"I'm Offended!"

How many times have I heard this today???  If one were to listen to the news recently or, for that matter, anyone really talking; it would eventually be heard that someone was offended about something.  It's really not a difficult thing to predict.  All it really takes is for one person to express their true feelings or beliefs and soon enough, another individual will be offended at either the beliefs of the other person, the actions of the other person, or the audacity to express an actual opinion about something.

The term, "I'm offended!" has been used so much recently that it really has lost all meaning.  Everyone seems to be offended about something.  Where in the hell did this start?  Why did it start?  What does it really mean?  Are people really this offended about that much?  I have these questions almost every time that I hear someone say this.  You could almost say I am offended by the overuse that this term gets!  (Not really.  Just a tad annoyed and pissed off.)

Are you really that damn offended?  Is it possible to be offended by so much?  I believe that when someone cries out that they are offended by something.  I truly cannot believe that they know what offended is, nor do they understand the concept.  I think they are using the term to say, in other words, "I don't like what you just said.  I don't agree with what you said, but I cannot formulate a valid counterpoint to your statement, and therefore you've "offended" me and that should, in turn,  invalidate your point."  Everyone is not going to agree with everyone at the same time.  Not everyone is going to like what others have to say.  There will always be those who disagree.

There is nothing wrong with this!

Disagreement is how change is brought about.  There is nothing wrong with having different opinions.  What is wrong is having such disagreement with another's opinion or argument, that you decide rather than to actually talk to the person or discuss it, the "offense" card is played to shut down the process.

Where the eff did this start?  I honestly have no idea, but I am one who would like to believe that it probably has its origination and roots in the politically correct movement.  (Can you believe that I am not blaming BHO for this one?!?!? Not to say he doesn't help it though.)  The idea that one has to either change their opinion or beliefs simply because another doesn't like it is simply ludicrous.  I am not one to believe that we need to sugar coat things.  Example:  If you are overweight, you are not weight challenged, under tall, a food addict, or fluffy.  You are fat.  To use a medically appropriate term, you're obese.  Even still that is trying to hide the truth behind a polished term.  Its not offensive.  Its not an insult.  Its not meant to be mean.  It's the unadulterated, unvarnished truth.  We need to hear this more often.  We need to stop being such big weak-hearted, weinies!  We have become a nation of victims.  We have become a nation of weak-willed cry-babies.

We need to stop being so easily offended in this country.  Thicken up that skin.  Understand that everyone is not going to agree with you all the time.  I am sure I have done some dumbass stuff and would expect to be called out on it.  You know what, I build a damn bridge and get the hell over it.  There is no being offended in this.  Save that for things that are truly offensive:  murder, rape, theft, racism, etc.

It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more... than a whine. 'I find that offensive.' It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. 'I am offended by that.' Well, so fucking what.

--Stephen Fry