If you're like me, and don't know much about the Healthcare debate, it's worth spending some time with this Fresh Air interview. The guest is Jonathan Cohn, a senior editor over at TNR. Check out his blog. He actually makes this shit sound like English.
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On thing I've never understood is why people who have a good grasp of vocabulary resort to using profanities when there is absolutely no need to do so.
In all seriousness. I just don't agree. I like profanity--just like I like all words. I think the word "Motherfucker," can be just as effective as the word "Breastworks." I like words. Some of them happen to be profane.
I understand that there's a portion of my audience that's offended by profanity. I have tried to cut down, and I think I have. But at some point, I have to be me. There isn't much of a point, otherwise.
As a guy that used to regularly attend meetings of Narcotics Anonymous, I can say there is such a thing as too much profanity. I don't want to make any hard and fast rules, but I think it's somewhere around when every second or third word is a profanity.
Or as I used to say:
Motherfuckers are fucking swearing too fucking much when fucking every motherfucking other word is a fucking swear word and shit.
I definitely wouldn't say I'm offended, and I think profanity works for blogging because its quick, colloquial, and personal. But I think it does have its places
"I like words. Some of them happen to be profane."
The fact that it's profane means that it is something that gives offense. Why offend anyone unnecessarily? I'm just being me doesn't cut it, because it's a declaration of selfishness.
that was a good interview and thanks for posting it. Without a serious conversation about "rationing" healthcare, like most comparable nations do, there will be no real substantial changes in skyrocketing healthcare costs. For example estimates show that about 27% of Medicare's annual budget goes to care for patients in their final year of life and with the aging boomers this will just explode. We need to start to rethink healthcare like we are rethinking SUVs and McMansions. Like the bumper sticker says live simply so that other people can simply live. Early on Obama gave some powerful speeches about shared sacrifices but I haven't heard this kind of talk yet in reference to healthcare.
This is the perfect time for us to bow our heads and listen to Bernie Mack's hilarious, but quite profound take on the meaning of the term "Motherf#ucker".
I'm still listening (and trying not to get distracted by the discussion on profanity), but I like the way he's breaking down the various interest groups and their concerns. He's being fair.
"the most basic definition of profane is "blasphemous". If you find blasphemy offensive, it's on you."
" TNC would be a much poorer writer if his main consideration was to not offend anyone."
Both of these involve rhetorical leaps that put Sean Glenn Limhannity Beck to shame. I didn't say don't offend, I said why do you offend in the way you do. I'd bet he's never given it any serious thought.
As for your invoking of religion, that's a red herring.
I'm going to suggest that you should read another blog. The beauty of the net is that there are so many. I seriously mean no offense. But if this really bothers you, I'd suggest you explore some other options.. This is what I do here. Other people do things different elsewhere. I hate losing readers. But there's no sense in forcing a bad fit.
In other words, you can say "Officer, officer!" to get the policemans attention. Or you can get his attention by whacking him in back of his head or by giving him a shove.
Profanity is the verbal equivalent of whacking someone in back of their head or by giving them a shove.
I find it offensive that you are offended. Stop whacking us in the head with you misplaced sense of outrage. (Is that your misplaced sense of outrage in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?)
Ocean09, among certain groups, using profanity is a signal that you are being casual, open, and friendly, showing that you are relaxed and that nobody has to censor themselves to take part in the conversation. I think that's what TNC is going for here. Among other groups, it's only used to express anger or other negative emotions. If you're a member of the latter, dealing with the former can be unpleasant and jarring. But I think it's worth trying to adjust your understanding to what they are actually trying to convey. If you can't or don't want to do that, as TNC suggests, it's worth leaving and looking for more polite company. :)
"Ocean09, among certain groups, using profanity is a signal that you are being casual, open, and friendly, showing that you are relaxed and that nobody has to censor themselves to take part in the conversation."
Now this is a new and interesting point. I'm not outraged by it, though I do find it jarring.
