Circles of Tolerance

Tolerant people

Are  not tolerant

Of intolerant people.

That is where

The tolerant draw the line.

It is politically correct

To be tolerant about

Shooting cops.

It is not politically correct

To “profile” terrorists.

It could offend.

And we can’t tolerate that.

Two Way Streets

Walt Garrison famously noted that “People are funny critters.”  That is something we can probably agree on.

There are other things that, apparently, we cannot agree upon.  For instance, we might not agree about which people are the funny critters and which are the correct and, therefore, superior human beings.

I am often amused by the inconsistencies of others who do not see things my way.

One example of irony is the intolerance of the tolerant.  Some folks are so sympathetic about causes for the rights of certain groups of perceived victims that they are hateful and intolerant towards any who disagree with them.    There are so many examples that I hesitate to pick on any particular ones so that I do not appear, you know, intolerant.

I know someone who writes as if she hates all those who do not agree with her politically correct ideas.  She is the most intolerant person I know when it comes to disregarding the opinions contrary to hers.  She sees herself as sticking up for victims of one societal wrong or another, but does it in such a way that all who disagree are themselves victims of another sort — victims of her wrath.  She has absolutely no tolerance for those that she perceives as being intolerant.

I suppose that is human nature, yet I wish she would see the logical inconsistency.

I am not concluding with a watered down plea that we all get along because I’m okay and you’re okay and every thought has equal value.

There are some horrible wrongs that humans through the centuries have passionately struggled to correct.  I don’t see the need for a debate about the pros and cons of lynching or the Holocaust.

However, especially in politics, reasonable people can disagree.  Let’s be reasonable.  Part of being reasonable is to try to see things from both sides before deciding which side you favor.  I did not invent this concept — “Walk a mile in the other fella’s mocassins.”  The opposing view is not necessarily evil, it might just be different from yours.  It might even be better than yours.  It takes a wise person to acknowledge that.

People Are Funny Critters

“People are funny critters.”  Walt Garrison

Walt Garrison is a cowboy in more than one sense.  He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, pro ball for the Dallas Cowboys, and he also competed as a rodeo cowboy.   Quite a guy! His signing bonus with Dallas included a horse trailer.  After nine seasons in the NFL, his football career was ended by a knee injury sustained while bulldogging at a rodeo.  I doubt any current NFL players have a contract provision allowing rodeo participation in the off-season, or want one.

He himself a “funny critter,” Mr. Garrison’s observation above is a helpful reminder to be tolerant of the quirkiness that crops up amongst members of the human species.

I do not know the context within which Walt originally said those quoted words, but it does not matter to me.  I like to repeat those words in many contexts.

Individuals are often inconsistent in behavior or beliefs and those inconsistencies can be explained by recognizing they are “funny critters.”

Nations throughout history have changed in many ways, often unpredictable, because they are populated by and led by “funny critters.”

Politicians are often funny critters, some funnier than others.  We would do well to have leaders with down to earth common sense.  Walt Garrison for President!