Wilson, Williams, West... My Heroes???

With the speed of news traveling like lightening these days, you would have had to been taking an absurd amount of shelter from the storm to have missed the shenanigans of Joe Wilson (R) South Carolina, tennis sensation Serena Williams and rapper Kanye West. All of which who have allowed their passions to overshadow their good sense. I'll break their stores down briefly for those who have not seen the aftermath of each individual's storm.

If there was a disrespectful scale I would have to start with the congressional heckler Joe Wilson. During President Obama's recent speech addressing his health care plan to congress, Congressman Wilson blurted, "You lie" after the President claimed that his bill would not cover illegal aliens. Now have I no desire to get involved in a debate about health care. Personal beliefs aside, I'm sure we can agree that calling the President a liar in open congress is not only inappropriate, it shows a total lack of decorum. However, before I completely bash Congressman Wilson, I'm willing to give him the benefit of doubt with regards to the passion that fueled the statement. Believing deeply in an idea or concept can cause frustration when you feel that someone's dishonesty fuels their side of the argument. Especially if you feel strongly about the subject. I should say, I was willing to give him that benefit until I discovered that Congressman Wilson voted in favor of subsidizing health care to illegal aliens in 2003.

Who lied?

Serena Williams was recently dubbed by Succes Magazine a "champion on and off the court." The champion didn't display champion-like behavior when she cursed out a line judge for what turned out to be a very bad call. There was no foot fault. There was also no call for threatning someone on national television, especially a pro athlete. Anyone over the age of thirty knows that tennis hasn't always been the high brow, pinky in the air sport it claims to be. John Mcenroe's outrageous outbursts are not only legendary, they have become a part of his legacy. Which begs the question, is there a double standard? Is it okay for a man to lose his composure and command of the English language by spewing obscenities? Should we look the other way because of the intensity of the sport? I'm willing to give Serena a pass as well, because anyone who has participated in sports has felt the raw, intense emotion involved with trying to win and be the best. However, it must be said that there is a limit to all tirades, Serena Williams went way too far with hers.

Finally, and probably with the most audacity, is Kanye West's outburst at the MTV Video Music Awards. Taylor Swift, a country singer humbly accepted the award for best female video only to be interrupted by Kanye West exclaiming that singer Beyonce had the "best video of all time." Had it been anyone but Taylor Swift that won the award, this would probably not be such a shocking moment. Her sweet and meek demeanor made it seem as if Mr. West was picking on a puppy. When I saw this my first thought was to wonder how the patriarchs of "the music game" would react. What would Jay-Z and Diddy say about this complete and total lapse in judgement and civility? Both have been silent about the incident and West made what appeared to be a heart felt public apology on Jay Leno. Here is the bigger picture. This was a childhood antic by a man who has earned millions of dollars from consumers around the world. He has made a career out of displaying the most absurd acts of narcissm and juvenile behavior. Who is more inappropriate Kanye West for acting a fool or us for paying him well to do so? Once again... too much!

Bottom line is that all three of these public figures have done nothing that we ourselves have not either done or at least considered. Who amongst us would not have loved to curse out a police officer who pulled us over for speeding amongst speeders? When listening to our boss drone on and on about empty promises that would never come to fruition, I think everyone would love to have the courage to scream, "You lie!" The Kanye thing? Well, I don't think I've have had a desire to steal someone's thunder since junior high school, but still it was pretty ballsy. Let's be honest, is there no part of you that secretly envies the passion of Wilson, the intensity of Williams, or even the audaciousness of Kanye West? Sure, but the lack of celebrity forces regular people like us to fall within the parameters of common sense and awareness.

To prove that no one is beyond learning to subduing their passions, even the President, Barack Obama has echoed my sentiments concerning Kanye West in an off the record statement by simply saying what we all are thinking... "jackass."