PET PEEVES: 10 MAJOR IRRITANTS IN TODAY´S WORLD
Dennis Copson
February 24, 2008
POLITICIANS Maybe that which "peeves´ me most! We elect these representatives to do the peoples´ business. Remember, they run for office with that promise. Why do they turn to instant muck when they arrive in their office? No explanation except the ego thing. Do you realize that our United States Congress/Senate, elected officials numbering well over five hundred, are paid exorbitant salaries and are rewarded with incomprehensibly generous benefits while having a rating slightly over 20% with the American people. We have no confidence they are doing our work, accomplishing what needs to be done, nor, in fact, doing anything worthwhile. How did this happen? Why do we allow it to continue? Can we not change this horrible performance? "Yes we can", as Obama might say! (Or was that Deval?) Let´s just do it. Let´s demand with no uncertainty what we expect our elected officials to do and accept nothing less. Write them, call them, bug them! They should respond to what we want them to do. Otherwise, they should be told, "Out you go! No lifelong office for you!"
BIASED NEWSPAPER AND TELEVISION REPORTING The second most ´peeving´ thing is the dishonesty and incivility of biased reporting on television and in newspapers today. Mostly left leaning, too. Are you kidding me? Do these reporters/networks/newspapers think we can not see through this charade of leaning in one direction or the other? Report the news - opine if you must – but don´t mix the two. We can make our own decisions and draw our own conclusions if you objectively present the facts. The American people are not stupid. They are capable of analyzing the facts if presented fairly. If you are left or right wingers, state that up front and let us decide on your fairness in presenting the story. Don´t hide behind your own opinions/political persuasion and expect us to buy your story. New York Times: take note! You, too, Keith Olbermann! And, Rush, you could stand to clean up your act a bit…be a little less caustic and critical.
LOUD MUSIC ESPECIALLY WITH GUTTER PROFANITY Definitely my third most ´peevish´ behavior! Despite what you may think, I do not want to hear your foul music blasting at me when you pull up next to me at a stop sign. This is especially so when I have my grandchildren with me and your rap type music cannot be heard without a ´M…F…´ here or ´Ho´ there. If you enjoy this profane type of listening at least tune it down to a level you and you alone can hear. (Maybe someday you can explain to me the purpose of having it so loud that you intrude on others space with seemingly no concern or consideration.) There was a day when perfectly beautiful music was played at acceptable listening levels, had no foul language in it, and was totally enjoyable without offending anyone. When did this all change? And why? Part of the ´dumbing down of America´ process foretold by Bill Bennet now taking place in our country?
VIAGRA/CIALIS/LEVITRA COMMERCIALS Please! Must we have our living rooms intruded upon with such intimate commercial sales pitches? I think not. Even when sitting alone in my own house when these commercials are aired, I am embarrassed to hear them let alone when I have company. I envision a dad or mom being questioned by their eight year old daughter or son, "Daddy, what is ED?" It is not necessary to have these sorts of commercials coming into our homes uninvited. Flatly, my ´erectile dysfunction´ is none of your business! Stop this type of nonsense! Now!
IMMIGRATION Here is a sensitive and far reaching subject that really irks me. And millions of other Americans. Our borders are being violated every day by thousands of ´invaders´ who are disrespecting our laws and our sovereignty. We have the right as Americans to demand that our borders are protected and our laws respected. This is not happening. Our politicians are cowards in coming forward and standing up for these rights. We are in crisis in this aspect. We are literally being invaded in an uncontrollable fashion in such a manner that lasting, irreversible effects are occurring to our nation. Pat Buchanan has written an excellent book "State of Emergency: The Third World Invasion and Conquest of America" which details the dangers of unfettered immigration and the future effects on our culture. I highly recommend it. Meanwhile, demand your Congressional representatives get hot on this immediately and stop delaying action for political reasons. Part of why we elect them is to have courage in the face of danger. So far, for years on end, they have displayed none. (If they fail to act, let´s deport them…from Washington, DC at least!)
"MADE IN CHINA" That little statement is found on almost everything I buy nowadays. In fact, I challenge you to find something on the store shelves without it. You´ll be looking awhile before you do. Goodness sakes, can´t we make anything anymore? Look, I have nothing against the Chinese – love their food. But lord have mercy, do we have to buy "Chinese´ everything? Can´t we even make toys for our children here and avoid the lead polluted Chinese versions? Let´s get with it and begin to make things here in the good old USA again. Remember the days of commercials on TV that proudly hailed "Made in the USA"? I can clearly remember when nearly all products had that on their label. I´d rather see those container ships that my brother Burt constantly rants about arrive empty ready to load up on American products than vice versa. What happened? Unions? Shiftlessness? Corporate greed? NAFTA? Perhaps ´all of the above´?
PARKING LOT DRIVING I don´t know what it is about parking lots, but they seem to bring out the worst in drivers. Who ever said you had to drive thru a crowded commercial parking lot at freeway speed? And to those of you who absolutely refuse to let me back out of my space despite the fact that I am already half way out when you rudely blast by me at 45 mph, what is up with you? Is you getting to your destination more important than my doing so? Are you in such a hurry that you can´t be a tiny bit courteous and allow me to finish the exiting task without having a heart attack. Slow down, be a bit considerate – you´ll feel better at days end. And maybe live longer.
ATM/DEBIT/CREDIT CARDS I get absolutely mystified and anxiety ridden when I am in line and the yahoo ahead of me has about $2.39 worth of merchandise and whips out one of these infernal cards. I must wait while the clerk processes this transaction. Half the time the yahoo doesn´t understand how to use the machine and screws it up anyway. AND, if you really want to see me come unglued, see my face get scarlet when the yahoo doesn´t have enough money in his – or her – account! Carry some cash for goodness sakes - at least a $5 bill. Remember the day when "Cash is King!" was the common refrain? Or how about "In God we trust, all others pay cash."
