On Opinions
Opinions. We all have them, and
that’s a good thing, I suppose. It’s a sign that the old noggin is working. I
have to wonder, however, why some individuals are so free in expressing their
opinions without considering first how an idea they are promoting, or pushing, might
be received. Aren’t we taught to consider outcomes? Temperance in voicing
viewpoints seems to have been swept under the carpet these days; or perhaps the
problem simply is that a few folk’s filters are so out of whack that they are
unable to reflect first before spewing sentiments that may be misguided, if not
inaccurate altogether.
We often are bombarded with the
points of view of others, especially these days, with the run for the United
States presidency ramping up at warp speed, with under-inflated footballs being
the talk of the town, with the one percent paying for power, and with poor,
mistaken meteorologists running for cover. Everyone, from terrorists to
tourists, from hacks to hatemongers, from politicians to PTA parents, wants to
have a say. That baseball player’s salary is what? Are you kidding? Is it true
that a commissioner of sports is paid more yearly than the combined income of
every resident in my hometown? Which celebrity had an affair? Who said that couple
shouldn’t get married? He said that? She’s doing what? On and on, opinions are
on fire!
When it gets right down to it
though, opinions, per se, are not what bother me; it’s judgments. Why? It's simple. When beliefs, attitudes, or other notions that harbor concealed judgments are let loose unrestrained,
the results can be hurtful, if not devastating. Certainly we have a right to own
our opinions, but a little moderation in judgment-making, however difficult that
might be, would be just fine with me. Just saying . . . and a “select few” people I know understand why.
