What the %$#^@&????

Oh, it sounds innocuous enough...cute even. Young McKay Hatch of lily-white South Pasadena, CA, crusading for a cuss-free LA county (and beyond). Isn't that nice!

Actually, no, it isn't nice...it's a really BAD idea.

First of all, limiting anyone's speech, or even suggesting its limitation, based on one's personal perspective of what is profane opens a very dangerous door. What you think is OK may be deemed pornographic to someone else. Do you REALLY want the LA County Board of Supervisors involved in the determination of what language it's OK to use?

Second, young McKay's perspective is clearly rooted in a religious perspective that is not reflective of any majority or tradition. The Bible speaks specifically about the misuse of the name of God to the end that some traditions won't even USE a name for God...but the Bible never predetermines what kind of language is "clean" or "dirty." "Oh Pickles" may just be offensive to cumcumber farmers is Peoria...but that doesn't mean McKay should be told not to say it.

It's all a sham perpetrated through youthful ignorance by people set on turning the world into a place that looks and sounds just like they do. Why are people so uncomfortable with variety? It's the saltiness that adds the flavor...or so I've heard. Sure, it's true that words matter...but so do the words that never get spoken because of overzealous censorship.

Greak, McKay...don't cuss. And tell others when you are offended by their language. But don't tell us what it's OK for us to say or not say. That's just un-American.