Watching Words

News on Thursday had an off-color twist to it.

First, from the world of sports and the FIFA World Cup now underway, came the news that the Brazilian referee and assistants for today's USA-England match were learning their swear words in English.

And then, an Arizona man got a summons to court. He had received a jury call, but returned it filled with obscenities in black marker.

Of course, this "bad words in the news" isn't anything new. George Carlin became famous for those words you can't say on radio, which when broadcast on radio became a case all the way to the Supreme Court. And more recently there is CBS who will be airing a new show this fall. “$#*! My Father Says” has already caused headlines. Oh, and Bono of U2 getting so excited he said what he shouldn't have.

I have no great and profound insights into all this. It just strikes me that we pay a lot of attention to words and trying to control them.