It seems everywhere I hear media folks and elected officials and other “experts” bemoan the loss of common courtesy and statesmanship. Might I say that I think that (pardon to Shakespeare), me thinks thou dost protest too much.
It is not uncommon that those who cause the most damage are the ones doing most of the complaining, Much like a child watching their parent, the citizenry of this country are imitating their public officials. By public, I include elected, appointed, celebrities, sports figures and media. I watched the events of Ferguson, Missouri unfold on Monday night, Every tine a fire was lit, ten cameras ran to document the event. I wonder what would have happened if no media representatives had been in Ferguson and news outlets refused to report on the violence?
Senator Ted Cruz from Texas said that since the President acted alone on immigration, he was pushing to refuse to confirm any of Obama’s appointees. Kind of reminds me of the kid who takes his football home because he doesn’t like the rules of the game. Come on Senator, how about working in the system and show some statesmanship? Partisanship has a place in our society for checks and balances, not for personal gain for further political advancement. Why do our kids isolate themselves, cheat and put themselves first? Because they have watched our public officials do so for at least a decade now.
With public exposure comes civic responsibility. Athletes may decry the fact they didn’t ask to be a role model….too bad, you are and if you don’t have the honor to show respect for your position, quit.
We can make a difference. Let’s stop the media amnesia and short term forgiveness for the sake of our team’s success or for some sort of personal satisfaction watching someone getting crucified in the public arena. Let’s decry the public spectacle of “killing Christians” by lions with media bashing of individuals. Respect for one another goes beyond skin color and to the heart of the human soul.