3. Most importantly- Life happens. Relatives die, relatives get married, people get sick, vacations happen, exams and tests and grades are a priority, band concerts happen, kids have a job and the boss won't give you time off, the car breaks down, the Dr.'s office is busy and hard to reschedule...
Stuff happens and players miss practice, it's not the end of the world, quit acting like it is.
Sit-out penalties are not the end of the world, either.
I enjoyed your post, but my reaction to it is that you have a tough time accepting that someone whose competence you don't respect all that much is the one setting the rules.