[I debated about what to call this post, so I just kept it simple: "The BUT". Maybe you can come up with a pithier title for me.]
Something I regret doing in raising my sons was the over use of the word "but". One of the things children need (heck we all need) is to be complemented. To be told we're good at something. So I would tell my son, "Great game today son, but keep your eyes on the ball." Or "Good concert. You're really good at playing the trumpet, but you need to hold it up higher." I was just trying to be a good father. Giving the a complement and coaching them along.
What was happening however was that the "but" was negating the complement. What I needed to do was just give them the complement. There's plenty of time later for helping them improve. I should have let them savor the moment of being the apple of my eye. Let them enjoy the complement.
(Back to politics) Let me rewind that: "the 'but' was negating the complement." It's like I didn't mean what I said. QUESTION: How many times have you heard someone say one thing then follow it with a "but"? Or more specific: how often have you heard our new administration use the term lately?
As in when Obama said he believed in free market and capitalism but....
Or when he says he believes in the second amendment, but.....
You see, he doesn't really believe in free market and he doesn't really believe in the 2nd amendment.
So as you talk (or type) and you use the word "but", stop. Think about what you're conveying.
And when you hear our political leaders use the term it should sound warning bells and you should ask "what do they really believe".
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