I am currently reading a book about the repressive communist regime of North Korea. In one chapter, they describe the hysterical reactions of the people when Kim Il Sung died back in 1994. The author goes on to explain how people were crying, screaming, yelling with their outpouring of grief. He felt nothing; nothing at all; just a blank feeling.
However, he knew if he did not, in some way, demonstrate his “grief” in a similar manner to that of the people around him, he would “pay the price”. He decided he would keep his eyes open, forcing tears, then began screaming so that he could be just as “grief struck” as everyone else.
In the past few days, we've seen countless articles from local and national sources that have all but strapped Hernandez in the chair and put the needle in his arm. We've seen bashing of the Patriot’s organization for taking Hernandez in the 2010 draft.
We've seen countless media members and notorious “Patriot haters” capitalize on this opportunity to unnecessarily and irresponsibly blast the Patriot organization and worst of all, report rumor as fact only to have it dis proven hours or even minutes later. The mob mentality is a real thing…..and it’s a scary thing.
From the book: Among the millions of North Koreans who took part in the mass display of grief for Kim Il-Sung, how many were faking? Were they crying for the death of their leader or for themselves? Or were they crying because everyone else was? If there is one lesson taught by scholars of mass behavior, from the historians of the Salem Witch Hunts to Charles Mackay, author of the classic “Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds", hysteria is infectious.
I will continue to withhold judgment on Hernandez until, at minimum he is arrested for something. Until then, he is PRESUMED innocent, in my opinion. Mob mentality….
