Rude is the New Cool

“Rude” has somehow become the new cool. Except we don’t call it “rude” anymore. We call it “telling it like it is” or “speaking your mind.” Or “not worrying about all that politically correct shit.” That sounds good, except mostly it’s just plain rude.

I’ve noticed, on social media especially but not exclusively, that it is now acceptable, even preferred by many, to say as many nasty things as possible, trying to score points. Or something. In fact, a lot of people are especially happy when they think they’ve offended someone. In their line of thinking, by offending someone, they’ve proven they’re not being “politically correct.” Because, as the reasoning continues, those who are “politically correct” are weak/afraid/timid/stupid. (Feel free to pick your own adjective.) And they are convinced that being PC is somehow what’s wrong with America. So by being rude and acting like a jerk, they are making America better somehow…in their line of thinking anyway.

Maybe, but sometimes being politically correct is just being a decent human being.

I have a lot of nasty things I could say about people on facebook, or in person. I could call them names, or put them down, or “tell it like it is.” But I don’t, or at least I try not to. I was taught to be respectful and polite. And that if I hurt someone else, either physically or emotionally, that was a bad thing. And when I did those things as a kid, I had to go apologize. I’m sorry if that seems old fashioned. But if it does seem old fashioned, that’s also a little disappointing.

Now we have politicians, and others, who specialize in putting people down. They love doing it, and their fans love them for it. When they criticize someone, these fans cheer. Loudly. Instead of being turned off by these people, many idolize them. Their fans somehow think this makes these people tough, or brave. Because they “tell it like it is.” Even when they are obviously lying. But they’re not telling it like it is, they’re just being jerks. If I spoke like them, and my mom were alive today, she’d still try to wash my mouth out with soap!

But apparently most of these people didn’t have a mom like mine. Or they’ve forgotten.

If you think this kind of behavior is cool; if you feel a secret pride when you think you’ve offended someone; if you cheer a public figure who enjoys putting others down; if your goal on facebook is to get a “zinger” in or humiliate someone; if you call people you don’t agree with names (like Killary, or libtard, or…); if any of these things apply to you, then you probably feel pretty proud that you “tell it like it is.”

But really, you’re just an asshole.

(Sorry Mom, I just couldn’t help myself.)

Safe

Yesterday I was out for a run, an activity I do much less often than I should. It was a beautiful day, and I headed out for a little more than five miles. When I was about a mile from home, I found myself at the pier where the Portage River meets Lake Erie. It’s nice to run out along it. While the footing is a little tricky, it’s incredibly rewarding. River to the left of me, lake to the right, and sun all around: what more could I ask for?

As I approached the end of the pier, I had to stop, because the pier is being rebuilt. There was this big crane on a barge, taking rocks from the pier and trying, in some way I didn’t quite understand, to rebuild it. I watched for quite a while. The barge with the crane, another barge with lots of rocks, and the beautiful day.

Then one of those “feelings” came over me, which sometimes happens a few miles into a run. I watched the barge, flying two American flags. And I realized: I’m lucky. With all the crap that’s going on in the world, I live in a nation where I’m very safe. Yes, someone could have gunned me down I suppose, a terrorist could have launched an attack, or the Russians could have declared war on us, but those possibilities are extremely rare in this country. In a word, I felt “safe.”

And I was thankful for all the past and present government leaders, soldiers, and zillions of other people who allowed me to feel that way. But then I got scared, really, not a lot, but a little. Because while the USA doesn’t do everything right in the world, we do most things right. And because of that, I feel safe from terrorists, foreign attackers, and nuclear war. But when I thought of the election, and I thought of the possibility of Trump in the White House, that safe feeling left me.

Say what you want about the man, there is no denying that when he gets mad, he immediately tries to get even. And while that admittedly sometimes seems cool, for a world leader it is incredibly dangerous. He got into  a twitter war about a beauty queen. And way more worrisome, is that he doesn't seem to believe the intelligence briefings he's given. He just doesn't want to know about the world, because he knows "better than the generals?" I'm not sure. But what would happen if some foreign leader really pissed him off? I just don’t believe he would suddenly find that not acting impulsively would be the best response. Nuclear war? Doubtful, but not all that unlikely. A war because his feelings got hurt? Very likely.

Say what you want about Obama, but we've been relatively safe during his terms. And think what you want about Clinton, but she has her own qualities. No, she doesn’t have the charisma of Obama, or even the folksy charm of Bush. But she is far from impulsive. In fact, one of the criticisms people have about her is that she’s not spontaneous enough: she studies and thinks through absolutely everything before she acts. And that doesn’t make her exciting or particularly cool, or even an effective campaigner. But as for me, that’s the kind of president I really want.

Feel free to disagree with me. It's OK, and I won't be offended. But as I stood there watching the men on the crane do their work, I liked that “safe” feeling. And I’m not interested in giving it up any time soon.

And even if there were no other reasons, that one is enough for me. Which is why I already voted, early.

I'm sure you know how I voted.