EDITORIAL: Wilson, Jordan, Williams, West are no role models

What do the names Joe Wilson, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams and Kanye West have in common? Answer: The four matched one another in rapid-fire succession last week as classless role models, forcing us to lament the loss of civility in this country.

First came Wilson, a Republican congressman from South Carolina who interrupted President Obama’s health care address to a joint session of Congress last week.

Wilson shouted, “You lie,” at Obama in a breach of protocol that earned him widespread condemnation. The Columbia lawyer then apologized to the president for his outburst. But Wilson’s been anything except apologetic ever since.

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., who represents most of the Pee Dee in Washington, asked Wilson to apologize to Congress as well. Wilson, possibly drunk with his newfound fame as the darling of conservatives, spat in the face of common sense by refusing.

Leadership should vote to reprimand Wilson, who continues to insist he’s being hammered for opposing Obama, not for his lack of taste.

There’s nothing wrong with opposing Obama, who’s pushing America too far left too quickly. There’s everything wrong with the forum Wilson chose to vent his frustration.

“A lot of these outbursts have to do with delegitimizing him as a president,” Clyburn told columnist Maureen Dowd. “In South Carolina politics, I learned that the olive branch works very seldom. You have to come at these things from a position of strength. My father used to say, ‘Son, always remember that silence gives consent.’”

Wilson was clearly wrong in overstepping his bounds. If he forces the House to pass a “resolution of disapproval,” it’s a sad moment for him and those who thought they were voting for a civil, right-minded legislator.

Perhaps the greatest basketball player of all time, Jordan took pettiness to an even higher level during his Hall of Fame induction.

Many of us watched Jordan go from the University of North Carolina to win six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls. What we did not see was a selfish, paranoid athlete behind the accolades and trophies.

Jordan’s induction speech should have been his crowning moment. Instead, he used it to belittle his former rivals and opponents.

We thought Jordan, of all people, would have been happy with his life’s work. Instead, he appears to be another athlete incapable of forgetting the past and moving ahead. If he had followed the Arthur Ashe model of caring and sharing his success during his career, instead of worrying about selling more shoes, Jordan would not be feeling alone in his success, longing for the past.

At the U.S. Open, Williams was on the verge of losing in the semifinals to eventual champion Kim Clijsters. She was called for a foot fault, sending her into a frenzy and forfeiting the match. She waved her racket. She shouted obscenities. She threatened the lineswoman.

The incident resulted in fines. We hope it leads to her suspension from the U.S. Open next year.

“I’m a woman of great pride, faith and integrity, and I admit when I’m wrong,” Williams said in a statement. “I need to make it clear to all young people that I handled myself inappropriately and it’s not the way to act — win or lose, good call or bad call in any sport, in any manner.”

No kidding. Too bad entertainer West did not learn from Williams’ experience. During the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, he interrupted 19-year-old country singer Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech, telling her and the live viewing audience R&B star Beyoncé deserved to win in the category. Talk about a lack of class and childishness.

Singer Kelly Clarkson responded to West in a Twitter post later Sunday night: “Dear Kanye, What happened to you as a child?? Did you not get hugged enough?? Something must have happened to make you this way, and I think we’re all just curious as to what would make a grown man go on national television and make a talented artist, let alone teenager, feel like sh—.”
We wish the parade of discourtesy would slow to a halt. It’s uniquely American to rubber neck at the scene of an accident, but it’s not our nature to keep making the same mistakes.

Wake up, people, and err on the side of respect, dignity and civility.

And for heaven’s sake, Rep. Wilson, apologize so we can move ahead with the serious debate over health care and heal from the latest punch to South Carolina's reputation.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial Board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).