Are we Parenting by Example?

Had a great discusion at dinner last night with three generations...  parents,  a young woman in the business world,  and a teenager.  They were talking about what happens when children break rules (team rules, the law, etc.) and their parents defend them.  What messages are we sending our children by protecting them at all costs?  What messages are we sending them by justifying our behaviour and finding excuses for the rules we ourselves break.  We live in a world that sets murderers free and gives drunk drivers at least a second chance.  So... what does this say to the generation we are raising?  The best thing we can do for our children is live OUR lives as honest and compassionate as we can.  No one is perfect.  We all break the rules, make mistakes, and hurt others.  When we do, we apologize, try not to do it again, and pay the price.  If our children see this, they learn from it.  If your child gets in trouble, breaks a rule, hurts someone's feelings, etc., the best thing to do is talk to them about it.  Listen and ask questions.  Give them a consequence and tell them you believe that the action was bad but they are not.  We will not do our children any favors by defending them (if they were wrong).  We are preparing them for the real world where bosses and clients and law enforcers don't want excuses.