If Thou Wouldst be Civil, be Reserved

So, Jerry Sloan resigned and I rushed to judgment. I speculated -- along with most -- as to why he resigned. I speculated about how the team will do without him. I speculated as to as to whether Deron Williams will stick around after next year.

Not all those speculations should be taboo (Hey, where would we be if we couldn't speculate about our sports teams?), but it did help me realize what a speculator I have become.

As I thought a titch about it, I realized I have changed -- and need to change back.

Now, there was the day -- oh so long ago -- when I lived closer to the journalist's maxim (as I was a journalist): Discuss current affairs as an observer, not as a participant. Be detached, not taking either side. Be objective, not subjective.

Now, having an opinion is not bad. And, I am no longer a journalist and do not need to keep so unattached.

But, a titch of the journalist is to be borrowed from, if I would be wise, if I would be civil.

Show restraint. Do not rush to judgment. Don't feel a need to offer an opinion just to be offering an opinion. Wait until you have the facts. If you express an opinion before having all the facts, express that that is what you are doing, and express that your opinion could change once you learn more. No one knows all about all issues, and it is civil to acknowledge your weakness instead of asserting you have answers when you don't even fully know the issue.

Having knowledge about an issue is more important that having an opinion about it. Make that your first objective. Learn first. Speak second.

And, when expressing your opinion, there are times when you should acknowledge both sides of the issue. Restating the opponent's position -- thus acknowledging it -- is a form of civility.

Having knowledge about an issue is more important than having an opinion about it. Be reflective, not only in coming to an opinion, but in how you express it. It is a show of respect to acknowledge the salient points of the other side of the issue. The civil man offers a reserved opinion, and talks of issues evenhandedly.