This is a truism, and a silly one. It's usually trotted out by people who are offended by "obscene" language, but don't quite want to admit that. After all, prudery does seem prudish and goofy in our modern world, doesn't it?
It's true that there are things more offensive and disturbing than foul language, but not everybody who uses obscenity is doing it for the sake of causing offense. Those who do are idiots, I agree, but that's beside the point. Mr. Highwind, for example, has provided us with a perfect example in the title of this node: Is it meant to offend? Primarily? Is that the point? Maybe, maybe not, I dunno. But it's funny and ironic, and it's a valid use of foul language. You couldn't get the same effect without that magic "motherfucker" there. Again: Remember the scene in Pulp Fiction where Samuel L. Jackson describes his wallet? "It's the one that says 'bad motherfucker' on it." That was a paralyzingly funny moment, thanks in large part to the Magic of Foul Language. Do these things disturb us? No, and that's not the point either. They're not meant to disturb. Then you've got definitively inarticulate, uncreative losers like James Joyce, Thomas Pynchon, etc. ad fucking infinitum (see?! The Magic of Foul Language can make them tired old Latinisms shine!).
As for obscenity in common, everyday speech, there are times when it's appropriate and others when it's not. Language is like that: Use it wisely. There's no substitute for judgement. The Magic of Foul Language is a wonderful and delicate thing. Treat it right, and it'll treat you right, too.
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