# "taco n\*\*\*\*\*s" - no warning issued, mods?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [August 22, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079 "2018-08-22T21:44:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/61 "2018-08-24T03:04:54Z")

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> [@Miller](#):
>
> Someone calling you a “taco nigger” would almost certainly draw a warning. Someone suggesting that you view other Hispanics as “taco niggers” would probably not.
> 
> Was this not clear in my previous post?

May I say that I think the second usage is more offensive than the first?

Most people belong to some class for which an offensive term exists. Any decent person would prefer to have such a term used ‘at’ them than to be accused of using one.

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**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/62 "2018-08-24T04:17:25Z")

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> [@j666](#):
>
> May I say that I think the second usage is more offensive than the first?
> 
> Most people belong to some class for which an offensive term exists. Any decent person would prefer to have such a term used ‘at’ them than to be accused of using one.

I tend to agree with you. If I belong to a group that is routinely called XXXX (a racial slur) then I have heard that term before directed at me. If a poster on here calls me an XXXX, I chalk that up to the poster being an asshole and move on.

If someone says that I think a particular ethnic group is XXXX, then that is a serious accusation. I could lose my job; I could lose my law license. I could suffer public scorn if people believe the accusation. Especially given the increasing scorn regarding the use of those terms even when referring to other saying them. The Netflix exec is a perfect example.

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**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/63 "2018-08-24T05:47:19Z")

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> [@kopek](#):
>
> And I’m thinking pelmeni and some raw beef ------- maybe something salted from Baikal. Could be we’re at opposite ends of the pool. 😃

Pond.

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**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:** [August 24, 2018, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/64 "2018-08-24T06:54:13Z")

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Naah, sorry, I don’t agree that calling someone a nigger on here is a lesser offence than saying someone here thinks Black people are niggers.

It’s ridiculous hyperbole to insinuate anyone’s going to get fired, or lose their law licence, or face “public scorn” over what someone else _says_ they _might_ be _thinking_ on a _messageboard_. It’s not an accusation that you _have_ used the term, it’s an accusation that you have the _mindset_ of someone who would use the term. The only scorn you’d face is right here.

And the Netflix PR guy is a stupid comparison - a boardroom is not a message board. And you certainly can’t hide the fact you said something, after the fact, like he tried to do.

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**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/65 "2018-08-24T06:57:11Z")

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Make no mistake, my rant was 95% how convinced and disgusted I am on how much of a horrible person I think HD is and how he thinks, and 5% how my phone thinks I think he thinks.

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**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/66 "2018-08-24T07:06:16Z")

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> [@UltraVires](#):
>
> If someone says that I think a particular ethnic group is XXXX, then that is a serious accusation. I could lose my job; I could lose my law license. I could suffer public scorn if people believe the accusation. Especially given the increasing scorn regarding the use of those terms even when referring to other saying them…

And you might note that here on this message board, the accusation/s are never made lightly: It’s only after repeated postings by long-term posters.

So maybe you should consider whether your posts are racist, sexist, ageist…pick your ‘ist’. Then you won’t lose your job, your law license or public regard.

Simple.

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**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/67 "2018-08-24T07:20:49Z")

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> [@kambuckta](#):
>
> And you might note that here on this message board, the accusation/s are never made lightly: It’s only after repeated postings by long-term posters.
> 
> So maybe you should consider whether your posts are racist, sexist, ageist…pick your ‘ist’. Then you won’t lose your job, your law license or public regard.
> 
> Simple.

That actually is not an accurate post. Those accusations are quickly deployed.

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**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/68 "2018-08-24T07:25:14Z")

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> [@octopus](#):
>
> That actually is not an accurate post. Those accusations are quickly deployed.

Oh, yeah, for YOU they were deployed quickly **octopus**. We always have special needs posters…you’re one of them.

😉

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**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/69 "2018-08-24T10:42:00Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> Naah, sorry, I don’t agree that calling someone a nigger on here is a lesser offence than saying someone here thinks Black people are niggers.
> 
> It’s ridiculous hyperbole to insinuate anyone’s going to get fired, or lose their law licence, or face “public scorn” over what someone else _says_ they _might_ be _thinking_ on a _messageboard_. It’s not an accusation that you _have_ used the term, it’s an accusation that you have the _mindset_ of someone who would use the term. The only scorn you’d face is right here.
> 
> And the Netflix PR guy is a stupid comparison - a boardroom is not a message board. And you certainly can’t hide the fact you said something, after the fact, like he tried to do.

