There was a time that I would have wished you dead but your shame shall be your torture and your torture will be your life! I wish it to be long.  — Seven Years in Tibet

Shame should be the ultimate negative reenforcement.  When I do something stupid at the range, and it happens to everyone, the looks from the other people there tell me more than any correction from the safety officer.  Knowing that I’ve let my friends or family down hurts worse than any discomfort or embarrassment.

If only that were true with more people.  There are entire generations of Americans that have little to no sense of shame.  Every bad thing that happens to them is because of someone else.  Every bad act on their part is justified by a overinflated sense of entitlement and self-importance.

Luckily, there are still some people who have the good graces to at least feel bad when they mess up and try to make amends.  If only there were more of them.