Two thumbs up for Mike Shanahan laying down the law with his players. He has recently imposed a new set of rules, found in this article, which his players must follow. It includes no double-parking or parking in handicap spots, running on and off the field, and standing when you are not on the playing field. I'm sure at some point Shanahan will be criticized for putting so much emphasis on "trivial" things, but the principle behind his rules is anything but trivial.

In a time when athletes seem to think they are above the rules of the common citizen, an effort like Shanahan's is to be commended. I don't think I need to mention star athletes who've gotten into trouble with the law or their spouses because they thought the rules of the world didn't apply to them. But it's not just athletes who are guilty of such prima donna behavior. Politicians and celebrities often have an inflated, and incorrect, sense of entitlement. I know of a particular California governor and his wife who seem to think that parking laws don't apply to them. They don't care if they get a ticket, they're going to park where they damn well please. Drunk driving, tax evasion, violent crimes. All acts committed by various athletes and celebrities who feel they can do whatever the hell they want. Why? Because our society gives them that "power," however inadvertent it may be on our part. Million dollar salaries. Following their every move in the tabloids and on the internet. It's a culture doomed for collapse.

There are others of us, "regular" citizens, who also have a false sense of entitlement. We think we can say what we want because we have the right to free speech. If someone doesn't like it, well, that's their problem. But it isn't just their problem. We can say some people are too sensitive. We can say some people are too insensitive. We can call each other names.  We can debate who's right and who's wrong until the cows come home. But in the long run, the world is worse off by such selfish and self-indulgent behavior. Whether it's double parking, not doing what your coach says, not doing what your parent says, thinking you're above anyone else, it is behavior that is slowly destroying civilization. We've lost touch with the Golden Rule and that is why we have a society filled with selfish, dillusional, self-entitled assholes. When we start being kind to others, helping those in need, being considerate of others, regardless of how you feel about their politics, gender, sexuality, etc., that is when we will see a change for the better in our society. Let's all take a lesson from Mike Shanahan and start with the little things. Just show some common consideration to those around you.