by Joe Gonzalez

Created on: September 21, 2009

I have known five year olds that behave better than Joe Wilson, Serena Williams, and Kanye West.

Manners begin at home. Parents have to do the best to teach their children know that rude behavior is wrong. Kids also need to remember that such behavior has consequences. We should all speak up about such ill mannered people. By ignoring it we encourage it and embolden folks to misbehave.

Joe Wilson is a great example. When the South Carolina politico yelled "You lie" during President Obama's speech to Congress and the American public he showed what and how he felt towards the president. It was rude and a sign of disrespect. Wilson can say it got the best of him all he wants. He reminds me of the anti-healthcare protesters, and the right-wing radio talk show hosts that are in style these days. It seems that the nastier they are the better. Wow. You can make money being an "entertaining jerk". Gone are the days of Larry King on the radio. Civility is not in vogue. Rant and rave have clobbered rhyme and reason!

Serena Williams is a gifted and talented tennis star. Sports demands good manners too. How can fans enjoy a tennis match if their .

favorite player is a raging maniac? Anger management could help. Look at every sport out there. Each has its rules and guidelines.

Kanye West is a music star. Rap music has an edge and image. One still needs to act appropriately polite at an awards show. Sure, fans make like the artist's body of work, but they also expect them to behave. Why do you want an entertainer to be a complete barbarian?

Singers/rappers and such have an effect on today's youth. Kids mimick their favorite artist's behavior and dress like them. It is bad enough that parents have a hard time raising kids in this day and age.

Being center stage is no excuse for acting like an ill-mannered kid.

Look to the class acts in sports, politics, and music. You can still excel in sports with your God-given talents. Look at Roger Staubach of the Dallas Cowboys. Staubach played in the 1960's and 1970's and was viewed by many as a square, as a boring bloke. Staubach made his parents proud with his manners.

In politics look at Senator John Mccain. McCain is known to have a bad temper, but he is a fair man. He works well with others. A while back he was giving a speech about President Obama and folks began booing. McCain was visibly upset by this. McCain believes that elections can be very competitive and can still include civil discourse.

Neil Diamond is a class act in the music business. You do not hear about him going bonkers and tossing cuss words about.

We can learn a bit from these folks.

Society can be civilized or it can be a rude brute's paradise. The choice is ours!

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