Letters

Global decadence distressing

I applaud Jane Lavagetto’s observations in the Oct. 12 Voice (“Today’s styles leave little to imagination”). The trends in undress discussed with distress by Lavagetto are symptomatic of a general depreciation of culture.

Consider the debasing of the language, including the proliferation of profanity, the vulgarization of entertainment and the mainstreaming of pornography, the disintegration of manners and civility, the junk-fooding of the national palate, the informalizing of social customs, “the closing of the American mind” and the treating of ignorance as virtue.

While it would be hyperbole to suggest that such decadence will cause the imminent implosion of Western Civilization, I submit that we are increasingly challenged globally to present ourselves as models for civilized life when we appear to be barbarians.

John B. Hagney

Spokane