Sunday 16 December 2012

sticks and stones

As you know, I'm a Canadian kitty.  Many of us kitties, myself included, live in countries where we enjoy the right of free speech.  We get to pretty much say what we like, providin' it's not spreading hate or an out-an-out lie.  We're pretty lucky 'bout that.

But here's the thing...  just because we can say something, doesn't mean that we should.  Sure, there's lots of stuff we can say but we need to think twice before doin' so 'cause sometimes, that stuff just shouldn't be said.  We need to think about the words.  We need to ask ourselves questions like, are the words hurtful?  Are they distasteful?  We need to think about the consequences of saying those words.  Not just the consequences to ourselves but to others as well.   We need to temper our freedom of speech with kindness and wisdom.  We shouldn't just be spoutin' stuff off, like a mad garden hose out of control, all willy-nilly just 'cause the law says we can.  We're supposed to be smarter than that.

Peeps often say that words can't hurt us.  You all know how the saying goes...  Sticks and stones may break your bones but names will never hurt you.  MOUSES!  What a litter box load of poopies!  Words can hurt.  Words can maim the soul.  Words are not to be used unwisely.  Heads up all you peeps!  I've got a bit of biological knowledge to impart to you.  Your mouths are connected to your brains.  There's a reason for that.

So often peeps will say super-duper hurtful things and then hide behind the whole right to free speech thing.  And that's just what those peeps are doing, you know...  hiding.  And sometimes, other peeps will defend the ones doing the hurting 'cause...  you know...  the law says they have the right to do it.  At least, that's what they say....  Well my friends, it doesn't.  No where does any law say that you have the right to intentionally go around hurting others just 'cause you wanna. 

A while back, my peep encountered a couple of these defender-type peeps.  They figured it was okay for this other guy to say hurtful things 'bout a whole group of people 'cause he had the right to say it.  If peeps didn't wanna hear it, they shouldn't listen.  Uhhh...  excuse me...  I don't know 'bout you peeps out there but my cat ears don't come with an off switch.  You say it, I'm gonna hear it.  Whether I want to or not. 

My peep told me these two defender-type peeps were "a couple of ill-bred, ill-mannered young men who really weren't all that young anymore."  She said they "had the education to know about the right of free speech but lacked the intelligence to understand what that truly meant and the wisdom to know when and when not to exercise that right." 

Now, you might be thinkin' that I'm being mean by repeatin' what my peep said 'bout these two defender peeps.  Well...  three things.  Firstly, I figure that if these two ill-bred and ill-mannered not-so-young men can dish it out so freely and all, they had better be able to take a serving or two themselves.  Secondly, I'm a cat and everyone loves cats so we get to pretty much speak our minds no matter what.  Not to mention the fact that we cats are almost always right 'bout...  well...  everything.  And thirdly, when we cats complete our mission of world domination - and it's closer than you might think - no one is gonna be questioning what we cats can and cannot say.  It's gonna be a world with yes sir, no sir, three mouses full sir.   Or somethin' like that.  Oohhh...  a day to which to look forward, for sure.  I'm purring just thinkin' about it.

I'm gonna end this post by quoting the immortal words of Bambi's mom.  At least I think it was Bambi's mom who said it.  I had to ask the peep 'cause I never got to see the movie myself.  Gosh, I must have had a deprived kittenhood or something.  The peep, being as ancient as the hills and all, says it has been a really long time since she saw the movie herself but thinks it goes something like this...  If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.   Boy-oh-boy...  Bambi's mom sure was a super-duper smart mom.  Smarter than a whole whack of peeps out there.  Don't you agree?

37 comments:

  1. Oh boy you are so Right!Manners don't cost anything,great post Nerrisa,xx Speedy

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  2. Very well said! Peeps could learn a lot from us felines, but then again, they could actually learn a lot if they would only try.

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  3. It is important to say nice fings. U is right. :)

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  4. Our Peeps Dad used to tell her the very same thing. It is such a good statement. The world would be such a better place if everyone would watch what they are saying. Have a super Sunday.

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  5. Very true, just because something can be said doesn't mean it should be said. Same goes for actions too, just because we can do lots of things doesn't mean that everything should be done. Great post!

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  6. We agree, some people say things before they put their brain in gear.

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  7. Just because something is a right doesn't mean it can be used irresponsibly or hurtfully. Case in point in the USA - the constitutional right to bear arms.

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  8. Great post, Nerissa! You are so right about words being hurtful sometimes. Words have power. Use it judiciously. Hope your Sunday is great! Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrs.

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  9. Dood, well said. We agree totally.
    There's a reason humans have two ears and only one mouth, too.

    (Now can someone tell this to Faraday? He makes Grumpy Cat look sweet today. HRMPF) MOL!

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  10. The trouble with some peeps is they don't put their brain in gear before they open their mouths. We have heard that when someone disagrees with what they say the peeps just say it again and again but louder as if it makes it right.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  11. Well said! (We kittehz agree, but don't tell the peeps we said so!)