But I can understand the "let my guard down" thing.
I think it's time to drop this. It's really silly. I've tried to be polite. This is what this blog does. It's some times profane. Don't like it? Read elsewhere. It's a big net.
OK I will tell you what the fuckin problem with health care in this country. Its Medicare, you dumbshits. Just look at it. Its right in your fuckin face. It consumes 30% of the federal budget as it is, and will grow to unsustainable levels. Until we ration benefits to the wrinklies, we will never be able to afford Johnny's asthma inhaler.
MEDICARE IS AN INSANE, UNSUSTAINABLE, OUT OF CONTROL MONEY PIT.
Lets say you have $50,000 of taxpayer money to spend on health care.
You may:
A.) Spend it on a 6 week ICU stay for an elderly demented 92 year old with pneumonia, with the possibility of extending his or her life (in the nursing home) perhaps another 6 months to a year.
- OR -
B.) Spend it on treating 10 unemployed, uninsured young people with asthma for an entire year, or more.
A is America.
B is Europe.
Anyway, I went on and on about this on Megan's blog and I don't feel like repeating myself. I love Megan's blog, btw, people are so bitchy!
Here's a piece no one cared about. Meh, whatever, probably the most enjoyable article I did during my stint at TIME. Premiered a month before I got laid-off. The nail in the coffin? Ya think?
Here's me going after Al. I didn't so much have a problem with him, as I had a problem with media acting like this dude was the go-to guy for everything black.
This was my first real story at time. I was writing for the Business section, a real change of direction for me. At any rate, it's about Wal-Mart's attempts to colonize the inner-city. As much as I enjoyed this piece, I mostly enjoyed going out to Chicago, which is a beautiful, beautiful city.
This a piece I did about the cops just outside our nation capitol, in Prince George's County, a few years back. I wanted to offer a counter to the dumb, conventional wisdom that if you paint your police force black, you could eradicate police brutality. In fact, Prince George's--one of the richest, blackest counties in the country--also had one of the most brutal police force's in the country.
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
"He actually makes this !!!! sound like English."
On thing I've never understood is why people who have a good grasp of vocabulary resort to using profanities when there is absolutely no need to do so.
I've never fucking understood that shit either.
I fucking hate that shit, too.
So why do it?
“Profanity is the attempt of a lazy and feeble mind to express itself forcefully”
So fuckin' stop it, TNC. It's fuckin' offensive.
swearing relieves pain.
*coughMattTaibbicough*
In all seriousness. I just don't agree. I like profanity--just like I like all words. I think the word "Motherfucker," can be just as effective as the word "Breastworks." I like words. Some of them happen to be profane.
I understand that there's a portion of my audience that's offended by profanity. I have tried to cut down, and I think I have. But at some point, I have to be me. There isn't much of a point, otherwise.
As a guy that used to regularly attend meetings of Narcotics Anonymous, I can say there is such a thing as too much profanity. I don't want to make any hard and fast rules, but I think it's somewhere around when every second or third word is a profanity.
Or as I used to say:
Motherfuckers are fucking swearing too fucking much when fucking every motherfucking other word is a fucking swear word and shit.
I definitely wouldn't say I'm offended, and I think profanity works for blogging because its quick, colloquial, and personal. But I think it does have its places
"I like words. Some of them happen to be profane."
The fact that it's profane means that it is something that gives offense. Why offend anyone unnecessarily? I'm just being me doesn't cut it, because it's a declaration of selfishness.
1) the most basic definition of profane is "blasphemous". If you find blasphemy offensive, it's on you.
2) TNC would be a much poorer writer if his main consideration was to not offend anyone.
that was a good interview and thanks for posting it. Without a serious conversation about "rationing" healthcare, like most comparable nations do, there will be no real substantial changes in skyrocketing healthcare costs. For example estimates show that about 27% of Medicare's annual budget goes to care for patients in their final year of life and with the aging boomers this will just explode. We need to start to rethink healthcare like we are rethinking SUVs and McMansions. Like the bumper sticker says live simply so that other people can simply live. Early on Obama gave some powerful speeches about shared sacrifices but I haven't heard this kind of talk yet in reference to healthcare.
