I didn’t see your post as a rant at all.
I believe these things should be left to the individual, to their own conscience and tastes.
I don’t watch television programming (with the exception of one football game a week in season for the past 45 years, so that history makes me somewhat evil around here these days) or news or read newspapers/magazines and have not for going on twenty years now, but...I go out of my way not to criticize those who do. If someone turns on the television, I politely leave the room to do something else.
I don’t understand how they can tolerate it, being subjected to it because it seems mind-numbing and toxic, but that is their business, IMO. It should be a personal decision as I see it. I watch a lot of movies, though it is fewer new things, as I plumb the depths of content further and further back to even the Thirties.
I have made a lot of changes in my life based on political motives. Things I don’t read, listen to, or watch, foods I eat, products I purchase. My most recent one was stopping all Coca Cola products after that disgusting homosexual commercial I saw. Stopped cold turkey. And I can say, without reservation, that I consumed more Coke products than any person I have ever known. I could easily drink 6-10 12 oz cans of Coke a day, sometimes more. People will say I should have stopped for other than political reasons, but I don’t force my choices down the throats of others, so I resent it when they force their choices on me instead of respecting them.
But that is how it is these days.
Yes, I hear you. And thank you.
Additionally a couple notes:
1st; regarding commercials, I see these when I visit my mother and at other’s homes. If these commercials, particularly insurance company commercials, are indicative of the educational level of Americans, we are doomed.
I do not equate foolishness with comedy, this foolishness is a sad commentary at best.
2nd; just because you can do something, does not mean you should. (I am sure most have heard this before) and where is it written that I must assist or cater to another’s belief or needs, simply because they exist.
Courtesy is given, but respect is earned.
I do not simply respect/defer to an individual because they are elected or appointed to a position. They must show some worth.
And it is ludicrous to extend respect/deferment to offices or furniture such as benches. Every human is an individual and one size does not fit all.
In closing I must admit I do miss the occasional Dr Pepper.