Insults never, criticism always

Insults never, criticism always

       The differences are not subtle

            Most people recognize the differences. Some don't.

            Those insulted never forget, and show their indignation in their own way, and on their own time. This applies to the individual, the immediate Family, the extended Family, and even most of their Friends.

            Those being criticized, often called getting their butts chewed because of some mistake, usually, and quietly, say thank you, as constructive criticism is almost always appreciated, as much as it hurts our feelings when being criticized.

            Insults and embarrassment have a lot in common, mostly in long memories and responses. Heck, many still have Civil War emotions that go back over 150 years. Often the Civil War was never even close to where they now live, but perceived insults, embarrassments, and degradations are still being talked about and often still demanding responses in the eye of the offended, including the now descendants.

            So in the recent reports about the federal government frictions going on, so are the insults going on. Poor treatment of our war dead is a clear example. Insulting and demeaning treatment of our living veterans, our domestic and foreign tourists, our religious leaders, and perceptions about political favoritism and cronyism is generating insults and embarrassments that won't be forgotten. Now the instigators will move on and often be forgotten, but the insults and embarrassments won't be forgotten. Insults are a powerful and primitive and emotional force in human affairs.

            I just wish all of today's leaders recognized this. Bureaucratic snafus and other such indignities and stupidities are one thing, but insults are another thing altogether.  That's one job, function if you will, that leaders are supposed to sort out and not institute, like make things worse.

            Obviously, we have more than our fair share of crummy leaders these days, or so the evidence suggests.

            So what to do? Get new leaders is one course of action if that is what it takes to tamp down the insults and embarrassments going on these days. After all, today's insults are often generating future problems for future leaders, and our society and culture.