After Kanye West, maybe it’s time for manner classes
Between Joe Wilson last week and Kanye West this weekend, maybe it’s time to teach manners in school. ( A reader just called to remind me that the Serena Williams tirade belongs on this list.)
I actually had a “charm” class at my Catholic school. The only advice I remember from “Miss Meri” was something along the lines of “A woman who goes out without lipstick is like a half-baked pie.”
I missed an open house a few weeks ago at my local school but other parents told me about a mom who berated two different sets of teachers during general informational sessions.
What the heck is happening to common decency?
See what the experts have to say about our loss of manners.
See photos of the West misstep at the MTV awards.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
76 comments Add your comment
Call it like it is.
September 14th, 2009
10:32 am
My neighbor is now a teacher and we were talking about this last night. Parents teach your kids manners and I will do the rest. No respect in school and no respect in life. Kanye, should be banned from all shows in the future!
Ernest
September 14th, 2009
10:32 am
More people feel emboldened to challenge those in authority positions. Rep. Wilson indicated he had a ‘town hall moment’ when he made is comment during the president’s address to Congress.
I’m sorry to say that common courtesy and decency seems to be going the way of the dodo bird. All we can do as individuals in conduct ourselves in manner that children and others would not mind emulating.
ConcretelyAmbiguous
September 14th, 2009
10:54 am
OMG!!! Taylor Swift Planned It All.
http://concretelyambiguous.com/todays-truth/taylor-swift-planned-it-all/
Maureen's accountability metric
September 14th, 2009
11:09 am
Kanye West? Is Maureen trying to go for street cred now? What’s next, links to the latest dj mixtapes?
But Kanye does provide a lesson directly applicable to improving Georgia schools. Kanye chose to disrupt the proceedings and what happened? He was promptly removed, to the benefit of the rest of the participants in the proceedings.
As we clearly saw, consequences worked, and they worked effectively. Does anybody really believe if Kanye had been given a charm school lesson before the festivities, he would have acted any differently?
oldtimer
September 14th, 2009
11:26 am
Manners have long left public classrooms!
David S
September 14th, 2009
12:06 pm
And how are these two situations related?
Kanye is upset because some performer he is trying to impress didn’t get a stupid award and so he disrupts an expensive television show to make sure he is heard.
Mr. Wilson is upset because the most powerful man in the world is lying not only to him, but to the citizens he was elected to represent, and the other citizens of the country and even the entire world. This person lying also happens to have the ability to lock people up and throw away the key at his will, can sieze anyone’s money at will, wants to take over 1/7 of the US economy, and numerous other moves (that Wilson would of course approve of had the president been a republican). All he did was blurt out what a large percentage of viewers were already thinking.
In the British parliament, outbursts are common place and at least the issues get some airing in the place where that discussion belongs.
Please don’t compare the two events. Kanye is a child. Mr. Wilson is a very upset adult. He is part of an ever increasing group.
Maybe if the government schools didn’t focus so much on conformity and state obedience, there would be an even better learning lesson from Mr. Wilson’s outburst. But don’t expect any lesson taught to cover the constitutional role of the executive branch or limits on federal power. That doesn’t fit into today’s agenda of state dominance of american freedom.
Joy in Teaching
September 14th, 2009
12:09 pm
@ David S Kanye West (according to a Google Search) is 31 years old Definately NOT a child, although he acts like one.
JUSTICE4ALL
September 14th, 2009
12:24 pm
MTV SHOULD BE REMOVED
Gwinnett Parent
September 14th, 2009
1:52 pm
It is a sad day when people like Joe Wilson are hushed and shamed for speaking in opposition to our president. I remember watching George Bush and several presidents before him get yelled at. What would have happened if our founding fathers remained hushed and compliant? Joe Wilson’s outbursts is what makes this country great. We cannot compare him to some drunken and ill-mannered moron like Kayne. Obama was pushing an agenda which will affect all tax payers and Kayne was interrupting an acceptance speech for a MTV music award. Kayne and Wilson are not in the same camp. I am thankful that we have people like Wilson who speak up. If an adult was doing something that could adversely affect my child’s life, I hope that she would decide to speak up instead of thinking “gee gotta be polite”. I teach my child manners and she has never had any complaints from the teacher. However, there is a time and a place where etiquette sometimes has to be pushed aside. If it is for the good of the public all bets are off.
