Bullying happens on the school playground, right? It’s mostly a phenomenon among middle school students, isn’t it? Adults never engage in bullying behavior, do they?
To the contrary, bullying in the adult world is every bit as present and active as that against which we fight in the non-adult world. Bullying is a lack of character, and should be labeled as such.
Lack of character? Bullying in the adult world is a lack of character? Yes. It is.
An article that came across my desk today describes a few of society’s adult bullies in action. The article involved the on-going discussion of global warming. Let me say right here that, whether the individuals concerned are right or wrong about global warming, their tactics are nothing short of adult bullying. It is those tactics that I address here. I address their lack of character, not their positions on global warming.
Here are four examples of character-lacking bully actions I saw in the article.
Lack of character example No. 1: At July’s Live Earth concert in New Jersey, USA, a bully we will call Keith Smith (fictitious name) roundly denounced everyone who is skeptical about whether current climate changes are man-made. Smith said that such people are enemies of both the USA and the human race. “This is treason,” Smith shouted, “and we need to start treating them now as traitors.” Never mind the fact that there is wide disagreement in scientific circles. This bully has no respect for those who do not agree with him. This bully believes that both skeptics and their thoughts lack value. The answer? Bully them into submission by threatening to treat them as traitors. When he was a boy, Keith Smith should have read a book such as Georgey Giraffe’s Giant Respect!
Lack of character example No. 2: Some (nameless) bullies have suggested that we make it a crime to deny global warming. Other (nameless) bullies have set out propositions that all those who refuse to accept man-made global warming as fact be prosecuted in Nuremberg-style trials. These bullies have no compassion for those who disagree with them. Disagreement does not harm the environment. Disagreement does nothing to hurt the bullies. Yet, wanting to press their own “take” on the situation, they suggest strict laws and punishment for those who will not agree with them. They are much like the schoolyard bully who insists on everyone doing what he or she wants – relying on power rather than wise debate. They all should be required to read a book such as Pandora Puppy’s Caring Circle.
Lack of character example No. 3: Cathryn Hendrix (fictitious name) of the Weather Channel suggested that all TV meteorologists who dare to question predictions of catastrophic global warming be stripped of their American Meteorological Society certification. This bully seeks power by putting her foot on the necks of those who disagree with her. Her position is not at stake. Her lack of character is. Rather than prove her beliefs, she tries to force them on others through threatening. She lacks self-control. Her children should read her the little book, Stinky Skunk’s Self-Control.
Lack of character example No. 4: One James Rodgers (fictitious name) published an article that was viewed as opposition to those who believe in global warming. When his article came out, an adult bully at the American Council on Renewable Energy sent him this threat. “Take this warning from me, James. It is my intention to destroy your career as a liar. If you produce one more editorial against climate change, I will launch a campaign against your professional integrity. I will call you a liar and charlatan to the Harvard community of which you and I are members. I will call you out as a man who has been bought by Corporate America.” Bullying! Bullies rely on threats to get their own way, and this man is no exception. He, too, lacks self-control. He lacks respect, compassion, and self-control.
Remember, we are not arguing global warming, pro or con, in this entry. We are simply looking at the bullies that want to rule in the matter. Each of them lacks character. They might argue that they are simply exercising the courage of their convictions, but courage of convictions never operates void of respect, compassion, and self-control. Bullies do.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?