There are two kids on a playground. The first kid makes fun of the second one. The second kid says, "If you keep making fun of me, I'm gonna punch you in the nose."

Would you say the first kid should continue making fun of the second one? Would you say the first kid's freedom of speech is under attack? Would you say the second kid is being a bully?

The way I see it, the first kid is being a bully. He should leave the second kid alone.

As for the second kid, we can all agree it would be better not to resort to violence. But is he really that different from any of us? We all have our buttons. And when those buttons are pushed, we all have our reactions.

Sometimes the best we can do is to let each other know what our buttons are so we can avoid pushing them. Shouldn't we try to accommodate each other within reason so that we can all enjoy the playground together?

In my opinion, not wanting to get made fun of is a reasonable request to accommodate. If the first kid keeps making fun of the second kid, knowing full well what his buttons are, it should come as no surprise what happens next.

*PUNCH*

Am I the only one who empathizes more with the second kid?