leigh
September 14th, 2009
1:57 pm
why would joe wilson be in the likes of those other two idiots. not even the same caliber of human
jcatl
September 14th, 2009
1:58 pm
Notice that all three examples depicted here are @assclowns who are legends in their own mind. Kanye and Serena have behaved this way in the past, and Joe Wilson is just mimicking the behavior exhibited by the official public relations office for the GOP: Fox News.
jcatl
September 14th, 2009
2:03 pm
@ Gwinnett Parent: Joe Wilson’s behavior was deplorable. He should refute the president’s policies in an appropriate venue if he disagrees, not during a televised joint session of Congress. I agree Kanye and Joe Wilson are not comparable – Joe Wilson should know better.
David S
September 14th, 2009
2:08 pm
Would my dig on Kanye have been more obvious if I had referred to his as an “infant?” Yes, I am aware that he is over 18. As you pointed it, he does not act it. That was the point of my calling him a child.
Victorious
September 14th, 2009
2:09 pm
I am sick an tired of the “well they did it first” argument. GROW UP GWINNETT PARENT! Would you also want your child to emulate Joe Wilson’s participation in racist organizations? I would imagine so…
Kevin
September 14th, 2009
2:13 pm
I’m in the camp of not really seeing these events as related.
AJC didn’t carry the Kanye story independently– as most other media outlets did. The only way they would present it is part of a larger “outbursts” story. Um, ok.
Kanye’s a joke but, alas, this event will likely only give him more cred in the perverse world of hip-hop, where style and class are frowned upon.
Atl_Finest
September 14th, 2009
2:13 pm
I would say YES. I cannot believe the kind of rude questions I am asked on a daily basis. I was walking through security to enter the bldg of my job. The female minimum wage guard ask me was my hair “human hair”. I called the head of security & I never saw her again. I had another guard ask me months later, “Is that a Lace Front Wig”, it’s so pretty. She is now unemployeed. When I go out I am comstantly asked if my purses are real………..from strangers???
hmr
September 14th, 2009
2:16 pm
In regards to Rep. Wilson, he violated protocol and – even as an upset older man – should know better. And in regards to people’s reactions over President Obama: not even 10 months into his Presidency and everyone wants to call him a liar instead of giving him time to make good or bad on his promises. You guys allowed Bush to stick you up the ass with bulls**t for four years, and then re-elected him to do it for four more. Give me a break.
Kanye – why is anyone surprised at his behavior? He has shown from the beginning of his career that he is arrogant, disrespectful and immature. And for those of you who have been ignorantly saying so, he does NOT represent all Black people, just like I don’t assume that the KKK represents all White people. Grow the f**k up.
In regards to Serena and the brouhaha over her tantrum, I have two words for you people: John McEnroe.
Chris Salzmann
September 14th, 2009
2:17 pm
Gwinnett Parent
September 14th, 2009
1:52 pm
It is a sad day when people like Joe Wilson are hushed and shamed for speaking in opposition to our president. I remember watching George Bush and several presidents before him get yelled at. What would have happened if our founding fathers remained hushed and compliant? Joe Wilson’s outbursts is what makes this country great. We cannot compare him to some drunken and ill-mannered moron like Kayne. Obama was pushing an agenda which will affect all tax payers and Kayne was interrupting an acceptance speech for a MTV music award. Kayne and Wilson are not in the same camp. I am thankful that we have people like Wilson who speak up. If an adult was doing something that could adversely affect my child’s life, I hope that she would decide to speak up instead of thinking “gee gotta be polite”. I teach my child manners and she has never had any complaints from the teacher. However, there is a time and a place where etiquette sometimes has to be pushed aside. If it is for the good of the public all bets are off.
CHRIS SAYS: So when was Bush Jr. yelled at during a congressional address? General booing from an audience and to be individually calling out the President as a liar are two very different things, especially during a Presidential address, to a joint session of Congress of all places, is not the time or place. If there were a time and place to follow GOOD MANNERS, this was it. I feel sorry for your kids teachers and care-givers if that’s the lesson you teach them. After all, in a kid’s world, everything is vital and important which cannot brook delay.
