# Retorts to the easily offended **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 29, 2001, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538 "2001-06-29T01:14:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2001, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/1 "2001-06-29T01:14:38Z")
When talking about the [Bonsai Kitty](http://www.bonsaikitten.com) web site (it’s not true), a link was provided to [this Snopes.com page](http://www.snopes2.com/inboxer/outrage/bonsai.htm) verifying that it was, indeed, not true. The page itself, though, gives some good retorts to those who would shut down a web page due to its “offensive” topics (whoever wrote it sounds like he could very well be a regular poster here at the SDMB, and that he _really_ wanted it to be a Pit-worthy page). In a nutshell: [ul][li]_“People won’t know it’s a joke.”_ It’s satire, you moron - _you_ figure it out.[/li] [li]_“I don’t find this funny at all.”_ So let’s pressure the internet/the television industry/the government/the publisher to get rid of it altogether? Ooookay…[/li] [li]_“Animal abuse is nothing to joke about.”_ Neither was Nazi Germany, but “The Producers” is still doing quite well on Broadway.[/li] [li]_“Animals were obviously abused to produce the pictures on this site.”_ Oh, yes - my cat _hates_ crawling into small, cramped spaces. And the pictures on the site are obviously of cats in great distress.[/li] [li]_“Children might see this site and decide to try the same thing.”_ Snopes quotes a great phrase - OPC (Other People’s Children) Syndrome. It _might_ happen, so that justifies stopping talking about it.[/ul][/li] I ask you, Worthy Dopers - anything else to add to this list? This quote sums up the page nicely, and, IMHO, is a relevant commentary on the internet, the first Amendment, and people generally being jackasses sometimes: > [@](#): > > The “Bonsai Kitten” web site does a reflect a very dark, disturbing trend in our society, and it has nothing to do with animal abuse. It has to do with an ever-increasing sense of entitlement which proclaims that if you don’t like what someone else has to say, the best and most proper way of handling your displeasure is to force the other person to shut up. Emotions are no longer a private affair; your outrage is meaningless unless it’s expressed publicly. It’s pointless for you to privately scorn or simply ignore speech you don’t agree with. You have the right (and therefore the duty) to use any legal means available to quash that speech, in as public as fashion as possible (since your outrage isn’t validated unless everyone else knows about it) – even if that effort includes fabricating reasons why the other person’s speech is “dangerous.” Stuff like this reminds me that, yes, there’s a lot of stuff out there I don’t agree with ([godhatesfags.com](http://godhatesfags.com), the KKK, etc.), but there are more important issues at stake than “I don’t like what you have to say.” Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2001, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/2 "2001-06-29T01:17:13Z")
But Esprix, think of the children! My God, won’t anybody Think of the Children?! We need a site that produces Bonzai Children. ---
**Author:** ![Sterra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Sterra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterra)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2001, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/3 "2001-06-29T01:49:18Z")
But, at what age would you stuff the children into the glass box? Bonzai for all ages! This thread reminds me greatly of a certan Scylla’s vegetarianism thread. Its not enough that I eat meat. Everyone else must too. Other people holding different opinions is dangerous. That site makes me wonder. Is it animal cruelty if stuffing the animals into small cages increases the tenderness of said animal? ---
**Author:** ![RoboDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bbe5ce/32.png) [@RoboDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoboDude)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2001, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/4 "2001-06-29T01:54:57Z")
The [FBI](http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,41733,00.html) started investigating Bonsai Kitten recently. Why, you ask? Well… > [@](#): > > In December 1999, President Clinton signed a law that makes it a federal felony to possess “a depiction of animal cruelty” with the intent to distribute across state lines – such as on the Internet. During a floor debate, Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.) claimed that “sick criminals are taking advantage of the loopholes in the local law and the lack of federal law on animal cruelty videos.” > > The law, which observers at the time said probably violated the First Amendment, only applies to images, videos, and sound recordings that are distributed “for commercial gain” – and [bonsaikitten.com](http://bonsaikitten.com)’s tongue-in-cheek descriptions of mail-order cats in bottles appears to have given the FBI sufficient justification for an investigation. Is that messed up or what? > [@](#): > > Silverglate predicts that when the FBI realizes [bonsaikitten.com](http://bonsaikitten.com) is not serious, the bureau will quietly abandon its investigation. They damn well better. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2001, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/5 "2001-06-29T04:20:36Z")
