Truly Awful or Awfully True?

I watched the first season of Rescue Me a month or so ago, and I didn't mind it. I have a huge crush on Denis Leary, and he's at his misanthropic best here. But as I get further into the second season, I'm feeling increasingly uneasy. The way these guys talk to each other, particularly about women, makes me think that I should never date a firefighter. They're all racist, homophobic, bigoted, misogynistic assholes. And those are their good qualities. I can't decide if the writing is a reflection of a reality that I'd rather not acknowledge or a satirical look at heroism and bravery. Either way, I don't think I'm going to watch much more.