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CHOOSE RANT | ||
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Title: Apologies Day: April 11th, 2000 Author: Ruiner |
The headlines of recent weeks. What, did you think I was gonna apologize for something I've said on the site? You gotta be kidding. Okay, maybe sometimes I will concede and throw up some defense against negative backlash. I don't mean to offend people - I honestly just want to make them think and occasionally smile with me. But I'm not about to come out and say what I think is wrong, or that I have rethought all of my opinions. And that's all I'm seeing these days. Someone throwing up their arms and saying 'Whoops, I was wrong.' Maybe you were, but c'mon people. Stand your ground. I honestly doubt that most of these people were completely talking out of their ass when they said what they did. Many of these things are deep-rooted, feelings that are ingrained. They damn sure may not be Politically Correct, but there is one imporant thing to remember: we're all fallible. That baseball guy, John 'Rocker' may be a hardcore racist. He spoke his closed mind on television. Now people hate him, hate his theme song, and his coaches didn't want him to play for a while. No problem, he's a moron anyway. News Flash: he's not the only racist on the teams… he's just the one who opened his mouth in public. I don't advocate his views, but he said them. Isn't it enough that people think he's a moron and leave it at that? No, that's too easy. He has to get up on television somewhere and offer a public apology and say that his opinions were wrong, he's trying to reform, yadda yadda. How much do you want to bet that was the condition of his return to baseball. I doubt if a word he said was heartfelt, save that he wants to play a good game. Why can't someone stand up and say: " Ladies and gentlemen. I am sorry if my earlier words offended any of you listening. Those were my opinions, something true to me. They may not be what you want to hear, but remember that I am a human being, and therefore imperfect. Would you rather me lie to preserve your sensibilities?" But no, since this person is in the public eye he must be PC. 'He represents the sport/ government/ television show as a whole.' So we'll make him get up there in front of everyone and lie just to ease the troubled minds of everyone watching. And to ease the troubled consciences of those people who could lose money over it. I don't know, maybe it's just me. I believe that apologies should be spontaneous, and they most definitely should be heartfelt. And I'm just not getting that warm and fuzzy heartfelt feeling watching these guys say they're sorry. They may be sorry they slipped up and said something that wasn't smart, but even that is usually because they are in trouble. I really can't stand fake apologies. Some people may think me to be a bit heartless, but I don't apologize that often. To me, I want it to come direct from the soul. I won't give you one unless I mean it. I may even hesitate some, just to get the honest feeling behind the words. Too many people to me seem throw out "I'm sorry" like a reflex. I try to say "I'm sorry" with the same gravity as I would say "I love you". Is that wrong? And I cannot believe some of these groups asking others to apologize for actions they truly didn't even commit. Asking the tobacco companies to apologize to all the poor schmucks out there addicted to smoking? Who in their right mind has no idea that cigarettes are bad for you? That may not have been known in the twenties or so, but those handy dandy Surgeon General warnings should clue someone in. Yes, the exhilaration of a smoke may be evil and attractive, but these companies did not set you on your knees and make you smoke one after another until you were hooked. Blame your peer pressure friends and high stress jobs for that. They should apologize. And then there's the touchy issue of slavery in early America. Yes, I'm white, of the very pale variety. I'm not sure, but I believe there was some ownership of slaves way back in my family history. Does that make me responsible? No. Have I inherited any racism from the fact? No. Are any of the african americans alive today truly suffering because of pre-Civil War slavery? My opinion, no. Yes, slavery sucked. It was an inhuman action fueled by greed and pride, and it darkens our cultural history. But I cannot apologize for what they did. It was not my action and I had no bearing in it whatsoever. Hell, I wouldn't even want to apologize for actions my hellraising father did before I was born. Why would I even think of making amends for something I didn't do? That's assinine. But there are those people who throw that guilt around like its their personal ball and chain. Get a new crutch, friends. That one is centuries-old. These people want some apologies? Here we go: I'm sorry all men were not created equal and that many of the masses lack the neccesary common sense and sense of humor to make this a great society. I apologize for telling things as I see it, knowing that there are lots of weak-minded people out there who could be offended by my startling opinions. I'm sorry that many of you intelligent, understanding people out there have to endure the narrow-minded masses that impede your progress towards greatness. Ah, these are just too good. To write more could devalue their startling honesty. Heh. But I'm open to more suggestions. Write in, send me a flavored apology. If I get more than two, I'll post them up in the near future. B.Mooney | ||||
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