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.