That is distinctly different than being a parent. I value the role of parents to a HUGE extent. No other individuals can outplay that role. However, Barkley (along with anyone else in a public light) is, in fact a role model, regardless of he or she wanting it or any other factors.

Yes, Barkley may actively participate in mentoring and have all sorts of other involvements. I applaud that. I am not attacking him. I am trying to make a clear point.

It is not possible for a role model to just turn off their own role model-ness for others. Nobody should be raising other people’s children. That’s all about personal responsibility and accountability. That’s fair and ok. However, regardless of what you or I think, individuals decide who their role models are. Role models do not get to decide who they get to be role models to. (They may be able to influence it, but the choice for who we decide to look up to and have as a role model is exclusively our own, personal choice.)

There is no doubt that people pay attention to and are influenced by Barkley and other professional athletes or public figures. That alone does not make them a role model. In his book, I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It, Charles admits he is in fact a role model. He is a role model to his children because through his example solidified by everyday experiences and interactions they learn from him what appropriate behavior is. He also admits that he is a role model to many more individuals, young people he has met and maintained a mentoring relationship with.

His point, the point that people are missing on the role model controversy, is that he can’t possibly be a role model to millions of kids he has never met. Public figures can’t parent a child they don’t know. The Nike commercial was identified by Dan Quayle, former Vice President of the United States, as a “family values message”. In other words, parents need to be the role models of their children, not Eminem or Michael Jordan. I do not think Charles’ motive was to deflect his responsibility to the youth of America. He made a statement about the condition of our culture and the tendency for people to put pressure on professional athletes to be model citizens and raise other people’s children.

In case you forgot, the original goes “A Scout Is…trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.”

I like your version better!

wells fargo is a fine bank, especially compared to bank of america (which is the worst, BTW). but sometimes they get some fool making decisions like this that hurts their reputation. i’ve been with them since 1987, and while this isn’t enough to have me cancel my account, i’m still left thinking WTF WFB?

Still, it leaves a pretty bad taste in my mouth.

I’ve blogged about this a little bit more on my own blog: http://arthaey.blogspot.com/2008/02/phone-banker-fee-refunded-ftw.html

Thank you for your post!