Hiya Mike,

>>Then all I can say is that you've never been the beneficiary of gossip, slander and innuendo of sufficient strength to cause you actual damage.
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>I said a WORD is not a weapon, and I still believe it. If your mouth is used as a weapon to do the dirty work of the mind, a word is just a bullet. Its takes some accuracy and force to really hurt someone. Of course there are hurtful things to say, but just because some words are used more often than not to cause harm, does that mean that all uses are bad and that the user is un-intellegint?

I dunno.. I think you're splitting that hair mighty thin. <g>

And, no, I actually think there might be a point where a coarser word might be effective communication. This isn't an 'all' kind of thing unless that's how you see the world. My point wasn't the occassional use of any given word or not but the notion of having and adopting higher standards. If you're not against adopting higher standards I don't see where we have a conflict - unless you just have your nose out of joint and need to prove something - to whom I'm not sure.

And, yes, I suppose I'd agree with your premise. If you have a dirty mind, all things are dirty. If you have a clean mind all things are clean. We'd agree on that point - that is, that the content of the word eminates from the 'heart' of the individual using it. I must admit though that those folks I have known over the years who I would consider 'clean' inside universally do not condone the profanity I see today comong from so many sources.

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>A word is just a word, Doug. Every one means something different, and they are all used for a reason.

Again I dunno... I've seen a lot of words that sure didn't seem to have any reason attached to them over the years. <g>


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>>Being able to keep one's feelings to one's self without stupid and hurtful outbursts is IMO a sign of great maturity. I must also say that when I encounter an individual who seems to need to use profanity to communicate I must say I'm not too impressed with their ability to think nor their level of education.
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>Thats nice. Some day I'll be as educated as you and be able to judge people by just one thing thing that comes out of their mouth. But until then, I'll listen to another persons message instead of simply dismissing them as ignorant for adding force and depth to their statement. Why are you so closed-minded?

Yes.. Keep trying and someday you might be as smart and enlightened as I am.

*g*

Just kidding of course Mike.. Why do you feel it necessary to try to put a nasty lable on me like that Mike? I will presume that by so doing that you judge yourself able to so do and that you actually have the superior enlightenment that comes with that ability. IOW, aren't you doing exactly to me what you claim I am doing? Do you see that that is what your words mean?

Maybe you're just young and inexperienced and haven't gained enough life's experiences to see this...

What is bugging you about what I've said? That someone actually would like a higher standard of interpersonal communication? You're surely not obligated to follow that standard and I'm sure not going to try and make you do it. But why am I a 'bad guy' because I would like one?

I think you're confused about what's up and what's down.

If, by wanting to stand for higher standards I have a 'closed mind' then I will gladly take that definition.