A Game Changer

I typically stay away from politics and writing about them mostly because I don't want to polarize any of my readers - and partly because I'm no expert the political arena. I do have some knowledge of what constitutes acceptable and professional competitive behavior. I grew up playing a few sports, which all emphasize the importance of sportsmanship and a respect to the game. Even when I ran track and field there's a certain etiquette that inspires a level of courtesy to other players and certain acts might be legal, but just completely unsportsmanlike. Even now, outside of the competitive arena and mostly running for pleasure (and, ok -- a medal) there are things that are acceptable in the sport, like letting someone know you're passing them on the left, or not wearing head phones while running - things like that, which keep the sport fun and healthy competition.

Now professional competition has shown to be completely different. The stakes are raised and things like mind games are more than helpful and plentiful, but in the political game - when does the behavior of its participants or supporters become unhealthy and a detrimental to the game?

I'll tell you when -- how about when Mr. Clint Eastwood stood up and talked to a chair? Again, political views aside; the events of Mr. Clint Eastwood are undeniably, cross partisan -- crazy. The man single-handed probably contributed to creating laws that puts an age cap on public speaking. His outlandishness aside, it was by far the most disrespectful live presentation to a sitting president, ever. This is the kind of slippery slope that things like " the rules of a game" are meant to mitigate.

But, I guess I'm not surprised - the Obama campaign and his very existence was meant to be a game changer, but I'll tell you when I chose to believe in change in 2008 -- I didn't think the definition of respect would change too.

Courtesy of President Obama's  Twitter