I always like to say that there's nothing and no one that I hate, but that's not really true. There are one or two people on the planet who have sufficiently mistreated me or have acted in such a mean/evil/destructive manner than I cannot forgive them. Considering that I am someone who has forgiven each and every one of my own rapists (don't ask how many that's been!), even having one or two that I despise is disappointing to me.

However, there are also some things in this world I cannot tolerate. Hip hop, for instance. To me, that's just noise. Religious zealots are another. God save us from Jesus freaks and fanatics. I don't mean Christians in general. Or Muslims or Jews or Buddhists or any other faith. Faith is good. But people who go so overboard in their beliefs that they feel compelled to constantly lecture and criticize others are just working much too hard to conceal their own inadequacies.

However, political correctness is (to me) the worst sin of all. It is political correctness that allows some groups to try and ban The Pledge of Allegience because of the phrase "under God". It's what fuels a number of people into an excuse for feeling superior to others and to criticize. It's causing The History Channel to blur paintings and mosiacs on a show I have on right now called "Roman Vice" because said art may or may not actually depict sexual relations between two consenting adults. Shocking! And that's with the disclaimer every commercial break that the show is for 'mature audiences' only and deals with explicit descriptions and depictions of sex. Where is the logic in that? If you have a disclaimer (and I don't see a whole lot of children opting to watch The History Channel of their own accord), parents can send the kids out of the room. Why deprive those of use who are  spawn-free from seeing these ancient pieces of art? To be "politically correct", of course.

Political correctness is often synonymous with "family values". As a rule, I can't stand people who push "family values" in your face. Or mine. Branson Missouri, for instance, takes great pride in their family appeal and family values. Yet, politically if nothing else, Bransonites appear to often use this term to perform guerilla warfare in order to press their strict religous beliefs. Family values are frequently cited as a pretext to perform prejudicial or biased actions. Spare me.

Also, I really disdain people who harp on other people's correctness regarding statements or thoughts of those people outside their own races. Ugh. I always like to say that I'm free of prejudice because I make fun of people of ALL races! Is that a crime? No. Nor are ethnic jokes, in my book. Some of the funniest jokes around deal with blacks, Poles, the Irish, the Italians, blondes, etc. Once you get past the ridiculous notion of: "Oh, you shouldn't make fun of (fill in the blank)...it's not right," you should be able to enjoy life more fully.

I actually tend to ignore the very meaning of "race". To judge people on their exterior is stupid. Those who judge other people for judging people on their exteriors is just as stupid. More stupid, come to think of it. Stupidity is the sole yardstick for my scorn. By stupid, I do not mean ignorant. Indeed, it's usually those who are well-educated and should know better who really make me sneer.

We should all make fun of everything. Not one single thing on this planet is perfect and therefore everyone and everything is up for grabs in the "making fun of" arena. Including ourselves. Why is it that those who do the most judging never see anything within themselves that is judgement-worthy? If "physician, heal thyself" is true, then perhaps one should also state: "Judge, convict thyself"!