CSU’s editorial
Profanity is a language mechanism designed to confer emphasis through shock value in speech. Other than during consensual sex, when such dialogue can conceivably add to the excitement, people use profanity when they attempt to emphasize certain thoughts - such as affirmation, surprise, indifference, frustration, indignation, and anger - in terms other than universally acceptable verbage according to the majority of the population.
This can be due to a lack of options in vocabulary, a habit produced by constant exposure to foul language in a contained environment (including upbringing), or it can be a conscious choice made in an effort to either irritate or impress a particular audience. The latter is by far the more common circumstance.
The primary problem with the use of profanity in public conversation is that it conveys a distinct disregard for anyone listening who may be offended by it - whether they are being specifically addressed, or they happen to overhear it indirectly. It is this implied lack of consideration for others that creates a hostile situation, as much or even more than what the word itself may be.
J. David McSwane made the simple mistake of failing to consider the total audience that he would be addressing when he made his editorial comment. Or, at least, that scenario would be preferable to the possibility that he, as the editor of a respected college campus publication, just wasn’t smart enough to express himself any other way.
This letter has not been edited.
This letter is a joke right?
Poor McSwane didn't understand the consequences of his actions. Didum's wasn't smart enough to express himself in an other way...
Makes you wonder how me became editor of the paper.
So what's next, you're going to blame his parents because they used foul language when he was growing up? Or perhaps it's societies fault. I guess Hillary's village is to blame too...
Posted by on October 8, 2007 02:38 PM
"Didum's wasn't smart enough to express himself in an other way..." -- oops, for a minute there I thought you were talking about tricky Dick "Go Fu*k Yourself" Cheney - makes you wonder how he became VP.
I'd blame his parents & Hillary's village for that, too, but I'd guess that someone as obnoxious as that pink sack of lard was just born that way. And he's an adult, too - not a 20 year old college kid.
Posted by on October 8, 2007 03:07 PMYou can use the Cheney F Bomb in a discussion.... I will up you 1 to a Kerry F Bomb in the Rolling Stones Mag.
Posted by bwr on October 8, 2007 04:03 PMLet's leave John 'Beetle Bailey" Kerry out of the discussion, he's taken enough abuse over the years.
Posted by on October 8, 2007 04:17 PMExcellent letter.
To all you anonymous cowards: Sign your comments!
Posted by John II on October 8, 2007 04:46 PMJohnny deuce...is this what you want sweety...you only had to ask..
Posted by anonymous coward II on October 8, 2007 05:38 PMThe "A Differing View" today by Allen Best really nailed you guys. Oh, I'm sure you'll find some obscure subtlety to wiggle with - can't wait.
Posted by Jeff Becker on October 8, 2007 08:42 PMThe "A Differing View" today by Allen Best really nailed you guys. Oh, I'm sure you'll find some obscure subtlety to wiggle with - can't wait.
Posted by Jeff Becker on October 8, 2007 08:42 PMThe differences between not spelling out the vulgar four letter which the Collegian used and not printing the famous cartoons include the fact that unless the cartoon were printed, nobody knew what was in them. Conversely, most people who read a newspaper know what F*#% means.
The rhetorical objection to the word is that it was unnecessarily graphic. People who cannot express themselves without vulgarity need further training in writing. It is unfortunate and embarrassing that this describes the editorial staff of the Collegian.
I agree that the staff probably didn't know any better. People who write that way are children regardless of their birth date.
Posted by Yaakov Watkins on October 8, 2007 11:46 PMSo much of this reflects the decline quite evident in American culture. We are rapidly becoming a third world nation, and are showing all the signs of it. Bad behavior is tolerated by authorities too scared to act, and thus it becomes commonplace. McSwane has amply demonstrated that he is a product of all this. He is young, and stupid, and unaware, as so many of his age group are. He also lacks discipline and reflects the appalling American approach to child rearing. The price tag for him, and so many others, is that he will always remain a rather stupid child.
Posted by Commentator on October 9, 2007 07:11 AMI challenge Lamborn, O'Riles, Hannity, Limbaugh, Andrews, Caplis, Newman, Rosen, and newspapers (CSU Collegian and CSU College Republicans-Ram Republic), to investigate the "phony military service records", of Bush and USSC Affirmative Action (AA) Alito. Bush is a known UCMJ-felon; AWOL, deserter, and guilty of illegal separation and discharge. AA Alito is a Bush clone.
