To the young man who is campaigning for no cussing....

In 20008, the day before the Democratic National Convention began in Denver, there were meetings and presentations all over downtown.

I went to one with the Spiritual Progressive Network, and one of the speakers was Tony Campolo, an Evangelical seen by many as conservative. So, he should be right in your own ballpark.

Campolo teaches at an Evangelical Seminary, and he was relating the story that he walked into the class one day and announced, "Last night while you were sleeping, 24,000 people died of starvation." The class was quiet and looked bored. He raised his voice, and loudly said, "Whats worse is that 24,000 people died, and you don't give a shit."

The class was startled, and looked annoyed, but still said nothing. He raised his voice even louder and said, "What's even worse is that you are more upset that I said 'shit' than that 24,000 people died!"

The room where he was speaking erupted into applause and cheers. We were all pleased to know there is someone who is so passionate about poverty. So, to the young man, while I understand your concerns, I suggest you reexamine your priorities, and your perspective.

There ARE things that are more important.



On the average, 1 person dies every second as a result, either directly or indirectly, of hunger - 4000 every hour - 100 000 each day - 36 million each year - 58 % of all deaths (2001-2004 estimates).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starvation

:applause:

He was very passionate that day, and we could just picture his startled students.

We poor folk appreciate knowing there are people who even put their jobs on the line to speak up for us!

thanks... appreciate your comment! :hi:

and the language police are trying to curtail our use of words?

Fuck them.

WMD, indeed!

:yourock:

I see them as spoiled lil rich kids.
While we try to figure out how to afford dinner, get a new motor for my truck so i can at least take in some side work..I m disabled and SSD does not go far.

As a grown up seriously facing a serious problem, Jackson didn't have to throw in any adolescent F bombs. In fact, feeling the need to do so would have taken away from his ethos. Poverty is an obscenity. We need to fight it because it hurts people and it hurts our whole community life, even if we personally dodge it.

to know that so few actually "give a shit"

be judged by how much they care!

I suspect they won't soon forget that day in class.

:hug:

Maybe the two of you should be in that class.

poverty thread!

There are no cuss words. They are just words. Who decided they were cuss words? Who was the person who decided War was a good word but Fuck was not? I for one would much rather fuck than fight.

I think this might have something to do with the Norman/French aristocracy in England, which decided that French/Latin/Greek-derived words were superior to, or less vulgar than, various local (English) words derived from words of Germanic origin, such as pissen, ficken, and scheissen.

:hi:

:cry:

I know that when I see unrecs on another thread, it reminds me to rec it. That may have happened here.

In any case, it seems to be striking a chord. :hi:

is real "progressive" of you. :sarcasm:

those who worry about unrec are funny.

Sid

And force....his words actually reached out and smacked them awake. Good on him!!!!!!

All the supersized meals Americans are so used to consuming...some people have no idea how it would feel to be so hungry for so long......

Great post, Bobbie!! :hug:


K&R

it is so easily and so conveniently ignored.

Its also so much easier for 'Murkins to care about poverty overseas, and ignore it in their own backyard. :cry:

Thanks, K! :hug: :yourock:

when it comes to drawing attention to the plight of others, and hunger is definitely near the apex of the triangle in the hierarchy of needs. If the word 'shit' sends a few people reeling for the fainting couch with a case of the vapors, it's all the more likely that they will remember the context in which the word was used. Dispassionate narration and dry recitation & regurgitation of statistics is in itself 'shit'; sometimes people need to be smacked between the eyes with a virtual 2 X 4 to get their attention.

is usually how I hear that word. And "You're a motherfucking slut!" and "Get your fuckin hands off my goddamn daughter" from my neighbors across the street when they get into it on the weekends. This is usually how "cuss words" are used. I think any endeavor to raise the discourse is good.

On a related note, the health care reform legislation (whether one agrees or disagrees with it) IS in fact a big fucking deal. A much bigger deal than Joe Biden using the word fuck, anyway.

The numbers of people in America living on the street, in poverty, suffering with starvation....are growing astronomically!!


The people who are suffering the most cannot fight for themselves as they are too busy just trying to survive!!

Progressives...DUers....we are the only ones who care, the only ones who will do anything at all.

What are we going to do?


