We root for and support spoiled millionaire athletes whose lives long ago stopped resembling anything close to that of the blue-collar, hardworking existence of most Americans and then we sit in amazement as those very same athletes fall from grace. Who of us should be shocked by the antics of such athletes as the unrepentant Plaxico Burress, the inhumane Michael Vick, or the cheating Manny Ramirez? Maybe Charles Barkley was right years ago when he claimed that athletes shouldn't be role models……….It's hard to believe that there are still "so-called" baseball experts who go to great lengths to claim that steroids do not help league baseball players hit a baseball. No, they just help major league baseball players hit a baseball farther……….It was both sad and frustrating to read in the Journal last week that several local young men were involved in a recent gang assault and were also wanted for several other recent crimes. I coached two of those young men in modified football a few years back. And though they both possessed some likeable qualities — it was obvious even in seventh grade that they displayed behaviors indicating they were headed for trouble. The most frustrating part of the situation is that nothing was being done to correct the path these young men were traveling. Parental involvement was non-existent. The two young men continued to have problems as they progressed through the years, often failing in school and repeatedly getting in fights and other trouble. The solution seemed simple enough — someone, anyone, should have stopped the behavior and set these young men on the right path. No one will voluntarily step up and accept responsibility for these young men, but I know exactly where we can lay the blame. The responsibility falls squarely on us — the Baby Boomer generation. We have become completely passive to the social ills of our young people. As parents, we do not take the necessary actions because we fear bruising egos or injuring self-esteem. We have abdicated our parental responsibility. We are willing to let society take care of our kids. Our juvenile corrections system has no teeth. Our educational system does not have the tools to fulfill the "surrogate parent" status that has been forced on it. Our parents wanted better for us and we have twisted that ideal into wanting more for our kids. Respect, hard work, and self-responsibility are all foreign concepts to many of the "Me" generation, whose only desire seems to be that the graphics on their Xbox games are continually upgraded. Local newspapers have documented the arrest records of several of our young people. One young man comes to mind, who for years seemed to be a regular fixture in the police blotter. Drug possession, sales, and D.W.I. were the usual charges. No individual or system appeared capable of stopping this young man from self-destructing. The problem is the result of the fact that as adults we often refuse to just say "No" to our young people. Over the course of the last decade there have been two or three instances where a high school athlete had been released from jail during the day and suited up to play in a game that night. When questioned how this was allowed to happen, school officials would reply, "His arrest had nothing to do with school so we can't deny him playing." Is there any wonder why young kids grow up thinking it is okay to break into houses and assault police officers? Things will only get worse until we demand that kids, parents, schools, and the government do their jobs. Until then, we should get used to reading more accounts of local youngsters who have gone wrong……….This weekend should tell us a lot about the New York Yankees as the Bombers head to Boston for a four game series with the Red Sox. The Yankees have dropped the first eight games played with the Red Sox this season and if the Yankees are for real — they need to win three of four from the hated Sox……….The Army Black Knights have not experienced much success on the football field in recent years but the Army tradition, the majestic beauty of the neighboring Hudson River, and the great tailgating experience, and the convenient proximity make a Saturday trip to West Point to catch a game well worth it. Looking for a good game? Try September 12 when the Duke Blue Devils come to Army……….Whatever happened to Mets shortstop Jose Reyes?..........Looking for a great two-day trip? Already did the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame? Make haste to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. Springfield is just several hours away and if you travel on the weekend you can avoid the inflated hotel prices that businessmen fork over during the work week. The Basketball Hall of Fame has many great interactive exhibits, is relatively cheap ($17 admission for adults), and has some great artifacts. The Hall is currently featuring a Michael Jordan exhibit………No telling what kind of season the New York Jets will have but at a recent practice atSUNY Cortland, the new pre-season home of the Jets, three fights broke out. Jets fans can only hope that Gang Green battles that hard when the opponents show up..........For some reason I have no desire whatsoever to attend a game at the "new" Yankee Stadium. Now if my cousin Tony offers me two of his season tickets in the bleachers I would be tempted to go. Something just sticks in my craw about the Yankees pedaling thousand dollar pairs of seats from the "original" Yankee Stadium (which in reality is not the original Yankee Stadium)……….With all the precipitation we have experienced this summer, when is the last time you heard someone say, "Wow, the water level in the reservoir is really low?"……….Tiger Woods just won the Buick Classic. After failing to make the cut at the British Open, one would think Woods winning the Buick would be the most newsworthy item. One would be wrong. Apparently, while he was waiting to take his tee shot at the 18th hole at the Buick Open, Woods loudly passed gas. The incident was picked up by the television camera and has now become a favorite on the internet. Great sports coverage is hard to find. Until next time…