Hi Peter~
Let me say at the onset that I respect your right to have an opinion that differs greatly from mine.

So many times I've promised myself to stay out of these discussion forums ... but apparently I just haven't learned how to do that yet ... so here I go.

You stated-

quote:

---

This rule follows no form of logical reason and especially as censored words are so often used in all forms of media, even children's literature and video games.

---

I humbly will offer the following -

Wirty Dords
~*Marge Tindal*~
*#%! ... !#%*

Written upon the pages blue
clearly visible for ALL to see
Cursing words seen only fit
for walls of bathroom grafitti

Oh, mind me not ... I know them all
even know just what they mean
But can you imagine my chagrin
when seen by a child of just ten ?

Hosting WELCOME mat at the door
I would suppose that we all know what that is for !
Could we keep it just a little bit neat
by cleaning our pens ... as well as our feet ?

Sometimes there are young folks
whose parents trusted this friend
to not only take them through poetry's door
but also to read the words written within ...

So this poetess cries
for the family atmosphere that no longer exists
Use Smart Search and there will be seen
the Wirty Dords cluttering the family screen.

___________________________________________
And this -

Cussing And Fussing
~*Marge Tindal*~

Had a child of only nine
sitting here to read your penning
Couldn't imagine what she saw
that set her little mind to spinning

Until she told her mommy
that poets said naughty words
And her mommy read me the riot act
for 'hanging out with nerds'

No amount of protestation
on the part of this poet friend
could breach the gap of accusations
of the chasm I was pushed in

I've lost a little mentor
and the friendship of a friend so nice
my reputation has suffered
so I ask that you think twice

What may be 'acceptable' to some
really isn't 'acceptable' to all
I feel the loss of my little friend
who can no longer come to call

As responsible poets we should remember
we've a wealth of words at our beck and call
We don't need to use graffiti
taken from the bathroom wall

____________________________________________
I know it may sound shallow to those who feel the need to write explicit language into their poetry ... however, this is just another point of view from ONE of Passions' 400,000 visitors who doesn't share the philosophy of 'everybody does it, it must be acceptable.

Ron has provided 'PASSWORD' locked forums for the type of posts you suggest being allowed ... I don't go there, so nothing you post there would offend me.

Truth be known ... I wish the asterisk'd words weren't allowed in ANY of the Open Forums posts OR replies.

I'm just a 1st Century fuddy-duddy. That's the way I was raised ... and pleased with the choice and see no need to expand my reading priviledge to include language that I don't allow in my home and certainly don't want my granddaughter to someday come to this site and be exposed to.

I respect your right to use whatever language you wish to use ... as long as you place it in the appropriate forums that Ron has set aside for it ... just not in the Open Forums where young readers might accidentally stumble onto it.

I don't buy the literature or view the programs on television that allow the use of explicit profane language, so that portion of your premise falls on deafened ears.

While it is up to me to be responsible for my words, I stand firmly behind the need for censuring, when others don't publically censure themselves.

There's always two sides to the coin ...
my 'heads-up' just differs from yours.
Have a nice day.  
~*Marge*~

[This message has been edited by Marge Tindal (07-19-2003 11:08 AM).]

[This message has been edited by Peter J Marcroft (07-19-2003 12:07 PM).]

Like scattered leaves...my words will flow