Rudeness IS Sensitive These Days!
By Doug Hagin (04/14/05)
There is a new book out called Liberalism Is a Mental Disorder, by Radio talk host Michael Savage. I have not read the book as of yet, but I certainly have every intention of doing so soon. I listen to Savage’s show from time to time and usually enjoy it, and often find myself in agreement with his views of the political world.
I do not always see eye to eye with him of course but overall he is right far more than he is wrong. He is, to put it mildly, perfectly unafraid of offending someone, and that is to be applauded for sure. In fact, if more Americans were willing to express their views in such an open manner we would be a better nation.
Further, if more politicians, especially the Conservatives, had the collective spines to speak out in a frank and candid fashion we might actually get America moving back towards the Constitution our Founders gave us. Of course, that is asking a lot in these modern super-sensitive times isn’t it. The sad fact is everyone seems so nervous about upsetting or offending someone, or some group, they are, frankly, too scared to simply speak out and be honest.
Since when do so many Americans cower in fear and silence their passionate views? When, exactly, did we lose our courage and become such a touchy-feely society? More importantly how wimpy are we going to allow ourselves to become? Will we soon find ourselves afraid to say anything to anyone?
These questions bring me back to the title of Savage’s new book. Perhaps he or someone should write another book entitled Hypersensitivity is a Mental Disorder. Certainly, it would be both timely and correct wouldn’t it? It would be a truly needed read for many of Americans as well. Consider some of the absolutely inane and outright wacky folks who find offense in things normal folks would never even notice.
We all know about the folks who go bonkers every time they see a Christmas tree or Nativity scene. We also can surely recall any number of cases where some touchy-feely type has gone berserk over a prayer at a high school football game, or a church holding service in a school building can’t we?
In my neighborhood, there is a young woman who works at a restaurant who always tells her costumers to have a blessed day when they leave. Guess what my friends? Someone recently complained to the management that she was being hurtful by saying such overtly religious things.
Hurtful? By whose delusional standards? What type of person would get offended and complain because someone said something nice to him or her? After all a blessed day would be, a good day wouldn’t it. Moreover, wishing someone a blessed day does nothing to espouse any particular view does it? Couldn’t an Atheist say the very same thing?
Yet this sweet young woman has seen her good will and positive outlook demeaned and has seen her well wishes met with intolerance and outright bitterness. Moreover, be sure she is not alone. I personally have been attacked for referring to a couple of women as ladies. Yes after holding a door open for two twenty-somethings and saying “after you ladies”, I was rewarded with sneers and complaints that the word “lady” is demeaning to women. In what demented world is “lady” a slur?
I have been told my truck; a four-door F-150 Super crew is mean looking and too big. Yes that is right now vehicles are offensive, as all the SUV bashers will gladly tell you. How small-minded a person does it take to get offended over a vehicle someone else owns? Do these folks really have that much time on their hands? On the other hand, maybe it would be more accurate to ask if they had more time on their hands than sense in their heads.
In Texas, we have a Democratic politician who is offended by high school cheerleaders, and he is trying to legislate what types of routines they can perform and outfits they can wear. If this is all the Texas State government has to do they ought to go home and do some real work don’t you think? But no this man is offended and he thinks there ought to be a law preventing his offense.
How about the folks who whine about smokers? Or cell phone users? They act as if they are entitled to legal protection from cell phones users or smokers. They cheer when some city passes a non-smoking law, or a law forbidding cell phone usage while driving. Never mind that these laws undermine all of our liberties. Never mind that one day something these folks enjoy might be targeted by an overzealous legislature. Never mind any of that, these folks are offended and someone must suffer.
Oh but these are just a small sampling of the hatred and intolerance towards politeness and manners in our society. Where have words like “please” and “thank you” disappeared? Surely, they are not used as they once were. Remember when parents made their kids behave in public? Remember when people waved when you let them in on the highway? Remember when people actually took the time to put their empty shopping carts up instead of leaving them where they might roll and damage someone’s vehicle? Of course, if you drive a “mean-looking” truck I guess you deserve to have a shopping cart damage it don’t you. It is truly odd that in such a hypersensitive climate courtesy and manners are rapidly falling by the way side isn’t it.
On second thought, maybe it is not though. These folks who are always whining about some imagined offense are very self-centered it would seem. So, why should it surprise anyone that they themselves would be rude and inconsiderate of others? They are so self-absorbed and insistent on being offended over every little thing that they have become boorish, inconsiderate, and rude in the extreme.
Oh but they are special I suppose. They can treat anyone any way they like. They can make our lives a royal pain with their constant carping and complaining, but don’t you dare tell them to have a blessed day or drive the wrong kind of automobile, or call women ladies. Instead, you should be as sensitive as they are, no matter how rude and obnoxious you have to be to do so.
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