BTW, Joe Wilson, who is so concerned about tax-payer money going to treat illegal immigrants, voted for exactly the same in 2003. He obviously wasn’t worried about it under Bush but suddenly so concerned under this President, so as to call him a liar during a Congressional address? Joe Wilson, we now know, belonged to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, led a 2000 campaign to keep the Confederate flag waving above South Carolina’s state Capitol and denounced as a “smear” and “unseemly” the true claim of a black woman that she was the daughter of Strom Thurmond, the ’48 segregationist candidate for president.
Yeah, Joe Wilson is a great example to set for our kids. Pathetic!
Marq James
September 14th, 2009
2:17 pm
We are loosing our civility.
Call it Like It Is
September 14th, 2009
2:20 pm
Yes, the Racist Obama, did not apologize for calling a policeman stupid. Wilson was stating the truth about the Socialist.
The Racist West and Jamie Foxx making Racist comments still have not apologized. When you watch and listen to the clip of Kanye, some people in the beginning are cheering (STUPID)!
WTF cares what his or any other star’s opinion’s is on any issue.
The main thing here is anyone of us would have been thrown out and arrested for what he did. HE is a loser and a no talent bum.
I hope his record sells drop because of this. Again, spin this around and Whites would have the mass media playing the race card.
Enough Said!
jake's mom
September 14th, 2009
2:22 pm
The current lack of good manners is so shocking I can’t even think of an appropriate response.
Aquagirl
September 14th, 2009
2:22 pm
I knew the Faux News crowd would be in here making excuses for Joe Wilson. Common decency is indeed dead when people decide they can toss it out the window when it suits them. If someone disagrees with your idea of public policy, they are enemies of the United States and subject to whatever you feel like screaming at the moment. Because you’re always right, yes? Wow, public debate as imagined by 14 year olds.
At least Joe Wilson has (partially) apologized. His backers are the ones who are a complete loss.
pd
September 14th, 2009
2:26 pm
Kanye West was wrong for what he did.
Joe Wilson was wrong for what he did.
Serena Williams was justified for her behavior. This is a sport. Sports aren’t awards ceremonies or congressional addresses. Sports are for the tough, including officials. The judge made a terrible call and Serena let her know. She never threatened her. She said, “I feel like shoving this XXX ball down your throat”, not “I am about to shove…” She should be entitled to tell that judge how she felt.
Kudzu
September 14th, 2009
2:29 pm
Fight…
Ian
September 14th, 2009
2:31 pm
Manners are dead. We can recall the political moments such as the Democratic booing of Mr. Bush’s 2005 State of the Union address or Representative Wilson’s ill-timed remark. It cuts across both sides of the political aisle.
Men think nothing of wearing caps indoors and at meals, though the wearing of caps during meals shows a real lack of class. People stroll into church services well late and saunter to the front. Boors talk loudly at movies. Profanity fills the voids in vocabulary. Obscene tee shirts seem to be acceptable. Car stereos rend the night. People bump you and never offer an apology or an “excuse me”. It goes on and on. Robert Bork titled a book “Slouching Towards Gomorrah.” Does that not describe our society?
Soulfinger
September 14th, 2009
2:31 pm
Its very sad. I expect that sort of behavior from Kanye West. And as someone stated earlier, men tennis players such as Mcenroe (sp?) have displayed that sort of poor sportsmanship for years. Its just disturbing that elected officials are now exhibiting this same lack of civility and manners. Whats next..the pope telling someone who isnt Catholic to f*** off??
Jason
September 14th, 2009
2:37 pm
Joe Wilson is an impotent congressman from an inconsequential state. He’s lucky they even let him sit at the grown-up’s table, so he should’ve kept his mouth shut. Maybe he needs a timeout?
Carrie
September 14th, 2009
2:37 pm
MTV is disgusting, the host was disgusting and i can’t see us getting back to morals when this behavior is thrown in our faces by every one in that production. I wouldn’t doubt it if MTV asked Kanye to do it! It sure got everyone talking about their disgraceful award show. MTV only wants to shock and has too many willing participants.
socialismsux
September 14th, 2009
2:46 pm
The president has taught todays youth to disrespect seniors. He has determined that we are no use to society. He has slandered and called us angry mobs, terrorists. Pelosi has called us Nazi’s. The contempt he, his wife, his associates show for America, and particularly whites is the last thing America needs. Racist leaders like Sharpton, Jackson, Lowry further destroy race relations. The word racist has lost all meaning. It is a generic word for any one a black person doesn’t agree with. The president could have a positive influence, but he chooses to divide us. This is a very poor example of a leader. I don’t even want to try any more.
