# Trolls R Us redux \[Now the argument clinic\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 27, 2020, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349 "2020-06-27T06:30:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/443 "2020-08-23T17:54:09Z")
I was surprised he never got called out for this: > [@How reprehensible do YOU want to be in the Pit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reprehensible-do-you-want-to-be-in-the-pit/844084/154): > > Can I say, Miller, you’re an asshole prick asshole, for example? Just trying to define the boundaries. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/444 "2020-08-23T17:57:59Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > I was surprised he never got called out for this: > [How reprehensible do YOU want to be in the Pit? - #154 by Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reprehensible-do-you-want-to-be-in-the-pit/844084/154) Jesus, man, are you searching my history, looking for a reason to sick mods on me? Clearly I was joking. Most people got the joke… ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/445 "2020-08-23T18:02:19Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Here’s another guy who seems to have crawled out from under a bridge and is giving definite troll vibes. > > [Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman suspended for on-air anti-gay slur - #42 by Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/42) What’s trollish about it? That you don’t agree? That’s not trolling. Trolling is responding that someone is trolling without proper evidence and offering no counter-argument, and instead appealing to mods. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/446 "2020-08-23T18:03:57Z")
Jesus, man, feel free to search my history, you won’t find a reason to sick the mods on me! CMC ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/447 "2020-08-23T18:05:13Z")
Well, we know you call people assholes, do you also call people fags? Since they’re totally the same, just disparaging names. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/448 "2020-08-23T18:05:27Z")
> [@Harrington](#): > > > [@needscoffee](#): > > > > I was surprised he never got called out for this: > > [How reprehensible do YOU want to be in the Pit? - #154 by Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reprehensible-do-you-want-to-be-in-the-pit/844084/154) > > Jesus, man, are you searching my history, looking for a reason to sick mods on me? Clearly I was joking. Most people got the joke…  I clearly didn’t realize that was supposed to be a joke. I remembered it because I was so surprised. If I misinterpreted it, I will withdraw my complaint. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/449 "2020-08-23T18:05:27Z")
Equivocation is a type of trolling . . . IMHO. CMC ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/450 "2020-08-23T18:05:49Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > Well, we know you call people assholes, do you also call people fags? Since they’re totally the same, just disparaging names. Cite that I’ve called someone an asshole on this board? I think you’re confusing posts. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/451 "2020-08-23T18:07:15Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Equivocation is a type of trolling . . . IMHO. > CMC Thankfully your HO isn’t board protocol. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/452 "2020-08-23T18:09:11Z")
That’s… That’s a joke, right? > [@How reprehensible do YOU want to be in the Pit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reprehensible-do-you-want-to-be-in-the-pit/844084/154): > > Can I say, **Miller** , you’re an asshole prick asshole, for example? Just trying to define the boundaries Would you “jokingly” replace the word with fag, or do you realize that there’s a difference? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/453 "2020-08-23T18:11:09Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > If I misinterpreted it, I will withdraw my complaint. Nah, I don’t think I misinterpreted it. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/454 "2020-08-23T18:12:31Z")
> [@How reprehensible do YOU want to be in the Pit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reprehensible-do-you-want-to-be-in-the-pit/844084/154): > > That’s… That’s a joke, right? > > > [@How reprehensible do YOU want to be in the Pit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reprehensible-do-you-want-to-be-in-the-pit/844084/154): > > > > Can I say, **Miller** , you’re an asshole prick asshole, for example? Just trying to define the boundaries > > Would you “jokingly” replace the word with fag, or so you realize that there’s a difference? Why must I replace any words I’ve said with other words upon your insistence? Why do you insist I weigh all words the same? ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/455 "2020-08-23T18:18:30Z")
You’ve been the one trying to make out the words the same, just disparaging words that are no different. If you do realize that one is worse than the other, why the equivalence in the other thread? You JUST said you’ve never called someone an asshole on this board. I submit that you did and you consider it a joke, and that you do see the words are different in weight. Unless you would be equally comfortable joking in the same way with fag? Here’s your post where you talk about asshole and bigot being disparaging words for groups: > [@Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman suspended for on-air anti-gay slur](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/28): > > Isn’t “assholes” and “bigots” disparaging terms for groups of people? Really, I admire you, for never, ever, as an adult, other than the above post, having uttered a disparaging word. You don’t have to mean it, you just have to say it. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/456 "2020-08-23T18:25:50Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > You’ve been the one trying to make out the words the same, just disparaging words that are no different. If you do realize that one is worse than the other, why the equivalence in the other thread? > > You JUST said you’ve never called someone an asshole on this board. I submit that you did and you consider it a joke, and that you do see the words are different in weight. Unless you would be equally comfortable joking in the same way with fag? I didn’t claim that “asshole” was equivalent to any other word. I made a point that calling someone an asshole could be determined by some people as offensive as your pet word. Neither you nor I are the arbiter of what is offensive, that is a personal choice. What committee has deemed words more offensive than others? Do you have a link? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/457 "2020-08-23T18:30:47Z")
It’s the bigots that define what slurs are by their usage. Racists suck for more than just their hatred of others, they also suck for ruining words. A general way of determine if something is just an insult or if it is a slur is to see if it is used to disparage others than those it applies to. If I call someone an asshole, I am only insulting them, and the implication there is that being an asshole is a bad thing to be. If I call someone a f\*, then I am not just insulting them, I am insulting all homosexual people, the implication is that being a f\* is a bad thing to be. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/458 "2020-08-23T18:33:21Z")
Look, if you presumptuously think I’m a troll, then I’m sure the mods will ban me. If you want to discuss this matter in the thread this discussion was designed for, please do. I’m not going to defend myself against no charges here. But I do lament our tattle-tale mentality. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/459 "2020-08-23T18:38:24Z")
> [@Harrington](#): > > {…} I’m not going to defend myself against no charges here. {…} Except for all the above posts where you do exactly that. CMC ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/460 "2020-08-23T18:39:26Z")
I meant further. Surely you knew that… ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/461 "2020-08-23T18:41:03Z")
A well argued defense to my charge. CMC ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/462 "2020-08-23T18:54:08Z")
I posted in that thread. You’ve responded to me here but not there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349.md?page=24)