As I think about these recent scandals:
- Representative Mark Foley (R-FL) resigns after his harassment of a young male page is exposed
- Cardinal Bernard Law is transferred to Rome and placed in a Basilica after numerous news stories and investigations of priests sexually harassing young boys
I’m reminded of this statement concerning a series of rapes at the Air Force Academy:
DENVER, March 26, 2003
(AP) The top two leaders at the Air Force Academy are not responsible for the sexual assault scandal at the school, but they should be held accountable for the culture that allowed the problem to continue, Air Force Secretary James Roche said Wednesday."Still, change must occur, and a new leadership team to implement these changes is in the best interest of the academy and the Air Force," Roche said in a statement.
The top two academy officers - Lt. Gen. John D. Dallager and Brig. Gen. S. Taco Gilbert III - are among five officers involved in the shake up. Dallager is expected to remain as superintendent and the top official at the 4,100-cadet institution until his scheduled retirement in June.
The Air Force announced Wednesday that it will replace the other four, at least two of them by women, and it will implement a series of directives aimed at making the school safer for cadets.
Air Force officials declined additional comment until a news conference scheduled later Wednesday.
Roche said he and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper would monitor the academy closely.
"You can't just fire a couple of generals and think the problem is solved because you've missed the point," Roche said. "The culture at the academy absolutely must change. We're going right at the culture, but you don't change the culture with one memorandum."
Based on these examples, which of the three institutions holds its leaders to a higher ethical and moral standard? Where would you rather have your son, or daughter, serve?
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