Comments on: On Tough Love http://www.thomaspaineblog.org/2007/07/01/on-tough-love/ The First American Blogger l His Words in Today's Context Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:43:45 +0000 hourly 1 By: Thomas Schueneman http://www.thomaspaineblog.org/2007/07/01/on-tough-love/#comment-29 Thomas Schueneman Sat, 14 Jul 2007 22:56:33 +0000 http://www.thomaspaineblog.org/2007/07/01/on-tough-love/#comment-29 Thanks Jon, All good points. Tom Thanks Jon,

All good points.

Tom

]]> By: Jon http://www.thomaspaineblog.org/2007/07/01/on-tough-love/#comment-25 Jon Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:10:15 +0000 http://www.thomaspaineblog.org/2007/07/01/on-tough-love/#comment-25 It has been my experience that offense can only be given where it's wanted. In our world today there are uncounted millions who want to be offended, and the introduction of politically correct language doesn't eliminate the occasions of offense, it only clouds truth. Ambiguity is the enemy of truth, and PC language is as ambiguous as it gets. Neither go to far too offend, or too far not to offend. That's my maxim. Civility in public discourse is like asking people not to eat in restaurants. A cursory study of history will show just how uncivil public discourse can get. Can anyone say Aaron Burr? Alexander Hamilton was on the receiving end of a particularly uncivil debate with that man. The point is, we must have the courage to risk offending others, and the generosity of spirit to not take offense so easily, if we are to continue successfully with this great experiment that is America. Jon It has been my experience that offense can only be given where it’s wanted. In our world today there are uncounted millions who want to be offended, and the introduction of politically correct language doesn’t eliminate the occasions of offense, it only clouds truth. Ambiguity is the enemy of truth, and PC language is as ambiguous as it gets.

Neither go to far too offend, or too far not to offend.

That’s my maxim. Civility in public discourse is like asking people not to eat in restaurants. A cursory study of history will show just how uncivil public discourse can get. Can anyone say Aaron Burr? Alexander Hamilton was on the receiving end of a particularly uncivil debate with that man.

The point is, we must have the courage to risk offending others, and the generosity of spirit to not take offense so easily, if we are to continue successfully with this great experiment that is America.

Jon

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