It's mid-September 2009 and just in the last three weeks…
Speaker Pelosi Attacks Town Hall Attendees as "Un-American"
Barney Frank Equates Talking With Taxpayer like "Arguing With a Table Leg"
Celebrated Presidential Adviser and Czar Calls Republicans "A-Holes"
Kanye Disrupts Awards Program
Serena Slams Her Racket and Confronts a Judge
Republican Wilson Tells President "You Lie" During National Address
Even the President Said Law Enforcement Officials "Acted Stupidly"
… And no doubt in your own professional and personal life you too have experienced at least one inappropriate comment, outburst, or action.
From road rage to just simply yelling in public, it seems we're wound a lot tighter than generations past. Oh sure, there's always been yelling and screaming and bar brawls and competitive event disruptions, but it seems at least once a week someone in a prominent position of leadership, celebrity, or visibility is losing it.
Why?
Little or lack of consequences is my take.
In all seriousness, don't we regard self-discipline as fundamental virtue of the man (and certainly the lady) who aspires to positions of admiration and respect? So why don't we once and for all, follow up all our bravado with severe consequences when someone goes ballistic?
What would be so wrong IF people started losing their positions and depending on the severity, were sidelined for months, years, or forever?
I know that sounds pretty draconian, but imagine if an athlete was benched – without pay, lost endorsements, and otherwise sacrificed their livelihood for the rest of the season or year – for their tirades, let alone criminal activities, in many cases?
What if political figures were removed from office, sent packing to their hometowns for "conduct unbecoming" and ineligible for re-election?"
What if corporate leaders were immediately fired and/or any compensation or severance package cancelled for reckless, fraudulent, or unethical behavior?
How long do you think the patterns – and it often is a habit with these privileged few – would continue or be repeated by others?
No, I'm not talking about censorship or squelching a person's right to speak out and express their opinions – I'm a master at that – what I'm talking about is speaking out with passion and sincerity, not acting like a jackass or child with a tantrum.
These are radical thoughts much like yesteryear's practices when grandparents and parents used to raise children… it was called discipline. It was called respect. It was called consequences. |
