During the past week we have seen tacky public outbursts and displays of public incivility and rudeness from: Southern Carolina Cogressman Joe Wilson who shouted out "You lie!" to President Obama during his healthcare address to Congress. Tennis star Serena Williams cussed out a line judge at the U.S. Open. Rapper Kanye West totally embarrassed himself by grabbing the mic from award winner Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards Show--because he disagreed with the judges choice. What is wrong with these people y'all? They should be role models for aspiring politicians, athletes, and entertainers. Instead, they are examples of people who have talent and power, but no class or manners. Take a look at this video and tell me "What happened to civility?"
http://www.newsy.com/videos/what_happened_to_public_civility
Thanks to Jessi Stafford at http://www.newsy.com/ for sending me the video! I would love to hear y'all's thoughts about this. What's wrong with these people?
Thank you for addressing this. It is so true. Although I don't agree with much of what our President has to say, it is so wrong - not just tacky - but against the "House Rules of Conduct." And as far as the other two you mentioned, it's absolutely not the way to conduct one's self.
ReplyDeleteA news person stated that she thought Jay Leno crossed the line when he asked Kanya what he thought his mother (now deceased) would say about his rude conduct. Absolutely not! In the south that is the one thing you can say to anyone - regardless of age- that will straighten them up in a New York minute. "What would your Mama say?"
And may I say one more thing? I was appalled when Senator Barbara Boxer chastisted the Army Officer for calling her "ma'am". I was very disappointed in her behavior and she was so in the wrong. However, this man was too much of a gentleman to point that out to her.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on all accounts, but less so with Rep. Wilson. Breaking the House Rules of Conduct is not uncommon. This particular instance just happened to be during a highly watched, VERY hot-topic issue.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think that because of the consequences that will the passing/not passing of the health care bill Rep. Wilson took the opportunity to tell the American public watching the joint session that there's more to the story than they're hearing and I have to respect him for that.
Perhaps there was a classier way to go about it, but I'll hardly chastise him for that one. Besides, "you lie" is my new catch phrase. ;)
Thanks for showing us the interseting video Miss Janice.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why some people seem to have no manners anymore. It's pretty sad to say the least.
~Blessings, ~Melissa :)
I agree with you for the most part. I might be on the minority, but I applaud Rep Wilson for what he did. It takes a lot of guts to publicly stand up to the likes of President Obama and call him a liar when it really counts and for an important reason.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the other two cases are part of a society that has become more and more selfish and egotistical as time goes by. I hardly ever hear "please" and "thank you". It has been years since I received a thank you card from anybody for anything.
One day someone made fun of me at work because they said that I call anybody "gentleman". What is wrong with referring to a man as "this gentleman" instead of something like "this guy" if I don't know the man's name? That is how my mother brought me up. It all starts at home. I am appalled at how children speak to their parents. If I ever called my mother a liar in public, or threw a public tantrum, I better prepared my butt, because I was going to get a good spanking whenever we got home. In fact, I don't remember EVER calling my mother a liar in public, yet I have seen my friends' kids do it all the time and not get punished. Kids learn proper behavior at home. But when parents decide to be more "friends" than parents and let the kids get away with murder, well that's how you end up with rude, selfish people.
One more thing if I may. I totally agree with DC GOP girl. Rep Wilson was speaking for me. I wish that the Florida Reps would have done the same thing.
ReplyDeleteSo funny that you posted this today! My husband called me from the office this morning- the woman sitting next to him on the train ride into NYC (from the suburbs)proceeds to put on a full face of makeup, then do her calisthenics!
ReplyDeleteYikes!
I totally agree. It makes me sad to see people rationalize Wilson and Williams. They were very wrong and set terrible examples for a nation that is already missing manners. There is no excuse for that behavior. I thought Bush was the very worst President in history. But I saw him speak twice and clapped. Never boo'd or any such thing. I even went to his second inauguration. Because as a President, he and the history of the office deserved respect. What gets me daily is kids (and adults) who have those walky talky cell phones. With the beep beep sound before and after everything they say. In line at the bank, post office, restaurants, etc. There is just no line any more. And public outbursts like you mentioned only make it less notable for non-public people to be rude in everyday life.
ReplyDeleteNo one cares about what the people around think of them anymore. Social pressure just isnt what it used to be - unfortunately :O(
ReplyDeleteOh I just read Kathie's comment on ma'am. I don't know of that story or where anyone was from. But I thought it might help to point out that in many US regions being called ma'am is belittling. I use it and like it but I know many in the NE who interpret it as a put-down. I think its just a regional word. Like "y'all" or "wicked." Again, I don't know the back stoey she mentioned and I would hope a public figure could keep pety thoughts to herself. But perhaps this sheds some light??
ReplyDeleteI think when times are tough, human compassion, manners and downright basic civility are the first things to go, when they should be the first things we use to solve the problem. Sad...
ReplyDeleteHi Miss Janice! Oh, I believe manners start at home. That is why so many youngsters today have none - their moms and dads haven't taught them anything. When I was little manners and the right thing to do was even taught in school. I don't know if they teach that today or not! Morals and discipline has seemed to slide on down the hill. It's do and say what you want now a days.
ReplyDeleteI'll preach on...another thing, people today are not really held accountable for what they do, much less what they say. I'm amazed. Things that were really 'wrong' twenty years ago is just accepted today. Shame on us!
Thank you for mentioning this today and for your visit.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Kudos to you Miss Janice for calling ill-mannered rudeness what it is!I don't care what your political preference or musical leanings are. NO EXCUSES!
ReplyDeleteHonestly was there something in the water this week or what! I am glad you brought this up, these events have been reminders to me of my manners and class, something I wish some of these individiuals had a little more of!
