY CONSENTED even if they were not able to consent because according to all the idiots here DRUNKENNESS does not exist and people who are drunk mean what they say and if a drunk female cannot say "no" then she's consenting to sex

Anonymous said...

Who said she wasn't drunk?

Anonymous said...

Choosing to get drunk doesn't relieve someone from responsibility. Did you miss the part about it bringing out what's already on the inside? Did they "mean" to say it? No, the alcohol released their inhibitions. If you know you have ugliness inside that shouldn't be unleashed, you probably shouldn't drink.

Anonymous said...

As someone else pointed out, there are people who are just fun, funny and harmless when they drink. No matter what you think of alcohol use, the one sure thing is that there are some people, at least at points in their lives, that shouldn't touch alcohol.

Lucy said...

She's an egotistical diva sober, too, by many accounts. She just knows that she has to keep a lid on it in public if she wants to keep selling tickets. She's not talented enough to be openly and unapologetically a diva b*tch and still keep her fans (see Barbara Streisand). Alchohol removes inhibitions. It allows her inner b*tch, normally kept leashed, to run free.

Anonymous said...

People don't always behave in the same manner every time they are drunk. Different circumstances in their personal lives at the moment, different issues being discussed, different emotions that surface while drinking, all of these can impact how a drunk person may act from one moment to the next.

I am not so judgmental of how Mrs. Weatherspoon acted while drunk and more thankful that this officer was able to pull a potentially dangerous driver off the road. I am also glad to see that she is at least issuing a statement and isn't being completely belligerent (and yes, I do understand the deeper purposes of statement analysis).

It is not always true, or at least not from a proven standpoint (by science), that your 'true self' comes out when drinking; a number of things can come out when drinking, most of all, a lapse in judgment. The same can come out when you're impassioned by an argument or from sleep deprivation or an emotionally trying situation.

Lots of broad brushes, let's be careful to use them sparingly.

~ABC said...

My Grandmother used to say, "A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts."

How many times have we heard someone attempt to dismiss unacceptable behavior with, "I was drunk when I did that."? So what are they really saying? They are saying I'm sorry I was drunk and unable to keep my defenses up. So the truth of how I really see things slipped out.

I'd say that entering into someone's personal, subjective dictionary or lens is probably made easier when they are under the influence of alcohol. SA is about understanding how that person sees things, not necessarily how things really are.

~ABC said...

Anon @ 6:30 PM said....
"If you idiots want to continue to insist she was not drunk and was acting like a "diva" instead of acting like a drunkard then females who are raped while drunk WERE NOT DRUNK and THEY CONSENTED even if they were not able to consent"

So perhaps the lapse of judgement came long before the drinking of the alcohol. Maybe getting drunk isn't a good idea and especially in a setting where there are people capable of rape. Just sayin!

Anonymous said...

Anon @7:47, I agree with most of what you said, but those are things that must be taken into account before you take that first drink, while you can still make good judgements. It's still unleashing what's inside, at least at the moment. If she is really inexperienced with alcohol I could see it happening until she wised up and maybe I'm wrong but if I had to guess, I'd say it probably isn't.

Anonymous said...

ABC, I'm still trying to figure out what it is about that quote from anon that sounds like circular reasoning or self-contradicting. It makes me dizzy to try to follow the reasoning. Is it just me?

Anonymous said...

I am not so judgmental of how Mrs. Weatherspoon acted while drunk and more thankful that this officer was able to pull a potentially dangerous driver off the road.

If we can't judge people and their actions when drunk, then we shouldn't be able to hold them accountable for drinking and driving for instance.

Nic said...

Anon, to clarify, I haven't "insisted" that she wasn't drunk. I also didn't say that the "state of being drunk" is egotistical.

I am saying that, imo, drunk or not, she is a diva and that imo, the alcohol she consumed magnified an existing part of her personality that she doesn't share with the public -- because it runs contrary to the persona she and her PR people have "manufactured" for public consumption.

