All I can say is that when one candidate uses a smear campaign and unsubstantiated rumor to try to garner an advantage and win elected office, that candidate should, obviously, not be elected.

In addition, any elected official who participates in smear campaigns and unsubstantiated rumor should be taken before an ethics committee and held accountable.

Am hoping the candidate who stays above the fray and refuses to engage in negativity wins the campaign for Sheriff, and that the candidate who did engage in negativity never, ever sees elected office.

You know, AngieT, I've kind of struggled a bit with the term "judgmental" - Basically, "opinion" and "judgment" mean the same thing. However, being opinionated is aokay, but being judgmental seems to have negative connotations.

Does the distinction come from being opinionated/judgmental about things, vs. being opinionated/judgmental about an individuals actions/beliefs?

I dunno. Kind of talking to myself here, trying to figure it out. Definitely not in the mood for a deep, philosophical discussion, but I do think about it from time to time.

Never mind. I figured it out.

Scenario: Two men are having a discussion.

Individual one makes a statement; Individual two agrees with that statement, and believes it to be an opinion.

Now, consider this

Individual one makes a statement; Individual two DISAGREES with that statement, and starts throwing out negative statements like "judgmental" and often a host of other insults.

If Individual two had simply said he disagreed, and gave his reasons for disagreeing, perhaps the negativity and name calling could have been avoided, and the two could have agreed to disagree, and accepted the fact that they both had opinions, which was their right.

The problem lies not within the definition of opinion, but with the person who chooses to react to an opinion in a negative manner, and throw about negative words towards the other.

Got it.

Now I can get back to work

<whew>