Grey

This is for all the times I have been bound by the ties of diplomacy, pragmatism, or even, dare I say it, friendship to not say what I would like to you (in the plural sense)...

There are precious, precious few, if any, things in this world that are black and white. If you would just open your eyes, your ears, and your brain simultaneously the grey would be everywhere! Is it just that you lack the intellectual prowess to engage in the pondering and analyzing that leads one to see the many shades of grey? Or, are you so very afraid that you just might be wrong that it is safer for you to loudly and arrogantly cling to your righteousness? Are you afraid that if you listen to respectfully presented opinions that are in opposition to your own you might hear something valid? something that will require you to THINK? Oh Heaven forbid!

I will endlessly defend your right to believe and espouse whatever you choose with regard to any subject matter. However, do not expect me to respect those views unless you have actually given thoughtful consideration to all sides of an issue and formed your own damn opinion. If you have not done so, then you don't actually have an opinion! You are simply regurgitating other people's opinions. HINT: if you are not capable of meaningful dialogue on an issue then you probably fall into the "regurgitating other's opinions" camp!

And, lastly, declaring that all those who disagree with you are stupid only serves two purposes:
1. To reveal your own pride and ignorance. Pride, my friend, is one of the 7 deadly sins! Can you imagine its danger when combined with ignorance?
2. To completely undermine whatever view or cause you are supporting.