Case in point: This happened on Friday, her PR people managed to keep it out of the news until Sunday. Why? Because Saturday she and her husband were at a screening of her new movie and having to walk the red carpet and speak to the media. A picture of them is in the link I provided. Which reiterates my opinion of her. She *is* the over-entitled "Mrs. Witherspoon" and she gets what she wants. i.e., she is above having to publicly, as in speak into the mic, answer for her disrespectful behavior, drunk and disorderly conduct as well as her husband's DUI. With all the education and PSA about drinking and driving there is ZERO excuse for affluent/respectful/responsible GROWN-UPS like them to "have to" drink and drive.

Lastly, "Drunk people say all kinds of things and they say things they don't mean and drunk people are incapable of understanding the situation at hand

Unless you're speaking about an alcoholic that consumes so much booze they black out and cannot remember/have lost control, or a drunk minor, imo, your excuse for "drunk people's" behavior is off base. Alcohol makes people brave. I agree that "drunk people" can say things they wouldn't normally say. (Merlot moment anyone?) But not because they "don't mean it". They absolutely do mean it. Their intent is to hurt the other person as much as they are hurting or even more. It is the booze that gives them the fortitude to reveal their "honesty"/internal dialogue/feelings. There is a name for that kind of inebriated abuser. They are referred to a being a "dirty drunk".

To get back to Mrs. Witherspoon, I'm saying that imo, last Friday night her behavior was egotistical, of a diva, and that she came off as an a@@.

Anonymous said...

Ok, that was clearer. As a woman myself, I know it is my responsibility
to make wise decisions. I won't try to speak for anyone but myself in answer to your question, but I personally would feel like I shared some of the responsibility if anyone other than a trusted, long-term friend raped me if I chose to make myself that vulnerable. I know there will be plenty that disagree with me on that. That doesn't relieve the rapist of their responsibility however. JMO

Nic said...

PSA from Australia - 5 minutes worth your time


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqXdERs-eyE

Anonymous said...

This has nothing to do with rape. Why are we talking about it? This has to do with a spoiled celebrity breaking the law and getting caught out. She then showed her celebrity card and made herself into a right egotistical diva. Alcohol is no excuse. She is a right egotistical diva who happened to be drunk and SHOW it to the world. No one was raped. It's ridiculous to even bring that up.
And yes, alcohol unleashes your inhibitions, and that one anon may know people who are different on CERTAIN occasions, but make no mistake, consistency usually applies.
From one who knows.

~ABC said...

Anon at 8:09 PM
Yes it is a head spinning sort of logic! Some would call it a straw man argument.

Anon at 8:23 PM
Agreed. It's about personal responsibility.

John Mc Gowan said...

Why has this blog exploded with foul language,and nasty disagreements.

Respect opinions,if you disagree,thats ok.But dont belittle people.

Anonymous said...

The trolls and impersonators are working their magic john

What??? said...

Here's an interesting quote from Ms. Witherspoon:

"I've always been choosing roles knowing that I have a daughter and I have a responsibility to her and to the world to be representing women of strength," Witherspoon said. "It's a natural extension of parenthood for you to feel like you're responsible for the worlds you create, whether they be silly or serious."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/04/22/reese-witherspoon-america-sweetheart-or-just-another-spoiled-celebrity/?intcmp=features#ixzz2RFktaOjJ

Lis said...

Thanks for posting the report, Nic, that was hilarious, I love the cop's manner of relating what happened. Just the facts, ma'am.

ME said...

I asked the same question a week ago and got no reply :0(

ME said...

Alcohol should have a "warning"note attached!

Anonymous said...

I agree ME, alcoholic beverages should have a warning label attached; as well, signs posted in every bar, restuarant, dinner theatre and liquor store, and billboards sanctioned by the distributors of drunken wrecks and the death tolls published.

Personally, I wish it were banned entirely. The affects of alcohol is very dangerous, not only in public, while driving, and in the home. Little children and wives (husbands too), and girlfriends, get their faces and butts beat black and blue every night by a drunken partner; frequently their children raped, are trapped and see no way out. Drinkers/drunks are selfish and self-centered, will take the last dollar for alcohol, leaving their family destitute, penniless and hungry.

I have come to despise them all and refuse to be in the presence of anyone who has been or is drinking. Not allowed in my home. When I look back to years ago when I was divorced, left my little boy with sitters, and partied and drank with my friends, I am appalled at what could have happened, particularly while driving, or at the hands of some drunk who decided to rape me.