Koz
September 14th, 2009
2:51 pm
Joe Wilson and Serena Williams are ok in my book. Kanye on the other hand…
Devildog
September 14th, 2009
2:52 pm
What Kanye types REALLY need is a daddy. Should have been one around the house all their lives.
Some daddies are pretty bad but that male presence around a growing boy seems to be very effective. Bebemamas just can’t handle the job. Oh, you’ll hear guys praising MAMA to high heaven and “single moms” have become religious figures to some but the truth is, single mom families are a big cause of the country going down. Yeah, Kanye can babble his rap but he’s not really a man because no one ever showed him how. If all else fails, send ‘em to Parris Island and tell mom to stay away from there until the transformation is complete.
Breezy
September 14th, 2009
2:53 pm
For pete’s sake, bad manners at any level is wrong.
Hypocrites Stand Down
September 14th, 2009
2:56 pm
I have been giving this topic alot of thought over the past year. It didn’t start last week in the Congressional Chamber, loud, rude, boorish and insulting behavior became en vogue about a year ago, as we came into the final leg of the political season. If you are really honest you will notice that the rude and awful practice of calling our now President, but then candidate things like Terrorist, Muslim, Socialist, all came to the front when Mrs. Palin was added to the ticket. Before that there were undertones, (except for Hannity & Rush) of it but it wasn’t being shouted out because it really was too offensive. Once it was said out loud by another candidate, and the repeated over and over again, all bets were off, and we have gone off the deep end since then. Many presidents have been accused of being murderers, especially during wars, we as a nation don’t have a tolerance for a long drawn out conflict, we prefer ours to be quick, we have short attention spans, and when it goes over a certain period, or too many lives are lost, we turn to that attack, but none have been accused of being a traitor to this nation, a hater of this nation, wanting to destroy this nation and its people. And now everybody is getting into the act and it’s totally out of hand. Let me ask why so many people are so quick to jump up and defend bad behavior. Just because you feel you have a cause, doesn’t make it good behavior. If its rude to interrupt, curse, yell, or otherwise be ill-mannered, then that is what it is. The reason for you doing it doesn’t not negate your actions. That is what we should teach our kids, respect begins with you.
Soulfinger
September 14th, 2009
2:56 pm
Ian…good comments! Its true. I see young men who dress like bumbs..on purpose. Young women have no idea how to act like ladies. I think they need to add a “finishing” class in all high schools. I work with people all day and the things I see and hear (from all races) are scary.
Anne
September 14th, 2009
2:59 pm
Kayne West is nothing but a classless act and I am sure his mother would have been ashamed to see her son’s bad behavior. The gentlemen who voiced his opinion during the president’s speech basically said what America is thinking. He apologize and is still getting flack. Our society has this entitlement attitude. It is acceptable to be rude, obnoxious and use vile language. It is acceptable to wear obscene t-shirts, make obscene gestures and wear classless clothing to a restaurant. I have watched countless children play with their gameboys, ipods, and other small electronic devices at the restaurant so Mommy and Daddy could have peace and quiet. Bad behavior is not and will not be acceptable and I do not care how much money you have, what part of town you came from, what ethnicity, or country you came from. Period.
Elaine
September 14th, 2009
2:59 pm
Manners have been degrading for a long time. How often do you hear yes, ma’am or no, sir? In the past year, you probably have not heard it enough to count on one hand. How many times have you been ran over or totally disregarded because someone else felt they were more important than you in a store or even on the road? Gee this would not have anything to do with the beginning of being politically correct or the beginning of where spanking your child became child abuse?
The other problem is that no one is responsible for what they do. If a kid gets in trouble at school, usually being disrespectful to others in one way or another, are they punished? Nope because now they get a mini vacation and when they come back they can make up their work. What happened to paying for the consequences of your actions? No wonder this world is going to pot because no one is going to stand up, but instead give they whatever they want.
