Best compliment.....

I like to try and write essays that cause the reader to think, debate, discuss, and (hopefully) make more informed judgments.

     As much as I like to posture myself as a person who doesn’t make judgments about others, I am guilty of it, and if you are honest, and human, so are you. We all are.

     My question is, why is being judgmental a bad thing? If we don't teach our kids to make judgments, how are we going to stop them being ripped off or mugged their whole lives? Our whole life is spent learning how to form judgments between right and wrong.  This ability is, at least in part, the basis of wisdom, in my humble opinion.  

          With better decisions, by the nature of the process, come better judgments. Discount the worthless information and look for the things that matter, then make a decision, and move on.

    Personally, I am both extremely liberal and extremely conservative, simultaneously. I know of no reason why a person’s skin color should either qualify them for anything, or preclude them from it.  (Liberal.) I believe that Gays have every right to marry if they so choose, and if the Government gives tax breaks for married couples, then disallowing gay marriage is discriminatory.  (Extremely Liberal).  On the other hand, I don’t think anyone anywhere has a right to my money.  I earned it.  It is mine.  Government has gone well past any intention of our founding fathers, or the public, in spending your tax dollars on a litany of programs to “help others”.  It makes no difference whether they deserve your help or not.  It makes no difference whether you want to help or not.  In my opinion, this system is wrong. (extremely conservative).

    See what I mean?  Judgments.  We all make them.   I may not agree with yours, and you may not agree with mine.  That doesn’t make either one of us less of a human being, nor does that make either one of us less deserving of a voice.  The trick is to discuss our opinions, and judgments, and stay open to changing them.

     The best compliment I ever received?  If I were told that something I wrote or said incited a good debate on any topic, to me that is a great compliment. If you have ever said that to me, or about me, Thanks.