CELL PHONES It is simply rude to be on your cellular phone in public. Must you insist on carrying out your most intimate conversations at the next table while I am trying to enjoy my dinner? This includes any other public use of that great invention. Take it outside, buddy! (Don´t they teach common courtesy and social graces in schools any more?) And ditto to those of you who believe you can drive down the crowded highway at 70 mph and talk on the phone at the same time. You, especially you, belong in a zoo!
CLERKS I realize that the local convenience/retail store doesn´t pay very well, the hours are brutal, and there are more fun places to be on weekends and nights. However, you are an employee and, as such, you should be professional. Is it asking too much for you to give me your undivided attention when waiting on me? I do not appreciate you carrying on a personal conversation with your fellow clerk about your love life or whatever it is you feel compelled to discuss at the moment when you should be paying attention to your duty of ringing up my merchandise. Regardless of the pay, etc., be professional and do your job. Or just quit doing us all a favor!
That´s a partial list of what tries my patience. Why do these things happen? What can be done to correct them? Well, my theory is that over time we have strayed from simple common courtesy and good manners as a virtue – etiquette was a subject that was taught in school from a young age at some time in our recent history – to a position of boorish behavior being "in´.
I believe the so - called nuclear family has been partly at fault. Good manners start at home as soon as a baby can understand basic language - even sounds - and should continue throughout life. Good manners and a display of common courtesy is a virtue. It must be learned and practiced much more seriously before we complete the journey to becoming a nation of social buffoons. Are you teaching these things at home - everyday? More importantly, are you practicing them?
Television, Hollywood, and the music world must share in the blame for our incivility. You cannot watch a movie or TV program nor listen to modern music and not be personally offended at some point. Boorish behavior and language is commonplace in the movies, music, and TV programs our children are subjected to from a young age. Get your acts together, you dummies in the entertainment business – the world does not revolve around you and your bad conduct as an example for the rest of us - especially our kids. As Bill Cosby tried to tell the foul language producing rapper thugs, it is not ´cool´ to use the grossest profanity that comes to your mind when you sing – if that´s what you call it nowadays. The B words and the H words and the MF words are not needed to impress me and, in fact, harm your image and your community. (As if you care?)
"What is to be done?" you ask. For one, we as individuals can insist on being treated with courtesy and respect. For instance, I have simply, politely said to clerks guilty of the above infraction "May I have your undivided attention while ringing my purchase? Then you can continue your conversation." (Ooooh, the surprised looks I get are worth it. Perhaps it will have a lasting effect.)
Secondly, we can see if any real teaching is being done in our local schools involving these type things. If not, we can suggest it be incorporated into everyday learning. It is needed now. Especially classes on Etiquette, Politics, US History, and Government. And while we´re at it, English as a FIRST language – proper English as spoken and written in civilized conversation.
Thirdly, I would gladly pay an extra ˝ cent more in gas taxes if the money was spent on a national advertising campaign involving common courtesies and social behavior especially on the highway. I think it would work. Remember during the Second World War when a national campaign was waged for the war effort and how each citizen could contribute to winning the war. ( If you are too young to remember – and probably are – go to the library and research those amazing times and the approach to win people over to doing the right thing like conserve and contribute to the war bond drives. Those dedicated, targeted efforts worked.)
And maybe lastly, we can all contribute to righting this unacceptable behavior by simply not accepting it. There are subtle, but effective, ways to broadcast your disapproval without getting into a major conflict. A look of disapproval, a word, and possibly calling the attention of such behaviors to management will assist in improving the outrageous unacceptable conduct. How about that movie where everyone was encouraged to go to their window and shout "I´m mad as hell and am not going to take it anymore!" Maybe that is what we need to do in our own way. We don´t need to take "it" anymore either. Let´s change these current social illnesses to a redirected way of civility and manners and courteous behavior. Do a good deed today and perhaps – just maybe – it will be contagious. Why not?
One of the most effective ways to combat this type of unacceptable behavior is to not buy the products these miscreants sell. Whether in a store where you can speak with the manager complaining about specific treatment or not buying certain products or not attending certain movies or concerts, your withholding your hard earned money will definitely have an effect. Think not? Try it…you´ll be amazed at the effect your dollars have on incivility. Jane Fonda suffered immeasurable financial losses when her North Vietnam fraternization caper was broadcast in the U.S. media. She never recovered from that mistake (as she later admitted it was) and it proves that your not patronizing such behavior has effects.
As for the politicians, perhaps the most egregious examples of failure in our society today, VOTE! That will cure the problem. Observe their behavior closely. Make demands on them. If they fail you, get off your duff, hit those polling places on Election Day and kick them out of office. It is a sad commentary that even in national elections only slightly over 50% of the people bother to vote. No wonder our politicians are largely corrupt, lazy, or ineffective in their jobs. I say, no more "Politicians for Life" in the USA!
We do not have to loose this battle of civility to the moronic social deviants among us…those ill mannered imbeciles who would have you believe it is not ´progressive´ to demand civility in our lives and surroundings. Those who would inflict their mores on you when you know instinctively they are wrong and should not influence you or your family just because they care not about their effects. Fight back - daily! You and I can overcome this march toward incivility and incompetence with a steadfast battle against it. Speak out! Wherever and whenever you can.
In conclusion, and thanks for indulging me today, I have an overall positive view of my country. But these are a few things that need our attention and need to be changed now if we wish to continue our proud heritage of being one of the most successful democracies in history. Now let´s all get together and do it!
Thank you.
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