On grandstanding vs the Ethic of Reciprocity (aka the Golden Rule)

Don’t you just hate it when people “grandstand” at your, or other people’s expense? Have you ever seen people giving crude, offhand, unfair, let-the-public-know remarks against another person without thinking of the consequences? It’s sad, especially when the remarks given turn out to be blatant lies because the “grandstander” ought to have gotten their facts ironed out in the first place.

These are some of the things that people do that can really irritate or piss anyone off. And it sure would be a darn good sight to see the offender with their foot in their mouth (although I would love to see a heel and ankle fit through it as well).

While I have been known to have committed these things in the past, I have been the unfortunate recipient of quite a number of these unconscionable acts as well. And so, having said that, I truly and deeply apologize to those who have been unfortunate enough to see my bad side (wow, the past few days have really given me time to reflect on a lot of things). My vow – Never Again!

And for those who resort to “grandstanding” as a survival tool, either at work, politics, school, and daily living, you ought to realize that there IS a human being at the receiving end of that action. And the damaging effects could be far-reaching. Now, imagine how nasty things could be if a “retaliatory strike” was in order. It’ll all just be one vicious cycle.

In the past, I would have countered with a guns-a-blazing, no-holds-barred attitude. But right now, I’ve found out that forgiveness, and prayer, work mighty fine.

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“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” — Jesus
“What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man.” — Hillel
“What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others.” — Confucius