There's an old joke about going to a fight and a hockey game broke out.

While fisticuffs may still be more common on ice than elsewhere in sports, trash talk seems to know no bounds these days, in sports or elsewhere.

The past week alone should have set some kind of record for setting bad examples.

Whatever happened to sportsmanship, fairness and basic civility?

Should we be worried when there is greater civility on the football field than a tennis court?

Some parents were concerned about their children hearing President Obama speak about the importance of staying in school. Perhaps they should have been more worried about their children hearing the president's address to a joint session of Congress, during which Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., interrupted the speech to shout, "You lie!"

Kids, don't try this at home or in the classroom.

Then, there was tennis star Serena Williams' profanity-filled outburst against a line judge for a call that went against her. She also smashed her racket earlier in the match.

And to complete the week's triple play of boorish behavior, we have rapper Kanye West interrupting the acceptance speech of teen pop star Taylor Swift at MTV's Video Music Awards program to proclaim that Beyonce had "one of the best videos of all time."

These incidents come on the heels of a very uncivil summer, which many will remember as the season of the town hall shoutfest.

The lack of civility is disturbing - not just as a violation of good manners but because - in the case of political outbursts - it gets in the way of substantive progress on important issues, not to mention the ability of teaching our children right from wrong.

The past week's incidents reinforce the reminder that having entertainers or athletes as role models is risky, if not foolhardy. Add politicians to that list.

At least Wilson apologized - although some are claiming once is not enough.

And Williams' tantrum cost her a fine and, ultimately, put an end to her match.

As for West, well, he was booed at the awards' show, but considering this wasn't his first childish outburst at an awards program, we suspect it won't be his last.

At least Beyonce showed a lot of class by calling Swift back on stage to "have her moment" after Beyonce won for video of the year.

We are reminded, once again, of the plea of Rodney King, when riots followed the acquittal of police charged with beating him: "Can we all get along?"