The Right to Bear Opinions

Americans are guaranteed the right to our opinions. We love this right. We use it all the time.
If we set it to music it could be our alternate anthem:
I have a right to my opinion, it’s a part of me
Don’t question my op-in-i-on; we'll agree to disagree.
Wars have been fought so we have the right to bear opinions.
But with such a great right comes equally great responsibility.


Sure, we may have the constitutional right to bear opinions. But opinions, misused, can be full of sound and fury, signifying the boorishness of the bearer. At best. When opinions get really dangerous is when they are sprayed about indiscriminately, with little regard for the wounds they cause and the wreckage they leave behind.
Possibly those bearing opinions should pass some basic requirements before they can be counted as registered opinion bearers:


-Opinion bearer will have at least 70% accurate knowledge regarding the subject of each opinion, or refrain from voicing the opinion until knowledge is attained.
-A ‘cooling off’ period will be required before the discharge of an explosive opinion.
-Opinion bearer will take responsibility for misuse of those opinions.
-A previous record of misusing opinions to the detriment of others or to the process of logical reasoning will result in delay of permit.
-Opinions will be aired for pleasure, recreation, debate, discussion or in self defense, and never intentionally, with malice of forethought, to cause harm to others and the process of logical reasoning.
-Bearers of opinions agree that, although the right is guaranteed, an opinion is not required on every issue, matter, dogma, or bit of gossip.
-Assault weapon opinions will not be used when  BB gun opinions will suffice.


Fellow Americans, we should bear our opinions with respect and caution and dignity.


But of course, that is just my opinion.