Respect, Family, Friends, and the Facebook Problem.
I am really upset! I usually do not start my blogs with this kind of a statement, but I have to put this out there because someone that I love with all of my heart and soul is being disrespected simply because of her political beliefs. That person is my soulmate, my love, my wife.... Sheryl. She's being disrespected by members of my family and some of my friends, and I will not tolerate it without making my feelings known.
First of all, if you have a differing opinion, you have a right to it. This is a free country. However, being disrespectful is not only unnecessary, it shows your lack of decorum. First, let me ask you all... and you know who the hell you are..... what has she ever done that you treat her so disrespectfully? You don't like her politics? Fine... you don't have to. She doesn't try to put down your political or religious beliefs, even though she may not agree with them. I am so damned angry, I can hardly think clearly enough to write.. but I must push on, because, goddamnit, I want you to know exactly how I feel.
If you do not respect a friends opinion, then you are not a friend. If you think that you are smarter or more educated than someone who has had more life experience than you, than you are sadly mistaken. When you try to humiliate my wife; when you try to make her look stupid... then you have to deal with me, and I am one friggin' angry Marine at this point. You need to take a good look at yourselves and stop the bullshit that you are putting out there.
Families and friends should never discuss political OR RELIGIOUS differences in public... (Facebook)... these issues should be discussed face to face. You, however, have chosen to do it in a manner that holds my wife up for ridicule, and you have angered me more than anyone else has in the past 20 years. I am sick over this.
Smarten up, and learn to give respect where respect is due, or we will have a really serious problem. I wish all people love and peace. To you few, I wish love, peace, and enlightenment, or all is lost.
I have several friends.... Patty Ann Smith Sporano comes to mind... with whom I do not always agree..... but we agree on so many things, and we respect each others opinions... why can you not do the same? If you cannot show respect, then you are not a friend, you are not a member of my family.... you are nothing to me.
I proudly served my country, believing that everyone was entitled to freedom of Religion, and the right to their political opinion. Obviously, some do not feel that way.
John Zaffino, Kent Lakes, NY
June 16, 2014
First of all, if you have a differing opinion, you have a right to it. This is a free country. However, being disrespectful is not only unnecessary, it shows your lack of decorum. First, let me ask you all... and you know who the hell you are..... what has she ever done that you treat her so disrespectfully? You don't like her politics? Fine... you don't have to. She doesn't try to put down your political or religious beliefs, even though she may not agree with them. I am so damned angry, I can hardly think clearly enough to write.. but I must push on, because, goddamnit, I want you to know exactly how I feel.
If you do not respect a friends opinion, then you are not a friend. If you think that you are smarter or more educated than someone who has had more life experience than you, than you are sadly mistaken. When you try to humiliate my wife; when you try to make her look stupid... then you have to deal with me, and I am one friggin' angry Marine at this point. You need to take a good look at yourselves and stop the bullshit that you are putting out there.
Families and friends should never discuss political OR RELIGIOUS differences in public... (Facebook)... these issues should be discussed face to face. You, however, have chosen to do it in a manner that holds my wife up for ridicule, and you have angered me more than anyone else has in the past 20 years. I am sick over this.
Smarten up, and learn to give respect where respect is due, or we will have a really serious problem. I wish all people love and peace. To you few, I wish love, peace, and enlightenment, or all is lost.
I have several friends.... Patty Ann Smith Sporano comes to mind... with whom I do not always agree..... but we agree on so many things, and we respect each others opinions... why can you not do the same? If you cannot show respect, then you are not a friend, you are not a member of my family.... you are nothing to me.
I proudly served my country, believing that everyone was entitled to freedom of Religion, and the right to their political opinion. Obviously, some do not feel that way.
John Zaffino, Kent Lakes, NY
June 16, 2014
No, we do not always agree and, if we did, we would bore each other to tears. Life isn't about being a follower but it's also not about bullying another individual over their beliefs, religious, political or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteThere is always room for learning through healthy and productive discussions even if those involved have both feet firmly planted in their convictions. That...is respect. That...is tolerance.
We will always be on opposite political sides, so what? If we agree on anything it's that the game of leadership is flawed at best. The debates will continue long after we depart from this earth and no political entity will ever go down in history as being an all-time-favorite. And, yes...grow a set and speak your mind to someone's face instead of being some bad-ass on social media.
Religion? With the exception of the murderous extremists who infest our planet...there is no area of forgiveness when someone criticizes another for the God they worship. Simply stated....STFU!
I'll leave you with this quote which seems to fit the person(s) who have upset you so; pass it along if you please.....
"Quick condemnation of all that is not ours, of views with which we disagree, of ideas that do not attract us, is the sign of a narrow mind, of an uncultivated intelligence. Bigotry is always ignorant, and the wise boy, who will become the wise man, tries to understand and to see the truth in ideas with which he does not agree."
Annie Besant
Way to go John ! No one has the right to put anyone else down. Sheryl is too nice a person for that. You are one great guy for speaking up and having you wife's back !
ReplyDeleteIt's never necessary to fling insults on social media. I'm sorry this happened to you both.
ReplyDelete