I feel like I could probably start every column with: "I'm old enough to remember when..." but here's another instance of that. 

It's probably not politically correct in 2024, but in 1981, "Shaddap You Face" was a fun novelty hit. With a jaunty little polka beat, a mandolin, and some accordion, Joe Dolce introduced us to his sanguine Italian Mama and her sage advice to quit griping and realize that things aren't so bad after all.

By then, I was old enough that I was no longer forbidden from using the phrase "shut up," though as a young kid, I was. I didn't really understand why — it wasn't like it was an actual swear word. In hindsight, I suspect it was simply my folks trying to teach me not to be rude (and spare them the headache of a bratty little me irritating my older siblings). 

Either way, though, I look at it now and realize there was a deeper lesson there as well: We may not always want to hear what others have to say, and we don't absolutely have to listen, but they still have the right to say it. 

These days, there's an alarming uptick in calls for contrary opinions to be silenced. To those quick to insist others should be made to shaddap, I say, "What's-a-matter you?"

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This “Moore to the Point” commentary aired on NewsTalkSTL on Monday, April 1st. Audio included below.