OPINIONS

                  Opinions-Everybody has them

       “Cogito ergo sum” is a Latin, philosophical proposition by René Descartes usually translated into English as "I think, therefore I am". Every person alive, with an I.Q. above that of a log, thinks about every subject under the sun. And fortunately, or not, most people want to share what they think with everyone in a voluble manner, even essay writers like myself.

      Perhaps it is an attempt to convince ourselves and thereafter everyone else, that we are sane, rational beings who can parse a subject or situation for its relative merits and then share what we think with others. You can judge the effectiveness of a proffered opinion by the amount of rolled eyes from the listeners. Extreme yawning can also be an indicator that it is time to put a wrap to your verbal expositions and go watch another episode of “I Love Lucy” reruns.

     I don’t know the why of it, but most people have an opinion on just about every subject under the sun. What kind of car we buy, where our children are sent to school, where we vacation and a thousand other very personal decisions come under the unwilting scrutiny of people who know us. You would think would have the decency to refrain from commenting on the personal lives of others, but they don’t. The commentary is even more suggestive when the speaker is possessed of some degree of personal wealth or has achieved some level of public success or acclaim. Within those status levels, even more opinion is generated. Success gives license to speak is perhaps the dictum.

The Lord knows that this rule is applicable in the public sector. Every action of public officials comes under scrutiny. That even applies to their personal lives. No wonder so few of us run for public office. Who needs an x-ray of your life spattered across the media daily?

      Mary and I try to restrain our comments, about the life and times of others, to conversations between ourselves. We don’t feel that we have either the right or the need to advise others of what we think about what color car they bought or how they raise and educate their little darlings. But even we succumb to comment when asked by those involved.

     Friends have advised us of a wonderful practice evolved by parents and in-laws regarding all of the actions in the newly assembled families. They suggest that every adult should” wear a beige dress and refrain from commenting when the newly married are planning an event.” They continue the practice when in the presence of adult children who are deciding on “issues of the day” affecting their immediate families. “We just wear beige, sit back and smile,” while our children deliberate, is their wise practice. Perhaps all of us should “wear beige” in many situations regarding families and friends.

     Wherever you find a gathering of people you will find an accompanying barrage of opinions. Walk into any sports bar in existence and you will get buried in an avalanche of thought regarding every fact, practice or historical record regarding all sporting events. The opinions will be loud and forcefully asserted. Dissention from the majority will bring loud bouts of jeering and derision.

     It seems to be the human condition. From raucous crowds of Romans issuing thumbs up or thumbs down opinions, on the continued life of a gladiator, to current citizens issuing a thumbs up and thumbs down opinion at the voting booth, every one want to weigh in with their considered opinion.

     Grin and bear it is one approach to listening to the ongoing barrage of considered opinions. And of course, most of the time, it is best to just “wear something beige,”  keep your mouth closed and your thoughts to yourself, until the offending windbag tires and shuts the heck up. Which is my clue to end this particular windy, opinion-laden essay.

                                    -30

                             (660 words)

                    Joseph Xavier Martin