
<p>(Warning: This commentary is not for the puritanical or sensitive. But it is a subject that is being dealt with in the press.)</p>



<p>I must preface this commentary with an admission that I am not a prude when it comes to language. I will use locker room language in casual private conversations – more so today than in years past when I rarely cursed in public or private (and never in front of my parents). Conversely, I never heard my mother use a “bad word” and my dad was limited to an occasional, “God Damn it!” Profanity was not part of my upbringing.</p>



<p>In my youth, the f-word was the shocker. It was only heard among the leather-jacketed, tattooed motorcycle gang members &#8230; by boys in the locker room &#8230; and Mafia hit men. Those were the days when an f-word uttered in the classroom could have gotten a student expelled.</p>



<p>There are still words absent from my vocabulary even today – even in private. They mostly center on the offensive slangs for women and ethnicity. But a number of words not used by intelligent well-mannered people in the past are now in common use. Words like “damn”, “pissed”, and “bullshit” are routinely heard in news reports and talk shows.</p>



<p>Still &#8230; the f-word had remained outside of acceptable usage – especially in more formal oratory – speeches, advertising or on television. That has all changed in recent years. The f-word has become the language <em>de jure</em> among the political class – mostly on the left, but not exclusively.</p>



<p>In responding to a reporter’s question on other nations’ role in producing peace in Ukraine, President Trump said “they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.” (Oh! I do not euphemize when quoting.) President Nixon used the f-word a lot in private. The recording transcripts of his White House conversations were riddled with “(expletive deleted)”.</p>



<p>The left began the normalization of profanity in the 1960s with the Berkeley Free Speech Movement. Today’s Democrats have made the f-word part of their political mantra. It has become a frenzy of foul language among the radical left elite.</p>



<p>You may recall Mayor Fry tell ICE to “get the fuck out of Minneapolis” at a press conference. He was widely quoted in the news &#8212; with “bleeps” and without.</p>



<p>While on the Shawn Ryan Show podcast, ;California Governor Newsom referred to Joe Rogan as a “motherfucker” for not having him on the popular podcast. In responding to a speech by Trump, a posting on the official Newsom website read “All those words when he could’ve just said, “Fuck your health care and your grocery bills. Get a third job, peasant.” Since no one got reprimanded or fired, we can all agree that Newsom approved of that message.</p>



<p>In addressing the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Governor Pritzker said, “Donald Trump and his cronies can fuck all the way off.” He also was in the Stratton ad (below) but was not among those dropping the f-bomb. However, his presence was his approval.</p>



<p>Vice President Harris said that the MAGA folks are “out of their fucking minds”. Her crudeness got a roaring approval from the audience. Perhaps it was because – despite the vulgarity – it was one of her clearest verbalizations.</p>



<p>In response to a Trump Speech, Texas Congresswoman and Senate candidate Jasmine Crockett said, “Somebody slap me and wake me the fuck up because I’m ready to get on with it.” When asked what she would like to say to billionaire businessman Elon Musk. Crockett has only two words, “Fuck off!”</p>



<p>“Fuck Trump” has become a rallying call for Democrats. Illinois Democrat Senate Candidate Juliana Stratton actually used the phrase six times in a single 30-second television ad. The profane term is being voiced by different people in the ad, including Illinois Senator Duckworth.</p>



<p>The proliferation of the f-word motivated CNN’s Michael Smerconish to deal with the phenomenon in a segment on his Saturday morning show. His guest was Professor Benjamin Bergen of the University of Southern California, who published a book entitled “What the F &#8230;.” – a book devoted to the sociology of foul language. (America is blessed with experts on every subject.)</p>



<p>I was surprised to learn that cursing – or cussing, if you prefer &#8212; is good for your health (if not your reputation). According to the professor, cussing has a number of health benefits.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Releases adrenaline.</li>



<li>Improves blood flow to the extremities.</li>



<li>Dilates pupils.</li>



<li>Increases strength by 5 percent.</li>



<li>Improves endurance by 15 percent.</li>
</ul>



<p>Wow! No wonder it feels so good to unleash pejoratives on someone. Bergan likens the effects to what happens in a fight-ot-flight situation. It kicks the emotions into overdrive.</p>



<p>On the negative side, Bergen said there is a direct correlation between cussing and lying. Those who cuss tend to prevaricate more than those who do not. (Hmmm. That may explain the current increase in profanity by politicians.)</p>



<p>Using profanity traditionally reflected poorly on the person using it. It is considered the language of the less intelligent – and those on the losing side of an argument. Even though profanity has gone mainstream, it is still not considered the best use of the English language.</p>



<p>Filling the zone with f-bombs is one thing. The effect is quite another, Bergan says that people are likely to approve if they agree with the person with the potty mouth – and disapprove if they disagree with that person. However, those in the middle tend to think less of the person using profanity.</p>



<p>We do not know who America’s great leader of the past spoke in private. We only know the words of Founders like Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin – and others like Lincoln &#8212; from their published writings, which were eloquent &#8230; poetry. The greatest political speeches and writings were devoid of profanity. On cannot imagine Jefferson putting “Fuck King George” down on parchment.</p>



<p>One can only say two things about today’s descent into &#8212; and acceptance of &#8212; profanity. It is a real thing – and it is a pity.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Enough of the F*#+ing Language!!!