Here is another interesting story today...
"10-block long area of homeless people sleeping in the middle of the sidewalk"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8090397

This group is raising awareness about the suffering in CA, so if you are in the bay area or anywhere else close enough....please join this march on Sacramento.

"This march is about restoring the California dream. At its core, that means restoring faith in the notion that we as a people will help those who need it, that justice and fairness are indeed for all, and that every individual has the freedom and wherewithal to reach their full potential. These are the ideals to which we as Californians and as Americans have pledged ourselves.

That is why I am marching, and that is why our numbers will swell as we near Sacramento."

everything else will suffer.

For instance..

In 2005, federal homeowner subsidies totaled over $212 billion, while HUD affordable housing outlays were only $31 bilion-- a difference of more thann $91 billion.

While I'm one of those who takes to using "effing" and such, I don't blinnk when others choose the rougher version--because yes, indeed, there are a LOT bigger things with which we should concern ourselves.

The Reverend made an excellent point. thanks for sharing it.

I believe this would qualify for what Jesus referred to as straining out gnats and swallowing camels. Bravo to this young man!

Not any form of 'Christianity' I was taught growing up.

:(
that is just sooo sad. People dying of hunger, and "progressives" feel the need to vote "NO"

No question the priorities are askew.

who is, whether you agree with him or not, try to say something.

Feel good about that!

It takes a biiiig man.

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I read it as an attempt to enlighten people as to what honestly matters in our society, obviously far too many individuals have lost sight of what is the most important...if you honestly believe an attempt to limit cussing outweighs the very real and life threatening subject of starvation than it is not only the young man who needs to redirect his obvious concerns and energies to more deserving matters that would have more long lasting benefits...

"needs to redirect his obvious concerns and energies to more deserving matters that would have more long lasting benefits..."

:applause:

limited to perhaps the reader focusing on the ummm use of what some deem foul language in retrospect allowing for some to use false outrage as an excuse to once again ignore the reality of what life is like for far far too many individuals that reside upon this floating planet...

Lately I have seen far too many signs pleading for food and or funds...its more than heartbreaking, its beyond pathetic to see as many as I see daily in a country that continues to falsely claim how christian like they and this country professes to be...the rage is building and in doing so it is more than likely as in your op's lead character it leaves one finding themselves expressing a few choice words in attempting to describe the inner anger and heartbreak one is feeling...cursing is the least of this countries concerns in my personal opinion...

another kick for you and for those effected by such horrific conditions in answering you..

I'm struggling with trying to break through this barrier of unconcern (the opposite of love is apathy, not hate), and your kind words really help!

Thank you so much--you have lifted my spirits! :yourock: :pals:

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I thought the same thing...

The OP said plenty worthwhile, btw. Unlike that snotty little attention grabbing jerk-off.

That's a spoiled child of privilege unable to prioritize human need above stroking his ego.

Here's a kick for the OP, and a kick to the (idiot) young man.

But I do agree that Poverty is more important than cleaning potty mouths up.

Can we not just live an let live? Because his priorities don't match yours they're somehow WRONG? I don't agree with bringing others down in order to make your point. It's tactic reserved for bullies and your average TeaBagger. We are better than that.

maybe your poor young victim (oy!) needs to adjust his perspective a little.

Perhaps you do too but that's another post.

Julie

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Fuck him and his supporters.

great post

:hi:

I will be reposting this story.

experience.

I hope others get the point when they hear it, too.

:hi:

We can forget the rinse... just repeat. :)

And where did you park your TARDIS?

I love when someone points out the misplaced priorities of others. I hope the government gets this message through their collective thick skulls.

See you soon! :hi:

Amazing story.

Tony Campolo was certainly "in a mood" that day, and got a rousing standing O when he finished.

:hi:

He was a "guest pastor" at a camp I went to when I was in high school. He also spoke on several occasions at the college I went to. He's not all that conservative.

Edited to add a thought.

Edited to revise: I thought this was a post in regard to a DU'er - but I see it's about the Biden thing -- so I'll just edit to say, it's a great story.

Thanks for the thread, bobbolink.:thumbsup:

:hi:

:hi:

Worth repeating!

k/r

:hi:

Poverty should be a "cuss word" on its own. If we tackle poverty, so many other problems will fix themselves. When will everyone finally wake up to this fact?

