Seems there are a lot of people out there willing to talk without “the filter”. And by “the filter” I’m referring to that mechanism in our heads that stops us from saying whatever the hell we want (oops, my filter is a bit buggy too!). Let’s look at the past week, shall we?
Loudmouth #1: Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Infraction: Heckling the President during a joint session of congress 9/9/09
Residence: Charleston, South Carolina
Born: July 31, 1947 (1947-07-31) (age 62)
Political party: Republican
Alma mater: Washington and Lee University, University of South Carolina
Occupation: Attorney
Now, being an attorney, his filter is a bit out of whack. He’s used to yelling “I object!” or “Objection!” or “Here’s my fee”. So maybe it was reflex that made him yell out. This is not normal for a joint session of congress, nor was it condoned by either party. Apparently all the town hall meetings have proven 2 things. 1. People don’t know all the facts (of either sides positions) 2. People will yell random stupid crap. Joe Wilson may just be reflecting his constituents, regardless of how rude they may be. Both sides have been guilty of this, but only Joe has brought the unrest to a presidential level.
Loudmouth #2: Serena Williams
Infraction: Threatening a line judge with physical harm 9/12/09
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Born: September 26, 1981 (1981-09-26) (age 27)
Turned pro: 1995
Sports often brings out emotions. Heck, I was yelling at Aaron Rodgers last night to stop running into the end zone or you’ll get a SAFETY YOU FREAKING IDIOT!! *Ahem* Sorry. With something as important (for a tennis career) as the US Open, things can get a bit out of hand. But you can’t threaten a line judge. My favorite part that is not in the video is when the officials meet to discuss what was said, Serena over hears the conversation and says “I didn’t say I would kill you!” No, you didn’t directly say that, instead you said “I swear to God I’m f-ing going to take this f-ing ball and shove it down your f-ing throat, you hear that? I swear to God.” So, technically, she wasn’t going to kill her. I’m sure you can breathe through your nose when your throat is full of tennis ball.
As this millennial blogger wrote: A member of another generation may have taken her situation lying down, but not a Millennial. Millennials say what they feel when they feel is, is there anything wrong with that?
Um…yes. There is. Which brings us to last night.
Douchebag Loudmouth #3: Kanye West
Infraction: Interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech to voice his opinion on who should have won 9/13/09
Born: June 8, 1977 (1977-06-08) (age 32)
Residence: Atlanta, Georgia
Occupation(s): Producer, rapper, musician, singer
So the person you wanted didn’t win. Did you have to ruin it for someone else? And your apology didn’t help. At the end of it he says. “I’m not crazy y’all, I’m just real.”
The reality is no one cares about your opinion, certainly not in the middle of someone else’s acceptance speech. But you have a habit of opening your mouth to express things at the wrong moment.
Apparently Kanye West Doesn’t Care About Young White Women!
Oddly enough, I think it was George Clooney who said it best in an op-ed piece he wrote on manners. From the Daily Mail:
I sometimes ask someone why they felt they had to say something hurtful, and they’ll say, ‘Well, you know, I’m just telling you how it is.’ I want to say, ‘Well, but actually, that’s not the way it is, it’s just the way you want to think it is. And sometimes, it’s just an excuse for you to take a potshot!’
So here’s my plea – next time you’re tempted to ‘tell it like it is’, please don’t. Please stop, think for a moment, and find something nice to say, instead. After all, it’s only good manners.
Damn you Clooney! Handsome, talented and somewhat sane…where does it stop?
Like car maintenance you need to check your filter often and see if it’s working properly. Expressing yourself is a good thing – when done at the appropriate time and place. Yelling crap out only makes you look weak, stupid and immature.
Things most of us try to avoid.
Just keeping it real…you know?
