Names

There is a disturbing trend in the current political discourse.  Rather than facts or platforms, name-calling seems to have become the top political sport.

If I'm listening to or reading your political argument or statement, you've lost me as soon as the name-calling begins.    That behavior tells me that you're either unsure of your facts or lack the intelligence to make your point without reverting to kindergarten antics.  It doesn't matter where you fall on the political spectrum, my feelings are the same.  Name-calling does not make your argument, it only weakens it.

Let's move on to the vitriole being spewed at women.  Terms like slut, prostitute, b...., idiot, etc. have been directed at women of both liberal and conservative leanings.  Whether said by Bill Maher or Rush Limbaugh, it's wrong.  Whether directed at Sarah Fluke or Sarah Palin...it's wrong.  A true gentleman would never allow or condone such treatment of any woman.  Did you catch the key word there?  Yes, GENTLEMAN.

Gentleman sounds like such an old-fashioned term, doesn't it?  I find that sad.  When did it become okay for a man to treat any woman this way?  I think I prefer old-fashioned.  Old-fashioned doesn't have to mean outdated or obsolete.  Current and up-to-date shouldn't excuse profanity used at or directed to any woman by any man.

So, GENTLEMEN, I have a challenge for you.  If the term you are about to use would never be permitted by you to be used in reference to your own wife or daughter...don't use it.  If you would never suffer your wife or daughter being addressed by such a derogatory name, don't use it.  Politics, the times, or someone else doing it does not excuse the behavior.

And those are my random thoughts this morning...