Just smile and nod. haha You're never going to make everybody happy. I just let it go.

The problem with both of those options is that they lack the proper "ground of being" -- a platform to stand on from which to deliver whatever communication there is to deliver. Being "mean and negative" is typically some sort of internal reactive state that's overflowing onto others. Usually not a good thing. "Speaking the truth from a place of reason" is too abstract and philosophical. You're a human being, not a Greek Thinker. Also not a good thing. To be yourself includes, in part, being free from fixed strategies and concepts about how to express yourself. That includes both the options in this question... they both have the same common root disease. If you can see both of them as a kind of cognitive prison, they lose their attraction and you're left with unformed possibility: a kind of open "what's next?" that is like a blank canvas on which to create. That canvas is "true self", and that's the platform you have to stand on in order to say exactly the right thing at the right time.

There is no middle ground on this question. If you do something and fail, you get beaten up by the left. If you do something and succeed, you get beaten up by the right. Do nothing, and both sides will beat you up together for not doing anything. It really is a no win solution, so you might as well try something win lose or draw. Either way, critics are gonna pound you.

I won't bother with talking .. I am damned anyway.. SO why bother??

Don't waste your time looking for middle ground. Speak your truth and take the beating if it comes. It's worth it.

i appreciate the buddhist school of thought in regards to this paradox. in buddhism, the middle way is the practice of nonextremism. it is a "centered" approach ~ one of moderation. so within that context, there is a "middle". but when i look at my own life experiences i do not really see a middle ground between positive & negative. thats an illusion. negative & positive are two sides of the same coin...they go hand in hand...you cant have one without the other. without suffering there can be no ecstacy.

I'm The Chief. If you're Navy, you'll understand what this means with respect to this topic. I'll explain some here: With respect to "Damned if you do and damned if you don't", all I've got to say is this... Do the right thing regardless of what other people think, say, or do. Do what's BEST for your people, if they are involved (and what's best isn't always what they want). And if you have to personally suffer some for your people, then so be it. That's your job. Life isn't all about pleasing others. You'll NEVER please everybody, no matter what you do. It's far more important to act honestly, honorably, and correctly. Think of raising children, if you've any experience. You can't please them all the time, no matter how hard you try. Likely, all you'll end up with is a spoiled brat who can't take care of themselves or others when they grow up and that's no help to either them or everybody else. Teach them the right things, do the things that will truely benefit them, not just satisfy some momentary whim. They'll appreciate it later. In the end, doing the RIGHT thing is what matters. Screw those that have a hard spot with that.

No matter what you say or do, someone is not going to like it. Whether its your choice of outfit, President, or even your opinions on frivilous issues - there will always be an oposing side and someone who thinks you could have chosen differently. You have to have the confidence in yourself and know yourself. If you make the best decisions for yourself and for those that matter to you, it shouldn't matter what others think. Express yourself in a manner that make YOU proud!

man this is shit....if its goin to be beaten then say the truth....lol... :) otherwise it depends who will be beating me..haha

I will continue to be nice and speak the truth, because it is the right thing to do.