Maureen Downey
September 14th, 2009
3:02 pm
Elaine, An interesting trend in schools is students calling teachers by their first names. I first heard it at an Atlanta private school. I have since run into it in high schools now and then.
Not sure whether ma’am or sir makes a difference in classroom decorum, but it is odd to hear a student say, “Good morning, Mike,” to a teacher.
Nativebird
September 14th, 2009
3:07 pm
Context Maureen. Serena’s rant was an example of someone in a position of higher influence and leadership bullying a dedicated employee of an organization. Wilson’s shout was an example of courage on the part of the common peoples’ representative excersizing their freedoms to redress AGAINST a bully and his organization.
reality
September 14th, 2009
3:15 pm
Look at the lib trash that Jay Bookman let’s post in his blog. Manners?
Call it like it is.
September 14th, 2009
3:16 pm
Kanye is a punk always has been always will be. He is feeding off all this like a tick on a dog
Serena: I am guessing she got caught up in the moment about getting beat and let that loose on the judge. I can’t imagine she said anything worse then any baseball player has done to an umpire on any given night. She gets a pass.
Joe Wilson: Understand the need to be heard, but wrong place, wrong time.
Neither compares to Kanye the thug. Security should have rushed the stage and given him some wood shampoo.
Ron
September 14th, 2009
3:19 pm
Breezy has it right….Bad manners are just wrong, no manner what others may be doing.
Tyree
September 14th, 2009
3:21 pm
Civility is long gone. We have become a nation of angry people. Self absorbed and prone to temper tantrums if the end result fails to met our preconceived expectations. Serena, Kanye, and the distinguished Mr. Wilson all beautifully illustrate the point. If that’s not enough proof for you just take around our city and behold the rampant road rage. Very sad indeed.
KJ
September 14th, 2009
3:22 pm
“The female minimum wage guard ask me was my hair “human hair”. I called the head of security & I never saw her again. I had another guard ask me months later, “Is that a Lace Front Wig”, it’s so pretty. She is now unemployeed. When I go out I am comstantly asked if my purses are real”
If you’d stop buying fake purses and bad hair weaves you wouldn’t have this problem, imo.
And anyone who’s surprised by Serena’s behavior has apparently never seen her father in action.
Tyree
September 14th, 2009
3:22 pm
my bad…take a drive around our city
Dr. R
September 14th, 2009
3:27 pm
Oh, for Pete’s sake, why is it the answer to everything is more classes from the government-run schools? How about instead of classes we decide what we need are PARENTS who raise their children right? Yes, civility is gone, in our politics, entertainment, sports, and in everyday life (the store, the highway, etc.) People today are so into themselves and their cell phone conversations, they don’t let you merge on the highway, they shove past you in the grocery aisle, they basically act as if their needs are all that matters. I think some of that COMES from the schools which for too long have emphasized building self-esteem over education. As a result, we have entire generations, baby boom and younger, who thinks the sun shines out of their butt and their needs are all that matters. That’s the genesis of the boorish behavior we’ve seen. But don’t look for the school to solve that. Teacher hsve all they can handle now, and I don’t think it would help anyway if the message of civility is not reinforced at home. But when daddy (if he’s around at all) is too busy getting a buzz on during the ballgame and mom is stuck with the phone in her ear all day, the message is merely, “Do your own thing.”
The other irony is that some of the folks who are the rudest you come across probably think it’s fine and good for the government to take more of my tax money to fund health care and other needs out of “compassion.” Yet they show none of it to the people they come across.
Bob Harrington
September 14th, 2009
3:29 pm
I wonder if Patrick Henry was civil when confronting the British over the losses in liberty? I do not think so. Civility is required when appropriate, but not when the country is under attack.
what's right for kids?
September 14th, 2009
3:30 pm
I daresay that if treated with respect and dignity, students respond in kind.
Nativebird
September 14th, 2009
3:37 pm
A Liar, while presented with polished etiquette and impeccable manners, is still a Liar. If in a position of immense power, is doubly dangerous and they must be exposed. It is one’s duty, regardless of occasion.