:hi:

"Poverty should be a "cuss word" on its own." Oh, I LIKE that! Can I quote you?

I'd love for you to use it.

Edit: just saw upthread where this is not a DUer...carry on.

:P

We have to start making taking care of our people more important that petty issues.

:pals:

http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html
great new data

GOP is a psychotic narcissistic Cargo Cult, of OCD Wealth Hoarders.. they are mentally ill an are mindlessly killing 10's of thousands people to acquire more needless wealth/power. this problem is a matter of national security. it will destroy our country

they believe that Wealth is proof of God's favor of a man, therefore it is a sin to tax a rich man/corporation.. likewise the poor are being punished by god and it is a sin to help them.. does that explain everything about the GOP you've been wondering about.. well i think the following site will explain the rest. like why Palin is still in the lime light.. why is a corrupt failed Alaskan politician from no-where.. middle aged ignorant hillbilly valley girl still in the main stream spot light..?



http://doggo.tripod.com/doggchrisdomin.html
Leo Strauss was born in 1899 and died in 1973. ... He is most famous for resuscitating Machiavelli and introducing his principles as the guiding philosophy of the neo-conservative movement. ... More than any other man, Strauss breathed upon conservatism, inspiring it to rise from its atrophied condition and its natural dislike of change and to embrace an unbounded new political ideology that rides on the back of a revolutionary steed, hailing even radical change; hence the name Neo-Conservatives.

Significantly, Dominionism is a form of Social Darwinism.<48> It inherently includes the religious belief that wealth-power is a sign of God’s election. That is, out of the masses of people and the multitude of nations, wealth, in and of itself, is thought to indicate God’s approval on men and nations whereas poverty and sickness reflect God’s disapproval.

(It was not until I read this article that I realized that this is a fundamental tenet of Dominionists.

Worldly wealth and power are signs of God's favor -- to attempt to limit or decrease one's wealth and power is to disrespect God.

On the contrary, God's elect on Earth are called upon to increase their wealth and power.

It is not sufficient for a man to be a millionaire, or for a country to have sovereignty within its borders -- a man must strive to increase his wealth as much as possible, and a Dominionist government's behavior toward its neighbors must be "invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity".

Furthermore, any attempt to decrease a person's or a country's wealth and power -- to take from the rich to give to the poor, to reduce military spending and power -- is a direct attack on God.)

If “Secular Humanists are the greatest threat to Christianity the world has ever known,” as theologian Francis Schaeffer claimed, then who are the Humanists? According to Dominionists, humanists are the folks who allow or encourage licentious behavior in America. They are the undisciplined revelers.

Put all the enemies of the Dominionists together, boil them down to liquid and bake them into the one single most highly derided and contaminated individual known to man, and you will have before you an image of the quintessential “liberal” -- one of those folks who wants to give liberally to the poor and needy -- who desires the welfare and happiness of all Americans -- who insists on safety regulations for your protection and who desires the preservation of your values -- those damnable people are the folks that must be reduced to powerlessness -- or worse: extinction.

What would a “reconstructed” America look like under the Dominionists? K.L. Gentry, a Dominionist himself, suggests the following “elements of a theonomic approach to civic order,” which I strongly suggest should be compared to the Texas GOP platform of 2002, which reveals that we are not just talking about imaginary ideas but some things are already proposed on Republican agendas.<60> Dominionism’s concept of government according to Gentry is as follows:

“1. It obligates government to maintain just monetary policies ... fiat money, fractional reserve banking, and deficit spending.

“2. It provides a moral basis for elective government officials. ...

“3. It forbids undue, abusive taxation of the rich. ...

“4. It calls for the abolishing of the prison system and establishing a system of just restitution. *...

“5. A theonomic approach also forbids the release, pardoning, and paroling of murderers by requiring their execution. ...

“6. It forbids industrial pollution that destroys the value of property. ...

“7. It punishes malicious, frivolous malpractice suits. ...

“8. It forbids abortion rights. ... Abortion is not only a sin, but a crime, and, indeed, a capital crime.”<61>
. . .

