Rationalization

Since reason does not prevail in other places of the Manilow world, it is here where I can post my thoughts and be received with a measure of rationale and common sense. I don't expect everyone to agree with my opinions but I do know that whomever reads it will at least weigh the opinion and form their own judgments.

One of my favorite movies is The Big Chill. The characters are discussing their lives and the unexpected paths they have taken away from public service and social causes. One of the men says, "Don't knock rationalizations. You can't go a day without a good rationalization." Truer words were never spoken.

Some people can rationalize just about anything: threats, profanity, rude and disgusting comments, and even sexual innuendos. But just because you can rationalize something, it doesn't make it right. You can say that someone "encourages it" or that they "like it" but it doesn't make it right. It's disrespectful on a public forum to treat someone like a piece of meat. It doesn't make someone a "prude" or "holier than thou" to adopt this opinion. And it doesn't mean that someone is a "trouble maker" just because they express their distaste for this behavior.

There is a time and a place for everything. A worldwide public forum is not the place to discuss a respected musician's physical attributes with sexual undertones. Keep it in private chat rooms, personal emails, and telephone conversations. This is where it's always belonged and where you can say, "it's all in fun" because it's between friends. And if you want to keep it between friends then don't make it public.

And that my friends (as they say in the Manilow world) is...JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION!
Texas Fan