New post on respect

content/posts/respect-problem.md

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+---
+title: "Respect Problem"
+date: 2021-03-04T23:10:58-06:00
+draft: false
+---
+America has a respect problem. Well, specifically Texas has a respect problem.
+People respect others too much. You see, there is too much respect going around
+right now, and I won't contribute to it.
+
+This week Governor Abbott announced that he's going to be rescinding the mask
+mandate he has had in place since last summer. Texas ranks last in distribution
+of the current COVID-19 vaccines. Yes, the vaccine infections have been falling
+lately, but they've fallen before only to rise again when we've reduced our
+vigilence. And, since the announcement, social media has been flooded by people
+saying they're going to respect others who both choose to wear and choose to not
+wear a mask when phsyical distancing is not possible. And they've been calling
+on others to choose to respect people for their choice of whether to wear a mask
+or not as well.
+
+This is a problem, and it conflates what respect is. You see, respecting another
+person comes in two main flavors. There is respect that is given - respect that
+another person is human and has certain inalienable rights. This respect is due
+to everyone, always. But there's another type of respect, and that is the type
+that is earned. This is respect because you've seen that someone is particularly
+talented, athletic, hard working, wise, compassionate, and so forth. This is the
+type of respect that salutes someone for the choices they make and the decisions
+they follow. And this is the type of respect that is being offered and coerced
+from others during this transition from government mask mandates to personal
+choice.
+
+But the problem is, if you elect not to wear a mask when physical distance and
+barriers are not possible between you and other people, then you are profoundly
+lacking in behavior worthy of respect. You've shown that there is something
+profoundly missing in you. It might be your judgment and wisdom, it might be how
+well informed you are, it might be your compassion, or it might be something
+else. But, whatever it is, it is demonstrably lacking by your inability to make
+the right choice and wear a mask. My respect for the choice you make must be
+earned. And, if you choose to not wear the mask, then you have not earned that
+respect. To paraphrase Nick Fury, "I recognize that [you have] made a decision,
+but given that it's a stupid-ass decision I have elected to" disparage it.
+
+So no, if you choose to stop wearing a mask because the governor has lifted his
+mandate, then I will not respect your choice. I won't contribute to the problem
+we have with respect in America.