Cong. Bush violated Truman's executive order, which desegregated all of our military units. Cong. Bush resegregated all of our military units, when he carved a NAM sanctuary slot for "W" in the racially segreagated Texas Air National Guard (country club). Cong. Busgh also violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 too. Every rich white officer, "dead or alive", that served in this federal funded plantation, should be investigated too.
AA Alito fleeced, pimped, and exploited taxpayers for 7 years of free college education (JD/undergrad degrees) in the US Army's ROTC program. He incurred an active duty military obligation of 11 years as a result of these "gifts". AA Alito is AWOL and deserter, and he also falsified, perjured, and forged his military discharge documents. He deserves a 3 year sentence (AA) in SuperMax, Pretend he is black, like me.
Posted by draftdodgingisntafamilyvalue on October 9, 2007 08:20 AMAnd here we are, all assembled for Miss Manners's class in how to beat a dead horse, again - and again . . . and again . . . and again . . . and . . .
O! Tempora! O! Mores! O! Feces Tarinum!
Posted by Old Grouch on October 9, 2007 09:04 AM2:38 PM didn't attach his name to his/her letter so I lay claim to it by virtue of expropriation in attaching my name to it. RG
This letter is a joke right? Poor McSwane didn't understand the consequences of his actions; wasn't smart enough to express himself in an other way: Makes you wonder how he became editor of the paper.
So what's next, you're going to blame his parents because they used foul language when he was growing up? Or perhaps it's societies fault. I guess Hillary's village is to blame too... Posted by on October 8, 2007 02:38 PM
Posted by Richard Grimes r22037@yahoo.com Free copy of Freethought Today at ffrf.org on October 9, 2007 09:58 AMWouldn`t it be great if he and the girl who proselytized for Jesus at graduation fell in love, got married, and had, oh my God kids?
Imagine their family dinner conversations.
Posted by Sharon B. on October 9, 2007 10:40 AMI don't know who is to blame for McSwane's immaturity. I don't particularly care. I recognize it's existence and know that the only one who can fix it now is McSwane. Hope he does.
Posted by Yaakov Watkins on October 9, 2007 12:08 PMOld Grouch mus be entering (or perpetuating) his second childhood:
"And here we are, all assembled for Miss Manners's class in how to beat a dead horse, again - and again . . . and again . . . and again . . . and . . .O! Tempora! O! Mores! O! Feces Tarinum!"
Another slight of the hand defense for "anything goes, everything is acceptable, other people don't count if the perpetrator is happy! (You know, like the leftist hero receiving fellatio in the Oval Office; or, leftist organizations smearing American soldiers in the NYT --alls fair if it's "in your face!"
Grow up, Old Man, there's a time to put away childish toys and attitudes, and at least feign respecting other people and their morals -- your's don't automatically trump because you are you.
Posted by Joseph S on October 9, 2007 12:18 PMI'm sure that you made Old Crotch proud of you, Mr. Grimes. Very mature to assert yourself in such a positive manner.
Posted by on October 9, 2007 01:08 PMLeave the old queen alone. He is irrelevant.
Posted by truthy on October 9, 2007 01:21 PMAll that anger will only hurt you Sheila. Get some counseling.
Posted by KW on October 9, 2007 03:34 PMKW:
silly boy.
Kisses!!!
Posted by Sheila on October 9, 2007 04:08 PMSheila, use the term "Bush you" and it means the same.
KW, what she has is righteous anger, the good kind.
Posted by Sharon B. on October 9, 2007 04:44 PMWhat Bush is doing on the Hague rape and death of two girls by illegal immigrants is a crime in itself.
Posted by RG on October 9, 2007 05:06 PMSharon: sometimes I think you are a quiet and unassuming GENIUS!!! I LOVE IT!!!
I think it is the kind of thing that should be make into t-shirts, posters, bumper stickers, etc.
Brilliant.
(KW: i am not angry, but if I were, I think I'd use the new term on you!) oh what the hec: bush you, dude.
AH YES... I LOVE IT!
kisses!!!
Sheila, thank you for the kind words. Pass the expression on.
Posted by Sharon B. on October 10, 2007 01:54 AMJVB,
2 More ..you forgot
President of Mexico Calderon and ex-Pres
Vicente FOX!!!!!!!!!!
OOPs,
My Bad..Brian Stucky
Posted by jj on October 10, 2007 11:45 PM