BBB Under Scrutiny

Link: http://www.bbbroundup.com

This has always been a story about arrogance. When people are allowed to be judge, jury, prosecutor and executioner without recourse, oversight or appeal, then the old saw, “absolute power corrupts absolutely” comes into play. There’s another truism that comes into play when arrogant people start acting above the law; sooner or later, the arrogant get caught and brought back down to earth.

We see a classic example of this in the C Street Family, a conservative, religious based commune for Republican Christians. In a classic case of not practicing what you preach C Street members: Senator John Ensign of Nevada; Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina; and Chip Pickering, former Representative of Mississippi all got outed in the media for adultery. These are the same politicians who preached family values, the sanctity of marriage, and called for Bill Clinton’s impeachment on moral grounds. Funny how that shoe fits different when it’s on your foot…they now say that these are personal issues and should not be pilloried about in the media and public. Good luck with that one. Once again, hypocrisy rears its head with the moral right. (Personally, while I don’t think adultery is something to be proud about, nor do I condone it, I acknowledge that it happens, and it happens a lot. I believe a public figure is entitled to a private life, except when they are shown to be a hypocrite (i.e. they act in a do as I say, not as I do fashion) in which case they become fair game for the media.

For years the Better Business Bureau was able to cut corners, increase profits and lower their standards because they used a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading system. After unveiling their new Letter Grading system in January, suddenly their past behavior caught up with them as a mind boggling number of ludicrous grades were revealed. Rather than admit to the fiasco, arrogance kicked in, sneakiness and stone-walling took center stage and so far nobody has called the BBB to task. For now, the Better Business Bureau is allowed to steal a company’s honor, harm their livelihood, libel to their heart’s content knowing there is no recourse, no repudiation possible, and that no jury will ever hear the facts. In olden days, this would have called for a duel. In today’s politically correct environment, you’re left with an anti-Slapp motion.

We realize this story is not sexy, it’s not political, there’s no juicy scandal to draw the media; we continue to feel that it is important, not only because we need to confront hypocrisy among the power mongers at every corner, but because the Better Business Bureau, as presently constituted causes more harm than good to the small business community; and if this nation is to ever regain its potential, small business will be leading the way.

RANDOM OBSERVATION: For years, I've wanted to use Little Feat's "Apolitical Blues" as a ringtone but could not find it commercially available; never mind the $10 a month ring tone fees. Myxer to the rescue. Bought the MP3 of the song for 99 cents, uploaded it to Myxer, edited the section I wanted to use, and sent it direct to my phone. No monthly charges and the ring tone I've always wanted.