We all have pet peeves about something

Only one more week until the county fair. I'm not sure I'm going to last that long. The headliner this year is Kenny Rogers. I like his music but if I hear his commercial one more time I am going to scream. It's the same song snippets over and over and over again! It makes me want to smash the radio.

It isn't my radio and it would be rude to ask my coworker to smash her own radio. So much for my nonviolent side.

We all have things that drive us batty. Another of my pet peeves is intolerance and yes, I know I am being hypocritical here. There are people who shout their views to the world and expect others to not only listen but to change their minds about things. These same people practically choke when otherwise intelligent folks espouse opposing viewpoints.

I like to think I tolerate some things better than other people. For instance, uh ... um ... oh dear. I can't think of anything right now.

Gracie, our cat, doesn't tolerate much of anything. I have new hours at work and she is totally confused. My husband says she goes to the door to greet me at lunch and when I don't show up she runs back into the living room to ask him where I am. By the time she learns my schedule it will have changed again. Poor kitty. Maybe that is why she demands treats when I finally walk through the door.

Wait, I just thought of something I tolerate. Gun nuts. I respect their viewpoints and I understand why they think as they do. However, I vehemently disagree with them. I am convinced that most criminals acquire weapons by stealing them from gun lovers.

Perhaps the problem could be solved by allowing people to have unlimited guns of any make or model but ammunition would be priced at a couple thousand dollars apiece. Law enforcement officers would be given a substantial discount.

And for those who say it is their constitutional right to shoot other human beings ... I disagree with them. It is an amendment, not the constitution itself, that mentions weapons and then it says "for a well-regulated militia" not for the love of blowing up defenseless animals or people.

However, having said that, I would never suggest that gun nuts, I mean "afficionados" should change their opinions or even to keep those opinions to themselves. They have as much right to their opinions as I have to mine.

For the record, I grew up with guns in the house. I have gone target shooting and enjoyed it. I also realize that guns are deadly weapons and should be treated with respect and care.

I also grew up when boys could take knives or even rifles to school to show them off. It didn't occur to anybody that they would be used to kill. Kids expected teachers to correct bad behavior and if there was a problem the teacher's word would prevail. Nobody worried about self-esteem or rights.

It was a different time and place. Times change and mores change along with them. I can only hope that the commercials on the radio change also. Maybe it's a good thing I'm anti-gun.[[In-content Ad]]