when did authority stop having authority?

Today’s blog is a re-post from a couple years ago because the content fits with the theme of the previous blog, and its something that seems to only be getting worse esp. in America.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

“Anytime you quit hearing “sir” and “ma’am”, the end is pretty much in sight.” …. from the book “No Country for Old Men” by Cormac McCarthy

Last season, a NBA coach who led his team to the playoff’s each year he was the coach; the team went to the finals his 2nd year he nearly led his team to the finals again, but lost in the conference finals, and he was voted the NBA coach of the year…

Back in the day of “sir” and “ma’m” a coach like this was celebrated, but not in this world we live in today.

The coach was fired because the star player of the team, someone who was 25 years old didn’t like him.

I am not judging anyone .. just wondering when and why did it all change???

I have great respect for George Steinbrenner, the owner of the New York Yankees.

Irrespective of what you think about the Yankees … Steinbrenner’s team is unquestionably the most famous, successful and valuable professional sports franchise in the world.

George is well known for enforcing a strict dress code which everyone who plays for or works for him must abide by – including no facial hair, no asshole haircuts and there is no player on the Yankees who is visibly drenched in tattoos.

I have read that the Yankees dress code and code of ethics is strictly enforced.

If someone doesn’t like it, they can go play elsewhere.

I won’t waste time discussing (my opinion) on the direct correlation between a strict dress/ethic code to the consistent success of a team or company — I believe they are linked, but that’s a discussion for tomorrow’s blog.

When I was a junior in high school….

My high school swim team was at the Florida high school state meet, competing for the state championship.

One of the star swimmers on our team showed up to the meet with a mohawk haircut.

My coach wouldn’t let this guy get on the bus to go to the meet unless he shaved (as the coach called it) his “asshole haircut.”

We relied on this swimmer… and if he refused to shave his mohawk off, he wouldn’t be allowed to swim – and our relay wouldn’t be as strong. Not to mention, he was one of the top high school swimmers in America and expected to win his two events, thus we needed the points to ensure we won state.

Our coach (who is today one of the most successful, accomplished swim coaches in the world) didn’t care – he had a dress code and all swimmers were expected to adhere to this code.

The swimmer shaved off his mohawk and was allowed to rejoin the team.
Ultimately, he won his 4 events that year and our team won the state championship, and we ended 2^nd ranked high school team in America that year.

He and the team, we didn’t fight the coaches rules — we thrived because of them.

Yesterday, the “voice of reason” fwd me an article about a 14 year old boy who was recently, kicked off his junior high school basketball team because he refused to cut his hair – apparently, this boy’s hair is too long for the dress code set by the school.

Instead of adhering to the rules set by the school and enforced by the coach.… the kid and his parents are suing the school.

To my absolute disgust, many people are supporting this family; the family will probably win money from the school.

…beware of the parent who has a kid with an asshole haircut.

When I was younger — people followed the rules set by the leader, and the rules were not questioned.

But in the world we live in today….
people like this boy and his parents are vigorously, celebrated and supported.

Unquestionably, other coaches and schools around America have had to change their rules and codes of ethic to the “needs” of their athletes and students — just to ensure the coach or the school doesn’t get sued or hassled.