Oh I "get it" just fine.
To all, my apology for making a blanket statement that applies to a mere 5%
or so of the population of this planet. To those who brought this to my
attention, my thanks.
I have carefully thought out my opinion and express it thusly - for the
health and well being of this list, the fine people it represents and the
ideals to which it aspires, further discussion of this matter belongs off
list.
And yes, by God Almighty, I *am* "entitled" to my opinion.
John P
______________________________________
there is no "never" - just long periods of "not yet".
there is no "always" - just long periods of "so far"
-----Original Message-----
From: William Sommerwerck <williams@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sunday, January 10, 1999 3:02 PM
Subject: [OM] yet again...
>> We all have the right to speak freely, but we are not "entitled" to
>> foolish, shallow, poorly thought-out, or self-serving opinions. If
>> people carefully thought through their opinions before expressing them,
>> public discourse would be much more agreeable and productive.
>
>But therein lies the rub. Who's to quantify what's foolish, etc? Once
>you
>establish a committee to decide, well, no more free speech, right?
>
>
>Wrong. You just don't "get it."
>
>Once people reach the age of 30 or so, they _should_ understand the
>difference between opinion and fact -- between what is (hopefully)
>objective analysis * and what merely serves their own interests.
>
>I am asking that people understand these distinctions and _think_ about
>them before they make comments. I have no trouble doing that, and most
>of the people I know -- regardless of their educational background --
>can do it.
>
>It is not a question of public censorship, or even self-censorship. It
>is a question of using your brain before you open your mouth. YOU are
>the person who decides what, in your own thinking, is "foolish, shallow,
>poorly thought-out, or self-serving." YOU are the only person who can
>root out these errors.
>
>Sorry, but I stand by my original statement -- no one is entitled to an
>opinion he or she has not made an honest effort to think through. We
>have brains -- let's use them.
>
>* Please don't flame me on this one. Everyone has differing views on
>what is "objective." But I would rather argue with someone who _tries_
>to be objective, even if he or she sees things from a different
>perspective. We don't have to agree on everything to have a productive
>discussion.
>
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