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  12. My mommy said something like "you're preaching to the choir". Of cats,I'm sure she meant.
    There's another saying: "Spot on", although I don't understand that one at all. What do spots have to do with anything? except stupid dogs. And on? On what?
    Mommy also said reading your blog is bad for my education. I'm young, you see. But I think you are wiser than people, and deserve to be listened to. Please continue, oh Wise One!
    Quinn

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    1. Dalmations. There are spots on Dalmations.

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    2. Great post, Nerissa! Peeps should listen to their furbabies more often. They just might learn some manners.

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  13. Over here in the US, our First and Second Amendments have been grossly misused quite often! Even a kitty can see these errors, if humans can't.

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  14. The lady says she likes the saying, "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it." That does NOT mean that you don't take people to task for saying things that you believe are hurtful or are wrong, just that people should have the right to say what they feel. And then confront them if you wish. Also, there are laws (varies from state to state) against using words "that are likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction." Or, yelling "fire" in a crowded theatre.

    This is the lady's opinion. Feel free to disagree!

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  15. We're with you! Just like the Golden Rule.

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  16. Yup!! Seems some humans have lost civility.
    It is easier for them to be mean.
    Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
    Tiger,Treasure,JJ and Julie

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  17. Mom Julie's dad used to say some people just look better quiet.

    Tom

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  18. Replies
    1. You mean, who are the defender peeps? It was a while ago but I'm only gettin' round to blogging 'bout it now. It all started when this one guy, who was known for preachin' some pretty hateful stuff, was refused entrance into Canada. He only wanted to come and be mean to people, I think. That's sort of his thing. Some peeps thought she shoulda been allowed.

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  19. Mommy admits that sometimes she has shot off her mouth before loading her brain. Me thinks she is very adept at opening her mouth to change her feets, but often it is something that has just come out the wrong way and she is furry embarrassed and apologizes. Peoples who does it intentionally and hides behind it "being their right" should be called to task.
    There, me has said it!
    Kisses
    Nellie

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  20. Well, *I* find myself in total agreement with you Nerissa, but my Human lives by the philosophy of Alice Roosevelt Longworth (Teddy Roosevelt's daughter--he was U.S. president from 1901-1909), who once said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit over here by me."

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  21. Well said Nissy! Just because we CAN do something or say something doesn't mean it SHOULD be said. Bambi's Mom was "spot on" !

    Holiday hugs, Your Pal Sammy

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  22. This is exactly why cats should rule the world. Purrs...

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  23. Hey Nerissa! Our mom had the cold so she was not able to work for us and we've gotten behind on visiting :(
    We want to wish you and famiy a very Merry and Meowy Christmas and many more to come!
    Sending love and joy xoxo
    Sherlock,Ash and Traveler

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  24. Well all I can say about peeps like that is: Where there's no sense there's no meaning.

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  25. I am totally with YOU dearest Nerissa! Totally.

    xox

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  26. Yup, it's all about the Golden Rule, Nissy. It's too bad some humans don't have a reset button so we can change their default settings to kindness.
    xo, Katie & Glogirly

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  27. Yep, I hear ya buddy. People can really hurt others with words, that's why us kitties can be much nicer to be around...Anyhoo, you got some great ideas for Santa that I read about, looks like you all are well-prepared! Hope you have a great Catmas filled with all the nip and num-nums and goodies you can handle!

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  28. Words can hurt - a LOT. It's easy for peeps to forget that, so thank you for the reminder Nerissa. :)

    We hopes you is having a nice day!

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  29. Those two defender peeps are probably the same peeps that don't want other peeps to have freedom of speech. That's only for peeps they agree with. Some peeps just don't have filters in their heads before they speak.

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  30. Yo Buddy! My Human's been so uncooperative these days. Sigh. There are some things *I* might be interested in saying to her. And they aren't really all that nice, either.

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  31. Nissy, I am hanging my head low...I dictated my comment to staff, and staff failed to type it. So here it is, late...glares at staff...I know first hand words do hurt. Some volunteers at my former shelter, after I had been there for many months, started to talk about how"she" isn't adoptable, "she" is mean, "she" is unsociable..and finally "she" ought to be destroyed 'cuz no one will ever want "her"...and no one ever did want me because all those volunteers stopped trying to help me and they stopped talking to possible adopters about how nice I could be. Thank Ceiling Cat Mom and Dad came...and the words...they still hurt me and Mom...just sayin'...paw pats, Savannah peeEss and the 'words' were WRONG

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    1. Hey there Savannah! Don't worry 'bout it. I am no stranger to staff 'issues' myself.

      I'm so sorry peeps said such things about you. They couldn't have been more wrong had they tried. Sometimes, peeps just don't think. Not at all.

      May the purrs always be with you. purrs

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  32. Hey Nerissa, Jet here.

    Wow, you are one sage feline... We're gonna have to read your blog more often, now that we know about ya!

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I love hearin' from my pals. I really, REALLY do. PURRS.