It hurts me now to think that I left my precious little son alone while I had "fun" partying. I just thank God I never turned abusive or killed myself while driving. But I've certainly seen others become like wild animals while being under the influence. Just being around them now gives me heart palpatations and nearly scares me to death. I was really blessed that nothing ever happened to me, not even a ticket. And thankful that one day it hit me, you've got to stop this right now, you are neglecting your baby; and I did. It HAD to be God's guidance.

Nic, I agree 100% with every post you made ref Ms Witherspoon. Obviously, she's a seasoned drunk and an egomanic. I don't understand what she was so "scared" of anyway. A little drunk driving ticket, a few hours in the pokey and a little fine? Big deal. The costs to them is merely a tiny pebble in a big pond and a good laugh. They are fools. The bigger picture is that they may have been saved from a death worse than hell waiting for them all and several others just up the road. For that, they should be thankful they were spared AND treated with dignity by the arresting officer. They owe not only apologies but gratitude to this officer. Anon 1

Elizabeth said...

Kudos to the police officer who put duty and public safety above celebrity.

It is terrible that the Witherspoons had no thoughts for the safety and wellbeing of their children, those around them, those on the road or themselves. It is also terrible that due to their social/celebrity status they will likely learn the wrong lesson from this potentially tragic escapade. Due to their money and influence the fines will not cause more than a minor inconvenience and due to their status this is going to become a PR issue, not a drinking problem and it will likely get much worse before it gets any better.

I am surprised that anyone is shocked that she tried to pull the celebrity card to get out of trouble. The world has been telling her how important she is for years, of course she's an egotistical diva. It's her job. We've paid her, one movie ticket or dvd at a time, to be exactly that. I don't believe, however, that her behavior was unique to a celebrity. Her behavior was typical of a drunk person who has never had to actually consider consequences. There are entire generations of people just like her, most of them don't have her Oscar nominations or money. One of my employees received a DUI this weekend while driving home from the bar with a woman who is not his wife in the car mostly undressed and with her "head in his lap". This caused him to miss his shift on Sunday. When I spoke to him Monday about missing Sunday I was treated to spectacular show of anger and indignation of how the cop shouldn't have pulled him over, how he was just trying to get a friend home safely and she fell asleep in his lap and how his wife was blowing this out of proportion and was probably going to leave him now and it was going to be the cop's fault that he wouldn't get to see his kids as much. I was amazed listening to him never once take responsibility. Never once did he say, yeah I should not have driven after that many drinks, or I should have called my friend a cab, or I should have tried to get a hold of my wife when I realized how late it was or even I shouldn't have put myself in that position. It was all the cop's fault, the drunken female friend's fault, his wife's fault and then it became my fault because he was being written up for missing the day.

It's about personal responsibility and Reese and her hubby aren't the only people lacking any sense of it. It's an epidemic.

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth:
What an awful day and a stressful employee! Can you imagine what a treat he must be to live with? :(
Those kinds of personalities are like that 24/7, as I am sure everyone knows. What a nightmare!

Anonymous said...

I don't think I'd give him another chance, Elizabeth. I've had to cover for employees like this one. I had an office manager once who could not, would not, show up before noon on any day of the week. It didn't take me long to learn that I had to run open my office by 9:00, (which is what I hired him for), no matter what else I needed to be doing.

THEN I learned about his drinking and carrousing, even trying to get up close and personal with other male employees who worked for me who didn't have the nerve to tell me until after I'd decided to let him go.

Another one, would set up sunday appointments with clients, no show, then I'd have to run cover for him. I hate to tell ya, but I've yet to see them change, not such that it will ever benefit you or your organization. THIS is the kind of character they already possess. You'll see it again and again. Anon 1

~ABC said...

Elizabeth said.....
"It's about personal responsibility and Reese and her hubby aren't the only people lacking any sense of it. It's an epidemic."

Well said!

Coughing said...

This reminds me of the scene from Usual Suspects when the gang hijack New York's Finest Taxi Service and while McManus is robbing them, one of the corrupt cops keeps yelling, Do you know who I am? Do you know who I am?
Then Hockney grabs his badge and says, 'We do now, a**hole.'
It's great to be recognized and acknowledged for your...work, isn't it?