McLeod Law Offices

It seems that many people are hypersensitive over H1N1.  I was at the market yesterday and an older man sneezed, and by the looks on the faces of those standing around him, you’d have thought someone nearby was pointing and shrieking that he was a leper.  Just because someone is sneezing or coughing doesn’t mean they have the swine flu.  Just because someone is in bankruptcy or needs bankruptcy protection doesn’t mean they are dishonest.  And just because someone feels like they did something dishonest does not mean that they don’t deserve bankruptcy protection.  In other words, feeling dishonest is not the same as being dishonest.

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When rapper Chris Brown beat up his then girlfriend Rhianna, there was an odd reaction from much of Hollywood.  As Adam Carolla and Dr. Drew were recently discussing on Carolla’s podcast, Hollywood’s reaction – especially at red carpet events – seemed less than honest and at times downright pathetic.  Some were praising Brown for being a “good person” who was going through a difficult time.  But only a few stood forward and publicly denounced Chris Brown as a pathetic loser who viciously assaulted his girlfriend… something no one can legitimately justify.  The podcast echoed in my mind this week when I was faced with a debtor who was – to put it mildly – outrageously dishonest.  So much so that I was forced to look this person in the eye and say “you know, you’re not coming across as an honest but unfortunate person entitled to bankruptcy protection.”  I thought I was being polite.  Their response left me thinking even more.

I cannot share the details.  Instead, let me share this clever allegory that I believe aptly illustrates exactly how things went in my meeting with this debtor.

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