Here's the real culprit behind New England's deflated footballs...
Well, what we have here is a microcosmic scenario emblematic of real life.
Somebody cheats. We know which entity, but nobody PERSONALLY takes responsibility. (Kind of like the IRS scandal; yes, we know the IRS as an entity unfairly targeted conservatives, but no one PERSONALLY takes responsibility).
And so people see this as lack of accountability run amok.
No confessions any more for our kids to see; no repentance any more for our kids to see; just passing the buck, stalling, and a hope that those who are pressing to get to the bottom of it all get tired, stop persevering, giving up.
We see this daily in a criminal court system where many perpetrators plead "not guilty" -- hoping the victims will stop coming to the endlessly delayed proceedings.
What we ALSO see -- parallel wise -- is the same thing that happens in society.
Somebody cheats. Others want accountability. Then the relativists step in and claim "everybody does it" -- or "it doesn't matter...it's inane" ... and they become apologists for the cheaters.
When people become apologists for the cheaters, it only reinforces others to get to the bottom of it, or only frustrates others all the more, concluding 'Why bother with ANY accountability?' The cheaters and their apologists win the day, at the expense of our youngest generation -- and truth.