Shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits.
Something's been bugging me for the day or so, people. We got a comment here yesterday that was complimentary, but hinted that we might use some words a little too often. You know the words. The ones you don't use in "polite" company; the ones you don't see in the newspapers; the ones you never hear in confessions.
I'm not here to criticize any honest commenters. We appreciate the feedback, for true. But I gotta tell ya--I just don't see what the problem is regarding language some people call vulgar. I mean, after all, "vulgar" just means "common." Really, that's what it means. For example, the Vulgate of St. Jerome was called so because it was the commonly used translation, not because Moses said "Let my motherfucking people get the fuck up out this slavery." So I don't have a problem with "vulgar" language if it's honest and direct. Shit, I think we could use a lot more honesty and directness throughout our society, and especially when discussing politics and current events.
Because, really, saying the word "fuck," as in "This proposal to cut taxes on rich people is crazy as fuck," doesn't harm anyone. I know that other, wiser, and funnier people have made the same point thousands of times before, but, apparently, it needs to be made again. The word "fuck" isn't obscene. No. You wanna see obscene? Look here.
Time for Governor Walker to call in the National Guard.
They could use some live fire exercises on moving targets anyway.
Go medieval on them. Lock the doors and torch the building. See if their union buddy firefighters are on strike.
Yeah. That's pretty reprehensible. But you could say that's just nutpicking, and those people, horrendous as they may be, aren't speaking for anyone but themselves (not that I am). Fine. But just look at any of the actual policies proposed by the Republicans lately. Any of them. Go on. Each of those words contains a different link. I'll wait.
That shit reads like a demon's wish list. Screw the poor, women, the young, the old, the sick, the handicapped, and everyone who isn't already rich.
And that's obscene. It's repugnant in a way that a word like "fucksocket" can't even pretend to be. We are ruled by cruel and stupid people, and their cherished proposals demean us all. I don't see how anyone can have a problem with calling the people who advance or defend such policies a bunch of shitweasels.
I just don't get it. I have no idea why anyone could be concerned about a perceived breach of decorum by some Internet rabble rousers when other, powerful people (though they do dress nicely and use salad forks and never say bad words in public) are implementing policies that will harm and kill millions of people.
But then again, maybe I'll just never fucking understand.
One of the first blog-based books, the anthology Special Plans examines Feith's role in misleading America into war. Buy from 
Sometimes the words get in the way. For some people. Sometimes.
It's sorta like the cry wolf story, I suppose.
If every sentence includes expletives then no thought is more important than another. No, that's not right. Let me say it another way. An abundance of sharp language wears away the point.
I agree with you that what is being done is obscene.
I don't have a problem with colorful language.
I don't use it very often myself because I get lazy if I use it too much, and the words matter.
Posted by: thebewilderness | March 14, 2011 at 22:17
Fuck yeah, Jude. Had to say it.
Posted by: Adrastos | March 14, 2011 at 22:28
I made that comment and I guess I didn't make myself clear -- or should I say I fucking guess I didn't make my fucking self fucking clear. I love this blog. I love your writing. It's rhythm makes it powerful, passionate and intelligent. What I meant was that when you overuse words like fuck and dick - powerful, perfect, descriptive words to be sure when allocated in just the right places - it diminishes the rhythm and force of the words you obviously carefully choose to make a point. They become filler and finally just visual trauma. They lose all meaning and only serve to make you look like you either couldn't find the right word or tired of your subject and just threw them in for volume. I meant no negative criticism or disrespect. Just an observation. I'm not a particularly smart person and certain not as clever as the authors of this blog. I guess I just expect more of people who are smarter than I am. Sorry for any offense.
Posted by: Nancy | March 14, 2011 at 22:50
So then this wasn't a concern troll but a regular commenter who said something you didn't appreciate so you put up a post about it?
Ouch!
Good to know I guess.
Posted by: thebewilderness | March 14, 2011 at 23:03
Fuck `em if they can't see daylight.
