That just doesn’t make sense. If the complaint is that it’s rude to use a different name for a group, then it is just as rude to use terms like “shrub”.
If the complaint is that it’s uncouth to not admit to the rudeness, then somehow saying “Democrat Party” is bad, but saying “asshole party” is okay?
This is why the whole thing seems very silly.
The point is that if you call George W. Bush “shrub” it’s clear that you’re trying to be offensive. It’s rude, but at least the rudeness is right up front. It’s clear what the intent of the speaker is.
Deliberately calling the Democratic Party by a different name is not as rude as calling it “The Asshole Party” but it is rude. Pretending that it’s merely an honest mistake is disingenuous. It’s very passive-aggressive.
That’s a whoosh, right?
That’s the crux of it and since there has already been a cite that the term is used as an epithet historically - and we have seen it used as such in this very thread by a few people - then continued using it makes the person a jerk, plain and simple.
Whether this message board will choose to be consistent in the application of the “Don’t be a jerk” rule is another issue, but it seems obvious that if someone is shown that a term is meant to be offensive and they go out of their way to continue using it even after having it brought to their attention that they are being a jerk.
Simply saying “But I didn’t mean it that way” is not enough. It can be and has been taken that way. So stop it or you’re being a jerk.
That’s not what I meant at all (and I’m pretty sure I didn’t say this). It’s an insult/epithet if it’s used as an insult/epithet. It’s not if it’s used in ignorance. So if you say ‘Democrat party’ after you’ve been educated that sometimes ‘Democrat party’ is used and interpreted as an epithet, and the proper usage is ‘Democratic party’, then IMO you’re being a jerk.
If George W. Bush posts here, it would be rude. But using an insult against one historical person who is not a poster here is not even close to the same as using a term that has been shown to be an epithet an using it against actual posters here.
Actual posters here are Democrats (some). They are not the party. So no, it is not used “against actual posters here”.
If someone finds offense at the term directed towards a group which they belong to, then how is it not directed towards the poster?
Unless you feel all Republicans are actually Bushists… :rolleyes:
The rules of the board allow group insults and disparagement, even when a poster belonging to the group is in the thread. I think it’s completely unworkable otherwise.
Exactly.
So we can use the term ns as long as we’re not calling anyone a nr?
I’m sure it’s okay if you don’ t mean it as a slur or understand that it may be viewed that way. Just claim ignorance, and you’ll be fine.
So then saying “Democrat party” is totally okay?
It’s not that simple. You can’t post: All Republicans are retards.
But I don’t think the mods would consider “Democrat Party” to be offensive. I’d be shocked if it were to be a banned word like a racial epithet.
So substitute “shrub” with “repugs”. Do you think that should warrant board moderation?
We’re getting far into ATMB here, but I think it depends. It’s probably OK to say “the repugs in Congress…” Using the term to broadly mean all Republicans might a problem.
Kinda, but not really. I am channeling **Bricker **here but while I agree that if a self-identified label is requested it should be honored based on courtesy, this should be applied consistently and anyone that takes offense to “Democrat Party” should be equally aghast at other bastardizations of group labels. Otherwise they are open to charges of hypocrisy.
Are you sure about that?
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7697044#post7697044
I’ve always taken that to mean “All Republicans are retards” would be fine, but “You’re a Republican, therefore you are a retard” isn’t.
Whatever happened to respecting oneself by respecting others. Haters have always pushed clear thinking people away by the intensity they hate others. The real issue is what these haters would do to those who agree with them on one issue but not everything. From what I’ve noticed hateful people are miserable and are overjoyed to spread that misery to others. They will embrace you until the time that you have a disagreement with you and from then on, your crap.
Why is it so important to talk about something that can not be fixed. Disrespect is the first weapon used by haters. They use it to dehumanize their victims and then look around for anyone that will aid them in the personal destruction of their target.
These kinds of people most likely hate themselves as much as they hate others and are too physically and intellectually lazy to put any effort into finding the truth about anything. Let the miserable wallow in their own misery and never forget why you chose to be the person are and the beliefs you espouse. If not then these haters will derail you and get you off your game.
They aren’t interested in you or your party. They want to distract you from what you are attempting and if they can do so by making you angry, they will use any angry outburst from you to claim you are a raving lunatic to influence those on the political fence.