By Bernie Bates
Have ever had one of those days when you’re feeling simply fantastic; you have a song in your heart and a silly little grin on your face – then from out of nowhere some jerk ruins your whole friggin’ day? We’ve all met people like this; they wear long grumpy frowns and a cloud of gloom follows them around wherever they go. Don’t you just want to smack them with a rolled up newspaper?
I’ve often asked myself: what the hell good does it serve a person to be such a miserable, cantankerous ass? Some pacifists have said to me: “Oh, they must have a sad story or something.”
“Horse(expletive)!”
We’ve all faced sorrow in our lives. We’ve all suffered lose, we’ve all tasted bitter disappointment and we don’t go around peeing on the communal campfire.
I’m the type of person who sees the glass as being half full and I give each person the benefit of the doubt – no matter what my first impression might be. Usually, after a little chitchat, I’m rewarded with an interesting story and I come away with a different point of view.
Then there are those who are simply nasty people who do nothing but spread their misery wherever they go. I feel that these people should be publicly called out for their blatantly belligerent behavior.
My lady love works in a deli and she sometimes has to deal with a certain man who is always gruff, cantankerous and aggressive. But unfortunately she has to be polite, smile and take his abuse – after all: the customer is always right! Again, I’d like to reiterate: “Horse(expletive)!” This man is an adult and he knows full well that the poor lady behind the counter can’t tell him to (expletive) off. Unfortunately, society allows these ill-tempered people to continue their venomous behavior – unpunished.
I think I may have a social solution to this kind of ill-mannered public behavior: the next time you see this kind of public bullying taking place – you should become the voice of that person behind the counter – and tell the jerk to apologize for their inexcusable behavior or get lost. And as anti-social as this may sound; it’s seems that the only thing that ignorance seems to understand is a smack upside the head!
Momma used to tell us kids: “If you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.” And as wise as my Momma is; there are times in life when a person has to stand up to the bullies of the world.
If a bully gets away with strong-armed tactics they tend to repeat the same behavior, and as sure as blood is red, someone eventually gets hurt. Sometimes the hurting goes much deeper then just a fat lip. Sadly, sometimes people die as a result of bullying.
If you’ve watched the news lately; you know about the young man who jumped off a bridge because some jerk posted his sexual encounter on the world wide web – for all to see … forever and evermore! I’m sure we can all agree that love is a wonderful thing? And I’m sure that most of us can agree that it’s no one’s damned business who you love or lust after? Either that or you’re one of those bigoted jerks?
There is an old saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.”
“Horse(expletive)!”
Fag! Dyke! Nigger! Injun! These are all words that hurt much worse than any stick or stone. We’ve all been teased or bullied at some point in our lives – and it sucks – doesn’t it?
Well? How can we, as feeling human beings, stand around while it happens to someone else? The next time something like this happens in your presents; stand up and be counted, don’t let some jerk ruin your day or worse, someone else’s life.
Can you imagine what the world would be like today if people smacked Hitler in the mouth every time he spouted off about the Jewish people? So the next time you hear some grumpy old bully spouting off – have the nerve to tell them off! Either that or you could roll up this newspaper.
THE END