Posted by: montag | March 15, 2011 at 00:16
The thing that I can't understand is that "REGULAR PEOPLE" (who sometimes use the World Wide Web for business purposes, natch) don't understand that the internet is a hive of scum and villany and expect us (the regular purveyors of its heinous shit) to be the most polite motherfuckers ever.
Posted by: Ben | March 15, 2011 at 03:11
Nancy, I got what you meant. I guess I didn't connect my own dots well enough. I see the point about certain words losing their impact, and I appreciate the feedback.
But I started thinking about the whole concept of vulgar language, which is beyond the scope of your comment, and that led to the above post. That wasn't your criticism, I know. I didn't make that clear enough, and I apologize.
Posted by: Jude | March 15, 2011 at 06:00
Well, I fucking love you guys, each and every one and I fucking love what you do. So please, keep doing it.
Posted by: abo gato | March 15, 2011 at 06:36
Jude's a Sailor. That pretty much explains it to me! :)
RP
Posted by: Retired (once-Serving)Patriot | March 15, 2011 at 06:48
Personally I Very Rarely swear, but those that know me know that when I do, I mean it! Gives it more impact.
Posted by: FeralLiberal | March 15, 2011 at 07:11
After watching "The Commitments" many years ago and realizing that "fuck" aka "fook" (in Irish pronunciation) is JUST ANOTHER WORD there, it lost it's fretful quality to me. It's just another descriptor. I have no fear of fuck.
Much like Jude said, I AM offended by true attacks on decency such as he described above.
And I am holding by my assertion that if you don't want to see vulgar language in daily, nay, hourly usage...THIS BLOG IS NOT FOR YOU. If you can't see the message for the four-letter (+/-) word...THIS BLOG IS NOT FOR YOU.
It's humans writing as they please about subjects they care about or feel strongly against.
It's FUCKING AWESOME!
Thanks Jude, Athenae, Adrastos, Scout and all fab posters here - I fuckin' love you!
Posted by: Elspeth Ravenwind | March 15, 2011 at 08:42
Wait...so smart people can't use vulgar language?!??!? WTF is that about?
It's HOW the vulgar language is used...hello!?
Posted by: Elspeth Ravenwind | March 15, 2011 at 08:44
Elspeth, it wasn't about vulgar language. I am a lover of vulgar language. My observation was that I love Jude's writing. And over-using the words fuck and dick break the rhythm of his wonderful writing. It sounds tired after a while, like he doesn't care enough to find the right word. It was about writing, not vulgarity or obscenity, Elspeth. Jude, thank you for your comment.
Posted by: Nancy | March 15, 2011 at 09:05
I understand the overall issues surrounding clear expression and how vulgarity might get in the way...but I just gotta say that seeing the word "fuckstick" has me giggling a little every time. And not in a way that detracts from any overall message that any First Drafter is conveying. If I ever get reduced to guffawing a la Beavis and Butthead over the use of profanity here, I'll let you know.
Rock on as fucksocketly as always, y'all.
Posted by: liprap | March 15, 2011 at 09:26
Shit, Jude, you nailed it. (Sorry, did I use the word right? It isn't in my day to day vocabulary.)
Posted by: hoppy | March 15, 2011 at 11:13
Writing is art, and art, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. So sometimes vulgarities are a natural part of the writing. Such as the line, "Go take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut," from Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five. You really could not improve upon that line in any way.
At the same time writing is an educated pursuit, a profession for many. So vulgarities are to be avoided, such as when newspapers print an exact quote but with placeholders: "Kick his a**!"
In the end, we are all grown-ups and if we are reading something we don't like, all we have to do is close the book or surf to the next web page. I certainly enjoy this blog and I ain't going nowhere.
Peace,
Tim
Posted by: Tim | March 15, 2011 at 12:41
can we call them nazis NOW?
not hitler, but the lower ones.
Posted by: pansypoo | March 15, 2011 at 14:27
Pansypoo: No, we can't.
Next question.
Posted by: Jude | March 15, 2011 at 14:39
Right the fuck on, motherfucker.
Posted by: idiosynchronic | March 16, 2011 at 09:31
I can't explain it better than this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_osQvkeNRM
Posted by: Matt | March 16, 2011 at 23:01