I never thought that I would be old enough to repeat my Grandmothers' words. I wish things were like when I was young. Change is always hard for people, I get that. But, Change for the worse is a real hard trick for this old dog to learn. The change I refer to is common civility. The acts of common courtesy and respect for others and their views. There was a time when a Catholic, a Presbyterian and an atheist could remain friends and never have discourse. One would think with the blossoming new "accept all" politically correct world, that such would be true.
Unfortunately, such is not the case in our communities, our neighborhoods and on the computer forums. There is a rule to the tune of address the post not the poster. I have seen many times when such is not the case. Completely ignoring a post is a well known way to address the poster without addressing, a passive/aggressive means with which to control a persons ideas, ideologies or thoughts. Ignoring a post is sometimes more hurtful than just agreeing to disagree in a civil manner.
With two U.S. led wars and many others that are happening outside the common knowledge, one would think that there would be peace at least at home. War breeds war IMO. Bullying others, declaring where and when houses of worship can be built, burning the Koran and other acts of discourse serve to flame the public into a righteous indignation and a sense of imperialism. "My group (religion, thought process,race, nationality, creed, whatever) is superior to all others and is the more intelligent and more "science based" of others." This is dangerous thinking IMO.
I am personally much like Sweden. I am neutral. I accept others opinions and agree or agree to disagree. I answer others with civility and expect like in return. I acknowledge the rights of all Americans to worship (or not) at will and above all, I respect others even when they don't respect me. But, today, I am wondering if respecting those that don't respect me is a form of bullying myself. Should I allow myself to be mistreated? Should I not care and protect the person I hold most dear? I am a worthy human. I am a valued and loyal friend. I have a humorous side that some admire and many "don't get." I am O.K. with that. I have an above average intelligence, am well read and well mannered and always say excuse me when I burp. I am not such a bad person.
I think from today on I will give myself permission to ignore uncivil people and if pursued, I will give myself the permission to tell them to back off. I will begin to be proactive in protecting myself from bullies and know-it-alls and "I have bigger and betters." I will no longer be a spectator to my own hanging. I will be cutting the rope.
I will be caring for my best friend, me. Today is a proud day.
Unfortunately, such is not the case in our communities, our neighborhoods and on the computer forums. There is a rule to the tune of address the post not the poster. I have seen many times when such is not the case. Completely ignoring a post is a well known way to address the poster without addressing, a passive/aggressive means with which to control a persons ideas, ideologies or thoughts. Ignoring a post is sometimes more hurtful than just agreeing to disagree in a civil manner.
With two U.S. led wars and many others that are happening outside the common knowledge, one would think that there would be peace at least at home. War breeds war IMO. Bullying others, declaring where and when houses of worship can be built, burning the Koran and other acts of discourse serve to flame the public into a righteous indignation and a sense of imperialism. "My group (religion, thought process,race, nationality, creed, whatever) is superior to all others and is the more intelligent and more "science based" of others." This is dangerous thinking IMO.
I am personally much like Sweden. I am neutral. I accept others opinions and agree or agree to disagree. I answer others with civility and expect like in return. I acknowledge the rights of all Americans to worship (or not) at will and above all, I respect others even when they don't respect me. But, today, I am wondering if respecting those that don't respect me is a form of bullying myself. Should I allow myself to be mistreated? Should I not care and protect the person I hold most dear? I am a worthy human. I am a valued and loyal friend. I have a humorous side that some admire and many "don't get." I am O.K. with that. I have an above average intelligence, am well read and well mannered and always say excuse me when I burp. I am not such a bad person.
I think from today on I will give myself permission to ignore uncivil people and if pursued, I will give myself the permission to tell them to back off. I will begin to be proactive in protecting myself from bullies and know-it-alls and "I have bigger and betters." I will no longer be a spectator to my own hanging. I will be cutting the rope.
I will be caring for my best friend, me. Today is a proud day.