* Gary North describes the ‘just restitution’ system of the bible, which happens to reinstitute slavery,
like this:


“At the other end of the curve, the poor man who steals is eventually caught and sold into bondage under a successful person. His victim receives payment; he receives training; his buyer receives a stream of labor services. If the servant is successful and buys his way out of bondage, he re-enters society as a disciplined man, and presumably a self-disciplined man. He begins to accumulate wealth.”

By the time you were 8 years old... At least in my neighborhood, Canarsie, when I was raised, in the '60s.
So tell the fucking bastard shithead pussy to shut his little shithole. He's speaking out of his fucking ass, and he knows it. There are far more things to be concerned about than a few words. And as was mentioned here previously, who decides what the fuck are these "cuss" words you speak of. As far the fuck as I am concerned, Dick Cheney, and George Bush should be the most obscene words in ANY language!
Now shit or get off the fucking pot, you assholes!

Personally I recommend playing George Carlin's "7 Words You Cant Say On TV" bit while you do it:

http://www.nocussing.com

It gives some real perspective and I'll remember to use it during the training sessions I run, if that's cool with you.

I have a feeling Tony Campolo would be very happy for you to use it! :hi:

:yourock:

when the masses gathered to protest him- he turned on them and asked why they weren't protesting OUR using napalm on Viet Namese innocents.

oh- and there was never any plans for "the dog". ;)

It's a part of our language and giving "poo poo" words a special status just gives them power, and empowers word police to tempt me to more destructive forms of verbal sparring than mere cussing.

Like anything humans are capable of adapting, used in moderation cussing becomes a modifier and "color" in speech. We all excrete food waste. We all have sexual parts, that ironically are used for sex. To claim that proper descriptive language is more appropriate than figurative language in adding color to language, if color is what the goal is, then I would disagree, and say with merry annoyance

"fuck you you silly dumb shit, and here's your personal invitation to go get a life."

I did like tale told in the OP . . .

"Our members take the No Cussing Challenge, which is a commitment to themselves to use better language. This commitment not only improves their lives but also the world around them. Through our motto, "Leave People Better Than You Found Them" our members are also looking for opportunities everyday to help people and lift them up through their words and actions."

It's more than just "no cussing", it's about communicating with people in ways other than with labels and incendiary speech. I think this is something high-schoolers (and those adults with a high-school mentality) could get behind.

Language has many forms and uses. To say that cussing is an unacceptable form of language is to say that ewers are an unacceptable form of water jug.

It's that silly.

If you don't want to speak in archaic terms than don't. If wouldst elocute thy speech though were an Elizabethan, then do so. If you want to fo' shizzle your grammar, or say you don't give a flying shit, do so. It's NOT offensive and it shouldn't be. It's a bodily function, and by continuing to pretend it's offensive it makes use of the phrase "incendiary". To babtists and prudes.

That guy is a "regulator" and I file those kinds of people away with high priests, people who need a flock or a club to validate themselves, and who must messianically bring their message to the ignorant unsaved masses.

While that is his choice, I don't have time for that.

Does that negate the message that we should all "Leave People Better Than We Found Them"? What the fuck is so wrong with raising awareness of your WORDS and how they can AFFECT other people...?

I'm just saying that campaigning on poo poo words as the means to that end is myopic, in my opinion, all good intentions aside.

Also, it presumes a bit much about the state of people to begin with, and about their saintly abilities to sanitize the conversation.

I personally don't buy into it, but yes, whatever.

Well done. Now there's a potent advocacy post! :toast:

Julie

THIS is the kind of waking up this country...world, even...needs!

I hate the puritanical evangelists who interrupt you to advise you not to say those words..... such superficiality.

I read somewhere recently that people who let out a good "curse word" when necessary are healthier than those who piously repress.

I'm always appalled by the ones in the too-tighty whiteys who like to pontificate on things that are only important if your world ends at the tip of your nose.

:kick:

you don't need a kick! but what the hey :kick:
So glad you've got a voice that you use!!

seems to me there should be a limit as when unrecs aren't allowed, 200 might be a place to start, its just small...

after letting loose with some of my more colorful language!

Great OP!

I'll be repeating it.

both sides of the aisle should work as hard as they can to avoid thes startling numbers. Thank you for posting this.