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Adults acting like children
It is time to put an end to rude outbursts that permeate American society
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 | 2:08 a.m.
Boorish behavior has long been a regrettable staple of everyday life.
It is the self-centered jerk who fails to hold the elevator door open for others. It is the motorist who cuts in front of someone else to make a turn. It is the drunken loudmouth at the ballgame. It is the rude individual who talks on a cellular telephone in the movie theater.
Boorish behavior has become so pervasive in American society that it now permeates nationally televised events once known for their decorum, as we have seen repeatedly in just the past week.
We witnessed the interruption of a presidential address before Congress by out-of-control Republican Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., who yelled “You lie!” at President Barack Obama. When did voters stop electing adults to Congress?
We saw tennis star Serena Williams come unglued after a questionable call in the U.S. Open, threatening the referee with physical harm through language more often associated with sailors and construction workers. Whatever happened to the bygone era when tennis was considered a sport played by ladies and gentlemen?
Not to be outdone, rapper Kanye West did the unthinkable at the MTV Video Music Awards when he stole country star Taylor Swift’s thunder as she was accepting an award for best video by a female performer. West butt into her acceptance speech by proclaiming that fellow performer Beyonce should have received the honor.
What has become of allowing someone to bask in the glow of victory?
All three boors, Wilson, Williams and West, followed up with awkward, insincere apologies that did nothing to repair their tattered reputations. They set poor examples for people, especially children, who look to elected officials, sports figures and superstar entertainers for guidance.
Enough is enough.
It is time for American adults from all walks of life and political stripes to treat each other with respect. If the people of this nation don’t do so, why should Americans demand respect from anyone else?
Discussion: 40 comments so far…
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Whats next - is Nancy Pelosi going to pass a resolution in Congress against rapper Kanye West and tennis star Serena Williams.
If Ms Pelosi did pass that resolution, it would
be the first sensible thing she has done since
her rise to the Speaker position. Even the
Messiah Obama had the sense to call West a Jackass.
You mention Serena Williams, she is just one of many spoilt sports stars, who think they can say just what they feel like. The refs are far too lenient with these people, imposing fines is not enough, disqualify them at once.
Funny how the press is all of sudden concerned about "civility", but only after Obama got a little taste of the treatment that Bush received for eight years in office. Back then the press was not only silent at this behaviour, but openly encouraged it with the "Disent is Patriotic" mantra that was touted on the pages of newspapers around the country.
Forgot to add, where were the newspaper editorials at when people like "celebrity" Jeannine Garofalo and James Carville were using vulgar terms like "tea-baggers" and, of course, "racists" directed at people they disagreed with politically?
Dissent IS patriotic. The supposed boos of Bush's 2005 State of the Union address were only in the mind of conservatives as any fair minded individual can tell by watching the video of that speech. The problem with conservatives sociopathic style of governance is an invincible combination of arrogance and ignorance. People with good ideas on the left are shut of the discourse because they are the 'wrong' sort of people. Frustration mounts as stupidity rules and people end up hurt and dead from conservative misgovernance. The bottom line is conservatives are, at best, incompetent and have no good ideas or they wouldn't spend all their time demonizing people who do not look like them.
The Sun has had no problems with boorish behavior with Democrats or libs.
Here is a bucket of hypocrispy with your fries, sir.
Waiting ...waiting ....waiting for Birdie to make a comment on this editorial.
Waiting....
Sorry to inform you all that the "Bird" flew his coop last evening and was reported to had checked in to a rehabilitation clinic for wayward birds.
The "Bird" caught some kind of "cold" over at Heidi's place the other day, and his pecker has been running since. His pain has been unrelenting, particularly when he is writing his name in the dust on the bottom of his cage. He is now taking penicillin to stop the continuous drip, and with a little bit of luck, the "Bird" will be back on his perch spewing his dribble so we all can be enlightened to the "Bird's" words of wisdom...
While Wilson's outburst was undisciplined and ill-timed, I can understand his frustration. Obama's comments regarding HR3200 and it's handling of illegals was misleading at best -- and evidently the Dems in Congress agreed as they quickly moved to address it. He apologized, and a little additional scolding by the hyprocrites in Congress won't matter much.
Re. Williams, all I can say is she's just another competitive, high strung, prima donna athlete who lost control on court. It happens to the best of us, and only if it gets to be a habit should a more severe penalty be imposed.
As for West, the guy may be a talented musician, but outside the recording studio he's a joke. It's just unfortunate that Taylor had to have her moment in the spotlight ruined by him, though she apprears to have handled it well. And kudo's to Beyonce -- her response showed some real class & understanding.
RHG, the people who STARTED the Tea Party movement initially referred to themselves by that term. It was ONLY after they found out what it means (seriously, 15 seconds of Google searching would have tipped them off) that they suddenly reversed course.
As for Williams, her punishment may not yet be final as the tapes are being reviewed. Her non-apology apology stunk as well, and really didn't improve the second time around.
