by Teresa Ringholz

Created on: September 17, 2009   Last Updated: September 23, 2009

"What would your mother say?"

In an instant the flamboyant, outspoken rapper was reduced to silence and the verge of tears as Jay Leno posed this question on opening night of his new television show. The deathly silence of the audience spoke volumes of disapproval and disappointment at Kanye West's outburst at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards for stealing microphone and spotlight from Taylor Swift.

Kanye knew what his mother would say. His mother would say: "Shame on you, I didn't raise you this way."

Leno's question and Kanye's reaction also raises the same issue in light of recent, similar and disrespectful outbursts from public figures in the past few weeks. Congressman Joe Wilson's mother would probably say: "Have you no respect for the Office of the President?" in response to Wilson's "You lie" outburst at President's Obama's speech to Congress. Certainly Serena Williams' mother would have said: "What horrible language! I never taught my daughter to talk like that?" in response to the tirade of profanities that Serena let fly at the line judge at the 2009 US Open.

But what do these temper tantrums and outbursts tell us about the society in which we live? Has boundless freedom become the justification of judgment snaps, rudeness and the loss of decorum? Where does such verbal license lead and most importantly what kind of example are these instances setting for the younger generation?

The paradigm that should be set after these calamities is that one does not get away with such behavior, no matter how old you are, how famous you are or how powerful you are. If the consequences of bad manners are not swift and forthcoming, then their lack of condemnation gives privy to others to do the same, especially those who are impressionable and idolize their entertainers, sports figures and politicians.

Look how this: "I can do what I want" syndrome brought the financial market to its knees in 2008. We all suffered the consequences of those who lacked judgment and were as selfish as children. Would Bernard Madoff's mother be happy with her son's behavior? Maybe it was the last shred of conscience she instilled upon him that prompted his inevitable confession.

We don't need watchdogs, we are supposed to be grown-ups and act responsibly. The need for mother should only occur early on when we can't stand on our own two feet or must be put in our place.

West's mother probably would have slapped his hands; Wilson's mother probably would have sent him to bed without his supper and Williams' mother would have washed her mouth out with soap.

Perhaps some would blame these mothers for raising such spoiled children but maybe we should ask ourselves if society has allowed the creation of such brats by making our public figures bigger than life with a "holier than thou" seal of approval. The borders of "I can do whatever I want" are truly getting fuzzy and one should be a little fearful of a society that promotes public figures who cannot keep themselves in check. But they are human after all and mother will always forgive them. Public scrutiny should not be so generous and this is the consequence West, Wilson and Williams will have to face.

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