Every-one has opinions. Everyone who is reading this has an opinion of something, everything and anything.

We live in a society where opinions are presented, regurgitated and often times oppressed. Opinions are presented in newspapers, on televisions and in conversations with friends and strangers alike.

It's easy for everyone to have an opinion and express it to others. What's not so easy is to encounter an opinion with which you disagree. It is very American to put down the opinions with which we do not agree, and to quickly label their proponents as "ignorant and dense."

We are quick to align ourselves with some affiliation, jump on one side of the political fence and take a stand on gender and race. But it's nearly impossible for many to take the time to try and understand the opposing side.

Democrats and Republicans attack each other endlessly, labeling everyone else that disagrees with them as preposterous. Anti-abortion rights advocates attack abortion rights advocates, and say they are immoral individuals.

Those from the last generation are quick to point out the many ways in which the youth of today are deviant.

Society can be easily arranged into demographics of people who don't see eye to eye with each other. Whether it be by age, gender, religion or political affiliation, it's very easy to point out differences between people and to neglect the similarities we share.

Furthermore, by aligning with these groups, it is very easy for people to attack others.

We are quick to point out flaws in others, but we all feel we can do no wrong. This is the same kind of thinking that allowed Hitler to justify concentration camps, southern Americans to justify slavery and countless other political figures in history to wage war, and these concepts, while in different forms, are still prevalent today.

Since when did we decide that we could control the fate of another's unborn children? What gives us the right to decide whether a writer's words are appropriate? Do readers nowadays even stop to actually read what someone has to write? Listen to what someone has to say? Or are we quick to attack others on quotes, personal demeanor and character regardless of whether their opinions are valid?

Could two people who disagree on an issue intelligently discuss the topic without attacking each other personally? There is a difference between proclaiming that our president is an idiot, and our president is incompetent due to his policies. Often times, we verbalize the former instead of the latter.

There are many who don't agree with the policies enacted by the Bush Administration. But are we so different in our beliefs, attitudes and behavior that we can label others we disagree with as absolute imbeciles? What happened to the good old days of courtesy and respect for even those who don't share the same opinion as you? Did those days ever exist?

We live in America. It's impossible to walk down the street without being offended by something or someone. Cigarettes offend non-smokers. Democrats offend Republicans. Men offend women.

We need to keep in mind that everyone else has an opinion about something. Just because what they say or do offends you doesn't give you a right to stop them from saying or doing what they choose. Outside the lines of discrimination, we should take the time to understand the opinions of others. Some people have opinions which are ludicrously unjustifiable, and others present valid points that might even change your own opinion.

It is important for people to think outside of themselves. Many of us are set in our ways, whether it be through family upbringing, religious cantor or political affiliation. But we encounter a problem when we cannot move beyond our own opinions and accept those of others. It is then that we develop the blind and unjust prejudices we all too often hold.

We all need to make an effort to become more tolerant of others' opinions. After all, there's nothing humane about blind, unjustified prejudice.