F-bomb use rises as society declines

Cats and dogs are professional pets. They know their jobs and they speak clearly when annoyed. When they poop on the carpet, you know exactly how they feel about their owners.

Humans, supposedly smarter, drop “F-bombs” to communicate. Let’s call them fombs.

Decency, dignity, virtue, class, respect, honesty, trust, and work ethic were assumed qualities of culturally normal people. Our ancestors adopted decency from the ambient culture without note. Piety helped.

Motion pictures were invented in 1889 and began to evolve as cultural architects. Humans had ethics then, subscribed to and maintained codes of decency for six decades. Entertainment industry moguls poked the sleeping masses with nudity and fombs. They found little resistance but new riches by appealing to animal instincts. The press smothered us with acceptance and tolerance to cash in on the new decadence. Now humans emulate animals.

Crime, violence, poverty, and homelessness grew with the blatant exposure to fombs and lewdness. Media proponents were seemingly welcomed and abetted by the education community, claiming immunity and even license under the First Amendment.

Government cannot legislate dignity and decency. Advocates for women's rights, racial and gay equality, pay attention! Debasing yourselves with fombs will not earn respect, dignity or support. Americans, simply stop mouthing obscenities, stop funding the theaters and media purveyors. Regain your dignity. Your family and friends will follow suit. Writers, editors, directors, performers, your talent is a gift not a billy club.

Bill Wohlford

Bettendorf