Cussing epidemic shows how far we’ve fallen

Re: “In praise of the therapeutic value of cussing,” column, Nov. 24.

Lawrie McFarlane’s column makes me sick. He tosses out words such as “research showing … diminishes the pain … activates chemicals … calming effect …” without an iota of support for any of his statements.

As for his assertions that “bad language is a substitute for bad actions” and “better sharp words than a sharp dagger,” from my observations, I’d say that bad language is not usually a substitute but a precursor and a disinhibition to bad action and the use of the sharp dagger.

McFarlane’s asserts that people who share a vulgar lexicon tend to work better together and have a better vocabulary. This, too, is completely unfounded and ludicrous. Foul language makes for a toxic work environment, and vocabulary is at an all-time low when the only noun you have is “s--t,” and some variation of the F-word replaces every adverb or adjective.

This kind of language being used by everyone, at all times, in all places, in all company, as is the case now, is an indication of how far we have been dumbed down and vulgarized by all forms of media to which we all (including McFarlane) have been subjected.

Wake up, everybody. We are being debased into dumb brutes.

Shirley Sloan Victoria