Dumber Than A Grapefruit

Our EMPEHI Group provides an opportunity for our mid 60 classes to discuss memories and good times from our High School Days.  

We are all bright well educated people who enjoy intelligent political discussions.  We occasionally get angry about the unwillingness of other people to see things correctly, which of course is how we see things. We have found that divisive political harangues are upsetting - so we don't do it on our EMPEHI Group. There are plenty of other places where you can spend a great deal of time getting into angry arguments with other people.

We sometime get into long winded never ending exchanges. It is hopeless to change the mind of the other person, they know what they know, and the discussion sometimes devolves into a tedious rancorous argument.

To argue with someone who knows what they know and whose mind cannot be changed reflects badly on us - Only a fool would argue with a grapefruit. If you argue with someone dumber than a grapefruit, well, then you are also dumber than a grapefruit.

The:
 

 COHOMPHSFATMAEGAPBOFMHS

(The Committee on High of Morgan Park High School Faculty Alumni to Monitor and Enforce Good and Proper Behavior of Morgan Park High School Alumni)

 

  aka

   

Committee on High (COH)

aka

The Pushup Police

 

has carefully reviewed our recent exchanges.  In general they do not permit or condone insults on the forum.  However, after further analysis, they have authorized anyone on the forum to call a halt when the argument devolves into a grapefruit discussion.  Any of the participants can call "Grapefruit." Just work the term grapefruit into the conversation. 
 
This should make us collectively laugh and see the futility of the conflict. Smooths things over and we avoid having a tedious and disruptive hassle.

Anyone who calls Grapefruit understands that the name caller is also admitting to being dumber than a Grapefruit. If we did not have this rule we might get a lot of GGC (Gratuitous Grapefruit Calling) which would stifle erudite political repartee.


A grapefruit does not have to be stupid. In fact, there are a number of very smart folks who are so angry and obsessed about someone or something they don't like that they become grapefruits, albeit smart ones. They know what they know, they cannot accept anyone who has a different opinion, and often become hostile and abusive. This often manifests itself in hatred of political figures, for example hatred of Presidents Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, and Obama.

It is not a particular vice of either liberals or conservatives. Grapefruititis can strike anyone of any age and any political persuasion. It worsens with age, with hardening of the arteries.
 
It is easy to see others who are grapefruits. It is hard to see ourselves.

Now everyone should want to avoid being a grapefruit. And it is hard to see if you are becoming a grapefruit. Like alcoholism, many people gradually slip into grapefruititis without realizing.

Some danger signs that you might becoming a grapefruit:

• You are sure you know all the answers.
• You have taken to calling other people stupid or liars.
• You are often outraged when you read things you don't agree with.
• You constantly demean elected officials, not with well reasoned arguments, but with name calling.
• You insult people frequently.
• You attack the man, and not the argument. 
• You throw out strong opinions without facts.

Best antidote to becoming a Grapefruit:

• Be tolerant of the view point of others. 
• Think before you write or speak. 
• Practice the golden rule. 
• Use logic, not rants. 
• Eat and drink sensibly, avoid drugs. 
• Get enough sleep. 
• Love often.
• Don't eat grapefruit.