OK, it's been some time since I've written anything on this blog, but it's time for me to say something. As the title to this paragraph states, I'm going to get up on my soapbox and state my opinions on something, and it may get a little long winded. So, strap yourself in, this could get interesting!
Today after the Detroit Tigers game, their manager Brad Ausmus made a statement that has ruffled a few feathers and got some people in an uproar. Reporters were grilling him about the team's play of late and how it affects him personally. The Tigers have been in a huge slump the last month or so, and naturally it has to affect the manager. When asked what he does when he gets home, he commented "beat my wife." Brad was just joking and within a few seconds of making the statement, he made sure that everyone knew it was meant as a joke and that he does not make light of battered women.
Obviously, we can all see why this comment would upset some people. The idea of a man beating his wife, or any woman, sickens me, as I'm sure it does many of you. However, I am able to see that it was said as a joke. This brings me to MY issue. Why in the world are people so sensitive anymore to what others say???
Once again, I want to state unequivocally that I am against any man laying his hands on a woman in a manner that would be considered violent. I just don't understand why people these days can't seem to understand when someone is joking and when they are serious. It has gotten to the point that people can not say anything without someone getting upset about it. Let's all just take a step back and exhale for a moment. I find that in today's society, we are more sensitive and weak minded than what we were 20 or 30 years ago. There is ALWAYS somebody who is upset about how they have been slighted by someone else.
I read on Facebook today a post about someone overhearing a parent at a sporting event venting that one of the YOUNG people participating was just showing off and trying to make the others look bad just because this child was excelling at the event. What the heck is wrong here??? We are living in a society today that discourages excellence. Everyone gets a ribbon for participation, we don't keep score in games, everyone "wins." All to keep someone from getting their feelings hurt!!! What are we a bunch of wimps??? We all have interests in life that we excel at, why are we discouraged from doing so? Just because Little Johnny isn't as good at basketball as Little Billy doesn't mean Billy is less of a person. Billy is probably better at something(art, singing, golf, football...)than Johnny and when it comes time for that activity, he should be encouraged to be the best! I am so sick of people complaining about equality! Yes, we are all created equal, but no we are not all equal at all things!
This brings me back to Brad Ausmus. Everyone has their opinion, but I bet a lot(most?) people will agree with me on this subject. We are living in a country where we have the Constitutional right to free speech. Yet, we do not have this right protected in all ways. We can say anything we want, but we have to be willing to deal with the consequences of what we say. Let's take a look at Donald Sterling. We have all heard about what he did and said. First off, I feel that he is a racist and his point of view on things is disgusting. BUT, he has the right to feel that way and the right to say those things that he said. He should not face any legal ramifications for what he said, ever. However, he was basically fired from the NBA for saying those things. And, the NBA has the right to do so. If they do not want to be associated with a person who is an obvious racist, they have that right. So, how does Mr. Sterling's case relate to Brad Ausmus? Well, it's the way people take things anymore. Donald Sterling was obviously very serious about what he said, and those are his beliefs. Brad Ausmus was obviously kidding and not serious about what he said. Where we've broken down as a society is in how we take things. Everyone is so ready to jump on something and claim to be offended. Just like I'm sure many who read this blog right now are going to be offended. Know right now, that I don't mean to offend anyone, however, I believe in my heart that we have become too sensitive to too many things.
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