You're not going to like me for saying this, but I am going to say it anyway

[La Lioness Priyanka]

Words like rethuglican, floriduh, repukes, rapeublicans, utards etc. lower the quality of the debate we have, and make you sounds less than intelligent.

Also, using several of these 'words' makes the writing itself less clear.

Not sure why intelligent adults do it, but I really wish they would stop.

[unblock]

1. no worries! we love you even when you're wrong!

[RobertEarl]

2. Yeah

And calling good people like, oh, say, RFK, an asshat, really makes DU look dumb. But then we see all those recs for such threads, and it makes ya wonder.

[Spider Jerusalem]

23. RFK Jr is categorically NOT a good person

his ignorant promotion of a discredited link between vaccination and autism pretty much removes him from the "good person" category (because that kind of fearmongering is not just ignorant, it's dangerous).

[RobertEarl]

29. And there it is

Your stance is anti-science. You have made up your mind that mercury in vaccines is perfectly safe. A stance that is contrary to all known science about the toxicity of mercury.

Yet you continue on exposing yourself and your contrariness and anti-science. The question everyone is asking: Why do you people keep doing that?

[Spider Jerusalem]

30. Mercury was removed from vaccines in 2002.

The only vaccine that still contains thimerosal as a preservative is the influenza vaccine.

[RobertEarl]

36. Yes it was

The reason it was removed is because the science said: Remove it because it has a known toxin in it.

Here is RFK being quoted at link posted:

"Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told me that the book he commissioned has a chapter “we were going to leave out, because it’s so controversial, but the evidence is so strong that thimerosal causes autism,” that he’s keeping it in.

Yet in the next breath he said he wasn’t going to publish the book (even though it has a publisher and is going through edits right now) because it is so explosive that he doesn’t want it to prompt a mass panic: “I don’t want parents to stop vaccinating their kids.” (“I’m pro-vaccine,” he insisted several times during the call.)

http://www.cjr.org/the_observatory/robert_kennedy_jr_vaccines_aut.php?page=all

****************

[Spider Jerusalem]

40. Thimerosal was also never in the MMR vaccine.

And the removal of thimerosal as a vaccine preservative did not lead to a reduction in autism prevalence. If anyone is anti-science here, it's RFK Jr.

[RobertEarl]

45. Who to believe?

An internet poster who is anti-science, and has a closed mind and supports calling RFK an asshat on DU, or a well known environmental activist that is hated by the establishment and the republicans?

Heh, I will listen to RFK and the science.

[Spider Jerusalem]

50. How am I anti-science?

Is it anti-science to point out that RFK Jr's "Deadly Immunity" article in 2005 was retracted with an apology by Rolling Stone and Salon?

Or to point out that RFK Jr is no scientist at all and his claims are not taken at all seriously? See for instance here: http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/06/05/robert_f_kennedy_jr_advocate_for_antiscience_and_antivaccination.html

And here: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/23/robert-f-kennedy-jr-s-twisted-anti-vaxx-history.html

Both of those have multiple links, by the way, to actual studies by real scientists.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

164. you are not antiscience. Not sure what the other poster is talking about

and why this is even in this particular thread

[zappaman]

67. You win ironic post of the month...if not year.

"An internet poster who is anti-science, and has a closed mind"

[MNBrewer]

47. One thing the science did NOT say is

mercury in vaccines is linked to autism.

[RobertEarl]

55. It may

The thing is: If it is found that the mercury did cause autism, then the legal damages will be in the billions of dollars. So there is a great push to keep any such findings from being established.

Maybe RFK is wrong about this. IDK. But I sure as heck will listen to him and not be a damn fool on DU calling him an asshat.

[MNBrewer]

90. Don't pretend that it's scientific to listen to RFK because of who he is

rather than what the science actually says.

[Thor_MN]

123. Actually, many studies have said that it does not.

Anti-science is ignoring numerous valid studies to try to prove a per-deterimined point based on one badly flawed study from a fraud. The consummate fraud, the originator of all this, is Andrew Wakefield. Five years ago, we would have had to call him Dr. Wakefield, but now he is just plain Mr. Wakefield, the fraud. He had his medical license taken from him.

RFK is trying to sell a book, which is where most of the anti-vaccine crap comes from. Now, it possible that he means well, and is merely as deluded as the people who used to mimeograph warnings about LSD on temporary tattoos. In any case, he is lending his name to a unproven concept and placing people in danger with the anti-science screed of the anti-vacccine movement.

[PDJane]

129. The chances are very, very good that the increase in autism

is linked to glyphosphate. The increase in autism tracks pretty closely, as do certain kinds of liver damage. The damage in increased by the so-called 'inert' ingredients in the pesticide, which amplify the effects http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/weed-whacking-herbicide-p/

It is more likely to be the culprit than vaccines. Vaccines have been around longer, and have a better history of preventing harm.