Dr. R
September 14th, 2009
3:40 pm
I also find it interesting how so many of these lunkheads lose it, then toss out an apology as if it makes the bad behavior go away. We’re a forgiving people, and I’m not one to pile on. But I suspect Wilson’s act was premeditated to play to the voters back home, and I can’t imagine that the West fellow didn’t know what he was doing; it likey was orchestrated as well. Then you toss out a quickie apology and that’s supposed to make it all right? Give me a break. And quite often, the “apology” is combined with a promise to go to rehab and fix whatever evil spirit (bottled or otherwise) made them do such a terrible thing (remember Mel Gibson after his anti-Semitic rant?). Like they have a rudeness tumor that needs to be removed or something, I guess. Every time a politician or celebrity acts up by running their mouths or diddling the secretary, they look teary-eyed into the camera and ask for forgiveness. Forgiving is one thing, forgetting is another. You do stupid stuff, you need consequences that an insincere “sorry” can’t make go away.
David S
September 14th, 2009
3:41 pm
Funny, we complain about Mr. Wilson’s outburst, but nobody complains about the government’s chronic violations of the constitution or the theft of our incomes, or the deficit spending, or the massive counterfeiting of the money, or the senseless killing of innocents all over the middle east or…..
I think we have our priorities messed up in this country. Inappropriate outbursts are just a distraction for the real problems, but it is much easier for the media to focus on these, since they have been so complicit in enabling the other truly crimial actions.
David S
September 14th, 2009
3:53 pm
I do realize how stupid my statements have been, I am sorry.
jcatl
September 14th, 2009
3:54 pm
I love the disguised defense of Joe Wilson from the loony bin right. OMG, the country is under attack! OMG, Obama invented government spending! When the GOP continues to lose relevance because its loudest members sound like tin-foil hat wearing conspiracy theorists, it will be no surprise.
After watching the call that Serena complained about, she was right to complain, but not right to lose her composure. As others have said Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe both as young tennis players had their share of meltdowns, but became crowd favorites as they matured. Serena has been there before and should act like it.
Dr. R
September 14th, 2009
3:54 pm
I agree that our government leadership is acting irresponsibly, but that doesn’t condone boorish behavior. We’re talking about two different things here, but so many of us are steeped into our one way of thinking, we’re willing to excuse knucklehead acts from the folks we agree with. I didn’t drink anybody’s Kool-Aid so I’m not buying that. This country was founded by gentlemen, and if ladies and gentlemen can’t represent us well and support their views in a civilized manner, they should go run a banana republic somewhere. Even if you don’t respect the person in the office, you need to respect the office itself and follow the rules of decorum. Otherwise, we’ll be a nation of self-righteous, self-absorbed ninnies who trod over everyone in our path who doesn’t think like us.
Oh, wait … I think we’re already there. Never mind.
Dwayne
September 14th, 2009
3:56 pm
David S is probably one of these people who for the last 8 years accepted how our gov’t was run into the ground and spent too much money and got our soldiers killed all over the globe and just now wants to come out and say something since W is no longer around to accept the problems that he put this country in. You are just sad.
Nativebird
September 14th, 2009
4:01 pm
One essential part of extending appropriate “manners” to other’s has traditionally been grounded in the fact that one must truly have empathy in their heart to extend good manners, less, it becomes nothing but “phony-ness”, which in today’s day, is the norm. So spare me with your outrage about lack of manners. Honest ‘action’ on behalf and in the interest of others’ well-being, not selfish pursuit of individual power and greed, is better manners than a “please” and “thank you” will ever be.
Dr. R
September 14th, 2009
4:19 pm
Yet how we deal with each other in a public forum matters, even if we despite each other to the core under the surface. Mankind is nothing but a primeval, selfish, barbaric creature in our basic form. Yet all of the manifestations of the civilized world, from faith to our laws and unspoken rules of behavior, are meant to tame the beast within and create a more orderly society. One can remain honest and still polite; for instance, I can say that I distinctly disagree with your conclusions, kind sir, and though I wish you no ill will, I do believe your blogging leaves much to be desired. See how nice that was? Similarly, Joe Wilson could have waited until the president was done speaking, found himself a TV camera and said, “I do not believe the president is being entirely truthful in his characterization of his plan, vis a vis providing care to illegal immigrants.” You get the point across much better, and then your ugly outburst doesn’t become the story and distract from the message you are trying to send. At least, that’s the way we do it in the world of gentlemen. Without some decorum, we are a bunch of semi-hairy babboons fighting over a hyena carcass in the jungle.
