Topic: Swearing and Invective

Teen books: twice as obscene as video games?

A study conducted by a Brigham Young professor found that obscenity is rife in some teen novels and that characters who swear tend to be portrayed as more attractive and popular.

10 most challenged books on the American Library Association's 2011 list

The 'ttyl' series by Lauren Myracle and 'The Color of Earth' by Kim Dong Hwa top the 2011 rankings of most challenged books.

'Bully' downgraded to PG-13 as ratings system assailed from all sides

Antibullying advocates wanted 'Bully' to be bumped from R to PG-13 so teens could watch it. But family groups are appalled by the language. Did the process work or fail? 

Expert Q&A: Who is Hafiz Saeed and why the $10 million bounty?

For a clearer picture of who Mr. Saeed is, the Monitor talked with a noted scholar and author on the region.

Obama's open mic moment: How big a flub? (+video)

Obama's open mic incident happened on Monday when he told the Russian president that he would have 'more flexibility' in missile defense negotiations after the 2012 elections.

6 men alleged to be LulzSec hackers

Tuesday saw the news that the FBI had identified and charged six men allegedly behind the hacktivist group LulzSec. Who are the men that the FBI says are behind LulzSec's mayhem?

Civility: a spiritual basis

A Christian Science perspective. Civility, rooted in a love for God and our neighbor, goes beyond just using polite language.

Reader recommendation: The Operators

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

Lawyer makes startling argument in Supreme Court hearing on FCC

A lawyer arguing that the FCC has gone overboard in its regulation of broadcast nudity and language directed the justices' attention to the bare buttocks of statues in the Supreme Court. The justices are considering whether FCC rules are inconsistent. 

Are tough FCC indecency laws obsolete? Supreme Court hears free-speech case.

Fox and ABC say tougher FCC regulations of broadcasters regarding expletives and partial nudity are discriminatory in an age when cable and Internet programs are not similarly regulated.

2012 Grammy nominations: Potter, Porter and Mormons - who will win?

2012 Grammy nominations for 3 Broadway musicals pit 'The Book of Mormon' against 'Anything Goes' and 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.'

US Supreme Court opens, likely to wade into health care debate

It seems inevitable that the US Supreme Court will agree to hear the legal challenge to President Obama’s health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act. As the court opens Monday, gun laws, immigration, racial preferences, and separation of church and state loom as major issues as well.

Banned Books Week 2011: Top 10 most challenged books of 2010

The 10 books most banned or challenged by communities throughout the US in 2010, according to the American Library Association.

President Obama to hold Iftar dinner: Five facts about the Muslim ceremony

Continuing a tradition first started by one of the nation’s Founding Fathers, President Obama will host an iftar dinner Wednesday evening at 8:30 in the State Dining Room to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Horrible Bosses: movie review

'Horrible Bosses' takes frat humor to the work place, in this crude comedy that resurrects the 'Hangover' formula.

The top 10 books of all time

Readers of books love lists. That's why book-review editor J. Peder Zane asked 125 writers – everyone from Norman Mailer to Jonathan Franzen to Margaret Drabble – to pick their very favorite books of all time. Out of all the books in the world, here are the 10 most selected by Zane's illustrious group.

(You can see this and other book lists in Zane's book "The Top Ten: Writers Pick Their Favorite Books.")

Trump tirade: Calls leaders 'stupid' in profanity-laced Vegas stop

Trump tirade: During a 30-minute stump speech focused mostly on foreign affairs, Trump sprinkled in a number of insults directed toward the nation's leaders.

10 most frequently challenged books of 2010

Every year at this time the American Library Association compiles its list of "most frequently challenged" library books from the past year. The 2010 list includes some titles carried over from previous years (No. 1 on the list, "And Tango Makes Three," has appeared on the top of the "most challenged" list every year since its 2005 publication) and some new ones (including No. 5, teen bestseller "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins, causing The Washington Post to comment that making the list has become "a virtual rite of passage for young adult sensations.")

Here are the 10 books on the top of the 2010 list.

Should producer convert R-rated 'The King's Speech' into family fare?

'The King's Speech' was given an R rating solely for the use of profanity in some key scenes. As the producer reportedly considers re-editing the Oscar-nominated movie, the idea is getting poor reviews.

Arizona shooting: Seven times politics turned to threats or violence last year

Saturday's shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) of Arizona wasn't the first time in recent memory that a member of Congress has been targeted for his or her views.

'Baracka Flacka Flames': Does foul-mouthed spoof help or hurt Obama?

The 'Head of the State' video that portrays President Obama as a swearing, drinking, racial epithet-hurling 'Baracka Flacka Flames' is driving debate on satire and the mood of youth voters.

Banned Books Week 2010: Which books drew the most fire last year?

More than half of reported book challenges in 2009 came from two states: Texas and Pennsylvania.

Dr. Laura Schlessinger quitting radio show at end of year

Dr. Laura Schlessinger, the conservative talk show host, said Tuesday she plans to give up her radio show when her contract is up at the end of this year. Dr. Laura made the announcement on CNN's 'Larry King Live,' saying she wants to 'regain' her free speech rights.