Blackmail is something so wrong, yet so right.  Since the 19^th century, it has been used by people in order to get what they want.  If someone discovers a wrong-doing of another person, they immediately want everyone to know.  So, they bribe them with a certain amount of money, or else the ugly truth will be exposed.  For example, someone recently attempted to blackmail David Letterman.  He was smart about it, however.  He worked with the Manhattan district attorney’s office and a jury and was able to arrest the man.  In addition, he admitted himself that he had affairs with several people of his staff.  If he had not come clean himself, the man would have exposed him… that is, unless Letterman paid him $2 million.

It was very noble for Letterman to confess his doings.  Normally, victims of blackmail strive for silence.  This was mostly due to his reputation.  Although he had illegal affairs, he had an even bigger problem on his hands when he was being blackmailed for it.  Blackmail is said to be a “wonderfully curious offense.”  This is because it is not typically wrong to ask for money, nor is it wrong to tell the truth.  However, when the money is only there to prevent the truth from coming out, then it is considered wrong. 

Isn’t it better to confess your own mistakes, rather than someone else?  Even if it was something bad or harmful; if you’re going to do it in the first place, it is necessary you take full responsibility (and perhaps punishment) for it.  I think blackmail is horrible, yet creative at the same time.  It is horrible because it almost always ends badly for the victim, because, no matter what, they are either exposed or have just lost a great amount of money.  It is creative because the accuser basically is dangling the truth over the victim’s head, saying, “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, but oh, you have to give me $3 million.”  A process so simple, yet so complicated.