A Rosie By Any Other Name . . .

How one can be excused for using public profanity, in a speech nonetheless, and escape being vilified is beyond this author's comprehension. There was a time when one's speech was guarded by decency in consideration of others. Even those who weren't raised in an upscale, "proper" household knew the boundaries of decency. It seems those boundaries are now as porous as our border with Mexico.

One's right to use profanity is not in question. As abhorrent as it may seem, this author is willing to die for any ones right to freedom of speech. That, however, is not the issue. With freedom comes responsibility. Freedom, in other words, has limits. And, in a free nation, those limits must be self imposed.

Perhaps Soren Kierkegaard had it right when he said, "People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use." Common sense would dictate that you think before your speak. Isn't that what grandma always told you? A preacher's wife once corrected this author by saying, "You need to weigh your words!" And, for the record, she was right.

Rosie O'Donnell has been the recipient of much justified critcism. Whether she is funny or not will not excuse her crassness and vulgarity. She represents what might be termed a new cultural order in which anything goes without regard to its offensiveness, rudeness or truthfulness.

For me, a Rosie by any other name would still smell bad.

How about you?

Always make a difference.

There is Hope!

How can one make a difference in this world?

What are the core truths around which a culture can huddle in times of chaos?

Where can one go when they are disillusioned at best, and despondent at worst, with the seeming inconsistencies in a "politically correct" world?

These are only a couple of questions that come to this authors mind when I review the events of the past few days. No matter how you cut it, the massacre in Blacksburg, VA reveals a terrible void in our cultural matrix. I submit that the gaping hole in our social fabric begins and ends with the philosophy of relativism.

There can be no doubt that the pathetic actions of a deluded young man were wholly his responsibility. Regardless of the cultural influences, one must be accountable for the choices that he or she makes.

Relativism, birthed by Secular Humanism, is a philosophy that effectively removes the ability to place blame for any action. As such, to declare that something is either good or evil becomes impossible. The argument of a relativist would be, "What is evil to you may be good for someone else." This circular reasoning condemns a culture to anarchy.

One must begin to face the fact that this world has some basic truths that are inviolable. We must define what is good and what is evil. To do so requires that a society envelope themselves in a system that does not vary with whim or caprice; a system that is founded on inalienable rights endowed by a Creator. Such began this grand experiment called America.

DifferenceMakers invites you to a conversation around this topic. There must be a groundswell of common sense citizens to rise up and say, "Enough is enough." If you have an interest in this discussion, please leave comment. Let it be known, that not all comments are created equal. One must express their opinion clearly, cleanly and concisely. All profane or derogatory comments will be immediately expunged from the record. Reason must prevail if we are to have a productive dialog.

Let's make a difference in this rapidly declining culture.