INTEGRITY: Where has it gone?

The question has been asked, “Why the athletic director refused to renew Kurt Lundblad’s contract to coach the Coeur d’Alene High School basketball team?” Rumors are that it has something to do with his demeanor and a number of technical fouls called against Coach Lundblad. Since I did not personally observe this behavior it is not my intent to pass judgment. However, it is important for us to understand that if we are in a position of responsibility where we influence young people, our behavior should command respect.

Our own children were involved in sports from middle school through college. From an early age, coaches and older players were put on a pedestal and looked up to. Most of those to whom they looked up had a positive impact on their lives. However, there were a few coaches who used foul language and threw temper tantrums when they disagreed with the referee. My wife and I have been embarrassed and thoroughly disgusted with this behavior. That kind of behavior is unmanly and uncalled for.

The most infamous behavior from a coach in my memory was that of Bobby Knight, basketball coach at the University of Indiana. He could have been a great coach without the extra-curriculum activity such as throwing chairs across the basketball court. He should have been fired immediately. What bothers me most about this matter is Donald Trump sought out Bobby Knight for his endorsement. On the other hand, I shouldn’t have been surprised as Donald Trump’s verbal behavior and his actions have been nothing short of disgraceful. Truth of the matter is too many people running for president and other elected offices have not earned our respect. In fact, these candidates should be disqualified and have their names removed from the ballot without any consideration of party affiliation.

What disturbs me is the massive numbers of people who vote for these candidates who disrespect the office and the citizens they claim to represent. We are told we should vote for the lesser of two evils. However, the polls and the media tell us that both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are notoriously the most unpopular, unqualified presidential candidates since the beginning of the presidency. They have the highest unfavorable ratings of all time. A very high percent of the voting citizens say they do NOT trust either of the presumptive nominees. My question is — what have we done? Why has the majority of the voters for both parties elected such untrustworthy, childish, mean-spirited, dirty players, who frequently use vitriolic verbiage? Will we ever again see the day when we have two qualified candidates of integrity and high moral character run for the highest office in the land, or considering the direction this country is going would it be out of character to treat the opposition with respect and integrity? You be the judge!

RON VIESELMEYER

Coeur d’Alene