Watch CBS News

Keller @ Large: 'Guys' Defending Trump's Behavior Need To Grow Up

BOSTON (CBS) - In the public discussion that has followed the disclosure of Donald Trump's vulgar remarks to the D-list celebrity he was trying to ingratiate himself with back in 2005, there have been a lot of self-appointed experts claiming to know the truth about what "guys" talk about in private.

One example – a Z-list celebrity – who I won't name for fear it would help him move up to the Y list – who was once, briefly, a teenage sitcom star, went on cable TV to say: "If you were offended [by what Trump said], grow up, because this is what guys talk about when you're not around."

The truth is, I can't vouch for what every one of the 120 million adult males in America say.

But it's been my experience that while some "guys" may sometimes say things that expose their ignorance and self-loathing, actual "men" never do.

"Men" are former boys who have grown up and embraced all the responsibilities that come with adulthood.

They behave responsibly in the workplace, treating their female colleagues with professionalism and respect.

They show courtesy to others in their public social lives, treating them as they would want to be treated and setting a positive example at all times.

And most of all, they treat the people in their private lives with love and tenderness, always making sure their loved ones are taken care of before tending to their own needs.

Some "guys" may lie, cheat, bully and steal; real "men" do not.

So it seems to me it's not the men offended by Trump's ludicrous behavior who need to "grow up."

That's what the arrested-development cases defending him should be focusing on.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.