# Dear Zedd, you are a mouth-breathing moron **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 18, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608 "2011-12-18T02:55:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zedd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@Zedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zedd)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/21 "2011-12-18T05:06:16Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Thank you for the response. Your response in no way demonstrates that **erdosain** was using the word “Jew” in an anti-semitic manner. Actually, I never made the accusation. I simply asked a question. I also repeatedly stated that I believed his denial. My responses were to why I asked Erdosain his statement was phrased in such a way. In the end no ones mind is altered. Re Astral Rejection- My Dad retired from the Army. My grandparents lived in with us. I can remember many a time Grandpa berating the Jews this Jews that. Even as a youngster I knew this was wrong and my Dad would have none of it. Later we lived in Germany, not 20 yrs after WWII and the full exposure of the Holocaust. It was not so long ago that being Jewish, being a _Jew_ was not healthy. Hell, many places are like that. There is an appropriate time and a place for all words. Take the word God, how many times is it used incorrectly and inappropriately. IMO ethnic minorities with as harried a past as the Jewish people have had should be treated with a great deal of respect. Using the name as a hammer, even if it is to demonize another group, imo is wrong. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/22 "2011-12-18T05:13:26Z")
I note that **Zedd** failed to capitalize the word “Jew” at least four times in that thread. Any manual of style would note that the word _Jew_ as a reference to an adherent of the religion of Judaism or a member of the Jewish ethnic group is always capitalized. I certainly hope that’s not any evidence of anti-Semitism on his part. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/23 "2011-12-18T05:13:32Z")
> [@Zedd](#): > > Actually, I never made the accusation. I simply asked a question. Uh-huh. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/24 "2011-12-18T05:14:07Z")
> [@Zedd](#): > > Actually, I never made the accusation. I simply asked a question. I also repeatedly stated that I believed his denial. My responses were to why I asked Erdosain his statement was phrased in such a way. In the end no ones mind is altered. Do you really think you’re fooling anyone with this? This is sad. > [@Zedd](#): > > Using the name as a hammer, even if it is to demonize another group, imo is wrong. What does this mean? This does not mean what you seem to think it means, which apparently is: “He used the word ‘Jews’ while being mean to me; ergo, he is anti-Semitic.” ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/25 "2011-12-18T05:41:29Z")
Why, someone ranting about misuse of the word “Jew” has the moral force of a heavy truck crushing their enemies! Such is the power of a semite railer! [sub]patent pending[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/26 "2011-12-18T08:23:51Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Why, someone ranting about misuse of the word “Jew” has the moral force of a heavy truck crushing their enemies! > > Such is the power of a semite railer! > > [sub]patent pending[/sub] “That’s a semite railer,” he articulated. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/27 "2011-12-18T08:27:23Z")
Only morons think “mouth breathing” should be or is used as a insult. ---
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/28 "2011-12-18T09:33:40Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Only morons think “mouth breathing” should be or is used as a insult. I respectfully disagree, but I also suspect that this could be an EPIC hijack! ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/29 "2011-12-18T10:13:20Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > “That’s a semite railer,” he articulated. Brilliant Swifty… ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/30 "2011-12-18T10:56:20Z")
Sorry, what? Do Mormons not believe that the 12 tribes of Israel were descended from the 12 sons of Jacob? Because, correct me if I’m wrong, that would make their descendants…related. Israelites (the ones who didn’t have the Temple, and were conquered by Assyria) are different to the Judeans (who had the temple and were conquered by Babylon)…all of which was history by 600BCE anyway. Is that the issue **Zedd** is getting worked up about? What, exactly, do Mormons believe the Isrealites (as distinct from Judean Jews) practiced as a religion, if not Judaism as we understand it? Why would calling these hypothetical descendants of Joseph “Jews” be incorrect _theologically_? ---
**Author:** ![velosue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/13edae/32.png) [@velosue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velosue)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/31 "2011-12-18T12:28:52Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > I would also like to point out that I was a Mormon for 30 years and was raised in the religion. My parents continue to be very devout Mormons. I would describe myself as a thoughtful critic of Mormonism, but I don’t particularly care if someone calls me an anti-Mormon bigot (as **Zedd** has). > > Being critical of a voluntary religious organization that recruits aggressively is apparently the same as being a racist in **Zedd** ’s world. Duly noted. I find it amazing that because you think you are possibly being called an Anti-Semite you almost have an apoplexy but that believing you are called an Anti-Mormon bigot bothers you