Muscatine

Wow...

Excellent post, ToT. Really good.

Maybe I'm mistaken

While I agree somewhat with what you are trying to say, Tot, I've got to respectfully disagree a part of it as well. Maybe I'm mistaken, but what I think where Mr. Linderman was coming from--or at least how I interpreted his concern--is not from a place that is merely alarmed by the behavior and choices of a young American pop culture, but whether we are accepting that as our broader culture. Do we, as a society, embrace this so-called ''urban'' lifestyle? I'd say a certain percentage may, but the overwhelming majority of mainstream America most likely would tell you (I believe), that they definitely do not, and that is where the concern lies. The passing fads you mention are indeed a part of our country's past, and they indeed ruffled the feathers of some, but in the end, they were accepted because they did not alter our collective values. They are a part of our social fabric, no doubt, and therefore, our current culture, but I have to say I see these things as what they are/were only--passing fads. Where will our values lie tomorrow as a result of them, is the greater question to be asked.

Music, fashion, and slang will come and go, but filthy talk and blatant disrespect are clear rejections of what used to be our collective values, and there is no mistake when you hear and see them. This is what I believe Mr. Linderman was calling attention to, not merely a finger wag in the general direction of radio, TV, or the local department store?’s Jr.?’s section, or the typical consumer for choosing to occasionally try them on for size. Old men generations ago sat on the stoops of country stores asking themselves these same questions, and perhaps their values really did follow them to the grave, but I?’d like to think some of their biases and ignorance may have as well. As long as there are people in the world who refuse to accept whatever flavor of the month may be forced upon them, but instead rely on good old fashioned common sense and The Golden Rule, I have faith that my kids, my grandkids, and their kids will all be alright. All I can do is my part to make sure that happens as long as I?’m here. If that starts by making sure my son's and daughters?’ underwear isn?’t showing, and that they still say please and thank you, then that?’s OK by me. It?’s a start, anyway.

JMHO

Have a good night.

Linlou

Linpoo-

I must have drank too much because I found your post neither here, nor there.
You wrote: ''The passing fads you mention are indeed a part of our country's past, and they indeed ruffled the feathers of some, but in the end, they were accepted because they did not alter our collective values.''

''The fads were eventually accepted'' is what got my attention. After they are accepted, then the next fad seems to be worse. From Elvis dancing to underware hanging out, to raves, to body modification. De-sensitizing (sp) is what has happened.

Yes and no

I believe that with each generation, certain things become less shocking, and less tabboo (desensitization), but I still believe certain values remain at the core of our central culture. Fads are just that--fads. They eventually wear themselves out. True, it does seem, at times, that the next ''big thing'' is worse than the last, but I also made reference to the chance that that's just part of our perception as we age, and maybe it's not all bad. We remember the fads of our youth, and usually laugh at them, but in the end, something else comes along. That is what I was getting at. Sorry if I did not make that clear, DF.

What I read from Mr. Linderman's post was not that he was worried someone had too much metal in their head (and other body parts), but rather, the presence and eventual acceptance of that body alteration would somehow change where we as a country stand morally, ie. acceptance of other worse fads as the norm. (I think the drug abuse fads of past decades are an example of this. Has drug use ever become socially acceptable? In certain circles, yes, but on the whole, no.)

So. . . is the acceptance of the language he brought up a sign that our culture is changing (for the worse), that our language is changing (for the worse)? I think maybe in certain circles, again, it is, but if you look at the overall picture, it's still not acceptable for the mainstream American.

Again, JMHO. It may still be neither here nor there for ya', but hey, I tried to explain myself.

Have a good one!

Linlou