With the absence of role models, it’s up to family

So Mom and Dad. Remember when you were kids and your parents gave you that speech about who you could always look up to as a role model?

Who was worthy of patterning your values after? Perhaps it was a relative or a teacher or even a neighbor. More likely, it was some famous, heroic figure. Remember who you most admire when you were a kid, that person you know would never disappoint, never let you down?

So who do you talk to your kids about these days?

Lance Armstrong’s cycling victories in France probably were not the reasons you held him up as an example. It was his courage and his humanity, wasn’t it?

Now what do you tell them? Do you tell them they should always respect the military for the qualities they represent and their leadership? Does that include former Gen. Petraeus?

What about the people that are so trustworthy we vote for them and send them to Washington?

Role models? You’ve got to be kidding. You know what, Mom and Dad, maybe it just comes down to you.

If you do it right, you’re the nearest thing to God your children will ever have.

I’m Pat McMahon.

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