What does it say about society that this teen has gotten multiple death threats?

I’d say death threats are pretty overwrought and criminal in this situation, though I’m not entirely certain as to what this kid’s motivations are – admittedly I haven’t read anything but the link you posted.

When you try to tell people what to do, even if it’s a passive suggestion, some people don’t know how to take it, blame their upbringing or the country they live in, I don’t know.

I think our culture promotes immediacy and reactionary responses forgoing critical consideration beforehand, leading people to act on their immediate feeling of misunderstanding and confusion – which can translate into fear and anger.

@Jamspoon You are right about criminal. Apparently, the FBI is investigating. Here is the kid’s web site, which has more info.

thats fucking insane.

I think it’s just some moronic kids that are jealous of the attention he is getting.

First I’ll say that no one deserves death threats, especially for something so juvenile and benign. And of course those threats are criminal acts that are/should be pursued.

With that said and the full agreement that his actions in NO way warrant threats…

Let me play devil’s advocate as to why I think this kid and his family are a bunch of wankers:

1. I can’t stand the word “cuss”. The word you want people is “curse”. “Cussing” came about from ignorant hillbillies who couldn’t pronounce the word “curse”. Seems to me that a club that wants to educate kids on better word choices shouldn’t choose ignorant slang as their name.

2. Swearing. Yes, THAT’S the undoing of the fabric of America. Really? This is a problem worth a club? Seriously? There aren’t any better acts of integrity, any higher moral standards they can aspire to? This kid needs to learn that words are just words. They are only given power if you let them.

3. Where the hell did this kid get enough money for that pro website? Mummy and daddy have a little cash to blow around?

This is so a non-news item. The only reason the nutjobs are coming out of the woodwork to give him trouble is because they’re the only ones listening or interested.

I’d be much more impressed if the kid used his “altruistic” intentions (<cough> SUSPECT!) to help the community, or teach kids to rise above more dangerous influences and love themselves.

Do you have any links that show the threats this kids is recieving? I didn’t see that in either of the one’s you posted so far. But if he is being threatened and or harrassed for what he is doing, that’s horrible!!

Virginia Beach has a no foul language law.

You don’t have to like what someone else is doing, but as long as it does no harm and does not violate a law they have the right to do it. Having a No Cussing Club does no harm at all however reprehensible the use of slang may be in its name. Some might argue that it does good in that it brings awareness of the impression one’s choice of words makes about one to others. Others might argue that at least it keeps a few kids out of trouble.

Designating a No Cussing Week also does no harm as it is merely a suggestion, not a law that interferes with freedom of speech.

However, making death threats is a problem because such threats imply an intent to harm another person.

Thus, what the kid is doing is fine (and he may have designed the web site himself and pay for its hosting by mowing lawns – you would be amazed at what a little HTML and a few dollars can do) even if you don’t agree with it or think something else is more important. However, anyone harassing him for doing it is in the wrong.

I suspect they know they are over-using bad language and so feel rather defensive about it. Instead of not using the language, they think that if they drive the kid into silence it will make bad words and bad behavior acceptable.

Is your mind so feeble that you not only have to swear constantly in order to convey your thoughts, but also so feeble that you feel threatened and challenged by someone who can do so successfully?

retards.

@eponymoushipster Regards to you also. g

@gailcalled pardon?

Regarding the threats: See this. The two death threats I heard were definitely adult voices.

I think it’s a nice idea – I hear people all the time that use “swear words” all of the time between every other word. Now… I’m not against swearing but if you use it all the time it really isn’t “cussing” anymore, it’s just talking.

And then what? What will I call people that annoy me?

It says we live in a sick society where some people have nothing better to do than let some goody two-shoes kid have a club.

Of course I think death threats and harassment are not warranted, but I think this kid is lame and ridicule should be expected.

Pretty much everybody cusses. There is nothing inherently wrong with words. One just needs to learn when and where.

