Just nasty

By Jim Thompson
HCP columnist

I tried to come up with a more genteel headline, but I couldn’t.

We have a political party in this country that has become just nasty. And yes, the opposition gets in this gutter just a little bit once in a while, but nothing like the party of the donkey does.

When I was a child, the word “darn” was not used in our house. I am not saying I did not use it or worse. I said it was not used in our house.

Today, swearing is everywhere. I think its ubiquity makes it ineffective and generally lowers the quality of discourse.

I went to AI (ChatGPT) to get some insights into this subject. Some of the things I found there that corresponds with my thinking, particularly when it comes to political parties and politicians:

• “In formal or high-stakes environments, swearing usually lowers perceptions of intelligence, self-control and professionalism.”

• “…Overuse can backfire, coming across as bullying or insecurity rather than confidence.”

• “Because swear words are socially loaded, they can easily offend, especially across generations, cultures or social groups.”

In summary, “swearing is a social tool. When used sparingly and in the right context, it can build credibility, humor, and connection. But when used carelessly or excessively, it can damage trust, respect and relationships.”

Articulate speakers do not need such words.  

Think of President Reagan, the great communicator. Wikipedia says this about him: “Reagan's effectiveness as a public speaker earned him the moniker, ‘Great Communicator.’ Former Reagan speechwriter Ken Khachigian wrote, ‘What made him the Great Communicator was Ronald Reagan's determination and ability to educate his audience, to bring his ideas to life by using illustrations and word pictures to make his arguments vivid to the mind's eye. In short: he was America's Teacher.’”

Not a word about swearing here.

So, party of the donkey, your words and intents since the assassination of Charlie Kirk have not, for this septuagenarian, persuaded me that you have any ideas you can articulate or that I want to follow.  

In fact, you have just had the opposite effect. 

If you want many of us to follow you, you might start with cleaning up your language and your vision of what the United State should be.

Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press.

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