Is it just me? I’ve been reading for days about Cheney telling Senator Leahy to “Go fuck yourself.” Dozens of commentators have condemned his use of the F-word, many (including Frank Rich again today) mentioning – as though this were relevant – that John Kerry used it publicly last year as well. But not one writer has pointed out what seems painfully obvious – that it’s not the use of the word, but that particular use of it. I can say the word “fuck” in front of my college superiors all I want, without so much as raising an eyebrow. But if I told one of them to go fuck himself, I don’t think even tenure would protect me for long. It’s not the word, it’s the offensive and dismissive aggression of the entire phrase. Obviously. Obviously?
A nice political thought for the Fourth of July.