Accountability and Responsibility

 “To say you have no choice is to relieve yourself of responsibility.”
― Patrick Ness

A popular buzz phrase has evolved in everyday lexicon: I’m responsible.  Everyone, it seems, from CEOs to politicians are assuming this mantle of “responsibility.”  The word – and sentiment – has become so widespread, that it is almost losing its meaning.  If you say, “I’m responsible for that,” do you know what that means?  Are you prepared to assume the consequences of such responsibility? 

Then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, when testifying before Congress regarding her role in the Benghazi fiasco, repeatedly stated, “I’m responsible…”  Being responsible implies being answerable for one’s role and actions.  It means being trustworthy for one’s conduct and obligations.  It demands a measure of prudence, of careful and sensible judgment and implementation of one’s decision.

Yet, beyond these definitions, what were the consequences of the Benghazi affair? Without justifying mistakes or rationalizing poor judgment, or blaming lack of complete information, how do we manage this onus of responsibility? Can we find compelling reasons to explain away a situation?