Here’s a story. A long time ago I was involved in a political forum of libertarian persuasion, now defunct. The forum got overrun by diverse opinion-makers, none of them really libertarian and most just posted whatever would pop in their heads. Some were outright disruptive. It became impossible to have a calm discussion about anything. I was trying to impress on the forum management that posts must be moderated so that disruptions, — offtopic posts, large graphics, flamebaits, personal attacks — are edited or removed. I had no luck with that proposition, so I changed the tactic: I started using abusive language myself whenever I felt like it. From a generally polite guy that most people know me I became an embodiment of Tourette syndrome. And — nothing happened. The management just accepted the fact that I use foul language. No moderation was introduced, I got myself a bad reputation, and the forum folded.
The moral of this story? I don’t think foul language is ever useful. It just lowers the plank for everyone else.
I get the impression that just talking about the use of profanity (without having given examples here) and expression of anger (without having done so here) is tantamount to the actual use of profanity and actual expression of anger here in this thread. If I let it happen elsewhere then why should anyone else here be concerned? I’m no less a civilized American citizen for it.
Personally, I think the whole idea of “zero tolerance” appeals to ‘maturity snobs’ more than anyone else and that it does more harm than good.