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April 22, 2004
Changing Times
This blast from the past caught my eye in this morning's local news.
100 years ago April 22, 1904 EUREKA SPRINGS — An unknown visitor who, with a companion, was using vulgar and profane language on Spring Street, was chastised by the Rev. Mr. Keen, pastor of the M. E. Church. The pastor called attention to the fact that they were obstructing the passage of and offending a group of ladies.
He's lucky that all he got was 'chastised' by the local preacher. It hasn't been all that long ago in my culture that such behavior would've, at best, triggered a severe beating from any nearby real man....and as recently as my dad's generation, was foundation for justifiable homicide. Swearing in the presence of someone's wife was the ultimate transgression, as it implied one's wife was a woman of loose morals.
My generation has Howard Stern.
All change isn't good.
Posted by Rita at April 22, 2004 07:29 AM
Comments
I think a man who would severely beat someone for swearing would probably be just as annyong to be around as Howard Stern. That way lies Taliban.
Posted by: Aaron at April 22, 2004 01:15 PM
Hey, I did find you such a man, though ... no need to thank me:
Pat Boone says censorship is a good thing: "I don't think censorship is a bad word, but it has become a bad word because everybody associates it with some kind of restriction on liberty," the aging crooner tells the Washington Times. "Censorship is healthy for any society, and that goes for arts, entertainment, anything." He also says that Mel Gibson is an "apostle" and that he has considered punching Howard Stern "in his big nose." (The Washington Times)
Posted by: Aaron at April 22, 2004 01:19 PM
Am I to infer that our antecedants were the Taliban?
Posted by: Bill at April 22, 2004 03:08 PM
Uh Aaron, my dad's not annoying. He's one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet. Just ask Mike.
Y'all don't get it. It's because swearing in mixed company is considered very disrespectful....it's the equivalent of saying "hey your wife's a skanky-ass whore that gives blowjobs to crackheads for $5". It has to do with manners, not censorship.
Hillbillies are very conservative about some things, especially cussing. Not that women don't cuss. I've heard my grandmother let loose with language that'd make a sailor blush. But never in mixed company.
Posted by: rita at April 22, 2004 05:10 PM
Rita: I am sorry to disagree with you, but sailors don't blush. Due, I suspect, to raging hormones and prolonged contact with the Sea.
Posted by: Bill at April 23, 2004 10:36 AM
Aaron... still having trouble with the concept of consequences?
It's kinda like ethics... if someone has to explain them to you, you're a lost cause.
Posted by: Mike S at April 24, 2004 08:26 AM