Lol... after reading this thread I love this forum even more. Actual intelligent discussion! Wow.

But really I think the OP has a point... but flat out censorship would be bad I think. Still I think that it is reasonable for people to try and restrain themselves from something that is largly unimportant, like cussing, if it makes another person uncomfortable. Really the power of the F word, for instance, is shown when someone who doesn't cuss says it. Then you KNOW something has pissed them off.

Further, while someone cussing a lot does not nessesarily prove that a person is unable to express themselves, I think it's reasonable to say that typically that is true. And while cussing does allow for a greater range of expression, it's particularly because cussing is taboo that you get the greater range of expression; that is the shock, offense, and rarity of the words is the cause of the greater range. Cussing all the time just ruins it.

As for people monitoring themselves - honestly I think it's reasonable to ask mature children and adults to try to not regularly offend people, regardless of whether children are listening or not. It's just part of society - civility is important. We can't control the internet, people, or whatever else, but we CAN control ourselves and we have to make the choice wether or not we are going to get along with people, even if they are more uptight than us. I mean, do we really want every day to be like watching some of those political commercials that come out?

On a side note, I love the filters. "Indoor sports activity" is particularly great

Anyways, the idea that a filter of any kind makes it somehow "safe" is just silly. Everyone knows basicaly what was said; it can be figured out from the context. And kids are smarter than a lot of people give them credit for. Especially when they are curious.

So far the only word I've been offended by here is the word "cuss".  Whenever somebody uses that word online, I can't help but picture an old hillbilly with buckteeth, an over-sized straw hat and overalls while typing from a rickety old rocking chair.  So of course, I read their every word in a horrid deep-southern American accent... very difficult to take seriously.

Not that I'm accusing anyone here of literally fitting that description, but I do find the word offensive.

I totally agree with the above, Fist'y too.

So what are you? A Prude? Growup buddy this is real life. Plus one of our given constitutional rights is freedom to curse. So galdernit I'll frickin curse any galdern time I want to bucko! Actually it's doctor recommended!

I agree with the original poster and I disagree with Cruxador that cursing is in any way articulate. Cursing is just an easy way to show your anger and basically ignore the need for further conversation about something. It may be used differently on forums, as in real life, because there is no real way to shut someone up on a forum without moderation. However, in real life, when someone curses at you it is very difficult to have any sort of intelligent conversation with that person. It is simplistic and basically requires no thought. I also disagree that "cursing" are just words. It is true that they are words but our minds ascribe meanings to those words which have a negative affect on our minds. Curse words don't give you fuzzy, warm feelings like for example the word "love" might. Unless of course you are a pretty twisted person. Telling someone to eat S--- and die is not exactly going to lead to intelligent discourse.

I did goto one of his presidental rallies and I cursed him up  a storm....he just couldn't hear me for all the yelling and other screaming

NAMBY PAMBY! You want a kleenix? (throws box)....crybaby!

Yes, its a very holier-than-thou, superior thing to say, as if someone who uses the occasional curse word is somehow lower than someone who doesn't.

Which words you choose to ascribe a negative connotation to shouldn't alter everyone's vocabulary or lack there of. You ascribe meaning to the words and as such may become offended at a word others do not ascribe the same meaning to. If i decide to get offended at the word "that" should you quit using it simply because i feel some illogical negative connotation from it?

"Curse" words are no different then any other word other than there is a long standing cultural taboo on them based on ancient superstitions. As i stated previously.. if you wish to rule your life by taboos and ancient superstitions your welcome to.. but its unreasonable to expect others to conform to your belief structure.

I'm personally far more offended by people who refuse to look at things logically than i am by people using words that are considered taboo. It doesn't mean people are going to stop  doing what offends me now does it?

Okay, I must have missed that.

Regardless, if you use those words and are okay with them, there is no need to offended by a different opinion Life is full of opposing opinions, and I choose not  to live life in a constant state of offense.

Your logic is wrong. Ascribing a negative connotation to the word "that" would be wrong because it is not a negative word, and was never meant to be a negative word and therefore you would have an illogical problem with it.

Wow, I am sorry but your words here are ridiculous. "Curses" are an ancient superstition? That is hogwash. Curses as in cursing someone to death or placing an actual "magical curse" on someone is ancient superstition. You are confusing two completely different topics so I will change the wording so there can be no confusion. There is a very real and very apparent idea of what words are offensive and what words aren't. For example, using the "N" word to a African American or any African person, or anyone of dark colored skin would be extremely offensive and thereby should not be used. Just as it is socially unacceptable to use any words with racist, or negative connotations. So, using a word that has a negative connotation, such as the "B" word is not acceptable. Claiming that "Oh, I don't mean it that way" is utterly ridiculous and is not a valid argument. You can then use that logic for any word. This is why in society, we use politically correct words so as not to offend people of various different cultural and/or racial groups. Your obstinateness in this is childish and a waste of time. I am not going to tell you that you shouldn't use curse words as I have no power over your actions. I can, however, express my right to my opinion that what you are saying is wrong and while the use of these words have become very highly used in our society today, it is still seen as very inappropriate in a lot of situations. You can't deny this as you are not going to see a high level politician come out using offensive words every other word without people looking at him like he's an idiot and basically committing political suicide by doing so. Or you are not going to see a bunch of scientists having an intellectual discourse by throwing around insults and offensive words every other second. 

This doesn't mean that all people who use offensive words are "stupid" or "ignorant" given that they use these words in moderation. There are times when we are all angry and might use one of these words to express that anger but it doesn't mean that it was the most appropriate thing to say and I think it would be way to0 heavy handed to force control over it. 

Curse words are a cultural taboo based on ancient superstitions. More specifically the idea of profane words evolved from the religious curses of Old England. Hence the term curse words. Apparently you study neither entomology nor history, and its quite apparent by your rant attempting to apply logic to the illogical cultural taboos of modern society. Further more the level offensiveness of any word is fully subjective.  By your logic if people are offended by any word regardless of the actual semantics behind it then it must be considered a taboo. Which is exactly what my example illustrated.

Apparently you neither understand what a cultural taboo is nor what logic implies. You remain firm in your stance that cultural taboos are logical and valid.. and call me illogical and obstinate. Truly a lesson in hypocrisy.