The Tyranny Of The Offended

The Tyranny Of The Offended Few

I need to start this piece with a qualifier. I am a bone deep libertarian and fully believe that what you choose to do is totally your business as long as it doesn't interfere with the next persons right to life, liberty or property. So I don't believe that drugs should be outlawed, but don't believe public funds should be expended on individuals who chose to use them and then have issues. I also believe you can share your private parts with any and every consenting adult or creature you chose, but public funds should never be expended to ameliorate issues that arise due to your lifestyle.

After having said this, it seems to me, a poor old farm boy, that many who live minority lifestyle choices feel that they must force the rest of us to accept their choices as part of "normal" behavior. Like free speech, you have the right to say what you like, you are not immune from the consequences of what you say. I totally support an individual's right to have whatever sex life they chose in private, but to force the majority to observe it without comment is to take their right of free speech from them. The media has been a willing accomplice in muting the majority and attempting (to a large part successfully) to shame them into silence. Calling them ugly names like bigot or homophobe.

The media has responded to the minority activists because they make so much noise or they agree with their position. It really makes no difference which. But when you look at today's media offerings, you seldom see a TV show without a positive gay character. (Many of these characters I fully enjoy.) But this would seem to misrepresent the proportion of non traditionally sexually oriented individuals. The latest survey figures I read indicated that approximately 3 to 4 percent of the population self identify as non traditionally sexually oriented.

So how is it that such a small percentage of the population is so impactful on the culture?

I would postulate that in America, our self image is that of a tolerant and accepting people. So we are easily cowed by those with a minority perspective. We flee from accusations of bigotry or racism or what ever the politically correct bullies have decided is the cause de jour.

This Tyranny of the Offended needs to stop. I will defend your right to do what you want with whom ever you want, in private. I staunchly oppose your trying to force others to accept your choice as common. Be happy that in this country, you are able to live your private life as you see fit. Most of the world doesn't allow you to do this. But quit making your private life public. The majority of us don't want to see what you are putting where on whom. And this goes for the majority folks as well! Keep your private life private!

Or so it would seem to an old farm boy.