(Note we had this stuck in draft mode on TBP for 2 years. Forgot about it. All of it is true – even more so. As now you cannot even discuss alternative medical options. However, our prediction that this hatchet place was doomed may have been premature. They’re in multiple states now milking dopes while they still can.)
When we grew up – opinions about pretty much everything were across the spectrum. In other words – it was fairly impossible to find total uniformity when it came to feelings about anything.
More importantly – that was not only okay but was expected – and never created “hard feelings” or made anyone feel “offended.”
Interesting times before the internet.
All of a sudden – dissenting opinion is “BAD” and “SAD!”
Nowadays, it appears that many people who put themselves out for public consumption (via online, brick & mortar business, public office, or whatever) cannot handle criticism well. And we’re not sure why – especially when that is “par for the course” in a free world such as ours.
A case in point was an observational opinion piece we recently published about Stumpy’s Hatchet House on Route 22.
We didn’t particularly bash that particular business per se, but rather the concept of ax-throwing, and the relatively high cost for participation. Making comparisons to (once free) bar games such as darts – and how it became “monetized” when big, bad, scary “axes” became involved. Also added how “FOMO” (fear of missing out) along with social media selfies and other psychological tricks had made this “phenomenon” take shape. We also predicted that its lifespan will be limited.
But the owners of this franchise were not happy. They took great offense to our free viewpoints – and called us “SAD.” They used their usual emotional tricks up their sleeves such as “employing Veterans” which apparently makes businesses immune from critique in 2020? Perhaps prostitution and slave labor will be okay next, as long as Vets and under-represented classes are working there?
There are exceptions (always!)
And that leads to another situation. While it’s a faux pas to criticize a free-market business these days, it’s conversely okay to bash other things with reckless abandon.
Such as traditional families, gasoline cars, the 2nd amendment (right to self-defense), and many more.
I think you know where we’re going with this.
Why the hypocrisy?
Hey, we’re okay with anyone’s opinion. As long as they don’t infringe on our rights (harming our personal being or personal property). Natural law, to be precise.
That is what the foundation of our country once was.
These days, mud-slingers cherry-pick their intended targets – then claim “victim” status when the same is done in return. It’s one of the fastest-growing problems in America. Perhaps you can call it “one-sided virtue signaling.” Or better yet – just hypocrisy.
We’re living in potentially tumultuous economic times here – apparently hanging on by a string. We think financial soundness is a good thing to discuss. And if we feel that mindless entertainment is a worse option than self-development and self-preservation – that is our right.
Aiming to help people long-term with a strong mental mindset is noble indeed. There are definitely better ways to “bond” with your fellow man than shelling out $50 bucks to throw an ax at a piece of plywood.
If today’s younger generation cannot accomplish what everyone did just a few decades ago – without a “crutch” (or “app”), then I feel terrible for what will come in the future!
I’m currently reading Robert F. Kennedy, Jr’s book American Values. He talks about this a lot. The Kennedy’s were taught to listen to and debate anyone on anything. Grandpa Joe sent the Kennedy boys over to people with opposite political views so they could learn from other viewpoints. This was to me the best part of the Kennedy legacy. Now the liberal viewpoint is to never listen, and of course propaganda and even brain washing is allowed.
I think that until you understand the other point of view, also, you don’t thoroughly understand your own POV. Listening to other pov’s is the cure for a know-it-all. I’m glad for what I’ve learned from listening to people who believe differently.
Really well said.
And it also lets you know what those who really hate you
are planning for you if you listen closely. I NEVER miss
the American Pravda evening news. They don’t even try to
hide what they have in store for the sheep.
Thank you for enduring that for the rest of us.
Being a counterspy has never been easier.
Only 2 thumbs up!?
Especially here TBP – but have you noticed – there is a dearth of the younger element? And I can guess why – here we project traditional values of yesteryear – the snowflake millennials can’t cope with this. They need continual reinforcement with ‘likes’ that reassures their failing self-confidence and lack of assertiveness.
Their ‘celebrity’ culture also gives them aspirations of grandeur they think they can join by becoming fans and copying behaviours and personal presentation (body mutilation). In counselling we call this ‘displacement or adjustment disorder’ and is a recognised coping mechanism that can be treated if the sufferer has a desire to grow and strengthen their mental health. Social media has exacerbated this problem in the extreme and is becoming recognised as plague for those who haven’t had effective parenting.
Types of adjustment disorders
The DSM-5 lists six different types of adjustment disorders. Although they’re all related, each type has unique signs and symptoms. Adjustment disorders can be:
With depressed mood. Symptoms mainly include feeling sad, tearful and hopeless and experiencing a lack of pleasure in the things you used to enjoy.
With anxiety. Symptoms mainly include nervousness, worry, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, and feeling overwhelmed. Children who have an adjustment disorder with anxiety may strongly fear being separated from their parents and loved ones.
With mixed anxiety and depressed mood. Symptoms include a combination of depression and anxiety.
