The California State Legislature is poised to join a growing movement of political bodies adopting "Cuss Free Week," hoping to encourage a higher level of verbal decorum.
The idea began with a school boy's project in Pasadena three years ago. It has expanded to include student clubs nationwide, as well as in other countries, propelled in part by the family's Web site and motivational business.
Hector Amezcua, Sacramento Bee/ZUMApress.com
California lawmaker Anna Caballero holds a coin jar to be used to collect money during the state's "Cuss Free Week." The funds would be donated to charity.
The proclamation already approved by the state Assembly and heading to the state Senate today will encourage government offices, businesses and other entities to set up jars for donations from those caught in flagrante during the first week in March. The money would go charities selected by the organizations.
"I've actually put $5 in my jar ahead of next week, because I know I'm going to slip," said the measure's sponsor, Assemblyman Anthony J. Portantino.
Portantino also helped distribute more than 120 "cuss jars" to fellow legislators' offices last week. "We had a lobby try to get a stubbed-toe exemption," he said, "but we didn't take that."
He said that behind the humor is a serious effort to make people "aware of how our actions affect others." And legislators confronting a massive budget crisis need "to take a breath and be more civil in how we conduct ourselves," he added.
The Assembly bill cites McKay Hatch, who, at age 14, began the first "No Cussing Club" at his school "after noticing many of his peers were using cuss words and foul language that created an environment of rudeness and disharmony toward others on his campus."
By knocking out the cussing, he reasoned -- somewhat improbably -- his peers would find it "easier to stay away from drugs, violence, and pornography and turn their focus to positive aspirations and goals," according to the bill.
The boy's father markets himself as a motivational speaker on parenting. The son has landed national media appearances and become the face of the family business. The Hatches publish and sell books, a DVD and other paraphernalia tied to the "no cussing" concept.
In fact, the measure to make the first week of March "cuss free" began with a request from McKay Hatch, said Diane Shelton, Portantino's spokeswoman. That the Hatches are trying to make money from cleaning up the world's language "wasn't a question that would come up if you're looking at an issue that's for all of California," she said.
Portantino said he was unaware that the family was making a business of the program. "When you see a young person get involved in the political and civil process and do it quite well, you respect them by highlighting their concern," Portantino said.
In a prepared statement, Hatch said the campaign, which includes student clubs, "is more than just not cussing. It's about teaching kids and adults the importance of using positive and uplifting language, and empowering kids to not only combat bullying but to not become bullies themselves."
The "cussing lobby" has fired back. The Hatches' Web site was hit with a cyber-attack last year by the "Anonymous" hacking group. Pranksters also sent bogus pizza orders to the family's house.
That might be enough to make anyone swear, but McKay Hatch says he has remained true to his cause. "I haven't slipped," he said, according to The Associated Press.