That they can’t comprehend in their tiny little brains that someone other than them is getting attention, and automatically think them the enemy that must be terminated by any means neccesary, and that we live among a bunch of idiots? (Except for the collective jellies, of course ;D)

Cussin’ – it’s one of them thar gateway drugs, I’m tellin’ ya! First ya start a-cussin, soon yer gonna be a-feudin and a-fussin and snatchin’ someone’s wife off the front porch, there, and then there’s a-gonna be all sorts o’ angry folk drivin’ out in a pick-up truck with double-barreled shotguns all the way to Shiner’s Hill and then all H-E-Double Hockey Sticks is gonna break loose! Now, do ya want that? Do ya really want that?

Ain’t nobody thinkin’ of the children??!
/sarcasm off

Honestly, death threats? Have these people nothing better to do? Have they gone out of their tiny little heads? Oh, I’ve just answered my own question. Never mind.

@Marina thanks for the link. I’ll have to watch it from home because I don’t have speakers at work. I’ll get back to you after I watch it.

I don’t see the harm in trying to get people to clean up their mouths even if it’s just for a week. Harassing this kid shows how stupid people really are.

@darwin You’re right, I don’t have to like what someone else does. Never contended I did. And sure it’s harmless. So is cod liver oil, but you won’t see me swallowing that down either.

You note that “at least it keeps a few kids out of trouble…”, then I say these kids need to learn team sports or how to play chess. There’s clearly a glut of boredom in a town that needs a no cussin’ & fussin’ club.

You also note, ”...he may have designed the web site himself and pay for its hosting by mowing lawns – you would be amazed at what a little HTML and a few dollars can do…” Actually, I wouldn’t be amazed. I’ve designed and operated 3 different websites of my own, two of which are professionally run, one of which was professionally designed. I know websites. And I’m telling you, that was no Wordpress template. That is a professionally designed and hosted site. For Pete’s sake – he has an E-STORE!! A kid – even a gifted one – doesn’t have the resources to set up an e-store without hiring a professional web designer and spending big bucks. By the way, if you’re going to visit the e-store, prepare to yak.

And again, I completely agree that harrassing this kid and his family and threatening them is 100% wrong and illegal. Makes no difference to the world if this kid keeps his insignificant little club going, because in the end the club will make no difference for any kid – except the founder who can now fund his college education off of the books, DVDs, and pamphlets, and bracelets he’s selling. He’s out to make a buck off his classmates. I give him props for this, but I’m not prepared to worship him as a saint quite yet.

Darwin, I still send you my lurve as always. I say all this with complete respect to you.

By the way if you check out this kid’s website (and I’m not encouraging you to), he looks like Billy Mays (the OxyClean guy) or Matthew Lesco (the guy w/ all the ?s on his suit). This kid’s out to make fat cash.

And here’s another thing my husband reminded me of…this kid’s just like Kato Kaelin and Joe the Plumber: useless, annoying, but pretty much benign. I don’t hate them, because I can’t hate nothingness. They’re opportunists, just like this No Cussin’ kid.

And when opportunists grab for the spotlight to sell books, go on talkshows, and book speaking gigs at conventions/schools/rallies, then they open themselves up to public criticism. It’s part of the publicity contract: People are going to point out what a loser you are. But in trade you get to take home a big pile of cash. I’m sure this wanker kid is crying himself to sleep tonight on a pillow stuffed with more cash than my family earns in a year.

He and Joe the Plumber should get together and trade contact info.

(again, I’m in no way advocating threats or wishes of harm to anyone, not even wanker kids, redneck con artists, or Kato Kaelin deserve that. No one should have to live in fear, no matter how lame their grift is)

Billy Mays does way more than OxyClean, for example, the Big City Sliders burger thingy. He’s way too loud for my taste, though. I always have to turn down the TV when his commercials come on, but I’m usually too lazy to. ((migraine))