Sterra: Hmmmmm. I don’t recall ever saying in that entire thread that people shouldn’t be allowed to be vegetarians. The fact that I think that the choice is often made for flawed or silly reasons does not mean that I do not wholly endorse your right to chose. I think the ignorance is dangerous, but you are free to be ignorant. I’m neither forcing anyone to change, nor forcing anyone to read my stupid little thread, nor am I suggesting that anyone else should force anybody to do either, OK? Just like the kitten site, if you don’t like it, don’t click on it. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2001, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/6 "2001-06-29T04:37:30Z")
Sure 'nuff, Esprix. Frankly, I _like_ [http://www.godhatesfags.com](http://www.godhatesfags.com) because it’s a nice, one-stop show-what-a-loonie-Fred-Phelps-is resource. As a student once said, “They’ll sound more ridiculous with every passing minute.” ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Scene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Bob\_Scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Scene)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2001, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/7 "2001-06-29T04:51:27Z")
I’m seriously considering starting an organization to outlaw ALL humor on the Internet. Humor is always at _someone’s_ expense, and people have a right to go through life without ever being confused or insulted, don’t they? And what does exposure to humor do to impressionable children? My organization will probably be called **H** umor **A** lways **H** urts or something like that. Does anyone here know if we’d actually have to delete the First Amendment to get our Communications Seriousness Act passed? How would we go about doing that? And what color should our ribbons be? ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2001, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/8 "2001-06-29T06:48:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scylla \* > > I think the ignorance is dangerous, but you are free to be ignorant. I’m neither forcing anyone to change, nor forcing anyone to read my stupid little thread, nor am I suggesting that anyone else should force anybody to do either, OK? When you believe something is “dangerous”, doesn’t it follow that you will ultimately want it to stop, or to change? It’s part pf your “belief system” that some of the reasons for vegetarianism are ignorant, and therefore “dangerous” - so why wouldn’t you eventually try to stop that? Slippery slope, and all that… 😃 Sterra, I think you are right-on about the vegetarian thread. I thought so before I saw your post. You took the words out of my mouth. And Esprix, you are right-on as well. People get all bent out of shape over everything these days. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2001, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/9 "2001-06-29T13:05:50Z")
Yosemitebabe: I would not seek to stop it by outlawing vegetarianism. If my arguments have merit, they may provoke thought and cause change. If they don’t, they won’t, and perhaps by arguing I may change in my understanding. That’s good enough for me. In any case one is free not to argue with me. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2001, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/10 "2001-06-29T13:52:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by matt\_mcl \* > \*\*Sure 'nuff, Esprix. Frankly, I _like_ [http://www.godhatesfags.com](http://www.godhatesfags.com) because it’s a nice, one-stop show-what-a-loonie-Fred-Phelps-is resource. As a student once said, “They’ll sound more ridiculous with every passing minute.” \*\* Ever been to Crank Dot Net? Some of the links there make Phelps look sane by comparison. I admit it-I LOVE reading the ravings of net kooks. ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Scene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Bob\_Scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Scene)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2001, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/11 "2001-06-30T02:14:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > **Ever been to Crank Dot Net? Some of the links there make Phelps look sane by comparison.** My website was one of the first ones on [crank.net](http://crank.net), and it had a “crankiest” rating, but now I see they’ve changed it to “parody.” I’ll have to try a little harder. ---
**Author:** ![Donovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ea666f/32.png) [@Donovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donovan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2001, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/12 "2001-06-30T04:32:58Z")
[hijack]heh, thanx a lot… I just tried to take a look at the website, and either my company webmaster or the software they use finds the site offensive. I guess they don’t get it either. :rolleyes: I got the feared screen telling me I can’t go there, and my attempt to visit, I’m sure, was duly noted… Ironic thing is I only have ever gotten this screen following a link from the SDMB. I can’t wait to get called to the carpet and trying to explain I was only trying to fight ignorance… 😃 [/hijack] … and before anyone asks, yes I LOVE ellipsii. (what IS the plural of ellipsis, anyway?) ---