Anyway, if I offended at all, I do apologize. I was high on coke, and I had a rough upbringing (no cable TV in my room). I plan to enter sensitivity training so I can better communicate my baser instincts. Please accept my sincere apolopgy, and should I lose it again and bop you upside the head for your idiotic comments, well I apologize in advance for that as well.
Libby Harris
September 14th, 2009
4:20 pm
Dwayne, jcatl, etc: I am just appauled at the hypocrits that MY fellow democrats have become. WE called President Bush names and ridiculed him for 8 years. Now President Obama is not making good on his promises, we can’t turn a blind eye and pretend we did not do the same thing!
It is, however, truely shameful what our country is turning into. We are morally bankrupt. The Internet and mass media are ultimately to blame for putting our bully behavior on display. It is sad and shocking what people will say on an “anonymous” blog that they would never say to someone’s face.
No excuses. We all should be ashamed!
Trudy
September 14th, 2009
4:26 pm
Comparing Bush to Obama????
Bush is responsible for the murders of thousand and thousands of people. He deserves far more punishment than insults.
thatsme
September 14th, 2009
4:30 pm
Thank you, hmr, could not have said any better.
Joe
September 14th, 2009
4:31 pm
I agree with Kanye, besides Taylor Swift cant sing, she has the worst vocal sounds. Her songs suck, I dont even know how she even got nominated!
EJ
September 14th, 2009
4:32 pm
TBH I’ve seen considerably more rudeness here in GA than other places I have lived. People rarely say “Thank You,” and I never EVER hear “Excuse Me.” People don’t even give you the “thanks” hand in traffic. My experience here is that, on average, most people are oblivious to anyone other than themselves, and generally pretty discourteous. Very sad.
Lee Raines
September 14th, 2009
4:33 pm
No! It is far too late for “manners class” in this society which is now reaping the tragic result of honoring the “my way or the highway”self-serving mentality. We hold very, very few to accountability for their juvenile outbursts; we honor thugs and the criminal element simply because they “stroke” egos, not only their own, but those they are “entertaining with their exploits. Discipline, patience, humility are words that remain in the dictionaries simply for classroom instructonal reasons. No discipline in classrooms, no discipline in the corporate office, no discipline at public events, and for the sake of not continuing to bore you with the full list, I’ll stop there. Simply put, character, integrity, honesty, ethics, decency, have vanished from the hearts and minds of a large element of our once-decent population. Shame on us!
Dr. R
September 14th, 2009
4:38 pm
EJ, as a native Atlantan, I’m sorry to hear that. We’ve lost that little something that we used to have. I’d like to just blame cell phones, but it does go deeper than that. I hope some of us who were raised differently get a chance to change your mind some day.
Trudy, you’re simplifying a military and political operation as “murder,” which is unfortunate. You may believe our Iraq invasion to be ill-advised, but what Saddam was doing to his people was far worse. What’s more, if any time a president sends troops into battle with weapons that kill it is called “murder,” then we should prosecute LBJ for murder post mortem, and perhaps President Obama as well for Afghanistan. The world is a complicated place, darlin’, and your simple answers don’t do it justice.
JDW
September 14th, 2009
4:48 pm
A line from the movie No Country for old men say’s it all.
“It’s the dismal tide” People you better tell those close to you
you love them. Cause the dismal tide is rolling in.
David Brown
September 14th, 2009
5:04 pm
Bad manners are all around us.
A couple of my pet peeves are (1) persons on their cell phones talking loudly, so that everyone within earshot hears that person’s personal business and (2) those inconsiderate MARTA riders who place their personal belongings on the seat next to them, even when there are persons standing around them. I have written MARTA about this several times, without any resolution.
truthpaste
September 14th, 2009
5:33 pm
@ David S. Both acts are related because they were both WRONG! I guess you would like it if politicians resorted to fisticuffs to resolve their differences. While i would find it entertaining to see a congressman being yanked around by his tie, what would be solved?
Mr. Smith
September 14th, 2009
5:35 pm
Bad manners are actually celebrated. For example, witness our hometown telvsion show “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”. Millions witness loud, potty mouth antics from grown womwn weekly. Music of all genre from country, rock and roll, hip hop and rap glorify being an outlaw. Civic pride, fellowship, character still exist, however not it’s no longer the social norm.
