Forget swine flu. The bad manners epidemic is rampant. First we have Congressman Joe Wilson bellowing that the President of the United States is a liar during an address to a joint session of Congress. Hopefully that is over and done with. Too much attention to poor behavior. Some Democrats want to make sure Wilson becomes a martyr.
Next we have tennis champ Serena Williams screaming like a fish-wife and cursing a lineswoman. That little act of lack of self control will cost her in excess of $10,000. That would have taught ME a lesson.
Finally, and perhaps the most outrageous was Kanye West snatching the microphone from Taylor Swift as she was accepting her award for best female vocalist at the VMA awards. Kanye West apparently thought his friend Beyonce should have won.
Credit should go to Beyonce for having the most class. Beyonce invited Taylor up on the stage when she won her awards to share the moment and to finish her acceptance speech since Swift’s day in the sun had been interrujpted. Beyonce was extremely gracious to the younger entertainer.
Jay Leno called Kanye out on his behavior during his premier 10 pm show. He told Kanye he had met his mother once and that she seemed like a nice lady. He questioned what his mother would have thought. Kanye West did beg forgiveness and appeared contrite.
According to EW:
The rapper began his impromptu interview by saying it was “extremely difficult to deal with the fact that I hurt someone and took something away from a talented artist.” Then, in a particularly somber moment, Leno asked what West’s deceased mother would think about what he said to Swift. Suddenly, the normally outspoken rapper couldn’t speak – but his silence spoke volumes, so much that Leno attempted to break the uncomfortable pause by resting his hand on West’s knee. After about 15 seconds, West mumbled, “Anything I can do to help Taylor,” before announcing that he’ll take some time off to reevaluate his career.
Maybe much of this is really just about bad manners and extreme self-centeredness. A good spanking might cure it. Wilson, Williams, and West–line up! There is just no excuse in a civilized society for such rudeness.
I was glad that Beyonce gave Taylor a chance to enjoy her moment. They are both very talented and classy artists. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Kanye West. He’s nothing but a hoodlum and a punk.
Iraqi Shoe thrower has been released from jail today…I remember when that was seen as a rude disrespectful act about a year ago…at least among the Western and Middle Eastern upper classes.
He was a kind of folk hero to the poor, inspired songs, statues and shoe sales in Eqypt. He had enough public support in Iraq that he was given a 3 year sentence for attacking 2 heads of state, and only served 1 year of that.
The power of the people will always overturn the rule of law when there is no means to protect it…for the better or worse.
Keeping that in mind, it would have been justified for someone to back hand Kanye West LIVE after that display…maybe next time.
I never heard of Kayne West until the MTC incident… now his name will live in infamy as a synonym for “no class”.
Beyonce… class act as usual. I wish someone would post that video to give Taylor her moment… couldn’t find it.
Weird that all their last names begin with “W”.
@R Jay Pearson
LOL! RJ….interesting observation.
Rod, I had no idea the shoe-thrower had become a folk hero. Increased shoe sales? Are you serious?
I saw Kanye on the Jay Leno Show. When Jay mentioned his mom, Kanye clearly became very emotional. He talked about taking some time off and really thinking about himself and and who he wants to be in the world, more than just who he is with his music. I thought he was very sincere and thoughtful in his moment of reflection.
Kanye West is not stranger to rudeness and shooting off at the mouth at inappropriate times. Same goes for Serena Williams.
Opinion, here you go!
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2009/09/14/sot.kanye.vma.mtv
Yeah West is out of control ego-wise and always mad at MTV. His behavior here is not a surprise, hopefully he took note at the crowd’s reaction to him.
Williams was a bad girl. She needs to be spanked.
This is nothing new – Respect is a trait that we loose every day.
When johnny comes home from school with a note, mommy and daddy complain to the teacher.
When I chastise johnny for not playing fair, mommy comes to me to ask why I scolded her son.
When a police officer pulls over johnny for speeding, mommy calls chief deane, and gives him lip.
So, why it is surprising how west acted? First, there was the Y Generation, then the ME Generation, now the Why Me Generation. They think life is a McDonalds drive up, you ask for what you want, and it comes out a window to you.
