Serena and Kanye Blow It

Let's see what major celebrities made the latest list of "in-your-face," disgraceful behaviors. Uncontrolled anger, rage, is a feeling of frustration that arises from a situation that is not the way the subject thinks it should be or that he/she believes to be wrong or unfair. Most people repress mild anger by putting the frustration into their subconscious minds; however, some people let it develop into bitterness, grudge or vengeful attitude while still others just exhibit rage instantaneously when dealing with the slightest anger.

Serena Williams Throws a Fit

Sunday, at the U.S. Open, Serena Williams was called for a foot fault on a second serve with the defending champion two points away from losing to Kim Clijsters in the semifinals. Williams approached the baseline judge and held up a ball and said, "I swear to God, I'll f --- take this ball and shove it down your f -- - throat. " Williams punctuated her outburst by waving her racket at the woman. (Wayne Coffey, New York Daily News, September 13 2009)

The chair umpire, Louise Engzell of Sweden, called over the lineswoman. Then, Brian Earley, the tournament referee, came onto the court to discuss the matter. Williams approached the net and denied that she had threatened the lineswoman.

After the consultation with Earley, Williams was assessed a code violation, or loss of a point, ending the match. (Williams had been issued a warning earlier for slamming her racket, so the loss of a point was an automatic penalty.) A match-point penalty (actually caused by two outbursts).

Virginia Wade, who won the United States Open in 1968, was watching from the broadcast booth and heard what Williams said over microphones. Wade said she was “agog” over what she had heard and seen. “The only thing that I thought was strange was that she went into the press conference and didn’t have any remorse,” Wade said.

According to sports reporter Coffey, in the interview room, Williams declined to disclose what she said to the lineswoman. "I don't think that's necessary. I'm trying to move on," Williams said. "I'm clearly not happy. Obviously I wanted to fight. I always fight when I'm down."

Of course, later, in a calmer state of mind, Williams did apologize for her angry behavior.

This opens the way for a possible suspension after the Open and a potential fine of $250,000 by the Grand Slam Committee. Kanye West Grabs the Spotlight

Also Sunday, Hip Hop artist Kanye West, who is known for his outspoken ways, jumped up on stage while 19-year-old Taylor Swift was making an acceptance speech for best female video for her hit song "You Belong With Me" at the Video Music Awards, beating out singers including Beyonce Knowles and Lady Gaga.

West grabbed the microphone from Swift and said to her, "Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and I'm gonna let you finish, but," and West then declared that Beyoncé, who had also been listed as a nominee in the category for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," had "one of the best videos of all time." Camera shots showed both women looking startled. Swift was then hurried off the stage without finishing her speech. (Elysa Gardner and Lorena Blass, USA Today, September 14 2009)

MTV said West, who was spotted earlier on the red carpet drinking alcohol, was ejected from an awards show already known for its circus-like atmosphere. West received loud boos from the crowd when his name was mentioned later in the show.

And, like Williams, West later apologized for his ignorant behavior.

Of course, West is no stranger to award show outbursts.

He made a similar uninvited appearance onstage at the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards when he felt snubbed for his single "Touch the Sky." West lost to "We Are Your Friends"; then, he leaped onstage and interrupted Justice and Simian's acceptance speech to insist that his video should've won because it "cost a million dollars and Pamela Anderson was in it."

Later, he complained to reporters, denouncing Simian's victory with profanity, adding, "I paid a million. It took a month to film. I stood on a mountain. I flew in a helicopter over Vegas . . . . I did it all to be the king of all videos." (Tom O'Neil, goldderby.latimes.com/awards)

West said later on his blog,"I'm not crazy y'all, I'm just real." (CNN, September 14 2009)

And in 2004, Kanye was so furious when he lost best new artist at the American Music Awards to country crooner Gretchen Wilson that he stormed out of the ceremony, fuming to reporters, "I left like I was definitely robbed and I refused to give any politically correct … comment. I was the best new artist of the year!" He even suggested that he was the victim of a sinister conspiracy. To What Effect?

We're told to overlook the behavior of potential role models under stress: to give them the break and the benefit of the doubt. After all, they are special people in the public spotlight 24/7 with no private life and basic human faults. Just as we are told to accept their mistakes, how are we rightfully to do this unless these role models are capable of accepting the mistakes and/or judgments of others with grace and dignity? The pressure to win at all costs has exceeded the sportsmanship of competition. Week after week we can see the proof of this statement in the highest level of celebrity. Maybe, we can forgive occasional personal rage as a weakness of character, but we cannot erase the totality of the rising toll that anger inflicts within a power-worshiping society. Stop the bleeding, please.