The rule of response

  I saw a post from the Yankees baseball managing general partner, Hal Steinbrenner. Not really sure what that position is but I assume a position of authority. Anyway, this post was a statement regarding the grooming standards for the team. I've been a Yankees fan my entire life. I'm not what you would call a fanatic however, more of a casual fan. I'm not informed on all things Yankees. I am not familiar with the grooming standards. This announcement was to inform the fans and the team that beards would now be allowed. As I said, I wasn't aware that beards were prohibited. But the message said that this had been a topic of discussion for several years now. It was time to relax the rules. My immediate response and reaction is, a relaxing of the standards is being reflected in our country today. Just take a look around you and it should be quite evident.

 Being a professional athlete you have an employer. Seems obvious enough to me, and as such you should have to follow the rules established by that employer. It just seems to me that the employees are driving the standards these days. It also seems to me the students are doing the same in our colleges and universities when the accountants aren't lowering the standards for fiscal reasons. No testing required, just pay the freight and take a ride on the degree express. You are guaranteed a degree whether you ever pass the test, we will lower that score accordingly. The result is now there are literally thousands of people with a degree that is basically worthless. Like a carpenter that can't cut a straight line, not employed. 

 You can say, it doesn't matter what I look like as long as I can play the game. That's true, your looks do not define your ability. Your looks do define the organization however. Why do you think all military units have uniforms? I can perform the same job without that uniform. Why does anyone wear a uniform? It is to identify yourself with an organization a unit or in some cases a nation or culture. Uniformity breeds unity. It is really as simple as that. You represent a group, and by extension, that groups ideals. That is why appearance is important. Clothes and grooming do make the man. That is what others see and what others tend to emulate when they admire that group or organization. Why do think there are people wearing military uniforms that never served a day in their life. They want to steal that identity. 

 Does it make a difference that the Yankees will now allow beards? Not on the surface of things it doesn't. I just see it as the "kids" are getting their way. The boss has relented to the complaining about that requirement. You were aware of the terms of employment when you signed that multi-million dollar contract. I've seen the same in the private sector with casual Friday and all of that. The military has definitely relaxed their standards as well. In my estimation our society in general has lowered the bar regarding acceptable behaviors. You see jokes about that on social media, it is a lack of manners. It's ironic how the ones advocating for all this are the same ones complaining about a lack of respect! Yeah, that is what you are advocating for by the removal of standards. You wanted it, you got. 

 So wear your pajamas to Walmart. Ignore all those around you and just get whatever it is you want. No need to be polite or extend any courtesy to anyone. Shopping at Walmart is your constitutional right! You demand to be treated with respect and will disrespect anyone that doesn't. You will sue and demand payment. You don't have to comply with anything, that's what living in a free country is all about. I can just do whatever I like, whenever I like, and the rules don't apply to me. The rules says so! Well the rules about your response, not about my choices that is. I will set the standard and you will comply with that. No one tells me what I can or can not do. I'm growing a beard!