Pat, I am afraid you are correct. When I was a kid, if you got in trouble in school, you got in double trouble when you got home.
Misbehaving in school was a social indicator: a bad one on your parents. Even if your parents thought you were right, you never knew about it, at least not until you were good and grown, like around 40 and your mother finally confesses she felt sorry for you.
People seem to think they can say anything they want any time they want. The narcissism is unbelievable.
All three of our bad children this past week are role models. They should be ashamed on themselves! Probably Joe Wilson is the least well-known to young people. Is his ‘sin’ the lesser sin?
These are three really bad examples for America’s children. Two of them sincerely apologized, while Joe Wilson is selling autographs and raising money off of his disgraceful act.
Sportsmanship can be enforced at the U.S. Open. There is a culture of propriety there that shames those who act like Serena did and usually they stop. Unless they are John McEnroe.
Sounds like Kanye West had a meltdown of shame and sorrow on national television. I think when his America’s children see that they will not think to themselves, “I want to be like that. Act like a royal jerk and get booed by my peers and then cry on Leno.” No, in both the music and tennis worlds, these are not examples to be followed and our kids know that.
But that leaves Mr. Wilson. Celebrated by the fact-free and the hateful, right wing extremists across America. Many of them are parents.
Meant to say “his FANS and America’s children” regarding Kanye West’s outrageous behavior and the example it set. It was an example of what NOT to do.
And I have to admit, I never really faulted McEnroe that much. I don’t know why. It was theatrical and entertaining to me. I have to examine why I forgave him so easily.
@Moon-howler
Let’s not generalize, now. It’s still the same way in my house. Getting into trouble at school is a NO-NO! Of course, help your kids learn to cope, but there needs to be consequences as well.
I think when some people/stars start to get a lot of money, they think they can say/do anything they want. It’s not just about bad manners. It’s about bad attitudes.
“Today immodesty is as ubiquitous as advertising.”
David Brooks (NYT op/ed 9-15-2009)
It is advertising – look at ME,ME! And they wiil continue
as long as the target audience “buys the product”.
I heard that an organization of angry and delusional Washington Redskins fans is staging a protest on Saturday on the National Mall. They are decrying the outcome of the NY Giants game on Sunday as “socialist” and “unAmerican” because the better team won.
The group, which calls itself “Tea Party Sons of Washington” is printing 300 signs that portray Giants quarterback Eli Manning as Hitler. If they can get 300 people to march on Saturday, they will tell the media it was 300,000 and then the NFL will declare that the Redskins actually won their season opener due to the fact that Redskins fans are more loudly insane than Giants fans, who wrongly assumed football games were decided by number points scored.
http://www.outrageouslyrude
In my opinion Kanye West was the worst, but Beyonce almost made up for it with her grace and style. She is one classy lady. So is Taylor Swift.
Lange West could only have been motivated by racism, right? Isn’t ghat the new go-to reason for rudeness against a person of another race?
At least, that was the take-home last week, wasn’t it?
Kanye, that is. Stupid autocorrect.
The ill-bred selfish brat bug seems to have found its way
into both genders and each race, but agree Kanye West is a
prime example of the illness.
@ShellyB
You missed “racist”
Here, ShellyB, I found this Manson-eyed moron for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UJaeLjCvH4&feature=player_embedded#t=72
Emma, I wrote the post on Joe Wilson and never implied or stated that it was racism. I felt it was bad manners. Same with Kanye Brat and Serena Brat.
I agree that Beyonce was a class act as was Taylor. I don’t think either of them could make up for Mr. Rude though. He needs to lay off the booze before he opens his trap.
I am going to agree with Average American on the worst one.
Kanye West was worst because more young people not only saw his miserable performance but also look to him as a role model. He shouldn’t be but he is. He also stole someone else’s happiness.
Serena could stack up some points though because legally she assaulted the line woman and threatened her with violence. However, her punishment was very public. She also is a representative of the United States because of her status as an American athelete.
Wilson has been talked to death. He does know better and shouldnt have done what he did for obvious reasons.
West still wins as the worst of the 3 bad W’s.
