The signs of her alcohol addiction had been apparent, but never addressed. The Diocese of Maryland wanted a female bishop and ignored the warning signs of her problem drinking. To have raised concerns would have risked being labeled as intolerant and non-inclusive. In the politically correct driven world of the Episcopal Church such accusations are career ending.

In contrast former Southern Virginia Bishop David Bane, an open and recovering alcoholic, was regularly accused of being Dry Drunk. Dry drunk behavior exhibits the less savory traits associated with alcoholism even when not drinking. These accusations played a significant factor in his being removed from office.

Cook is female and therefore protected by the culture of political correctness. David Bane was conservative and orthodox. The death of Thomas Palermo is an especially high price to pay for a misguided philosophy. Mary Ann Mueller's October 28th VOL article http://tinyurl.com/nzp3unvdescribed Cook's sentencing as heart-rendering, gut-wrenching and emotional.

It is an observation that a young student at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, South Carolina might find especially enlightening. By now most have seen the video of her encounter with police officer Ben Fields. The student refused her teacher's direction to stop using her cell phone in class. A principal was called whom she ignored as well. Eventually School Resource Officer Fields was summoned, but she remained defiant. His efforts to remove her from the class was videoed by other students.

The focus immediately became centered on Officer Field's behavior. His behavior should be examined. Her behavior should be as well.

It is not surprising the young women have become a cause celebre. Her mother stated she was proud of her daughter for standing up for her beliefs. One can only imagine what type of parent would describe disrespectful and unruly behavior in such laudable terms. She is legally represented by a well-connected and high powered Columbia attorney. Until this incident she was likely on the fast track to nowhere. Now thanks to political correctness her rewards seem boundless.

African-American columnist Leonard Pitts, Jr describes her situation as racism. He is wrong. Decent and hard-working people of all races do not respect those who refuse to behave appropriately. People are sick and tired of spoiled, whiney, bratty, children behaving like thugs and crying racism when confronted. Skin color is no excuse.

The ever present Jesse Jackson suggested the young woman was only being rebellious and was probably afraid. This type of parenting philosophy provides a sad insight as to why his son disgraced former Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. will soon add Federal Prison Alumnus to his resume.

From the beginning the internal investigation conducted by the Richland County Sheriff's department was a sham. Sheriff Leon Lott's job depends upon re-election. Fearing political fallout he felt no need to feign fairness during his initial press conference. The decision to suspend Officer Fields without pay and conclude an internal investigation within 24 hours was evidence the decision had already been made. The rest was window dressing.

Lott did criticize the student for her distain of authority, but in doing so created the impression of pandering. His message to the deputies of the Richland County Sheriff's Department could not be more clear. When an issue becomes political no one has your back.

The information from the Richland County School website is revealing. There is more about student esteem and respect than educating. Perhaps this is why a teacher, and principal had to call on a police officer to do their job.

Edwin Friedman in his work Failure of Nerve, Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix notes:
when anxiety reaches certain thresholds, reasonableness and honesty no longer defend against illusion...

1. There must be a sense that no one is in charge--in other words, the overall emotional atmosphere must convey there is no leader with "nerve."

2. The system must be vulnerable to a hostage situation. That is, its leaders must be hamstrung by a vulnerability of their own, a vulnerability to which the terrorist-whether a bomber, a client, an employee, or a child is always exquisitely sensitive.

3. There must be among the leaders and those they lead an unreasonable faith in being
Reasonable

Whatever this young woman's shortcomings she is exquisitely sensitive in knowing how to get what she wants. And she is receiving a lot of enabling support.

She is enabled by a System of Jurisprudence that appears to care more about money than justice. She is enabled by a County Sheriff who has chosen to pander rather than conduct a serious, fair and thorough investigation. She is enabled by a mother whose bizarre statement removes any doubt of an appropriate role model at home.

Her future, however may not be so bright if the recent experience of Heather Cook is any indication. Two years ago Cook was touted as a poster child by the politically correct driven Episcopal Church. There were smiles and photos of her ordination with presiding bishop, Katherine Jefferts-Schori and Maryland Bishop Eugene Sutton.

Cook's former "friends" were conspicuously absent at her sentencing. No Katherine, Eugene or other notables were present. National Chancellor David Beers chose not make the short drive from Washington to Baltimore to stand with her. Not since Stalinist Russia have so many been brushed out of a photo. In the end there was only a small contingent of family and friends to offer moral support. Her mother wept as she was led away in shackles.

Liberal activist Bill Maher describes the Richland County incident as resulting from under zealous parenting leading to over-zealous policing. The U.S. Navy recently reversed a thirty year destructive course to support Chaplain Greg Modder against a conspiracy organized by gay rights advocates to remove him from the Navy. Even a politically correct driven culture eventually understands when losses must be cut and ties severed.

Like all addictions political correctness offers much, but delivers ruin and destruction. It is the addict who ultimately faces the music alone.

So the next time a teacher or someone responsible for her welfare tells this young woman to do something she might remember Heather Cook. In the end she stood alone. And not even her mother's tears could change the reality.

Mary Ann Muller is absolutely right. It is heart-rendering, gut-wrenching and emotional. Not only for Heather Cook, but for all who suffer from addiction to Political Correctness.

Ladson F. Mills III is a retired priest with over thirty years pastoral experience. He lives with his wife in South Carolina. He currently serves as Scholar in Residence at Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island. He is a regular contributor to "Virtueonline.