Last edited Wed Nov 7, 2018, 02:04 PM - Edit history (1)
But speaking in a manner that you know is offensive to people listening to you when it serves your purpose is at the heart of Trump's persona.
My mother, a solid Democrat, says that she is not old enough (in her 80s) to watch R-rated movies. There are 3 reasons for that, one of which is the vulgarity. Trump doesn't care - but Democrats should care about alienating people like my mother - and should be respectful enough to what is likely to offend a large portion of the listening audience to avoid speaking offensively for no purpose other than shock value or an inability or unwillingness to be situationaly aware.
Using my mother again, as an example. She is not offended by depictions of violence that are nedessary to speak truth to power - for example the young Vietnamese woman fleeing Naplam. We needed to know what we were doing, and that violent image brought it home. She would never suggest the press self-censor such images. On the other hand, she finds the gratuitous violence in many R-rated movies - gore to bring in more cash - offensive. She chooses not to patronize such movies. But she should not have to choose not to patronize candidates who are, or may be, courting her vote.
If the profanity is used gratuitously (as Beto's use was), smart politicians and respectful individuals exercise situational awareness and restraint, when appropriate. A concession speech in a closely watched, nationally prominent, is not a locker room. People like my mother will be watching - and if you want them to vote for you, you treat them respectfully. Failing to do so is, in magnitude, different from Trump, but not in nature - because both grow out of a focus on self, rather than a focus on others.
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