I like to think of it as the varying sizes of the mesh in our respective filters....best to always keep some filter.

You get more with a kind word .......and a gun than just a kind word

Candor always appreciated :)

I'm not inclined to disagree with you on your own blog, However, there is a filter ... I've never heard you say anything mean, rude or uncaring. There are a lot of people who would do well to have one of those filters installed.

Perhaps all the years synthesizes your “output” so the “no filter” concept poses less risk of any offense.

In my experience ~ direct, observed, (and rumored) ~ you say what you think, sometimes for shock value, but always with an element of how you feel. It pays to know that you have compassion and honesty even if what you state is not what is being sought. There is a caveat emptor here ~ "ask Fred if you want to know how he feels, not if you want him to say only what you want to hear."

Truth is sometimes a hard pill to swallow. But truth is always right regardless of the outcome.

Truth is always better. It makes for real relationships.

I agree wi/Ben & Norm. There are different kinds of truth, excluding Trumpian or alternative (fake) truth, there is brutal truth (honesty); artful truth, wise truth, unvarnished truth, exclamatory truth. Which brand one chooses to employ is generally determined by context. I have no doubt you know the difference and cherry pick accordingly. Nonetheless, enjoy this privilege of vintage. You earned it.

Filter? What’s that ? I prefer to BLURT as you know . As you’ve told me . But it’s always been that way . Not only verbally but in actuality . I think I hold the record for kicking the most passengers off my airplane at American . The quality has served me well and garnered a rep . In the afterlife it comes more easily . As you know . But it feels so good . A release of sorts .. it contradicts my effort to stay within myself . Blurting is for all to see. Diane hates it . The kids are secretly proud especially the boys but as they age are more into slithering away from the source . At any rate .... It works for me . “What ? Me worry ?”

Hollander Sends

You might find this difficult to believe, but I actually hold a lot of stuff back. While I appreciate candor, it's hard for me to reciprocate.