Although I like to get up early these days, I would still not consider myself a morning person. Talking and bright lights are not welcome.

In fact, hubby has had a beef with me about why I don’t say “good morning” to him.

I guess I am just a person who needs to ease into the day, and part of that easing includes a cup of coffee and watching the morning news.

For years now, I have turned to the NBC “Today Show” to catch up on the latest happenings.

And with my loyal support of the show, the network’s anchors have literally felt like they were my friends.

I mean, apart from reporting the news, some have shared a few of their best and worst moments with me and of course, the millions of others who were viewing.

But that was okay, because I was still getting to enjoy a cup of coffee with friends.

And to reiterate how attached I have been to this group on the “Today Show,” when Katie Couric left the show in 2006, I grieved.

It felt like one of my best friends had moved away.

Fortunately, I came to like her replacements, Meredith Vieira and now Savannah Guthrie, so my morning routine has continued.

That was until Wednesday when it was announced that Matt Lauer had been fired for the same reason, sexual misconduct, like so many other high-profile, rich and powerful men, recently.

Needless to say, I was sad, not only because of my disappointment in Matt’s choices, but also about what is happening with this whole sexual misconduct problem, and I have been wondering what is to become of this seeming epidemic.

Do you think we will just sit back and watch more and more men, who are influential, wealthy and or famous, continue to experience job loss and embarrassment, or do you think this diarrhea of bad behavior could bring on a solution as to what is really happening in our culture?

I am beginning to think that this explosive awakening of sexual misconduct by men may only be the symptom to a greater problem.

We live in a society that values power and wealth and fame with some being driven to it, as a moth is to a flame, so maybe it is time for a reset.

I do not have the answers as to how to make this change, but learning how to value and respect others could be a start and it would be nice if these influential men who have been accused of using their power over a woman would get on board, too.

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.