Sticks and Stones

XKCD.com

I'm not sure if that 'toon helps explain the title or if invalidates it.  Either way, it's an interesting way to get to my point today-  words are just that- words, and we put far too much emphasis on some of them.  Air passes the vocal cords and then the lips and tongue help shape it into words as they pass out of our mouths.   They can sound eloquent, mean, motivational, insensitive, wise, threatening, or a multitude of other adjectives depending on the viewpoint and emotional state of the listener.

Here's another:

Calvin and Hobbes

In this one, little Susie Derkins starts off strong, but by the third frame, she's allowed her emotions to get the better of her.  And as a result, she's hurt by whatever words Calvin threw at her.  One of the important aspects of this though, is that both Calvin and Susie are children, not to mention fictional comic characters, and probably incapable of fully using logic to prevent the words from cutting.

We're not children though.  We are far more able to weigh and value words that are spoken, able to consider the source and context of them.  And thus, we're able to prevent the cutting and pain.  Then again, it's somewhat immature and petulant, sometimes adjectives used to describe a child, for an adult to discount intent, context, the audience, the situation, etc.

As a society though, we've either grown far too sensitive, forgetting the lessons we learned as children, or we've decided to jump on the snowflake bandwagon, finding fault in every word that isn't blanketed in generic softness.  And too many Americans seem to go around looking for ways to be offended.

Sticks and stones is an "old adage" with an adage being defined as a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth.  When we stifle the truth though, all sorts of bad things happen.   It's even worse when one lies or obscures the truth to fit an agenda.  A couple friends of mine had a well-mannered discussion regarding the recent and alleged statement by our President regarding the condition of various third world nations.  As a former member of the military, I've been all over the world and while the description might very well be mean and insensitive,  it's often an apt description nevertheless.  Sure, I wouldn't use it when speaking to a wide audience or with anyone from one of those places, but neither was Trump.  However, have you googled the place recently?

One part of the discussion centered on the position that while the comment might be crude and not "Presidential," similar language from other politicians goes unchecked and without consequence.   He also expressed the opinion and that several cities in the US, long under Democratic rule, are on the path to becoming similarly described.  The other side of the argument was more of an emotional one, with a statement that there are far more accurate words that aren't as antagonistic and foul.  Continuing with softer language that the statement lacks compassion for nations of poverty and with minimal social order.  

I for one and tired of the nearly overwhelming penchant for soft pedaling in our society, never calling a spade a spade, nor using the harsh language that a situation sometimes deserves.  I tend to appreciate less softened language and factual or more pointed discussions that don't shy away from what is true and what needs to be said to effect change.  I sometimes had to yell at my kids, maybe even with a little harsh language, even now as they are adults, to get my point across. When we avoid telling the truth or what people need to hear, often because of some sense of politeness or to limit the effect on someones feelings, it does no one any good, and prevents the "shame" that forces behavior to change.  Some examples?  The tremendous lack of nuclear family structure in the Black community in some areas of the US, how welfare perpetuates poverty, how California is crumbling under the weight of its own welfare system, how welfare use by immigrant populations is over 50% and nearly 75% for some demographics.  We are a compassionate country, and we always will be, whether or not we allow unfettered immigration, build a wall, allow amnesty, expect violent criminal non-citizens to be deported, etc. Those are all inconvenient truths that deserve to be aired, in order to make fact-based vice emotional hard decisions.

Then there's the fact that this statement, if true, wasn't even said in public.  It was said in a closed session in the Oval Office, and one of the offended quickly ran to a camera to make a record of the incident.  Does that mitigate the comment or serve as a defense of the President?  I don't know and more importantly, I really don't care.  It's Susie Derkins allowing herself to be hurt by the name calling, and a petulant member of congress, one with a suspect history of lying about Oval Office happenings, who whines about it for political gain.  Some on the left wish for a continuation of mealy-mouthed politicians that say nothing to offend, expecting that to bring about some sort of Utopia.  My friend used that in his counter-argument that this desire and perspective is admirable, but Pollyannish.  A world without diversity of thought, or adversity forced by challenges, will never result in an improved society. 

MikeRowe.com

I'll end my rant with a link to an article from the Daily Caller which describes how Mike Rowe politely and brilliantly destroys one person who doesn't want any diversity of thought and who relies on emotional pleas vice tangible discussion points.  On a similar note, another friend told me about a college professor  who judges debate competitions. She said that the "personal/emotional argument" now carries as much weight as a logical, carefully crafted argument.  A master of the crafted argument, Mike Rowe might be more eloquent than the President, but like him, he gives no quarter as he stands his ground against the idea that different (read that as Right Wing and Conservative) opinions must be suppressed.  Check it out here:  Mike Rowe

Ok, I'll get back in my box now.  Thankfully Sarge lets me out every once in a while.