To start, why are the people of this country so enamored with "tags"? White, Black, Hispanic, Democrat, Republican, Liberal, Red State, Blue State, Protestant, Catholic, Christian, Atheist, Muslim, Buhdist, etc., who cares?
Seems to me the basis upon which this country was established was as an early refuge for those who deplored being judged by their "tags" because they CHOSE to live and worship in a certain manner.
Why should we be any different? It seems obvious that even though the 21st century American (a term of which I do not particularly care) has better methods of and achievment in education, we are not much, if at all smarter, than our ancestors when it comes to social harmony.
It seems that the first to cry "freedom" are often the second to
demand THEIR way of life and beliefs be honored by the next person.
I also love the way so many people CHOOSE to be offended by the slightest comment or symbol. I'm offended that in the US, I must choose among 3-14 languages in order to interact with a machine to get my money, but I don't go around blowing up or suing the banks the own the machine. I've got a real pain-in-the-***, "if it doesn't benefit me, it must be wrong" redneck neighbor, but I don't walk a picket line in front of his house demanding his ouster from the neighborhood.
I just live my life the way I CHOOSE without screwing around with anyone else's. That doesn't mean I approve or accept everyone's way of living, but nor does it mean I expect them to approve or accept my way of life because I'm a (insert your lifestyle here).
Offended by a word? Get over it. A word is nothing more than a particular compilation of letters meant for the purpose of communication. Have you ever seen a word cause any destruction? And don't start with the mental stress and anguish bull**** (oops, someone must have been offended by that word and blasphemed by taking the place of God by coveting their neighbors property).
Are you offended that I laughed at your hairstyle? Guess what? The same right that permits you to have that hairstyle also allows me to express an opinion of it. Don't like it? Don't care.
Don't take my opinion as blanket absolution to everyone's actions, it is not. There are certain circumstances and arenas where a certain set of manners or decorum is expected and violating those expectations can very well cause one's lifestyle to be altered by those in control of that environment. You may lose your job or position, but at least you had the right to make a choice of how to express yourself.
Now the flames can begin
