Some call him the Space Cowboy

And some call him Maurice. Clarett, that is. I'm not gonna give him any more undeserved press except to say that he is, undoubtedly, one of the most catastrophic and public falls from grace I have ever witnessed in 39 years on this planet. He had it all in the palm of his hand. Whatever happened to paying your dues? To the philosophy of Fake it 'til you make it?

What is this attitude I see more and more of that indicates people feel they are OWED things? Particularly with our younger folks, although I see it at all ages. I used to be a trainer for Ameritech/SBC. I was always amazed at the 20-something kids who would come into day one and be absolutely incredulous that if they missed more than 3 days of training in a 3 month period, they would be fired. I can't even tell you how many of them I fired, shaking my head the whole time, as they defiantly told me that it was inhuman to expect them there at 7:30 AM 5 days a week for training.

What have we created with whatever we're calling the early 20's generation? I hate to sound like an old man, but I struggled for a long time, working two jobs, and clawing my way up to get to a point where I have a few perks in my job and in my life. Why does this generation feel it's "unfair" if they don't have exactly what I have? Why aren't they willing to work for it? Why does Maurice Clarett feel the world owes him fame and fortune? Why do I know so many guys in their 20's who still live at home who have absolutely no problem with that and absolutely no desire to even PLAN on getting out on their own?

I realize I'm generalizing, and there are undoubtedly many, many kids in that generation who bust their ass as much as I ever did. But, I'm telling you, the ME generation is back, and with a vengeance. This group doesn't just want what's theirs, they want what's yours too. And they want it now.