not at all? Very curious I also find it curious that being the rational being you are Erdosain, you feel the need to cast numerous pejoratives at another person who made you feel so defensive. The original thread would have been half its length if a simple no had been issued to Zedd’s question and your explanation that you probably would have been better to have used Isrealite. I served in the Army and heard many “abbreviations” of nationalities and religions used as an epithet against different groups. As an Officer I would not allow this type of language and my soldiers had a much higher level of satisfaction then in the other units around us because I fostered a climate of respect. Serving across this country and the world, I have many times heard “Jew” used in a pejorative manner…maybe this thread, if nothing else will give you a greater sensitivity in how you use words, or, maybe not…it’s all up to you to do the introspection necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Suil\_Dubh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85f322/32.png) [@Suil\_Dubh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suil_Dubh)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/32 "2011-12-18T12:32:05Z")
I hate Ewoks. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/33 "2011-12-18T12:53:07Z")
Paranoid gits: [Jew Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jew?show=0&t=1324212351) Has it really gotten to the point where the word “Jew” is automatically presumed to be an insult instead of its ordinary, non-insulting meaning? Not to say that it’s never used as an insult, but automatically presuming that “Not Jews coming in 600 BC with their annoying younger brother” is pejorative is paranoia. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/34 "2011-12-18T12:58:06Z")
> [@velosue](#): > > I find it amazing that because you think you are possibly being called an Anti-Semite you almost have an apoplexy but that believing you are called an Anti-Mormon bigot bothers you not at all? Very curious > > I also find it curious that being the rational being you are Erdosain, you feel the need to cast numerous pejoratives at another person who made you feel so defensive. The original thread would have been half its length if a simple no had been issued to Zedd’s question and your explanation that you probably would have been better to have used Isrealite. > > I served in the Army and heard many “abbreviations” of nationalities and religions used as an epithet against different groups. As an Officer I would not allow this type of language and my soldiers had a much higher level of satisfaction then in the other units around us because I fostered a climate of respect. > > Serving across this country and the world, I have many times heard “Jew” used in a pejorative manner…maybe this thread, if nothing else will give you a greater sensitivity in how you use words, or, maybe not…it’s all up to you to do the introspection necessary. Here’s an honest question, **velosue**. Are you related to **Zedd**? You registered yesterday and have made 4 posts on this message board, all in defense of **Zedd**. So, do you know him? Are you related to him? Did he tell you to check out the original thread? It’s not a huge deal, but you should be honest with the other readers of this board and disclose any prior relationship you have with **Zedd**. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/35 "2011-12-18T12:59:53Z")
Personally, I don’t like being referred to as Jewish. I’m not Jew-\*ish \*- I’m a Jew. Full stop. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/36 "2011-12-18T13:10:20Z")
I can’t believe I missed this last night. > [@Zedd](#): > > Really? Jew is a ‘shorthand’ for Israelite? [Snort] Wonder what Dan would have to say about that? That is wrong in so many ways it is difficult to know where to begin [snort, sorry]. I’m sure **Zedd** will never answer this question, but I’m dying to ask why the descendants of the Tribe of Dan would find being categorized as Jewish to be especially hilarious. Some older Mormons have some kooky ideas about where the “Lost Tribes of Israel” ended up. I’m guessing **Zedd** missed the newsletter where it was explained that we don’t believe that anymore. 20 bucks says he thinks they ended up in Denmark. ---
**Author:** ![raskolnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e47c2d/32.png) [@raskolnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raskolnik)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/37 "2011-12-18T13:23:51Z")
-The Catholic Church has had such intellectual heavyweights as Pascal, Pasteur, and Thomas Moore. Dostoyevsky was rabidly EasternOrthodox. There have been countless Jewish contributions to society, art, science, and medicine. Albert Schweitzer was a protestant example of a bright influential man. -But a religion founded in the 1800’s by a man who claims God told him to have many wives? Were you expecting rocket science from it’s believers? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/38 "2011-12-18T14:20:05Z")
Bring out the Gimp. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/39 "2011-12-18T14:23:33Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > “That’s a semite railer,” he articulated. Lorry ha’ mercy! ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608/40 "2011-12-18T14:23:43Z")
Any label can be used as a pejorative in the right context. Some labels are slurs all by themselves. Jew isn’t one of them. It’s not like we call ourselves Jews to take back some label (like gays did with Queer). Even in the context of that thread, there’s no way he was using it as a slur, to these Jewish eyes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-zedd-you-are-a-mouth-breathing-moron/606608.md?page=3)