As I listen to the news I am amazed at the language that is being used! Our esteemed Vice President has been overheard “chewing” out people using what amounts to profane phrases. And, even he in the exalted position of President of the United States has likewise used “gutter talk” in some of his recent comments, especially regarding those who are in disagreement with him and his policies.
The newscasters and reporters/commentators have also begun using language that, just a few months ago would have been “bleeped”. But, now, apparently because our National “leaders” (?) have stooped so low in their dialog that it is alright for those who report the news. They should start using the “PG” or even “R” rating on newscasts to protect the ears of our young people.
But, wait; even those ratings have been corrupted over the years! I remember that, many, many years ago, when “Gone With The Wind” was in re-run (it came out originally when I was only 2), I was 12 and was not allowed to see the movie because of a “bad word” that Rhett used in the last scene! The movie censors (yes, they did have censorship of movies at one time) went round and round with the producers of the movie over “that word” but it was finally left in because of the impact of using “damn” to emphasize the intensity of the story.
I recently took my 14-year-old grandson to a PG-13 movie and was floored by the foul language used. Worse yet, it didn’t bother him – he was used to it from TV programs and other exposure. Yet, all in all, the movie was great; and it didn’t need the “bad mouth” to make it successful!
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In the early years of TV, up to about the 1960’s and before the “rating” system was created, the censors were there with their red pencils! In a family program showing a married couple in a bedroom scene, they were not permitted to be shown in the same bed – they had to be in “twin” beds! My, how times have changed!
Now, even in “prime-time” TV hours (8:00-11:00PM), just about every action and “position” and verbal filth can be seen and heard on almost any program you watch. And the “cable channels” are even worse since they are not governed by the so-called “FCC decency rules”.
Strangely, this ties in with trends I have seen in use of language and grammar. Kids who grow up in homes where atrocious grammar is used tend to have those same bad traits. It’s probably prevalent with usages taught in our schools as well. If the kids see and hear foul language and “acts”, they become accustomed to that lifestyle. When they grow up they pass those same attributes to their children.
Lax morals or permissive behavior does not make it right. And the same applies to what we see and hear on TV, in movies and even in some church “sanctuaries”. People tend to forget the fate of Sodom & Gomorrah and obviously disregard the vengeful God who adjudged their manner of living!
Why can’t we go see a “clean” movie or TV program without the assumed necessity of salting it with foul words and explicit scenes?
I’m not a prude – but someone needs to draw a line in the sand. Or I may just have to turn off the TV and the computer, stop watching films and just withdraw into a cocoon!
