RWP, you say American discourse has always been vulgar. And perhaps it has, but never before like it is now – not in my experience.
For one thing, there is no longer any shame in telling a lie or intentionally misrepresenting or spinning the facts. I’d go so far as saying it is now a “high five” matter to pull off such a deception.
Indeed, the Clinton presidency made perjury vogue, the CDC admitted that it withheld what it knew about AIDS, federal workers planted Lynx and Grizzly evidence, books teach the art of spinning the facts. This is a huge problem and it has metastasized even to the grassroots of conservatism, including this forum.
It didn’t used to be this way in this country or on this forum. People used to care about credibility, dignity and honor – their own and others as well.
On this forum, at least in discussions with me, other posters didn’t fabricate strawmen to win an argument that wasn’t even on the table. And they didn’t freely chase people around from thread to thread just to make endless repetitive railing personal accusations. Notably, mindless cliches ("it's all about sex, sex, sex") are at the heart of "spinning."
Sure there have always been a few squeaky wheels, but now it seems a lot of even previously staid posters no longer care about their own honor – whether they are seen as mean-spirited, dishonest, rude or vulgar.
For what it’s worth, I join with all who refuse to lower themselves to this new standard of conduct.
Can we call a "spade a spade?": Revolting behavior is ineluctibly revolting behavior, especially if it claims to serve the interests of "science." (What kind of "science" could that possibly be???)
“TOTO, I DON’T THINK WE’RE IN KANSAS ANYMORE.”
"In the once and future Canada"
(( ... America ---too )) …"
"you will know you’re in the Canadian woods when you see caribou skip to water, and a moose removing its antlers and replacing them with a tiara."
"in Canadian tennis, Venus and Serena will be boys’ names."
"Spiderman will not be the only one swinging around town wearing leotards."
"the Official Bird of Canada will be Richard Chamberlain."
"Sissy Cola will be advertised as “the soft drink for soft men.”
"the Canadian symbol, the maple leaf, will be replaced by a daffodil. Both can be replaced by a fig leaf to be worn in Gay Pride Parades.)" "you will know you are in Canada when you see the Mounties riding sidesaddle. The Mountie who gets his man will then expect that “one thing will lead to another.” (Canada will have its own version of the Miranda Rule, which means an arrestee is entitled to have his rights read to him by any officer whose first name is Miranda.)"
"the French province will change its name to Queerbec."
"the flagpole over the Canadian Parliament Building will fly a towel."
"men will shave all the way down to their ankles."
"you will know you’re in Canada when you see a McDonald’s selling quiche burgers."
"elderly men will assure each other, “You’re only as gay as you feel.”
"Canadian karate champs will not be awarded black belts, but garter belts."
"people undergoing sex changes will no longer wear Bikinis. They will be called Betweenies."
"Canadians will not carry identification in their purse. The purse is their identification."
"Most unhappily, sodomy will radically change the game of hockey. Hockey pucks will be replaced by hickey pecks. The Goalie will be called the Girlie and the goal will have chintz curtains. Players will hold hands in the penalty box and penalty time will be extended from two minutes to half an hour because, like sex, a two minute penalty is “over so fast.” Icing the puck will also be a euphemism for we-all-know-what."
"The game will end with the winners asking the losers for forgiveness, and The Stanley Cup may never again be the manly cup. As alluded to above, “The Canadian Mountie always gets his man.” The trick is getting him to the altar."