cont'd ...

Dear Paul,

I'm beginning to think that sometimes people talk
too much, and by talking they give themselves away,
of course. So if we want to look good, attractive,
intelligent and mysterious - perhaps we should
keep quiet - or at least not say too much.

It is easy to understand who a person is by what they
say about others. One can learn a great deal about a
person by learning whom they condemn, about whom they
rejoice, whom they worship, whom they detest, and about
whom they lie.

We're lucky that voting is secret. If we found out who
voted for whom, we might be outraged, but then we would
be able to understand how it happened that what no one
wanted to take place did take place. An autopsy of the
vote would show what disease the political corpse was
suffering from.

For our politicians is is simpler - based on what they
promise it is easy to understand when and how they will fool
all of us. Such is their profession - to pretend to be
magicians, fortune-tellers and gods. And what's most
important - there are many people who want to be
seduced, fooled and deceived.

So I guess what I am learning from all this is - not too
open my mouth too much or wear my heart on my sleeve.
Not sure if it will work all of the time - but I'm willing
to give it a go.

It's my firm belief that we're all entitled to our opinion, right, wrong or otherwise. Those of us who are daily regaled with the opinions of others, if we don't like what we hear, we don't need to listen.

If you recall the events of 1939-45, if you expressed an opinion that was contrary to the powers that be in Nazi Germany, soon after voicing that opinion, two heavily built blokes wearing black leather overcoats would come to your house and take you for a drive. And you'd never be seen again. Should that ever return, well, we're all buggered, I reckon? It all about free speech, without the need to destroy a person character.

I guess it's human nature that we all like to think our opinions are right thus valued; therefore, others should listen to us. So I suspect it all comes down to good manners that we listen to others and their opinions without resorting to character assassination(s) and putting the ol' Florsheim into a person's good fame and reputation 'cause he happens to have a different opinion to you.

There is no greater example of this than the police force - a dog eat dog organisation from the Commissioner down! One wears their ballistic body armour backwards to stop the many knives you'll find in your back at the end of your shift. Please, don't doubt me; it's so friggin' true.

o sung wu,

Glad to see that you are still with us. I liked your back stabbing prevention anecdote!

I remain amazed that anyone could even think of asking if it was OK to have opinions; even more amazed when they wriggle around by saying, grudgingly, that yes, maybe …. but …..

There are no 'buts' about it, and no qualifications as to what opinions can be expressed. As you suggest they are not binding. After all, the person who first asked this silly question has never been short of dogmatic opinions, and she is still at it without harming or influencing anyone.

Dear O Sung Wu,

Welcome back.

Not everyone has the expertise necessary to form
an opinion that is a serious candidate for the truth.
A person stating that vaccines-cause-autism with no
medical credentials is not a candidate for the
truth like a doctor.

In your case your years of experience in the police
force give your opinions justification to the content
of your opinion on what goes on in the police force.
Yours is a worthwhile opinion and is worth listening
to. You have the life experience that is required.

Thank You for sharing your expertise with us.

cont'd ...

Dear O Sung Wu,

I also think that we should respect diverse views
and ideas. As I've stated previously - not everyone
thinks the same. This doesn't mean that we have to
tolerate abuse, nasty behavior or disrespect. It just
means we don't have to accept every judgement and
criticism. We learn from each other. We don't have to
participate in every argument to make a point.

Of course opinions matter especially if they are supported
by facts and observations, and life experience.

However not everyone has the expertise necessary to form
an opinion that is a serious candidate for the truth.
You with your experience do. Thank You for sharing it
with us. Your experience holds weight and is worth listening
to.

Foxy,

"However not everyone has the expertise necessary to form
an opinion that is a serious candidate for the truth".

If this is so, what are your qualifications? How are you qualified to express opinions? What are your qualifications to decide who is entitled to express opinions on Online Opinion?

There is no definition of an 'opinion' or rule for the expression of opinions that in any way supports your notions on this subject. If what you say was true, there would be no OLO, or any other social media, nor much opportunity for discussion anywhere.