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The Veterans Administration

Is Language Being Stolen One Letter at a Time?

May 26, 2014

When we were children, our parents would spell words, when they didn't want us to know what they were saying.  Now that we have grown up; we have more mature thoughts and ideas and we know how to spell. We live in a free country where we can freely express our thoughts and ideas.  Or can we?   The purpose of language is the expression of thoughts and ideas. 

But now we are constrained to use x, y, or z-words rather than the word itself as if we are not still conveying the same thought by using code for the word that is being formed in the mind of the listener.  LOL! There are words we should refrain from using in polite company but there should not be penalties like losing your home, your income, your business or barred from going to your place of business because of a drunken, angry or private slip of the tongue.  Even if we strongly disagree with a person’s point of view do we really have the right to impose such sanctions?  Why are some allowed to use certain words, while others are not?  As the saying goes, “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” 

Society has a way of allowing behavior or saying they have had enough of a behavior that offends the whole. There have always been things gentlemen/ladies did not say in polite company (PC). Then came political correctness; and now we have become a PC (publicly crazy) society where a few loud voices (in politics, media, entertainment and even in institutions of higher-learning) are attempting to control how our society thinks.  The masses want to live their lives peacefully and orderly, but when bullies get loud, society at first will try to appease the bullies to restore peace and order.  The problem is appeasement never satisfies them and they always want more, causing tensions to increase and anger to fester.

Like water starting to boil, a bubble pops up here or there until the whole pot (society) boils over.  It's noticed in an underlying anger in society and increased impolite behavior.  We see it on our highways as cars weave in and out, crossing all lanes for a few yards advantage, people allowing doors to slam in front of others including the elderly, and in harsh comments on the Internet to name a few symptoms of this societal anger.   We also see it in political campaigns where candidates personally attack each other rather than discuss the issues. To some of us this is a sign that these candidates are more interested in being elected to office than they are in serving those who are electing them!

To restore sanity we can refuse to participate in this public insanity.  We can make our own choices and control our own behavior.  We can choose to be polite and considerate of others.  We can choose to be better people, obey traffic laws, not use foul language (especially around children) and not allow others to provoke us to anger. We can choose to speak in love and to say what we mean and mean what we say.  Like antibodies fighting an infection, our strength, mixed with kindness to others, will be contagious. 

John, Mark, and Bill