It's ok to occasionally let slip a few choice words. I'm not so into celebrating it, as it seems some are in the responses (and perhaps in MKH's own responses). If she's a Twitter nobody with a limited audience, then the responses are improper; but as a public figure, I think it's reasonable that some would want ideals upheld in the public square. Twitter is not a private conversation, even if it's selectively public.
My father was a US Army drill sergeant during the Vietnam War, so possibly my standards for the correct amount of cursing from parents may be a little different from others. Not that he was much given to cursing as a regular thing. Just that, when he was ready to express himself, he was capable in the manner you'd expect of a Vietnam-era drill sergeant.
Having learned from him, once in a while when the seriousness of an offense merited it I may have indulged in a little bit of lyrical butt-chewing. I think that from time to time it can be helpful to underline the seriousness of one's criticism. Obviously this is more appropriate as children grow older, and become partially engaged in the adult world. If the offense is adequately serious -- a threat to life and limb, say, brought on by recklessness the child doesn't adequately appreciate -- the very shock of the language helps to reinforce the point.
In MK's defense, too, she's reserving her severe language not for children but for meddling tell-me-how-to-parent types. People who want to insert themselves into your family in order to tell you how they think you should run it deserve all they get and probably a good bit more, in my opinion.
I find curse words are like chili peppers. Using a few to emphasize the seriousness of the situation is quite appropriate. Too much too often and they lose strength (the eater gets habituated).
I basically am in agreement with you all, it's more about behavior in the public square. So the question becomes, if you talk about family business in public, are you still entitled to tell folks to stay out of your business?
It's ok to occasionally let slip a few choice words. I'm not so into celebrating it, as it seems some are in the responses (and perhaps in MKH's own responses). If she's a Twitter nobody with a limited audience, then the responses are improper; but as a public figure, I think it's reasonable that some would want ideals upheld in the public square. Twitter is not a private conversation, even if it's selectively public.
ReplyDeleteMy father was a US Army drill sergeant during the Vietnam War, so possibly my standards for the correct amount of cursing from parents may be a little different from others. Not that he was much given to cursing as a regular thing. Just that, when he was ready to express himself, he was capable in the manner you'd expect of a Vietnam-era drill sergeant.
ReplyDeleteHaving learned from him, once in a while when the seriousness of an offense merited it I may have indulged in a little bit of lyrical butt-chewing. I think that from time to time it can be helpful to underline the seriousness of one's criticism. Obviously this is more appropriate as children grow older, and become partially engaged in the adult world. If the offense is adequately serious -- a threat to life and limb, say, brought on by recklessness the child doesn't adequately appreciate -- the very shock of the language helps to reinforce the point.
In MK's defense, too, she's reserving her severe language not for children but for meddling tell-me-how-to-parent types. People who want to insert themselves into your family in order to tell you how they think you should run it deserve all they get and probably a good bit more, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI find curse words are like chili peppers. Using a few to emphasize the seriousness of the situation is quite appropriate. Too much too often and they lose strength (the eater gets habituated).
ReplyDeleteLittleRed1
I basically am in agreement with you all, it's more about behavior in the public square. So the question becomes, if you talk about family business in public, are you still entitled to tell folks to stay out of your business?
ReplyDelete