Soulfinger
September 14th, 2009
5:45 pm
I weep for the future…..
KJ
September 14th, 2009
6:50 pm
“I have written MARTA about this several times, without any resolution.”
Good luck with that. When I rode, I wrote them about their employees’ incompetence, and they shrugged me off every time. Now I laugh every time I read about them begging for taxpayer money. I hope they go bankrupt and their employees are relegated to selling oranges at interstate exits. (Was that rude? I’m sorry. But it’s certainly well-deserved.)
Native Atlantan
September 14th, 2009
6:54 pm
A-men, Soulfinger. Unfortunately, manners are going right out the door with civility following shortly after. Unless parents instill good manners in their children starting when they are toddlers and reinforcing the fact that as the parents, THEY are in charge and NOT their kids, it is too late Also, unless parents back up the teachers in discipline and in teaching children manners, you can probably guess how that kid is going to act!
Tony
September 14th, 2009
6:55 pm
Yet again the “VOICE OF THE PEOPLE” speaks………….wat to go tough guy, you are most certainly not my voice, get a life moron.
d
September 14th, 2009
8:21 pm
A couple of random thoughts loosely related to this forum….
1) Joe Wilson was wrong, not to disagree, but the timing. There is protocol for this, and the opposing party always has a televised response after the president speaks. If Congressman Wilson wanted to disagree with the president in a public forum, why did he not seek to become the person to deliver the response? We are never going to reach a true consensus on this matter, but to anyone who says health care isn’t a constitutional right, I say check the ninth amendment, and remember the Declaration of Independence, despite having no basis in law, does say we have the rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness — doesn’t life require health?
2) Kanye West was just out of place. He ruined a night for a talented young lady. It is nice to see people reacting the same way to him as they did when the Dixie Chicks made their comment several years ago.
3) Respect should be earned, but in the classroom it should be a given. Unless a teacher does something to lose that, the students should show a certain amount of respect for the teacher in the classroom not only as the authority figure but as a person who holds the fate of students in their hands. Despite the fact I teach seniors, they are not the adults in the classroom yet. I will show common courtesy to them, but in return, when I ask a student to do something, he or she should do what is asked. I don’t talk just to hear myself talk.
4) When did the term “government schools” take ground? Yes the schools are run by the government, but people forget in our republic, we hold the power. If the people don’t like what is going on, it is their responsibility to replace the people in charge, but we as Americans seem afraid to do that. How can Congress have a 20% approval rating and not get changed….. the problem is we say the issue isn’t with our representative, it’s with the other 532 of them, or the other members of the Board of Education, or whatever it is. We so blindly follow the little “Incumb”, “R”, or “D” after an elected official’s name on the ballot that we never have change. I am not advocating term limits, because we can see with the current governor what happens when he or she is no longer accountable to the people — we can go fish in the governor’s home county in the near future with no funding cuts to that program, but he asked all 180 school districts to furlough teachers for three days. Now as much as I disagree with that, I won’t call him out in public, but certainly, we do have means of correcting such horrible policies. We have to hold our elected officials accountable when they fail to do their jobs.
Intown singleton
September 14th, 2009
11:43 pm
Dear Gwinett Parent:
Grammar also is a form of decorum, i.e.–”Joe Wilson’s outbursts is what makes this country great.”
I’m sure you meant to say “are what”…right?
Intown singleton
September 14th, 2009
11:45 pm
And as for David S, take a look at yesterday’s NYTIMES story on your drinking water–a product of the un-fined, unregulated marketplace for the last eight years.
Intown singleton
September 14th, 2009
11:47 pm
Uh, Maureen,
Today’s “merit scholar” (aka: middle class kids getting a free education while the less fortunate can play the lottery) students at a nearby Tier Two state university have no qualms lambasting teachers (me) in person and on evaluations–especially right after they receive a grade lower than a B on any assignment. Furthermore, the “department” feeds their power by not backing you up in any way, shape or form. And no “thank you” note on the way out the grad assistantship door, either!
Nomad
September 15th, 2009
11:01 am
Kanye is and has always been classless and racist…..he was at home on MTV , and doesn’t deserve any attention , such a loser!