10/28/05

There's something significant missing in society today. Think about it ... a significant percentage of those occasions when your rage teeters on the edge of uncontrollable, the primary reason is: LACK OF RESPECT. In this modern age, we run into disrespect around (almost) every corner. Go to the market ... the checker has attitude. Go to Rinaldi's Sub Shop for a sandwich ... lady behind the counter has attitude; gives change for $10 after having been handed $20, then (upon being called on it) indirectly (and yet, without doubt) questions your honesty. Go for a haircut ... "she who wields the scissors" has attitude; ask for "zero on the sides" ... she says "no, one would look better ...". Go home ... your spouse and children have attitude; they tell you what to do! You can't get away from it ... there's no escape. Is it any wonder that "incidents" sometimes occur? And yet, those of us who "get IT" have a perfectly-tuned sense of the appropriate. Though our rage has no peer (either in quality, intensity, ferocity, or frequency), we remain utterly and completely in control. We can, and will, remain (outwardly) calm in the most infuriating and ridiculous of circumstances. And yet ... beware to the ignoramus ... to the flaunter of The Fundamental Theorem ... to the checker with 'tude ... we who "get IT" also know when it's appropriate to act and will do so with brutally efficient effect. To illustrate, I needn't go further than recalling last week's brilliant BDE. In 1941, the Nazi's and the Empire of Japan thought the Allies weak (mistaking our prudent constraint for weakness) and declared war. Yet ... what they started, we savagely finished. And we did so with a warlike ferocity than would've made Ghengis Khan proud. German industry utterly ruined; entire cities fire-bombed ... a previously proud (and some thought unbeatable) Wehrmacht utterly smashed. And in the far east, the architect of Pearl Harbor (Admiral Yamamoto) lay dead in the Bougainville jungle while mushroom clouds leveled two entire cities. Those evils did indeed pay a high price for their disrespect, and appropriately so ...

Now, none of us will have the privilege of smashing the evil of Nazism. But ... the same principles apply in every-day life ... though our "violence" today is in word, not deed. When we who "get IT" encounter the disrespect that will so inevitably come our way, we automatically filter and craft our responses with ultimate wisdom. A quiet smirk ... the silent treatment ... a disdainful look: all are common and appropriate in the face of day-to-day lack of courtesy and disrespect. And yet (and this is where it gets interesting) ... it is sometimes appropriate to respond directly, and to do so fiercely. When this happens, look out! School is now in session and Professor Brozenec will be your instructor; hold on for a wild ride.

Come again this week ... let us use our time on the veranda to discuss those circumstances where response is appropriate ... and those which deserve only a disdainful stare. Be prepared to share interesting examples from your own experience ... that we may all grow and learn thereby. And, if you're lucky, The Professor himself may share from personal experience.

Details: Friday, my office @ 11:45 or meet at Chipotle at noon.
Indolent Kyle Summary: You know ...