Posted by Charles_Ca on 1/9/06 10:11am
Msg #87039

Expletives, communications and obscenity

Recently there has been a lot of discussion regarding the use of inappropriate language in posts. Having been in the military, gone to college, owned and operated a club/bar, worked in law enforcement and then spending a good part of my career literally in the trenches of heavy construction sites (as an engineer) I have a well developed lexicon of obscenities at my disposal. It doesn't mean that I should use them gratuitously but if the situation justifies I am not without resources. Some obscenities are spicy, some humorous, some just plain crude. Lately (last 30 years or so) the useage of the english language seems to have gone into the garbage can and I'm not just refering to the occasional typo or transposed letter that some here use to bludgeon others with.

I find that objection to expletives varies with individual useage. In many instances individuals who are otherwise well thought of are allowed a pass when using an occasional obscenity. It appears to me the most recent outcry was caused by an individual who had no standing in the community and the language was used to batter rather than as emotional punctuation: major diffeences in my book! The US Supreme Court ruled many years ago that obscenity is a matter to be decided on the most local level: that of the local community. If members in good standing in a community object to useage of certain obscenities it is usually good sign that the user has tansgressed. It seems that transgressions in this community are usually dealt with quickly and even thought we are spread across the US we are still a local community with specific interests and needs and this is about as local as it gets.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 1/9/06 12:34pm
Msg #87066

Thats the way I look at it.

Reply by Charm_AL on 1/9/06 2:21pm
Msg #87090

That's the way I see it too...is this an 'emotional puncuation?

Two nuns, Sister Marilyn and Sister Helen, are traveling through Europe in their car. They get to Translyvania and are stopped at a traffic light.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a tiny little Dracula jumps onto the hood of the car and hisses through the windshield. "Quick, quick!" shouts Sister Marilyn, "What shall we do?"

"Turn the windshield wipers on. That will get rid of the abomination," says Sister Helen. Sister Marilyn switches on them on, knocking Dracula about, but he clings on and continues hissing at the nuns.

"What shall we do now?" she shouts. "Switch on the windshield washer. I filled it up with Holy Water at the Vatican," says Sister Helen. Sister Marilyn turns on the windshield washer. Dracula screams as the water burns his skin, but he clings on and continues hissing at the nuns.

"Now what?" shouts sister Marilyn.

"Show him your cross," says Sister Helen.

"Now, you're talking," says Sister Marilyn.

She opens the window and shouts, "Get the f*ck off our car!!!

Reply by Charles_Ca on 1/9/06 5:16pm
Msg #87167

As usual Charm you get me rolling on the floor again!

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/9/06 4:01pm
Msg #87132

Although my husband says that my 20+ years of working with lawyers has given me the ability to put a sailor to shame, I still believe that just a little common sense needs to be used when we post.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 1/9/06 5:19pm
Msg #87169

Its a personal thing. That is why the

Supreme Court left it to the community. I sympathize with you. While, as I mentioned I certainly have the capability I don't make gratuitous use of it. I have real problems with crude language and actions especialy in mixed company. Don't let any one tell you that you shouldn't feel the way you do, they are your feelings and have as much validity as anyone's.