Fuck, shit, asshole, cock, cunt, pussy, tits, nigger, spic, fag.  They're just words; letters of the alphabet grouped together.  "Faggot" is no more or less of a word than "mongoose".  To take a trip back to the blacktop of my youth at recess, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

The only way words can hurt you is if you let them.  People's actions should offend you, not their words.  You should be more offended by the person who is nice to your face and pisses in your drink than you are by the person who calls you names.  People who call me names just make me laugh.  If they're trying to hurt my feelings, they need not bother.  I have to actually care about your opinion before you can say anything to affect me.

Truth is, profanity can often express a point in a way other language cannot.  If you're searching for just the right adjective to describe something, sometimes the right word is "blue", other times the right word is "shitty".  Whatever word best expresses the point I'm trying to make is the word I'll use.  For example, if I'm reviewing a film, and I don't like the dialog, there are a number of ways to describe it.  "The dialog is bad."  "The dialog is awful."  "The dialog is shitty."  "The dialog is as tired as your mama's drooping ass!"  As a writer, it's my decision to use the words which best convey my feelings about the dialog.  And if I'm being honest about it, "shitty" might be the best word.  I'm not going to censor myself because I think someone might be offended by my use of any particular word.  Fuck them.  If they are easily offended, they are better off not reading my shit, anyway.  They should feel lucky they are not currently on the receiving end of one of my triple-spin-flip ninja leg drops.

Recently, I became aware of a high school in Texas that was considering banning my website (for all I know, I may be banned by now).  I have to wonder: what am I doing so terrible that high school kids can't handle?  If you think I'm offensive and profane, you obviously are not paying attention to what goes on in your own school (check out this teenager's language, for example).  I realize that just because someone else is doing it, does not make it okay.  My point is, educators need to be focused on educating, and nothing is more educational than this website.  Stick with me and you'll earn a Ph.D. in logic, reasoning, and common sense.

Profanity and loaded words are nothing to fear.  Nothing to be hidden in the closet.  Very much like the dominant sexual attitude of this country, everyone is made to feel guilty for what they like or what they do.  Like big breasts?  Better not ever mention it, because some touchy-feely moron might take offense.  But it's just a preference, isn't it?  Some people like fast blue cars, others like big beautiful boobs.  Some folks prefer delicious ham sandwiches, others prefer huge magnificent tits.  What's wrong with that?  Why does it matter?  Similarly, some people talk all sweet and pretty, with all the politically correct buzzwords, and never say anything worth listening to.  While other people speak more colorfully and have valid points to make.  Fuck you if you don't like it.  As they say ... change the fucking channel!  But do not change somebody else's channel for them, change your own fucking channel and let the rest of us decide for ourselves, bitch.

I happened upon this page, which attempts to put forth reasons why swearing is bad.  In case this page gets removed or changed, I'm reprinting the list here as I saw it:

What's Wrong With Swearing?

Swearing Imposes a Personal Penalty
It gives a bad impression
It makes you unpleasant to be with
It endangers your relationships
It's a tool for whiners and complainers
It reduces respect people have for you
It shows you don't have control
It's a sign of a bad attitude
It discloses a lack of character
It's immature
It reflects ignorance
It sets a bad example

Swearing is Bad for Society
It contributes to the decline of civility
It represents the dumbing down of America
It offends more people than you think
It makes others uncomfortable
It is disrespectful of others
It turns discussions into arguments
It can be a sign of hostility
It can lead to violence

Swearing corrupts the English language
It's abrasive, lazy language
It doesn't communicate clearly
It neglects more meaningful words
It lacks imagination
It has lost its effectiveness

There are so many things wrong with these fucking arguments, I'll only address the ones that are truly fucking outrageous.  "It shows you don't have control."  Really, how so?  Sounds to me like these bastards are assuming the person using the naughty words is angry.  Just because someone is fucking cursing does not mean they are angry.  And a person cursing certainly is not out-of-control by default.  They are simply choosing the goddamn words they want to speak with and goddamn speaking them.  Same with "It can lead to violence."  They again assume people are angry when cursing.

"It makes you unpleasant to be with."  Depends on who you're hanging out with.  Personally, I see it as a tool used to keep shit-eating people at bay that I don't want around.  People who are easily offended and overly sensitive need not hang out with me.

"The decline of civility" and "the dumbing down of America?"  Isn't that taking this shit a little too fucking far?  If you want to talk about America being dumbed down, let's talk about the shitty education we deliver in public schools, and the embarrassing mathematic and logic skills of many Americans.

"It doesn't communicate clearly."  On the contrary, I think most assholes know exactly what people mean when they curse.

The most egregious statement is the very last one, whereby they discredit their overall argument by attempting to be clever with a little reverse psychology.  "It has lost its effectiveness."  If that's true, then why do you have a website dedicated to telling mother-fuckers to stop swearing?  If cursing is not effective, then there's no fucking reason to want to ban it.  If cursing had no impact or effect, these bitches would not be all up in my face about it.  Shit ... nice try, rookies!

- crocoPuffs