THE OFFENDED

THE OFFENDED

By Andy Weddington

Saturday, 17 April 2021

Self-importance requires spending most of one's life offended by something or someone. - Carlos Castaneda

"News" is not.

Ignoring for months now, the time once wasted dedicated to more important matters - like patronizing local parks to wander lake shore, anchor benches, visit with strangers, look and listen and reflect and think, and paint.

For example, a couple days ago before reaching the lake shore I met "Anna."

A curly-haired trim and fit beauty and though a stranger her bright eyes and body language clear - Anna was looking for love.  

So I squatted with open palm and we became fast friends.

Anna's (toy poodle) master said a traditional dog name just did not suit her. 

Clearly. 

Personality, vigor, joy, and trust defied her 11 (77) years. 

We bid farewell and I made for the lake.

But to back up ...

On talk radio before arriving at the park the program host was covering current political correctness. He said with snark, " ... but you can't say that ...". 

I laughed out loud. So did my passenger - mom - laugh out loud.

Oh yes you can say that.

You can say whatever you want (of course, with consequences - there's direct correlation between polite words and positive outcomes; ask a police officer, for example).  

An Amendment to the Constitution says you can say that. 

And another Amendment puts some oomph behind what you can say, and do. They're commonly known as rights. Read the Bill - one of the two best Top Tens of all time.

Too (on talk radio) was blurted the words "equal justice." 

Gobbledygook. 

One complement "moronic stupidity." 

Good grief. 

So on to the "offended."

Who's offended?

Every veteran at eternal rest. 

They're absolutely offended. 

Mill about them. Listen; closely. 

Every working, tax-paying, doing-the-right-thing-for-the-right-reasons citizen is offended. 

Walk amongst them. Talk. Listen more. They're pissed. Finally. 

Entering one park is planted temporary sign (akin to political campaign season pollution): "Mask Up." 

In the park no one I saw wore a mask. 

Nor was social distancing practiced.

Translation: The sane citizenry, the offended, now saluting with the offensive middle digit. Hooray! for civil disobedience - peaceful protest, if you will.

There's this matter of freedom on their minds.

Reality - real news - is they're done with nonsense. 

An impromptu conversation with neighborhood acquaintances a couple evenings ago seconded the attitude in the park and sundry other public venues patronized. 

IGWT. 

G does not stand for Government.

The real threat to America is the war being waged between stupidity and courage.

To date, courage has prevailed.  

Self-importance?

Try ordering someone else's dog around.

I hope to again run into Anna - what a sweetie! 

In the meantime, fellow Americans you're Constitutionally free to say and do whatever but best to be polite; with pinch of snark, of course. 

The fittest win the race.