And West is a nozzle, but at least he had the decency to not only apoligize publicly (and I mean sincerely apologize) and call Taylor Swift and apologize to her as well. His initial non-apology apology didn't sit well, but he figured out he needed to do more than just cloak himself in his celebrity.
our stupid pathetic republican friends are children...
itty bitty children...
me me me...
if i don't get my way i cry and cry and cry children...
me me me...
they have no ability to debate reasonably...
me me me...
the ends always justify the means...
me me me...
pathetic...
absolutely pathetic...
who the hell would want to join the stupid pathetic republican party these days!!!
Ah, the miracle of modern medicine and the expertise of Doctors have brought the "Bird" back to health.
It is good to hear that his chirp has improved, but it appears that he still has his dribble...
Hey Birdie - I ask you for what must be the umpteenth time - if you had any money would you share it ??? Its always you slackers who goofed off in school now want what somebody else worked their tail off to get. You want your fair share?? Go earn it like us other hard working folks have done and keep your hands out of my pockets!!!!!
All three mentioned in this were wrong. To what degree is a matter of personal opinion. All used "words" at an inopropriate time and place out of anger. Just one thing I have to ask....Did the lineswoman who ran for cover behind the refs chair really think that Serena was actually do her harm there in center court!?! Come on now!
brownln4,
I work hard for a living; most weeks I put in at least 60 hours. I've worked hard to get where I am. I attend school full-time while working the hours that I do. I completed a master's degree two years ago and will - hopefully - finish my doctorate within the year. I make a good living, and I share plenty of my money with others both in the form of taxes and charitable contributions.
I also understand that I haven't done this in a vacuum. I understand that the good people of the state of Nevada have subsidized a portion of my education. I understand that taxpayers all over the country have contributed as well. I understand that my employees have also contributed to the state and federal coffers. Their contributions have helped me, but they've also helped the state. Through the acquisition of this education I have become a more effective manager and these increased skills have allowed me to keep my employees in work - and the owner of my businesses in profit - through this recession.
I also understand that the working people of our city - who make up my clientele - make it possible for me to earn that good living.
In business school they teach you about stakeholders. It used to be that stockholders were considered the only stakeholders in a business. Today a more enlightened view prevails. Sound business dictates that we consider not only stockholders, but the employees and the community as stakeholders in any business. Good businesspeople understand that all of these groups not only have an interest in the success of the business, but that the business has an interest in their success as well.
It's a symbiotic relationship.
Such is the case with society in general. This "I got mine, to heck with you" attitude is extremely unenlightened. Those who parade it fail to understand that their propsperity depends on the prosperity of those around them. We don't live in a vacuum.
When the better off among us (and I include myself) fail to realize this we end up with what we had in the Gilded Age and what we are ending up with now: a society with a small number of super wealthy individuals, a great deal of poverty and unemployment, and an ever-shrinking middle class.
Keep your hands out of my pockets, indeed.
John - no where in my post did I indicate that I did not give to charities or support my fellow man through contributions. Your correct in that your stakeholders are the entire community that support your business and the surrounding community. However, its your choice to support these folks and it is not forced on you by the gov't. I do my fair share, believe me, but its not being forced down my throat by the gov't. I'm sorry that I do not want to "share the wealth" with those that only want the rich to pay their way because they figure its "easier" than working, like you, to improve their lot in life and live up to their potential. Granted, there are folks who need help for a variety of reasons, and I'll be first in line to give them a hand. Its the free loaders who do not want to work for themselves because its easier to let someone else do it, that I have a problem with. I applaud you for your willing contributions, but its an individual decision, by you, not the gov't.
"they have no ability to debate reasonably..."
-_-
Sun -- you exist because of the First Amendment and now you criticize when others use it not to your liking?
Recognize your hypocrisy and just deal with it. As the late Patrick Swayze as Dalton philosophized -- "Opinions vary."
.
..
...For once I agree with Patrick R. Gibbons. From the media we have the obnoxious Larry Kudlow on the business channel, Chris Matthews on MNBC and the McLaughlin Group on PBS, all with a panel of expert guests and you never heard such rude discussion as two and sometimes three of the panelists butt in and over talk each other.
...Then you have the spin-masters who continually talk while the other tries to get his message across.Whether it is an absence of "Robert's Rules of Order" or just plain bad etiquette, America's media and the bad habits of political discussion have moved into the classroom and talk on the street..
...Throw in the new language of rap and the shorthand communication that is arising on the twitters and text-message crowd and this nation is butchering the King's English..
...Hopefully the belligerent outburst of Representative Wilson was an aberration and not an indication of obnoxious behavior soon to come in Congressional discussions..
..
.
"you exist because of the First Amendment and now you criticize when others use it not to your liking?"
KillerB, the First Amendment doesn't apply in this situation.
People have the right to be rude and uncouth. And other people have the right to call those people on their rudeness and uncouthness.
DouglasD -- of course it does. National television is under the jurisdiction of the FCC. Congress is part of the federal government. Which did it not apply to?
Lets face it. September 11, 2001 proved that we are not invincible. Such a shock to the collective consciousness was followed by partisan bickering, indecision, and has now turned into something just awfully nasty. The scene at the State of the Union was really an "out of body experience." Unnerving that LACK OF CONSIDERATION is just the tip of the iceberg...we've got loons in Congress...on both sides, mind you....
