I generally agree with your premise. However, I also think we need some shock value to counter the shocks they are giving us. The world needs to know that those of us disinclined to be crude and rude, have been forced to cross a cultural rubicon by everything we are seeing and experiencing, and vulgarity may be the only expression that still works.
Congratulations on your MFing essay this week in Texas To The MFing World. Your leadership in calling out that MFer Beto O’Rourke for his MFing use of profanity when describing the obscenity that is MFer Greg Abbott’s inaction on the MFing msss murder of Texas schoolchildren, trapped in the MFing underworld while you and other MFing Outlaws try to roll the MFing rock of justice up the hill of the MFing TX GOP’s corrupt devotion to the MFing Gun Lobby and the MFing Almighty Dollar.
I've used it, too, but not with any frequency, and it takes something extreme for me to deploy the term. I know a few MFers, too. Thanks as always, dear friend, for reaching out.
I think it's a powerful word because it does not come up in casual conversation with most people, even if its diminutive "f*ck" does. MoFo works for the speaker to deliver shock; especially in an environment like this one.
Artfully said and I mean artfully. Effective use of expletives is indeed an art form. It's acceptable discourse by comedians and yet few do it well. We celebrate those who do. It's understandably rare for expletives to be the best word choice for a politician, but they are words and there is a time and place for them. They are often hurtful words.
To your point, the situation called for a hurtful word and ironically, motherfucker probably wasn't hurtful enough. Beto was on point and like those celebrated comedians, should be lauded for his unrestrained vocabulary. He's truly a gifted speaker.
And I cheer your use of motherfucker in this story as well. It's not an easy term to use correctly. One technique is to use it often. Repeat the fuck out it. Desensitize your audience to strip away its vulgerness to make your point. Beto's point was to in fact hurt his target, deep in the wheelhouse of the term's reason for existing in our lexicon. I believe you used it effectively as well. Very few people do.
There's a difference between profanity and obscenity. Obscenity is killing 19 children and two teachers. Obscenity is killing 23 people and wounding 23 more in an El Paso Walmart because of hatred toward Hispanics. Obscenity is killing 26 churchgoers in Sutherland Springs because you don't like your mother-in-law.
Obscenity is also protecting and promoting the legal and social structures that allow such obscenities to flourish.
The Old Testament prophets understood this, even if we've seemed to forget it today. As Amos says,
Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,
you will not live in them;
though you have planted lush vineyards,
you will not drink their wine.
For I know how many are your offenses
and how great your sins.
There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes
and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
I am sure the priests and the powerful were scandalized by Amos's language back in the day. They nodded sagely and offered equivocation, tut-tutting from their comfortable perches.
The world needs more prophets. It needs Beto O'Rourke, too.
I generally agree with your premise. However, I also think we need some shock value to counter the shocks they are giving us. The world needs to know that those of us disinclined to be crude and rude, have been forced to cross a cultural rubicon by everything we are seeing and experiencing, and vulgarity may be the only expression that still works.
I shall not stop, my fellow MFer
Thanks, pal. I appreciate your nice words about my bad words.
Dear James MFing Moore,
Congratulations on your MFing essay this week in Texas To The MFing World. Your leadership in calling out that MFer Beto O’Rourke for his MFing use of profanity when describing the obscenity that is MFer Greg Abbott’s inaction on the MFing msss murder of Texas schoolchildren, trapped in the MFing underworld while you and other MFing Outlaws try to roll the MFing rock of justice up the hill of the MFing TX GOP’s corrupt devotion to the MFing Gun Lobby and the MFing Almighty Dollar.
Rage on, MFer, rage on!
I've used it, too, but not with any frequency, and it takes something extreme for me to deploy the term. I know a few MFers, too. Thanks as always, dear friend, for reaching out.
I don't think it is necessary to use conventional tactics in asymmetrical warfare. We have to use shock to reach people.
I think it's a powerful word because it does not come up in casual conversation with most people, even if its diminutive "f*ck" does. MoFo works for the speaker to deliver shock; especially in an environment like this one.
Until a few months ago, I shared your certainty about the outcome. I am not so sure any more.
I am willing to sling what I can, buddy.
Thanks, MoFo.
This is a signal distinction, and the Old Testament still holds up.
What a compliment!
Thanks, my friend. Always appreciate your thoughts and taking the time to read my work.
Well, if Dickensian logic can be applied to digital marketing, I would be unsurprised.
Artfully said and I mean artfully. Effective use of expletives is indeed an art form. It's acceptable discourse by comedians and yet few do it well. We celebrate those who do. It's understandably rare for expletives to be the best word choice for a politician, but they are words and there is a time and place for them. They are often hurtful words.
To your point, the situation called for a hurtful word and ironically, motherfucker probably wasn't hurtful enough. Beto was on point and like those celebrated comedians, should be lauded for his unrestrained vocabulary. He's truly a gifted speaker.
And I cheer your use of motherfucker in this story as well. It's not an easy term to use correctly. One technique is to use it often. Repeat the fuck out it. Desensitize your audience to strip away its vulgerness to make your point. Beto's point was to in fact hurt his target, deep in the wheelhouse of the term's reason for existing in our lexicon. I believe you used it effectively as well. Very few people do.
There's a difference between profanity and obscenity. Obscenity is killing 19 children and two teachers. Obscenity is killing 23 people and wounding 23 more in an El Paso Walmart because of hatred toward Hispanics. Obscenity is killing 26 churchgoers in Sutherland Springs because you don't like your mother-in-law.
Obscenity is also protecting and promoting the legal and social structures that allow such obscenities to flourish.
The Old Testament prophets understood this, even if we've seemed to forget it today. As Amos says,
Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,
you will not live in them;
though you have planted lush vineyards,
you will not drink their wine.
For I know how many are your offenses
and how great your sins.
There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes
and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
I am sure the priests and the powerful were scandalized by Amos's language back in the day. They nodded sagely and offered equivocation, tut-tutting from their comfortable perches.
The world needs more prophets. It needs Beto O'Rourke, too.