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Profanity and [Expletive Deleted] Power
What is it with these politicians and profanity? Governor Rod Blagojevich, the subject of a current criminal investigation, is a recent example. More of President Richard Nixon's Oval Office tapes were also recently released, and the unedited remarks of both Nixon and Blagojevich bear a markedly similar linguistic style. Every fifth word is profane and has to be deleted when released to the public.
There's a reason swearing a blue streak is called profanity. The original meaning of profane comes from the Latin meaning "in front of or outside the temple," in other words, "not belonging to the church." You can [bleep] say that again. Profane has come to mean both swear words and the opposite of sacred.
The criminal complaint against the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, contains the profanity laden, unedited statements the governor made in his wheeling and dealing.
These statements (edited here) are shockingly profane. A case in point is the governor reflecting on the value of his power to appoint a U.S. Senator, "I've got this thing and its [expletive deleted] golden, and, uh, uh, I'm just not giving it up for [expletive deleted] nothing. And, and I can always use it. I can parachute me there."
The connection between profanity and political corruption is that both are transgression. Profanity is language or behavior that is a violation of accepted social norms. People use profanity specifically to convey contempt for the socially acceptable. This is the way profanity functioned in the TV series "The Sopranos." The mob characters used the f-word so much it became monotonous. Mobsters talk like that, the writers assumed (and probably correctly), because mobsters have a lot of contempt for the law and the society that generates those laws.
People use profanity in a lot of other ways. They use it to abuse or intimidate, they use it to demonstrate how informal they are, they use it unthinkingly, because they have become habitual swearers, or they use it in anger.
But both Nixon and Blagojevich (and apparently also Blagojevich's wife) are examples of the particular connection between power and profanity. As powerful people, they seem to use profanity to express their right to abuse power, and their contempt for those who would play by the rules.
But we should not let the stream of expletives distract us into thinking that is what is shocking about their statements. I remember when the first Nixon tapes were released and all everybody could talk about was how appalled they were at Nixon's profanity. But the true shocker was the fact that Nixon would contemplate breaking the law with impunity. He didn't even seem to recognize that the laws applied to him. That is astonishing. And profane.
Governor Blagojevich's profanity is jarring, but it is his alleged blatant attempt to sell a seat in the U.S. Senate that is truly shocking and deeply profane.
We say that the public trust is sacred. We say that for a reason. These politicians who swear a blue streak know very well that they are breaking a sacred trust. And the biggest stunner of all is that they seem to enjoy knowing that.
By
Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
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December 11, 2008; 5:33 PM ET
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Posted by: ThishowIseeit | December 14, 2008 7:59 PM
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Would the Justice Department please explain to the American people why the laws don't apply to Bush and Cheney? Are president and vice-president above the laws?
Why are there no investigation and prosecution against Bush and Cheney for their lies to the American people?
Posted by: Mickey2 | December 14, 2008 3:43 PM
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One of the most entertaining books I've read was Kurt Vonegut's "Hocus Pocus", a bitingly satirical book in which the narrator never swears because his grandfather told him that only unintelligent people swear because they have nothing intelligent to say. It makes it more funny to hear him use phrases like "the excrement hit the fan."
Swearing is meant to shock people, like hitting someone in the head. When people curse regularly, the shock value is so worn off that the person suddenly appears boorish and unintelligent. Using the f-word every other sentence doesn't make you appear tough; it makes you sound like you're stupid, as if you can't use any other adjective but that one. That's certainly the case for Blag-O the clown. Either his acts were done blithely, as if he never expected to get caught, or he was just that idiotic. His choice of words only proves my point.
Posted by: ecglotfelty | December 14, 2008 9:27 AM
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Knowingly, and with forethought Mr. Blagojevich, and his wife made these immature and often profane statements.
They both knew that the FBI had wiretaps of their homes, offices and other places where the business of the State was conducted. Yet they chose to make these statements knowing full well they were being recorded.
It was like they wanted to get caught at something wrong and would not cease and desist from the machinations of trying to raise the money they wanted and the power they craved from the people of the state of Illinois.
Certainly they betrayed a sacred trust, the people's trust by doling out favuours for money.
Although there are other ways to betray the sacred trust, along with the breaking of this trust comes the profanity and casual language of the street.
It seems like the people who have the most power and the most to lose, use language of the streets and profanity to show they are in touch with the common person.
Should the governor of Illinois be removed from office and found guilty of the crimes with which he and his staff and wife are charged, then surely the language of the streets will suit them where they would be going, PRISON.
Posted by: journeyer58 | December 13, 2008 8:02 PM
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Great swearing is an art form, and Mark Twain knew it. He was a master, see this:
http://homepage.smc.edu/larsen_lyle/mark_twain_and_the_art_of_sweari.htm
The best master of swearing I was ever privileged to know was an Episcopal priest. As an ex professional hockey player, he had the background for it. Note well that he never cussed in public, only in appropriate occasions. Specifically, when I was in his class to read Aristophanes' wonderful and totally profane play, 'Lysistrata', he cut loose with his art, and we in the class had the most entertaining bit of education in our college experience. It was necessary! That play, which is also one of the best anti-war plays ever written, is a constant display of wild and descriptive language, and is a constant ROTFLYAO work.
As for Rod the Clod, the soon to be ex-gov of Illinois - a pathetic amateur at swearing. Sad.
Posted by: Arminius | December 12, 2008 6:25 PM
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Consorting with prostitutes is also an abrogation of a sacred trust, yet certain politicians of recent note seem to have found a heightened thrill therein. Do you see an analogy with the profanity-laden boastings of Mr. and Mrs. Blago?
Posted by: watchbird1 | December 12, 2008 4:39 PM
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Profanity won't send you to jail (or hell). Corruption will!!!!
Posted by: CCNL | December 12, 2008 12:41 PM
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Rev. Thistlewaite,
instead of using "sacred trust" as you just did, I would prefer to keep religion and words with religious connotations out of politic. Let keep Church and State separated. Trust and public trust are part of the Golden Rule, a rule that probably has preceeded any religion and a rule we all should live by. Gov. Blagojevich has violated the Golden Rule of trust is one of many other ways to put it.