respect

I read in the Deseret News this morning of a Utah man who played a "prank" at the U.S. Open. He was there in his flip-flops and shorts surrounded by many spectators in suits. He said he got tired of the snobbishness of the crowd so when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson headed onto the 17th green, he sprinted past them and threw himself into the bunker where he proceeded to make snow angels in the sand.

He was, of course, hauled off to jail, fined, and banned from the Augusta course. He claims he'd do it again because the people and rules there are so stuffy and snobbish.

I am not a golf fan but I believe this is not about golf or snobbishness or laughs, it is about respect. Since when is it okay to thumb our noses at something we don't like? The U.S. Open has a long history of tradition. The players have worked extremely hard to get there. The fans who've paid for tickets have come to expect a certain decorum.

I'm not certain what this man hoped to accomplish by his stunt. All he seemed to accomplish was delaying the Open about 5 minutes and getting fired from his job (he was at the Open escorting clients). I actually wonder if he felt uncomfortable (not suitably dressed) and projected the snobbishness onto the crowd.

At times in today's society there seems to be a lack or respect for just about everything. There is a lack of respect for the family. There is a lack of respect for those who hold office. There is a lack of respect for stay-at-home moms. There is a lack of respect for certain religious beliefs. There is a lack of respect for our teachers. There is a lack of respect for the rights of those who live differenly, believe differently, speak differently, etc than we do.

This man may not have liked the atmosphere of the U.S. Open but I feel he should have respected the course, the rules, the players, and the fans. We can all be polite without endorsing something. We can show respect for others without agreeing with them.

As Aretha Franklin says "All I ask is for a little respect".