The problem is...when you (generic) use a word like retarded or faggot? You ARE insulting those groups-intended or not. Why do people struggle against this fact so much? Why are their insults so damn precious?
If you (again, generic, presume generic for erst of e-mail) call some guy retarded-whether you realize it or not? You are comparing him to a person with downs syndrome. And you are saying it is a bad thing. And as it is only used for insult, there is no balance. Yeah, i realize you don't probably think people with downs syndrome are "bad", but you are still using a term that specifically is tied to them purely as insult. Same with Faggot or gay or whatever. This idea that it doesn't matter because it wasn't my intention? My words may have unintended victims. That matters to me. My intensions do not absolved me of blame. Heck, Obama's intentions are good? Why are Republicans not understanding that and saying mean things about him? George Bush's intentions meant well, he was just trying to protect us by using tortuer techniques like waterboarding. Why don't we liberals appreciate that? Because regardless of their intentions, people feel the ends do not justify the means.
Jesus said calling some one an idiot is worthy of the fires of hell. As someone prone to calling people "idiots"? That's not particularly comforting to me. It suggests that Jesus guy is not fond of insults-except when aimed at pompous religious leaders-that seems to be his one break from a "no insult" norm.
Thom
http://thomwade.wordpress.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/Thomwade
http://www.in-one-ear.com
_______________________________________
"I want a song to learn and sing, of a life requited."-Echo & the Bunnymen
-----Original Message-----
From: pcg <[email protected]>
To: DADL (off topic) <[email protected]>
Sent: Thu, Nov 18, 2010 11:08 am
Subject: Re: [DADL-OT] Willow Palin's homophobic Facebook rant
> Honestly...I find myself wondering why we are
more concerned about our ability to insult people
without return criticism or consideration of the
unintended hurt our words may cause than we
are about trying to choose our words more
thoughtfully and carefully.
I think you're framing the question in a disingenuous way. I'm not
oncerned about my "ability to insult people" -- unless you talking
bout the people I intend to insult, in which case, yes, I'll guard
hat right. It's precious to me, and it's fundamental to a free
ociety. As for return criticism, let it fly, but don't speak to my
otivations.
Nor am I inconsiderate of the "unintended hurt" my words may cause. I
have* considered it, and have found that it's not my responsibility
o ensure that nobody's feelings ever get hurt. If I'm insulting you,
t won't be ambiguous, and you won't have to nose your way into my
onversations with other people to discover it.
--
pcg
[email protected]
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