Falling on deaf ears

More power to the political blogs. I like them and I seek out the ones that I know are expressive and entertaining or that share or reinforce my viewpoint.

But, and this is important, I always know what I am getting into when I read one. I know the author, or if a link is forwarded to me and I go off on my own search, I know in advance what to expect.

The same cannot be said for unsolicited opinions or, in this case, unsolicited email. It comes into my home just like a phone call, and if I know the person, I open it. And more times than I can count, I have opened up white papers, jokes and all manner of political statements that I neither agree with nor want to read. In this way I have learned what names to look for on emails and which emails to dispatch without opening.

And still the emails come, and with them, a nagging question. Why do these people who don’t know me all that well insist on lumping me in with the rest of their address book and sending me junk that I find offensive? I know, I know…it’s easy to hit the delete key and if I really care why they are sending them, I should ask THEM, not the pubic at large.

But what I am really seeking here are theories because I don’t understand the mindset of people who do this. Why would you send anything that expresses your personal opinion to the personal email address of someone you do not know all that well? Is it possible the senders really know my political beliefs and are trying to change them? Or perhaps they really cannot believe that there are people whose email addresses they possess who don’t believe the same way they do? Or maybe they get harsh email responses back all the time from those on the receiving end, and because I have remained silent, I am the only one, or one of a few, left on the list?

Here are suggestions for senders to follow before hitting the ol’ SEND key. To wit:

• People who don’t know you very well probably don’t care what you think about illegal immigration, gay marriage, Democrats, Republicans, abortion or religion in general. Some of us have our own views that we developed as carefully as you developed yours. And they are indeed different from yours.
• Even if those on the receiving end are distant relatives, or relatives by marriage, they probably still don’t care.
• Even if you are in a club or group with them, see above.
• If those you don’t know want to know what you think, they will ask you. Most will not.
• Stick to sending your opinions to those you know well unless people ask for them or unless you are paid to write them. Then the people who agree with you will read them and nod and maybe send you responses like “Yes!” or “I couldn’t agree more!” And the people who don’t agree will tell you why you are wrong and maybe call you names.
• Write a blog if you feel the need to broadcast your opinions. It’s what the rest of us do.

The author writes fiction for young adults with strong heroines and heroes. See more of her work at www.mudpiepress.com