I recently contacted a few newspapers regarding writing for them about Bleep!. One reporter I contacted referred me to his publisher, and when I emailed him in thanks, he responded, "You're d**n welcome."
My stock response to kids and teens who curse at me is, "To start off, I just want to say that using the f word at a total stranger online is really a poor decision. If you've looked at my website, you've see that by cursing, there are so many negative effects, and because you just cursed I think so much less of not only you but your family and school, and the community you represent. I suggest you check out my site at http://sites.google.com/site/bleeporganization and read some suggestions on how to stop cursing." However, it seemed like the wrong thing to respond to this reporter.
So instead, I'm writing this blog post. Adults are immature, too. They also curse, but they also garner all the negative effects. So do I think less of this reporter? Yes. Do I think less of the paper he works at because of the word he decided to use? Yes. And do I think less of his general community, whatever that may be? Yes. I do.
While Bleep!'s mission is to stop kids and teens from cursing, the concepts still apply to adults. They can be thought of as immature, ignorant, unimaginative, obnoxious, whiny, disrespectful, offensive, unpleasant to be around, having a bad attitude, lack of control, little character, and no respect. And I DEFINITELY think that of this reporter.