ReplyDeleteMiss Janice I came by to thank you for your kind support and encouragement. I really appreciate it and having nice blog friends like you. You're the best!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you this weekend, ~Melissa :)
I agree with you 100%! And the worst part of all this is that we spend so much time teaching our children manners and morals and in one fell swoop, it's gone!
ReplyDeleteI am sad to admit that eldest cherub found nothing wrong with what Kanye did. We had a very long, very heated discussion about that with it ending in my telling him that I thought I raised him better than that and that I was very disappointed in him. I believe he has since appended his opinion.
Please let me know if you have any advice on how to curtail all this rudeness and negativity with our kids, because I am feeling a little lost right now. Even if I banned cherubs from radio, tv, etc . . . I would have to isolate them from friends and other family members as well in order to keep them from seeing all this madness.
Oh, Miss Janice! I do so agree with you! Having taught school for 34 years and watched the manners of my student deteriorate over time, I am not surprised. I must add, however, that I also saw an increasing attitude of entitlement which I think contributes to the situation. My students demanded not to be "disrespected" (when did that become a verb???), yet were not willing to show respect to others. It is by being repectful that we earn respect, not the other way around!! Thanks for sharing the video! Enjoy your weekend...Debbie
ReplyDeleteI could hardly believe my ears when I heard how the Senator spoke to an Army General!! If she knew anything at all about the military - and apparently she doesn't - it is the common term to use when addressing a higher rank female - and sir for a higher rank male. Being from the south, I was taught that this is the respectful way to address another - especially if they were older. I still do it. However, it comes naturally from being born and raised in the south and working on a military base for 28 years.
ReplyDeleteAs for Wilson, I understand he was upset and he may very well have been telling the truth when he said the President was lying. But whether right or wrong, he disrespected the office of the President more so than the man. Whether you like the man or his positions, you should always respect the office.
For the other two - I don't think I have ever seen Serena act this way before and she should be ashamed of herself. But for Kanye, he has done this before - as my mom would say, he has gotten too big for his britches. Just because he has become famous he feels justified in saying and doing whatever he wants. Jay was right in asking him what his mother would say. I think he was surprised and embarrassed because he probably realized at that moment what his mom would have thought.
I'm just saying....
I think, for one thing, the reason people are pushed into calling someone a liar is because we, as the public, have been lied to so many times. Some of the things Mr. Obama is saying is just not true and I resent the insult to my intelligence.(is that spelled right?..lol). To call someone a liar is NEVER the right thing to do, however.
ReplyDeleteThe tennis player must have learned HER manners from McEnroe...
Seems everyone is so dang SPOILED and if they don't get their way, they throw hissy fits...
Bad behavior is always wrong whether it be on the court, on stage, or in the political arena. These people try to win through their audacity and expecting people to just remain quiet and take it either by submission or shock.
ReplyDeleteSerena was reprimanded by the refs for her horrible behavior. Kanye was reprimanded by Beyonce and the American people for what he did to Taylor Swift. President Obama was reprimanded by Ken Wilson for using his office to lie to the American people and just expect everyone to quietly take it.
As Edmund Burke observed many years ago, "all that is required for evil to succeed is for good men to remain silent."
Public bad behavior must be dealt with swiftly and openly, whether it be poor sportsmanship, bullying, or lying no matter who the person is or what their office.
So, Miss Janice, we seem agree as to Serena's bad behavior and Kanye's bad behavior, but we seem to have a difference of opinion as to whether Ken Wilson's behavior was wrong or President Obama.
As always, I very much appreciate your blog. This has been an interesting discussion. Have a wonderful weekend!
Valerie
Miss Janice,
ReplyDeleteI believe this is exactly the reason your blog has so many followers. So many people walking different paths still want to hear more about manners, graciousness, kindness and civility. Manners can take us to a higher level. It doesnt take a large bank account to have good manners. Miss Janice, I doubt I will be able to bring my children to your class so I hope you continue your postings about manners. It seems to me that manners are rather dynamic, always changing a bit. For instance at our school there is a new protocol for coughing due to H1N1. Good manners are always changing and we (the public) need help figuring out how. Miss Janice write a book, get onto Oprah, teach us. This is clearly your calling. Is it good manners to answer a cell phone in a public restroom (I think not but then again perhaps I'm wrong)? What about good blogging manners? Miss Janice some of us regardless of our politics do still care about hospitality, gifts and dressing appropriately for church. Your blog makes it fun.
Miss Janice- thank you SO much for being Conservative and having the common sense to know Wilson was WRONG for what he did! I completely agree with you. However, as an Obama supporter, I will admit I am a bit biased. Lol :) But you are absolutely right- whether it is done commonly and often, as in Britain, is beside the point. It' just plain wrong!! Thank you for saying so! You have completely gained and earned my respect and I don't hand that out a lot to Conservatives in this political climate. Everyone fights. Everyone is name calling. Everyone is accusing. It is exactly the opposite on how we should be acting. We are not going to solve America's issues by being diving. Separate, we fall- united, we stand!
ReplyDeleteYou are SO right, Miss Janice. As a proud citizen of South Carolina I'm particularly troubled by Joe Wilson's outburst. In my little bubble, it is the height of rudeness to call another person a liar (and has nothing whatsoever to do with political philosophy.)
ReplyDeleteJoe Wilson was NOT speaking for me as I am certainly capable of expressing my own dissatisfaction on any number of issues in a much more civil manner. He isn't a hero NOR do I want either of my children to see him as such. He may be a thoroughly delightful individual but that particular behavior should not, in my opinion, be celebrated. I certainly wouldn't want one of my children to think that it's OK for them to carry on in such a way.
After the last 8 years of incivility & disrespect towards a president (the worst I've ever seen) nothing surprises me anymore.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more
ReplyDelete