In article , JJ
writes:


Larry Roll K3LT wrote:

Precisely. On amateur radio, one never knows when one will encounter
something which may make someone think twice about our hobby being
a wholesome and proper activity for a young person. When that happens,
whether or not what was said was "legal" within the letter of the law, the
potential exists for the effect to bring the ARS "...one step closer to
extinction."

73 de Larry, K3LT

Larry, our society has pretty much come to the point that people don't
care what others think of them any more.

JJ:

sigh Yes, isn't that the truth?

Foul, vulgar language is used
so much now that it is spoken in homes as if it were accepted language
and the kids pick up on it.

Every time I run into one of those potty-mouthed kids, I feel like feeding them
the business end of a baseball bat -- after it had been accelerated to home-run
hitting velocity!

I have heard five year olds use words that I
would never dared to speak in front of an adult when I was a youngster.

I have had my mouth washed out with soap (by a teacher at school no
less, would like to see one try that now), for saying much less.

I remember one time I called one of my brothers a *******. I was too young
to even know what the word meant. My father overheard me -- he immediately
made me go to my room, say an Act of Contrition, and immediately go to
bed for the rest of the evening. Before slamming the door of my bedroom,
he asked if I knew what a "*******" was, and I said no. Now I do. To this
very day I wish I'd looked in the dictionary before using that word!

I grew up in a farming community and when around the men, sure a few
cuss words would fly occasionally, especially when the wrench slipped
and a busted knuckle was the result, or over at the local shop where the
farmers gathered as their trucks and tractors were being serviced, a
hell or damn was pretty common, but never in a public place where women
and children were around.

As a youth in my mid-teens, I used to hang around one of the local gas
stations myself, so I can certainly identify with the colorful language.
However, whenever a female customer came in, everyone was strictly
on their best behaviour. One day this past summer, I was at a local
gas/convenience store, and a lady walked in and said to the young girl
behind the counter, "How come that ____ing pump won't ____ing turn
on for me?" I immediately replied, "because it's probably turned off by
your foul language!" You can imagine how she responded, but it's not
printable here, even with a lot of blank spaces.

There was respect for others then. It isn't
uncommon for me to step into an elevator with my wife and hear others
using very vulgar language with no regards to who is listening and may
be offended by such language. The sad part is, they think it is just
accepted that everyone has lowered themselves to such a common level.

Indeed. I myself, partly due to my having been exposed to the common
element during my military service, used to occasionally allow my language
to ripen a bit. I am now extremely cautious about that, and try to present
myself in a very polite, considerate manner at all times.

Ever set at the mall and just watch the people pass by? Look at the
sloppy dress, some look like they stepped out of a cartoon. Few have
pride in themselves anymore. And if you really want to see some
sloppyness, go to a ham fest. It is a sad commentary on our society today.

Yes. I myself like to dress comfortably; my off-duty "uniform" consists
almost exclusively of kakhis and a pullover shirt, and New Balance
trainers. But my clothes are always clean and in good order -- I wouldn't
want to be caught dead dressed in the sloppy, baggy, totally disorganized
manner young people seem to prefer these days. I wonder who they
think they're impressing. Anyone dressed like that coming to me for a job
is only going to get my standard warning about the door.

73 de Larry, K3LT