I, possibly we, were not talking about message board postings specifically, but the use of racial slurs in general. The board has its standards and they are reasonable ones.

But I’d rather be called by an ugly term than accused of thinking\* it, so I think the OP has a valid point.

\*or being the type of person who would use, whatever

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**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/70 "2018-08-24T10:51:24Z")

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> [@Shodan](#):
>
> How does one determine the answer to that question?

This is why you have humans with reading comprehension skills moderating the board, instead of bots and filters.

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**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:** [August 24, 2018, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/71 "2018-08-24T13:38:08Z")

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> [@j666](#):
>
> I, possibly we, were not talking about message board postings specifically

We weren’t? _checks forum_ Huh.

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**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/72 "2018-08-24T14:07:02Z")

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Don’t read the comments.

Oh God.

It’s comments all the way down!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/73 "2018-08-24T16:56:20Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> We weren’t? _checks forum_ Huh.

“We” meaning I and the person who agreed with me. I can’t speak for other posters, though.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [August 24, 2018, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/74 "2018-08-24T17:01:31Z")

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> [@j666](#):
>
> “We” meaning I and the person who agreed with me. I can’t speak for other posters, though.

You were replying to a post by Miller that was specifically about this board. Don’t jump from the specific to the general without a clear indication and expect everyone to follow along.

Although I’d be curious if you or the other person have ever been the recipient of an ethic slur of the extremity of nigger or an equivalent, that you can speak with such certainty as to which you’d prefer.

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**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/75 "2018-08-24T17:43:27Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> You were replying to a post by Miller that was specifically about this board. Don’t jump from the specific to the general without a clear indication and expect everyone to follow along.
> 
> Although I’d be curious if you or the other person have ever been the recipient of an ethic slur of the extremity of nigger or an equivalent, that you can speak with such certainty as to which you’d prefer.

I didn’t say I would prefer to be called an ethnic slur, I said “ugly term”.

No gratuitous instrutions on posting will be added at this time.

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/76 "2018-08-24T19:03:57Z")

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If we are gonna make this place more newbie friendly, yes, things like that will have to be moderated. Sorry Miller, but that’s the way it is.

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**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:** [August 24, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/77 "2018-08-24T19:06:18Z")

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> [@j666](#):
>
> I didn’t say I would prefer to be called an ethnic slur, I said “ugly term”.

_One sentence_ after you said

> [@](#):
>
> I, possibly we, were not talking about message board postings specifically, but the use of racial slurs in general.

Make up your mind.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/78 "2018-08-24T20:37:30Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> _One sentence_ after you said
> 
> Make up your mind.

Weirdly enough, I know what I wrote, and, yes, I used different terms to refer to different circumstances and issues.

Issue 1:  
The board has the right to restrict use of specific terms, such as racial slurs, in different contexts. In fact, I agree it has a responsibility to do so, at least in the current social environment.

Issue 2 (related to and arising from Issue 1):  
I think using various ugly terms for sex (or gender, if you will), sexual behavior, racial classification, ethnicity, and religion is abhorrent. I do \*\*not \*\*think being a member of any group for which an ugly term exists is shameful.

Therefore, I would prefer to called by an ugly term rather than be accused of using one. I don’t expect the board to bend to my preferences, but it’s a point to consider in the current discussion.

Yes, various ugly terms discouraged on this board could be used to refer to me, and no, I don’t care to specify which.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [August 25, 2018, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/79 "2018-08-25T06:21:38Z")

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How silly of me, to think two consecutive sentences might be linked, and that a jumping of theme might be somehow signaled by some explicit indication. Sorry, my telepathy failed me this time

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**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2018, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-n-s-no-warning-issued-mods/820079/80 "2018-08-25T12:00:45Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> How silly of me, to think two consecutive sentences might be linked, and that a jumping of theme might be somehow signaled by some explicit indication. Sorry, my telepathy failed me this time

Words have meanings.

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