Re: USE OF PROFANITY ON THIS BOARD (c'mon folks, lighten up!)

[Guest guest]

>

> Yes, as I said, I know of boards degenerating for that very reason.

I

> do not want people quitting here because of profanity. So let's

stop

> the nasty language, shall we?

>

Tom,

As admin. of this group, you have every right to legislate

guidelines for usage and I will respect them. Having said that, I

would respectfully submit that the use of so-called " profanity " is

rather subjective. One of the major DIS-advantages of communicating

via E-mail is the lack of vital cues which can greatly diminish the

possibility of misinterpretation. Facial expression, body english,

and vocal inflection all communicate a great deal in addition to the

actual words that are spoken. To that point, I can understand how

some folks might needlessly get their " knickers in a knot " over what

was otherwise an innocent attempt at humor. Personally, I tend to

have the same perspective as Inger on this topic. In the proper

context, the use of " profanity " simply serves to convey emotion or

emphasize a point. I have always subscribed to the " sticks and

stones " theory. I feel that people who let mere words traumatize them

are severely handicapping themselves in dealing with the realities of

everyday life. Hyper-sensitivities of ANY kind are stumbling blocks

which will most certainly impede your " pursuit of happiness " . Only

YOU can overcome them, nobody else has that power. We ALL have more

than our share of obstacles that are beyond our control in this life.

Why not at least TRY to deal with those things that ARE in your

control? The Twelve Step program has something known as the " Serenity

Prayer " which I have found quite useful. Allow me to para-phrase:

" Help me to accept the things I cannot change, give me courage to

change the things I can, but most important, grant me the WISDOM to

know the difference. " One of the primary principles that this country

was founded on is " free speech " , and short of yelling " fire " in a

crowded building, we all have the right (at least for now) to speak

as we wish to. Nobody (lame attempts by the FCC notwithstanding) can

control what another person says, so why bother getting upset about

it? On a somewhat lighter note, I suggest that people who are so hung

up on " language " refer to the classic Carlin bit: " The

7 'dirty words' you can't say on television " .