One comment struck me as particularly interesting. The user Umbrage Dudgeon III Jr. wrote:
“Meanwhile Epoch Times writers other than Miss Brannan continually tout R-rated movies, and the comments on most news stories and opinion pieces are a veritable textbook on profanity and obscene references.”
What Is Conservatism?
The names given to the rival political factions in the United States are often unclear, misleading, and inappropriate. The original meanings of Republican and Democratic are two similar forms of government, both of which are related to American politics. However, the concepts themselves have little to do with the beliefs held by either party. “Right-wing” and “left-wing” are vague categorizations, although one could reason that there’s a meaning behind being “in the right,” while the left side has long had negative connotations. Then, of course, there are the most popular terms for the social movements beyond these political parties: conservatism and liberalism. Everyone knows the deep political and social meanings these terms have. However, from a semantic standpoint, the words chosen to define the two major American belief systems are inaccurate.Historically, the word “conservative” has meant cautious, marked by moderation, and even frugal, coming from the Latin word “conservare” which means “to preserve.” Obviously, it’s related to the English verb “conserve.” The word “liberal,” in a non-political sense, means generous, ample, permitting liberty, and giving unsparingly; it comes from the Latin word “liberalis,” meaning “befitting a freeman,” which is a variation of “liber,” the Latin word for “free.” It’s clear that it is related to the noun “liberty” and the verb “liberate.”
Profanity
Many people who claim to be conservative don’t hold to traditional moral standards. Perhaps the most blatant example of this relates to profanity, blasphemy, and vulgarity in speech. Whether on social media tirades, angry comments on articles, or even merchandise for or against a candidate, political matters tend to bring out the foulest language. Sadly, this is a non-partisan issue, since the right shows no more purity in language than the left. “Alt-right” conservatives will use the most vulgar swear words imaginable while denouncing the moral depravity of liberal elites. Wouldn’t the point be stronger if it were made with powerful but pure language?The usage of the worst words in the book has become so common and comfortable for most people, it’s absolutely shocking. Thinking of my friends, colleagues, and acquaintances from different walks of life, it’s much harder to think of those I haven’t heard frequently swearing than those who curse all the time. All rules about improper language for mixed company or in front of ladies have gone out the window. In fact, many young women swear as much as if not more than young men!
The Rating Factor
When anyone asserts the Code’s superiority, someone is bound to say that ratings are the better system because they give people a choice. If you don’t like films with a certain kind of content, don’t watch them! After all, the rating descriptors warn about the elements which earned each PG, PG-13, and R. In many comment sections on Epoch articles about films, you’ll see people say things like “that’s why I don’t support Hollywood anymore” or “I haven’t watched new releases since the 1990s.” Very few people say, “I only watch G-rated films” or “I’ll watch current releases, but not ones which are rated PG-13 or R.” (I’m not talking about parents who are choosing their children’s entertainment but adults just deciding for their own viewing.)Realistically, how many mainstream films would be left if you avoided any recent release which was rated PG-13 or R? Even movies aimed at younger viewers, like “Star Wars” films and superhero movies, are usually rated PG-13. The few films rated G or even PG are almost exclusively children’s movies and usually pretty mindless, immature stuff. Hollywood thinks that “mature” is a synonym for dirty or obscene. Thus, unless you’re willing to avoid basically all modern movies, you’re going to expose yourself to at least foul language in the guise of entertainment, and often a lot of other bad things, too.
The conservative movement will always have a fatal flaw as long as it condones the same worldly vices as liberals. We need to embrace the traditional values which made our country strong, and that includes a high moral standard of personal conduct, entertainment, regard for others, and speech.