I think it is fair to say that race was a factor with the Kanye West incident. Kanye probably thinks Bionce’s music is better, and probably identifies with her more for cultural/racial reasons. He took it personally when someone else won. Probably more so because she was not from his culture/racial group. I think it contributed to his outburst. I think he would not have done that if the winner was African American.
So, Emma you make a good point.
Racist Moniker Man, I have never tried to make the point that people should not be racist. My point is that racism should not be the basis for a political movement. Or if it is the basis, more Americans should reject it than embrace it. With regard to you and your anti-immigrant and anti-Obama hysteria, that has long since already happened.
You are part of a tiny, tiny, TINY minority.
@Emma
Emma, that second paragraph was for Racist Moniker Man, not you okay?
Kanye had a sincere apology. Its interesting to me that many who will afford Joe Wilson the benefit of the doubt, many not be willing to extend forgiveness to Kanye West after his open apology to the world, not just an apology directed at Taylor Swift.
Because it’s ALL about racism, of course! I’m hearing the left get more and more desperate in their usage of the word racism. It’s AWESOME!!!
If there is only one thing I’m sure of, more than anything else in the world, it’s that you have no idea who or what I am. Judging by your posts, I have doubts you know who you are.
Kanye is a loutish loudmouth drunk thug. When Jay Leno
mentioned his late mother, West tuned up and muttered something
like an apology – but it was still all about HIM. He had no sense
of how he impacted others, including the large TV audience that
included thousands of young people. His remorse was for himself.
“A bad man is the sort who weeps every time he speaks of a good woman.”
H.L. Mencken
Funny that West and Wilson are dominating the conversation. Williams was by far the most violent and the crudest.
Some of how people are viewing all of the rudeness if reputation. Seriously, did anyone know about Joe Wilson before he made an ass himself. I didn’t know him. The other 2 have a reputation for being asses. This is not the first time. Also, we have all had longer to digest Wilson’s lack of control. West and Williams latest absurdities just happened.
I am more concerned by a culture of bad manners rather than individuals at this point. Why is it that people feel they can behave this way.
Excellent quote, Poor Richard, and one that was new to me.
It really has been a week of bad manners, hasn’t it!! I personally think that some people have an overgrown sense of entitlement and egos to match and this leads to arrogant, rude behavior.
Kanye West was drunk (no excuse) and has a history of hijacking awards shows and saying things that are out of line. Either he has an anger management issue, or he’s a brilliant PR strategist, as he is getting huge attention out of this whole thing. The apology was pretty lame if you ask me. He wanted to keep justifying taking Swift’s moment and had to stop himself twice that I counted. What made me LOL was what one of the artist’s tweeted (I think it was katy perry) “@#$ Kanye, its like he just stepped on a kitten!” Haha!
Serena Williams was more troubling to me as I was surprised by her outburst. Very disappointed here as she really is better than this. She’s an inspiration and role model to many, many young people who look up to her.
Joe Wilson seems like he missed his cue .. like he thought a bunch of other people were going to yell along with him at the same time and he jumped up and yelled at the wrong time all alone. 😉 Seriously though, he shouldn’t have done that, it was disrespectful and out of line.
Racist Moniker Man, I know that I really get under your skin. I surely don’t know who you are. But one thing I do know is that you choose to hide your identity behind a fake name that is offensive and shows you are overly focused on Hispanics. And in your intense focus on Hispanics, you never say a positive thing about them. You always say negative things about them.
This provides an insight into why you are so angry that President Obama was elected last fall. It also provides an insight into why you were angry that it was John McCain he defeated and not Tom Tancredo or some other person fixated on race.
You like to claim that I am the one fixated on race. Your evidence for this is that I usually call you out when your comments show ignorance, insensitivity or both. Okay. But then again, I am not the one who chose to have a racially charged moniker to represent me every time I post here. You are the only person who has done that.
As for whether your views represent a very, very small minority. Well I think we that if you were NOT part of a very, very, very small minority, you would NOT have so many things to be upset about.
You probably would not have bothered to choose a racist moniker.
