That responsibility must be taught, and use of vulgarity and profanity in some public settings comes with consequences.

Profanity and vulgarity in a school will result in problems for the student, ending with detention or suspension. Children who do it try to look more grown up and think the offensive language makes them look more adult. The lesson is to teach the swearer that school is an inappropriate place to use that kind of speech, and its use makes the offender look more immature. That is training for the workplace where consequences may be more serious. Vulgar printing or pictures on clothing led to a best practice consequence of wearing the garment inside out, or a school-provided and somewhat embarrassing outer shirt covering the offensive material. Repeat offenses work their way down a ladder of more serious consequences.

Libel and slander may come with costly consequences. Courts award damages cause by them.

Lying under oath is perjury and comes with fines, jail time, or both.


Woefully weak snow in the San Juans. Start to the winter ain't lookin' good.


Winter coats on the goats look ready for a decent winter. Let's hope it happens.