Two Wrongs Don't Make a 'Right'...

   When I stop to think about some of the ways in which society has changed, since I was a mere, child, to now, which, believe it or not, includes a time-frame of over 50 years...(YIKES!) I am reminded of a much, simpler, era, in which I grew up. In referencing technology, for example, when I was a youth, a transistor-radio w/ ear-buds was pretty, high-tech. I rode my Columbia 10-Speed, throughout the 'hood', while rockin' that radio, and thought I was stylin'! Too funny! However, over the course of an average day, I was not attached to a piece of technology which dictated my every move. Another change of note is how expensive things have gotten, over time. Naturally, all things are relative, and, I know how costs have increased and prices have risen; Yet, to recall that my folks paid $18,500.00 for our first home, here, in Lil' Rhody, and to acknowledge that an automobile sells for that same price, these days, is a 'mind-blower' to me. I know that, with each generation, comes change, and, I'm on board with most of it. Furthermore, if one can't accept the way the world moves forward, then one will find him/herself pretty miserable. This being said, I must admit that there do exist certain societal-concerns that I am not 'on board' with. For example, since the 'Season' is practically upon us, the idea that we are 'advised' to no longer refer to a Christmas Tree, as such, and, instead, call it a Holiday Tree, is a change I will not condone, nor, will I practice. I will shout out 'Merry Christmas', to each and every person I encounter, throughout the Season of Christmas. If I insult or hurt feelings, along the way, well...what can I say; it won't be with intent or purpose. It's, simply, that, I refuse to give up my personal-right to acknowledge that, for Christians, and, I am one, December 25th is the day which we celebrate, to laud our Lord. Forgive my 'political-incorrectness', but, really...this entire topic has gotten way out of hand, in my personal, opinion. And, this leads me to have to recognize another change which I have difficulty with; this being the, seeming, lack of tolerance, for one another, that people display, today. What is it that is so difficult about accepting people's differences? Of course, history has, always, shown us bigotry, and, hatred, amongst and between some, certain, faction of folks. Unfortunately, ignorance has existed since time's beginning. Today, however, when one would love to believe that we, as humans, have, to a greater degree, evolved passed this type of judgement of others, it is my opinion, that, it has gotten worse...not better. We are encouraged to embrace others, and, their differences, but, simultaneously, shown that in doing such, we, often, need give up our own practices. It seems that the more 'We' are expected to respect the 'rights' of others, the fewer 'rights' we seem to have. We have become a society, filled with 'over-sensitive' souls, all screaming, at one time, or another, that someone or some body of bodies has 'stepped on the toes' of another individual or group. BLAH...Stop it! I AM all about 'human-rights'; but, things have gotten way, too, out of control, and, this, partly due to the over-zealousness of the ACLU, but...that's ANOTHER story! The bottom line is this; We are a society comprised of a citizenry which includes a variety of ethnicity, religion, and, belief-systems. We are, after all, the 'melting pot' of the world. Remember that our U.S. of A. invited EVERYONE to come upon our shores; and, these folks, when stepping on American soil, for the first time, were welcomed, with these words, 'Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.' I don't know about anyone else, but, I, will ALWAYS, 'yearn to breathe free', and, for me, this includes being free to practice my 'differences', without interference from others. I don't tell others how to live, and, I don't need others telling me, especially when I know that I'm doing nothing to 'hurt' another. I know it's an ideological dream, but, hey...'WHY can't we all just get along?' Just Askin'...