When someone writes an article, they are not writing a book report, they are not doing a synopsis, they are not compiling a grocery list.  Sure an article is sprinkled with facts, an article may even be fact heavy, but if there is no opinion expressed in the article, unless of course it’s strictly a news item, that’s all it is, a list of facts. 

I recently had the opportunity to experience the “No Opinions Allowed” phenomenon when someone felt the overwhelming need to make sure I knew that the opinion I was expressing was certainly only just my opinion, just my interpretation of the facts in evidence, not the opinion of anyone else, unless of course they were also foolish enough to think that they could utter an opinion unsullied by politically correct disclaimers.

I thought I handled it quite well.  I didn’t curse at them, or call them a stuffed shirt.  I didn’t even ask them where they got off thinking they some guardian lemming of all conformist too tender hearted to be different society holds dear.

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What has our society become?  We cannot speak our minds without taking into consideration that someone somewhere might disagree with our opinion so we must temper it with the disclaimer that it is indeed just an opinion, and after all who are we to think we could possible know something?

It has taken control of our casual lives.  It has taken control of our business lives.  It has taken control of our media – not what they say, but what people they report about and interview say.

It has taken control of our schools.  No one who is not an approved authority must discount what they say or it will be done for them in a quick and brutal fashion.

No one must feel bad. 

No one must think they know, or can know anything.

Unless of course they are an authority.  Or agree with authorities.

How does one become an authority?

Want to have some fun?  The next time one of these self-appointed guardians of tolerance stick their corporate nose into your life, tell them they’re wrong and to stuff it.

Watch them splutter.  They’ll put on a good show.