Genuine YOU

Have been thinking a lot about human nature and it seems we often spend our lives waste time trying to be something we're not and punish those who speak blunt (nonviolent) truth. Why? What are we trying to protect? I understand defending against violence or hate speech but I always admire direct because it's genuine and spontaneous. We can only allow ourselves to take offense to words and this realization is powerful.

Read an article the other day on Facebook that conservative commentator Glenn Beck took great offense that Mitt Romney never sent a thank-you note after Beck gave him a very rare book during Romney's 2008 presidential campaign against Barack Obama. This is the perfect example (all politics aside) when we forget that the most valuable gifts are those freely given without any expectation and regardless their dollar amount (in this case, a reported $30-ish). Sure, it would have been polite (and proper) etiquette for Romney to provide a thank-you note (or acknowledgment); however, for Beck to *demand* this from Romney seems unfair or the gift is not a selfless act.

Have heard anecdotal evidence that we Southerners are more polite and don't speak our (actual) minds because it's rude in polite society but Northerners (especially East Coast) are perceived as rude since they (often) won't filter their actual thoughts. Give me direct! What about you?

In politics, let's expect the day when leaders will freely and truthfully discuss environmental (and other) societal concerns from scientifically factual, direct and truthful viewpoints without censorship or reservation based upon pundits, populace, or polls. The public relations piece should exist to promote the message (not to pretty it).

You may not believe in global warming but what does the objective science tell us and will we listen?