One of my high school English teachers (who had gone to law school) drove home the point that an author should never write, "I believe" or "in my opinion" or "it is my position that" -- obviously, if you're writing it, it is your opinion! Don't apologize for your opinion and don't candy-coat it.

In law school, I had professors argue that such introductory phrases even weakened the force of your argument. Maybe this is why persons feel the need to candy-coat. You all just sound too persuasive otherswise. Everything you write, though, is an attempt to persuade someone that you're right.

Everyone, unless I read otherwise, I will assume that what you write is your opinion (whether its in your blog or your comments to a blog). I will not be offended unless there are unnecessary expletives (please note that sometimes they're necessary). Also, anything on my blog is simply my opinion. No introductory comments are needed.

Further, none of these opinion entries are absolutes. We don't deal in absolutes (save the Sith among us).

All blogs and comments are discussion points. Only persons who sentence others to death/ prison, have the power to excommunicate, adversely affect your credit rating, or somehow affect your future earning power are subject to debate-with-consequences. Here, however, the debate does not include consequences.

It's great to get your blood pumping and adrenaline flowing over this stuff (I do), but it's nothing more than that.

From now on, stop with the self-deprecating humor. Stop with the "it's just my opinion" disclaimers. Stop telling others what's right and wrong (if you do, though, don't indicate that "it's only my opinion, but I think you're wrong"). If anyone out there is offended by another's statements, either grow up or stop reading this stuff. Say what you want to say and stand proud.

Stand up and yell what you're thinking with pride! Take no prisoners and damn the torpedoes.

Happy blogging!