Long ago, when I first started this column, my intention was to make it a fun, tongue-in-cheek affair that hopefully made you think as you smiled. It wasn’t supposed to be anything too serious — just enough of a thought-shaker to get your grey matter churning. Like any good column, it elicited mixed reactions — some people didn’t like what I had to say, some could take it or leave it, but most enjoyed my musings and then went about their daily business.
Along the way, I found my voice and realized that sometimes my thoughts were downright genius — and that I made a lot of sense to a lot of people. I also realized that there were a lot of readers out there that found my opinions and brand of honesty not to their liking — and that’s okay because we are all entitled to our opinions.
In the last several months, however, some in reader-land have become meaner than junk yard dogs in their responses to the column. Instead of finding inspiration in a different perspective, they cling to their own narrow views. And their condemnations have become down-right nasty and rude.
So what gives?
This is America, the land where Freedom of Speech is paramount. Or is it only paramount for the speech that happens to support the popular ideals of the day?
Me thinks that as long as you say what the politically correct folk want you to say, you can probably skate along relatively unscathed. But if you dare to speak a thought that isn’t very pleasant — that isn’t on the right side of politically correct — you run the risk of bringing condemnation down upon your head and enraging the “enlightened” bullies out for blood.
Not for nuthin™ but it seems as if free speech has suddenly become not-so-free — indeed very expensive — right here in the Borough of Kings.
So this week, I’d like to share this thought: Thank you for reading my column.
For those that take the time to proffer constructive criticism, keep it coming — I always enjoy learning. For those that spew only negativity whilst hiding behind anonymity, stuff it — no one benefits from it, least of all yourselves.
Follow me on Twitter @JDelBuono.