Democrats resort to calling Republicans who protest (loons, rednecks, nra types, and pathetically...bigots)...Republicans see the perversion and subversion of our legal system by "ACORN" ...and associate them with all left wingers.
Newspapers don't print news anymore...The Washington Post has left all objectivity behind.
We knew that the honeymoon wouldn't last forever; but apparently there are signs of improvement in our economy.
Before civility totally goes out the window, lets have everyone take a deep breath....
Oh, and the teabagging/Anderson Cooper reference...thanks for the info, buddy. But your scrotum has absolutely nothing to do with the state of the union...sorry to inform....
Joe Wilson is right. Obama is a pathetic serial liar. Why be politically correct about it.
KillerB,
It doesn't apply in either case - you are twisting the meaning of the First Amendment all out of shape.
One only has to attend a public school graduation to see the perfect example of the lack of civility on the part of people. At every local high school graduation the audience is admonished to refrain from specific behaviors of loud shouts, horns, whistles, etc.; all of that is in vain as parents, relatives and other there to see their youngster graduate demonstrate how uncivilized, ignorant and stupid they really are.
Graduation ceremonies were once supposed to be dignified, enriching and honoring ceremonies but today they have become displays of the complete lack of civility in American society; different parental groups trying to outdo others shout idiotic sayings, whistle, blow horns as their graduate receives a diploma; in a word they demonstrate boorish and uncivilized behavior that demeans the graduation moment. Americans have their own unique way of demonstrating their ignorance and stupidity in public forums.
What once was a formal and serious rite of passage to adult hood and continuing education has now become a display of American idiocy, stupidity, crass, sometimes vulgar behavior that fully demonstrates a lack of education and civility on the part of the participating individuals.
The lack of decorum does not just begin there as it also shows up in American classrooms from public to private schools and from K - College. In the CCSD it is not uncommon for students to demonstrate their total lack of discipline and personal responsibility. Increasingly students demonstrate rude, boorish behavior in the classroom to their fellow students and to teachers; foul names, vulgar gestures toward the offending are not at all uncommon today. The total lack of respect, self-respect and honor is but a small part of the total equation in schools today.
Americans have a totally unique way of demonstrating their ignorance and lack of self-respect.
Adults acting like children? How about that old senile Jimmy Carter saying that Americans dislike having an African-American for a president He says that is why there is so much disrespect for Obama. The only president that I ever had any respect and admiration and love for was George Washington. He was a real man, He beat the strongest army in the world at that time, he did it without a professional army that was ill equipped and poorly fed. If these professional politicians want respect and love just because they got elected president, well they can kiss my vote. When Obama does something heroic and brave I will respect him, in the meantime I will just disregard his achievements in the political arena as just so much hot air and gas, and if he is black or white, it makes no difference. Jimmy Carter is just another Kanye West. He's looking for attention.
Civility? Try attending a UNLV faculty meeting.
OMGWTFBBQ!
If the news media is so concerned about bad manners in the press they should have done something about it back in the 1960s not now' That horse is long out of the barn. Once again liberals Dum something down (FREE SPEECH) and ruin it!
DouglasD -- your logic here completely escapes me. I just go by the actual language of the Amendment -- "Congress shall make no law..." Yet it does with the FCC, &c.
Tell this to the 12% of "Undocumented" workers that don't even speak english.
KillerB
Your logic is to use the First Amendment as a sword - that no one can criticize anyone because everyone has the right to free speech under the First Amendment.
The First Amendment is not a sword. It is a shield from the government using the censor button against speech they don't like.
Did the government censor Kanye West? No.
Did the government censor Rep. Wilson? No. They expressed formal disapproval, but did not muzzle him.
Vsestini- honor and respect are long gone in the era of political correctness. It is better to allow a child to be an individual with no boundaries or repercussions. It is better for them to be able to express themselves as they see fit and if that includes having no respect for anyone it is part of the growing process.
If that psycho BS were so true, why do we have millions on prozac and ritalin, why can't half of our children read, write and add or subtract? Since the lefties took over decades ago, our country has taken a S---. I remember when I was a kid, I was not afraid of my parents in a physical sense, I was more afraid of disappointing them. To me that was the worst punishment I would ever endure. Pride and honor are no longer stressed in hope we don't hurt feelings. Look where that has taken the Great USA. We are a second world nation on our way to a third. Congrats lefties.
DouglasD -- I didn't say that. I do agree the First is a shield rather than a sword, but some parts of the Bill of Rights can be used offensively. Google "the constitution as a sword" and hope to find that excellent law review article by Walter E. Dellinger in the Harvard Law Review.
Kanye is a gay fish.
The only 3 subjects of this article that I have seen "try" to apologize is Serena Williams. If I recall correctly she said that she basically just wants to move on with her life and look to the future. Isn't that some "apology?" What she said in no uncertain terms is that she has no intention of apologizing and that the Ref misunderstood her. Isn't that "convenient?"
What is truly sad about this woman is that she may actually think she did nothing wrong.
Does Nancy Pelosi fart or merely fluff?
Neither, her face would crack if she did...
Haha, Bit.
He loves fish sticks!