@Moon-howler
M-H, I think Williams was forgiven faster because there is at least some precedent for what she did (McEnroe). The words she spoke were over the top, I agree. She was disqualified for it, right? She lost the match? That seems like a just punishment. The Joe Wilson thing is blown out of proportion because it is symptomatic of a much larger meltdown within the ranks of the Republican party. The extreme fringe right wing is taking over the party and no one seems able to stop them. That’s a serious deal. Tennis? Who cares really? It’s just a game. Sportsmanship would be nice. But there are plenty of more outrageous bad sportsmanship moments. Mike Tyson bit someone’s ear off. A Baltimore Oriole spit in an umpire’s face, etc.
Kanye West is up there with Wilson because it’s just so shocking. I have never seen anything like that. It was the rudest thing I’ve ever heard of or seen at an awards show.
Williams was also fined a heft amount of money. She has had meltdowns before.
At least President said Kanye was a jackass and not Congressman Wilson. No point in starting another war over something.
@ShellyB
You and Tom Tancredo again….wow.
ShellyB, you are so funny,
Do you look at legit polling numbers that show people who disapprove of Obama’s performance are over 50%? And you still want to cling to your “small minority” theory. Your powers of denial are amazing!
Actually what I saw today said they were about 50-50. The intensity of the disapproval is more with those who disapprove though.
I suspect that was in place long before now thought, before the election probably.
Racist Moniker Man,
It is a small minority of people who are willing to attack Health Care with racism. It is a small minority of people who oppose the President based on racism. It is a small minority of people who stake out positions based on racism and are not ashamed or apologetic. Yes, they are loud. But they are few.
No matter how many Americans say they disapprove of the President’s handling of an issue, only a small percentage will be motivated by bigotry.
I have you pegged as one of these few, based on your racist moniker, and the average quality of your posts.
Part of the problem with Williams was that the very next day, she played a doubles final with her sister and they won $240,000, so it looks as if she’s hardly been penalized ($10,000 and one point in a match, albeit the final point).
I have a lot of ideas on how Serena could be punished.
Both Williams and Kanye are repeat offenders in this regard. I bet both will do this again sometime in the future. I don’t take either of their apologies seriously since they’ve shown they didn’t learn any lessons from the past when the acted out in this way.
I agree with Gainesville. Lessons not learned.
Serena should have been suspended. Threatening a person like we all heard her do like that deserved a suspension.
Look what happened to Michael Phelps for being a peace loving guy. Not even comparable in severity.
Either they suspend her from some regular tour event, which she probably doesn’t want to do anyway, or suspend her from a Grand Slam event which is pretty harsh.
They could have suspended her from the doubles match the next day but that would be harsh too.
Any of these measures penalize fans to some extent so I doubt that they’ll happen. She cost herself a chance to win that match, and that’s that. Hopefully she manages a better apology at some point.
She’s done goofy stuff before. She used to quite frequently pull up lame and withdraw from injury when someone was beating her. And she’s never a good sport about losing, always makes the point that she could have played better.
I think they should make her wear that catsuit again as punishment.
Whnat cat suit? What have I missed?
Rick, she sure isn’t a very likeable person. Her sister, another story.
I must have missed the catsuit too. As Rick says, any harsher punishment would penalize fans and also would probably cause less people to tune in to a match where she was supposed to be playing. So they won’t do it.
Ahh, she’s not that unlikeable. I like her. She just has a certain self-absorbed thing she does, probably like other young millionaires. She tries to be a good person.
Her sister’s not always so likeable. She reflects the way they were raised more – Jehovah’s Witnesses, unfriendly to outsiders. Serena’s more outgoing, doesn’t keep her personal life a secret.
The cat suit was a skin-tight outfit that she wore at the US Open a few years ago that showed her body off. It was close to nudity. I liked it a lot. http://www.blackbottom.com/watch.php?v=7cf73c2922901386e1eacb8913ab1ed254113484
I always did like a woman with a temper. Be careful what you wish for …
Don’t cat suits have to have legs? Gainesville, what you think?
I did not realize they were Jehovah’s Witness.
They were raised that way but I doubt that they consider themselves Witnesses anymore. Serena dated a film director at one point trying to get herself into movies – where as Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught not to attract any attention to themselves. Much less show their bodies in skintight cat suits. Venus is more quiet and sedate but is hardly living that life either.
Said the middle-aged perv who knows a bit too much about the Williams Sisters.