I can't believe in 2004 a simple utterance of the S word can still cause such a kerfuffle. NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. was docked 25 points and fined $10,000 USD by NASCAR on Tuesday because he cursed during an interview on NBC. Asked about the significance of his fifth victory at Talladega, Earnhardt said, "It don't mean shit right now. Daddy's won here 10 times."
I don't follow NASCAR and I don't care about the integrity of the Nextel Cup, but I do think this is a serious over-reaction. As swear words go, the S word is pretty weak. The F word still packs a punch in certain quarters, but can't we excuse a guy for uttering the S word following a big win? It's time for NASCAR to loosen up a little.
The problem, of course, is that a typical NASCAR fan is culled from the bible belt and all about Christianity. This is the same crowd that thinks they know what's indecent to others and votes Dubya into the highest office in the country. One S word on NBC during a NASCAR race will be heard by many judgemental bible thumpers who will immediately get their entire church to write letters to advertisers and affiliates. By pretending to take such activities ultra serious the issue is nipped in the bud.
It's just a word. Treating it so severely only gives it more power.
