What is wrong with us

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As we all watched on Saturday, some nut took a shot at the Republican candidate for President. By the grace of God and quick reactions, former President Trump was lucky….people behind him were not. 

Now, all the questions start: who was he? What was his motive? Where did he get the gun? (p.s- watch, some people will blame the damn gun, not the fool who used it!) Were others involved? Where was all the security?  These are questions that need to be answered. However, there is one more question that needs answering, and that should be the first one asked: WHAT IS WRONG WITH US?? 

Why do we Americans feel so compelled to try and kill each other just because we disagree with one another?  Why have we let it get so out of hand?  No amount of laws, police, jails, or any punishment seems to stop this constant you versus me attitude.  Maybe, just maybe calling the former President Hitler and a threat to democracy set off Thomas Crooks, the shooter, who may not have been stable to begin with. 

Nobody knows at this point, but the hot rhetoric on both sides is certainly fueling those who are not quite, shall we say, all there.  I don’t know at this point if the young man had mental issues. I don’t know his home life or how things were for him, but I do know something set him off.  

I have written before here about how we need to be more compassionate and caring for our young athletes and officials, or something really bad is going to happen. Officials have been attacked after games, coaches assaulted, and even some players. How much longer before some nutbag parent takes a pistol to a game and shoots an official because little Johnny was called out on strikes? 

When is some coach’s car blown up because Billy isn’t starting on the team? Doesn’t sound so crazy any more does it?  People, we have got to get a hold on ourselves and get back to respecting those we disagree with.  We are now to the point where we can’t even talk to each other and be civil. 

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH US??  From politics to sports, to family gatherings, to just walking down the street, everything has to be contentious. Why can’t we re-learn civility?  Maybe we can, but are we passing it on to the next generation? I don’t know, but I do know we can’t teach the younger generations if we, as adults, act like complete idiots at games, concerts, family events, and political gatherings. 

We are failing our young people completely, and it has got to stop if we do not want to end up a third-world country! This also goes for governments. You people are supposed to lead, and you are failing miserably! What example do you set for us and young people? Taking bribes, insider trading, and becoming millionaires on your salaries alone? Bull!! You are being paid off, and your morals are seeping down to those you govern. 

The sad part is those coaches, politicians and officials who try to do things the right way are ridiculed because they are not flashy, they just do the job. They are the ones we need to learn from. There are a lot of successful coaches and officials who just do the job they are supposed to do……seek them out and tell them you appreciate their actions. Would it kill you to walk up to an official after a game and thank him for giving his time for your young athlete? That would go a long way in setting an example for your child and others.

There are even good politicians, people who do the right thing all the time. I worked with some of them, and I was proud to know them, the same when I officiated football. I learned from good people and learned not to listen to the blowhards who knew it all.  We need to all start listening to the good ones, or someday, there will be no good ones left. 

Young people need our guidance and time with us to learn right from wrong, hard work from laziness, civility toward our opponents, and most of all, how to act like a champion.  Our future depends on it, and I hope some good comes out of Trump’s assassination attempt……maybe we all will stop and look at each other differently……and with compassion and civility……maybe….I can only hope. That’s the way I want to see it……from the sidelines.