With disturbance of conduct. Symptoms mainly involve behavioral problems, such as fighting or reckless driving. Youths may skip school or vandalize property.
With mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct. Symptoms include a mix of depression and anxiety as well as behavioral problems.
Unspecified. Symptoms don’t fit the other types of adjustment disorders, but often include physical problems, problems with family or friends, or work or school problems.
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/dissociative-disorders/
John – Progressives not only do not listen, they do not want you to speak your opinion, unless you agree with them 100%. In many cases, they will try to shout down anyone speaking a dissenting opinion.
Therefore, the term libtards.
I think they have “progressed” to becoming full fledged libturds.
Around 30 to 40 years ago the “progressives” were insisting that Every idea deserves to be heard.
Nice article, Route22.
When everyone talks, who is left to listen?
An honest introspection reveals that at times I am guilty also. Everybody’s talking at me, I don’t hear a word they’re saying, only the echoes of my mind (or what I’m going to say next).
Thanks, Stuck. No doubt no one is perfect (just like a bell curve). In the same way, almost every human is narcissistic to some degree (I have to eat – and like to fix my car).
But good point about listening. It’s a growing problem. Almost everyone “listens” for the sole purpose of having a response (usually about themselves). A good place to start fixing that is to instead inquire more about what the person is saying. Truly have a desire to learn more.
Who knows. We have zero friends left. Just the family with kids.
“Stumpy’s???” What a name for an axe throwing biz. If there wasn’t a photo, I’d hazard the guess my leg was getting pulled.
Bet there’s not a Stumpy’s in Morristown or Short Hills.
Listening to someone else’s opinion? What will they think of next? Agreeing to disagree? Questioning authority? Telling your own side they are wrong?
Those are all the things we grew up with, what made America what it was then. Use to have debates with other side of the issue people, ask questions and move on. Now it’s “I’m right and you are an “ism” if you dont agree with me” from the left.
I’m happy to listen to anyone coherent.
The problem with that is, there are so few anymore.
All emotion and unanalytical bombast fed by uneducated
public school drones.
Yes, alas, my sister…
Your comment reminds me of a conversation we had one night as teenagers. Among us there was a Baptist, two Catholics, a Mormon, and a Jehovah’s Witness. None of us knew the basic tenets of the others’ faiths, so we spent some time explaining our beliefs and having a Q & A session. It was so cool, there was absolutely no insults or arguing or any debate at all, just friends getting to know their closest friends better. It’s a beautiful memory.
You needed a gun with 6 bullets … so you could shoot the Jehovah’s Witness twice.
Why the hate for other groups?
It was a joke I think, but he’s gonna need at least two bullets for the Baptist as well.
Not groups – cults.
Cults — and when you’re in one, your group believes that it has a corner on the truth, and those other groups who are not aligned with your group are cults.
Looking back at my experiences within evangelical christianity, there was quite a lot of covert control. Sure, you were free to do and say what you pleased, but if you didn’t behave in an acceptable way there was guilt-tripping or shaming. Psychological control. People would hide their true selves to avoid gossip and ridicule. Someone in pain or in trouble may not speak about it and get helped because they will be grilled about what sin they committed to bring this upon themselves. In one group, if you had depression you needed to repent of your sin.
There is some type of love, but it’s cold and distant instead of warm and applied with a heart of compassion. One day I told them, if you want others to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour then you must first genuinely accept them, the people who need Jesus the most can see right through insincerity.
I still believe in the shed blood of Messiah for my redemption, and I love the Bible, but I no longer approve of any of the 501(c)3 government-affiliated churches, or any kind of organized religion. Meeting in homes for Bible-based fellowship is the Scriptural example.
Well said Stucky! I have spent a lot of time examining JW – a complete cult – closed minds. They challenged me to find something wrong with their complete dedication to their interpretation of the Bible. When I did this – they ran away!
some Baptists are like that too, AP…
Oh, Ghost, I didn’t know that – I don’t think I have ever knowingly met a Baptist. There a lot of them in Wales I understand and some Methodists too. I assumed they were just variations of the C of E theme. Takes all sorts!
Oh, no…. not here in the Bible Belt of USA. They are the only ones who really understand the Word./s
I was dragged to a General Baptist church three or four times weekly until I was mid-teens.
I trust you were deprogrammed at some point?
still lost and on your way to Hell I see
People have ALWAYS disliked dissenting opinions.
But only recently here have they been calling for the execution
of those holding them. It’s uniformly leftists advocating that.
Nothing new there either.
Because I have a different opinion ,the communists marginalize and want to punish me. That is war and there is no tolerance in war. Fvck them. Bad shit happens in war.
shit, y’all can come over here and apply axes to firewood all day long for free!
The problem with folks from “the other side” is that unlike us, they are simply unwilling to let it go if not agreed with most vehemently, almost as if their brains have been reprogrammed to focus on this one issue, they keep picking at it like a half healed scab, their raison d’etre I guess. In past times they would be gathering at the woodpile shouting “burn the witch”..
The truth is too hard to take.