Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

Before you read on, Blogger code is messed up, so I don't know why this post is displaying with white boxes behind some text. Can't see anything in the HTML, so there.

All people are skilled in various trades and professions. All people have skills in different areas of creativity from art to zen. All people are different. So what is it that binds us together in a common mutual cohesive unit? 

We all have the ability to piss other people off.

Some of us do it better than others, some people get their kids out of doing it. It's a talent. You'd think they'd practised for years, taking the failures with the successes. In reality, some people are just better at it. They are well versed at digging into their opponent's (or victim's) psyche, grabbing ahold of the one idea or belief and twisting the dagger into it to maximum affect. These people are generally known as assholes.

Assholes (shl) n. Vulgar Slang 1. The anus. 2. A thoroughly contemptible, detestable person. 3. The most miserable or undecirable place in a particular area), generally don't care what they do to piss someone off, they don't care how this person feels about being the brunt of the bullying, they just do it to get their kicks. Why?

They always (except to themselves) just come off as morons. (moron (ˈmɔːrɒn) n 1. a foolish or stupid person 2. (Psychology) a person having an intelligence quotient of between 50 and 70, able to work under supervision).

Nobody has time for negativity like this in our lives. 

So why can't we all just get along? Why can't we just debate issues instead of blowing them out of proportion and losing our wits about the most mundane things? Why do people have to be douchebags? Today it's become the norm that being politically correct and non-confrontational is the only way to succeed. That's not the case at all. We all have our beliefs and we as a free people are allowed to disclose them with whatever public forum floats our boat. Whether that be one on one, in social media, on TV, radio, whatever. We will implode if we do not put forth our opinions. 

But you don't have to be an asshole about it.

I've been reading a lot lately online about various issues facing the world, terrorism, crime, human rights, the basic right from wrong crap. I've seen some wonderful debates from very intelligent people and I've rather enjoyed reading them. Commenters who address their adversary as sir or madam, those are particularly worth reading because you can see the obvious mutual respect for opinions. Obviously it's not their opinion, but they respect the opposing point of view and don't come across with "If I want your opinion I'll give it to you".

Then I've seen some nasty shit flinging.

Reading CNN International yesterday there was a debate about women's rights in the middle east. Now I am diametrically opposed to misogynistic garbage being spouted about women, I love them. Life wouldn't be the same without them. But these asshats commenting (the discussion was about ISIS' treatment of women and sharia law) were outright opposed to women's rights and had no qualms in telling the pro-rights commenters off. They're assholes. See above definition. And it wasn't just from people that support sharia. I saw comments from those opposed to such draconian measures but still supported the view that women are second class citizens.

This morning I read a post from a friend who wrote about men's rights today and how they're being eroded in today's society. I loved the post, but I, like anyone else who read it, had to take it for the facts. This person risked being outed as a racist (racist [rey-sist] n 1. a person who believes in racism, the doctrine that a certain human race is superior to any or allothers. a 2. of or like racists or racism:racist policies; racist attitudes). That may not be the best word for it, but it does fit with the overall feeling put across. Views about women can easily translate into similar views for all of humanity. This person took a chance to cleverly and succinctly express his opinions, and he got slammed for it. Not fair to this particular topic. Everyone has an opinion, and he got the facts to back it up before putting the first word out. Good show. Not an asshole.

High schools have debate clubs. Politics is about debate. Simple conversation is about debate - a back and forth on a particular issue, with each side contributing to the idea. A resolution isn't always common, but at the end of it you can go have a beer together. Assholes can't fathom this concept.

People aren't going to agree with me on this. I don't care. It's my opinion and I have no fear in expressing it. Bring on the debate. Bring on the opposing opinions. Just don't be an asshole about it. 

Cheers.