**Author:** ![Roadfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc348/32.png) [@Roadfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadfood)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2001, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/13 "2001-06-30T09:05:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yosemitebabe \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Scylla \* > > > > I think the ignorance is dangerous, but you are free to be ignorant. I’m neither forcing anyone to change, nor forcing anyone to read my stupid little thread, nor am I suggesting that anyone else should force anybody to do either, OK? > > When you believe something is “dangerous”, doesn’t it follow that you will ultimately want it to stop, or to change? It’s part pf your “belief system” that some of the reasons for vegetarianism are ignorant, and therefore “dangerous” - so why wouldn’t you eventually try to stop that? Slippery slope, and all that… 😃 > \*\* I know this wasn’t aimed at me, but I’d like to respond to it anyway. This seems like a classic case of assuming that other people share your particular belief system. Besides, I think the real slippery slope starts when you start out talking about _wanting_ something to change, and then shift into _trying_ to change it. There are a lot of things extant that I personally believe are dangerous. Those phony psychic hotlines that scam money from the ignorant, for example. But there is just no way I would ever support making them illegal. So-called “hate speech” is maybe a better example. Dangerous? You betcha. But I am appalled and saddened that laws are being passed against it. So no, it does not follow that because I think something is dangerous I will ultimately want it stopped or try to get it stopped. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2001, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/14 "2001-06-30T10:09:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Roadfood \* > > There are a lot of things extant that I personally believe are dangerous. Those phony psychic hotlines that scam money from the ignorant, for example. But there is just no way I would ever support making them illegal. > > So-called “hate speech” is maybe a better example. Dangerous? You betcha. But I am appalled and saddened that laws are being passed against it. > > So no, it does not follow that because I think something is dangerous I will ultimately want it stopped or try to get it stopped. Well, you really need to read that horribly bloated vegetarian thread in the Pit to get the context of my last post. It was mostly sarcastic. The concept of “slippery slope” was brought up as a reason why some people get so bent out of shape over vegetarianism. Like all us vegetarians are going to try to ban meat some day. (Yeah, like that’ll happen. :rolleyes: ) If we’re going to get discuss that as if it’s a real concern, why shouldn’t we also worry about “anti-vegetarians” being prone to the “slippery slope” behavior themselves? This sort of thing could go both ways, if we’re going to start bringing up paranoid “what ifs”. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2001, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/15 "2001-06-30T10:34:28Z")
> [@](#): > > … and before anyone asks, yes I LOVE ellipsii. (what IS the plural of ellipsis, anyway?) Either ellipsisisisisses, or dots. Your choice. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2001, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/16 "2001-06-30T11:32:26Z")
Lynn, you’re one of those people who has trouble spelling “banana”, aren’t you? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2001, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/17 "2001-06-30T12:39:35Z")
I may not like what you have to say, but I will make dramatic proclamations (that shall remain unsubstantiated) about how I would die for your right to say it, preferably of ripe old age. Or, most ideally of all, as a healthy 150 year old man who has a massive heart attack and simultaneous rupture of every single blood vessel in my brain while at the critical moment with three or four beautiful teenaged girls…er, for your right to say it, that is, purely for noble purposes of protecting your rights. And I’ll stand by that! ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2001, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/18 "2001-06-30T12:48:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Captain Amazing \* > We need a site that produces Bonzai Children. AKA… [jarbabies?](http://www.jarbaby.com/orig.html) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2001, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retorts-to-the-easily-offended/70538/19 "2001-06-30T13:15:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\*Lynn, you’re one of those people who has trouble spelling “banana”, aren’t you? 😃 \*\* \ _paraphrase_ “Nanny Ogg didn’t have trouble spelling “Banana”, she just had trouble stopping spelling it.” \ Pfenris