TNC,
This is the perfect time for us to bow our heads and listen to Bernie Mack's hilarious, but quite profound take on the meaning of the term "Motherf#ucker".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9FaHXIhX_4
R.I.P. Bernie!
I'm still listening (and trying not to get distracted by the discussion on profanity), but I like the way he's breaking down the various interest groups and their concerns. He's being fair.
"the most basic definition of profane is "blasphemous". If you find blasphemy offensive, it's on you."
" TNC would be a much poorer writer if his main consideration was to not offend anyone."
Both of these involve rhetorical leaps that put Sean Glenn Limhannity Beck to shame. I didn't say don't offend, I said why do you offend in the way you do. I'd bet he's never given it any serious thought.
As for your invoking of religion, that's a red herring.
I'm going to suggest that you should read another blog. The beauty of the net is that there are so many. I seriously mean no offense. But if this really bothers you, I'd suggest you explore some other options.. This is what I do here. Other people do things different elsewhere. I hate losing readers. But there's no sense in forcing a bad fit.
"I'm going to suggest that you should read another blog."
I do. This isn't the only one I read. :)
In other words, you can say "Officer, officer!" to get the policemans attention. Or you can get his attention by whacking him in back of his head or by giving him a shove.
Profanity is the verbal equivalent of whacking someone in back of their head or by giving them a shove.
I find it offensive that you are offended. Stop whacking us in the head with you misplaced sense of outrage. (Is that your misplaced sense of outrage in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?)
Why would you say it's misplaced?
I just stated an opinion and backed up my original argument. If you don't care to discuss it, hit the 'Main' or the 'Voices' link above.
Too much concern trolling. Do not want.
Ocean09, among certain groups, using profanity is a signal that you are being casual, open, and friendly, showing that you are relaxed and that nobody has to censor themselves to take part in the conversation. I think that's what TNC is going for here. Among other groups, it's only used to express anger or other negative emotions. If you're a member of the latter, dealing with the former can be unpleasant and jarring. But I think it's worth trying to adjust your understanding to what they are actually trying to convey. If you can't or don't want to do that, as TNC suggests, it's worth leaving and looking for more polite company. :)
"Ocean09, among certain groups, using profanity is a signal that you are being casual, open, and friendly, showing that you are relaxed and that nobody has to censor themselves to take part in the conversation."
Now this is a new and interesting point. I'm not outraged by it, though I do find it jarring.
But I can understand the "let my guard down" thing.
I think.
I think it's time to drop this. It's really silly. I've tried to be polite. This is what this blog does. It's some times profane. Don't like it? Read elsewhere. It's a big net.
OK I will tell you what the fuckin problem with health care in this country. Its Medicare, you dumbshits. Just look at it. Its right in your fuckin face. It consumes 30% of the federal budget as it is, and will grow to unsustainable levels. Until we ration benefits to the wrinklies, we will never be able to afford Johnny's asthma inhaler.
MEDICARE IS AN INSANE, UNSUSTAINABLE, OUT OF CONTROL MONEY PIT.
Lets say you have $50,000 of taxpayer money to spend on health care.
You may:
A.) Spend it on a 6 week ICU stay for an elderly demented 92 year old with pneumonia, with the possibility of extending his or her life (in the nursing home) perhaps another 6 months to a year.
- OR -
B.) Spend it on treating 10 unemployed, uninsured young people with asthma for an entire year, or more.
A is America.
B is Europe.
Anyway, I went on and on about this on Megan's blog and I don't feel like repeating myself. I love Megan's blog, btw, people are so bitchy!
http://meganmcardle.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/07/extreme_health_care.php#comments