[Spider Jerusalem]

143. Correlation is not causation, though

lots of things are more likely to be the culprit: PCBs, bisphenol, any of a dozen other heavily-used industrial chemicals. We can be sure it's not vaccines, because there have been quite a few studies looking for any link between vaccination and autism. We can't really be sure that it's glyphosate rather than some other environmental toxin (although environmental toxicity of some sort seems to be a reasonable hypothesis).

[Dr Hobbitstein]

162. The rise is autism DIAGNOSIS has nothing to do with mercury or glyphosate...

It has to do with the fact that the Autism Spectrum Disorder has expanded, and covers a lot more cases than it did before. There is no rise in autism, just a rise in diagnosis.

[hifiguy]

179. Speaking as someone who has been diagnosed as being

on the spectrum, I think you are correct. Prior to the 1990s there was Kanner's Autism and pretty much nothing else in the autism dictionary. Kanner's Autism is the most severe manifestation - the uncommunicative, sometimes violent kids who rock back and forth that gave rise to the stereotypes about autism.

Once Asperger's was brought to light by Dr. Lorna Wing in Britain during the 1990s the accepted notion became that autism was a spectrum and not a unitary condition. When I grew up in the 1960s and early 1970s I was just a weird kid, and I grew up to be a weird adult. I was misdiagnosed as borderline schizophrenic and possibly bipolar. I was neither. I was an odd, eccentric, and extremely bright kid who had problems with social interaction.

Getting my AS dx in 2005 was an enormous relief to me. There were others like me and it's the way I am wired, not some extrinsic failing on my part.

[YoungDemCA]

198. I'd sure as heck listen to the scientists over someone with an irrational, fear-mongering agenda

Even if that "someone" is a Kennedy.

[Fla Dem]

121. Oh geez, and I just got my shot. Well that's it for me I guess. NT

[Dr Hobbitstein]

163. You know what else is toxic in it's elemental form?

Chlorine. But if you add sodium molecules, it becomes table salt.

Therimisol is NOT elemental mercury. Just like table salt is NOT elemental chlorine.

But hey...

[Progressive dog]

176. The real scientists diagree with RFK Jr.

So calling him a dangerous purveyor of pseudo science would be treating him mildly.

[truedelphi]

184. I support where you are coming from, Robert Earl.

A trifecta of admissions from former CDC officials, who admitted over the summer that their work at the CDC on vaccines was less than honest and honorable.

Yet you will never hear that side of the story on the Major News Networks, as the continual ads for Big Pharma products basically have the TV stations enthralled with Big Pharma.

And here is something totallyscarey - there are not one but two peer-reviewed articles published in Journal of Pediatrics that indicate that mercury is beneficial to the development of an infant's brain.

Big Corporations now have enough economic control over "science" to publically announce that Up is now Down!

[RobertEarl]

185. Thanks, truedelphi

It makes sense that big pharma would go after RFK.

He is a proven danger to polluters and their ilk.

[cascadiance]

193. It's kind of like a lot of "industry" "scientists" saying that high fructose corn syrup is ok...

... and not really digested any differently than natural sugar like cane sugar.

Other scientists have noted that regular sugar has the body start to know when it has had enough, but both high fructose corn syrup and even many diet sugar substitutes don't tell the body when it is satisfied, and the person winds up eating more calories in both the food that contains this stuff and other foods.

I think as long as there are debates, and there are industry "interests" in terms of money dependencies on certain technologies, it always helps having those like RFK to question their findings and research. There are many other areas that RFK has alerted us to wrongdoing that have been invaluable.

Nader my have not emphasized enough a negotiating stance on running for third parties of one of the two major parties or both enacting instant runoff voting, so we demonize him for being a spoiler, but we still have so much to thank him for in other areas.

I think it is ok to challenge RFK and say he might be wrong in certain instances, or there still is a question on whether his findings have validity, but calling him an asshat is what takes away the motivation for people like him to question the corporate mantras out there for so much of our lives, which we NEED so much more of now! I think we owe much of the oversight the coal industry has (though still doesn't have enough of) to RFK Jr. for his work, and I'll always be thankful for that.

[truedelphi]

196. You offer a nice bit of information - and I am grateful for it all.

And I didn't know about his work on the coal issue.

I can clearly remember that when Congress debated the issue of having high fructose corn syrup rather than continuing to use the sugar from Cuba, some scientists and children's researchers said we would end up with a nation of diabetic people, and that seems to be exactly what is happening.

Also, it takes X amount of ounces for the body to process the metabolic results of consuming sugar, and significantly more water to have the body excrete various metabolic byproducts of consuming the HFCS. (If I remember correctly, something like 16 ounces of water to process the sugar, and two quarts of water to process the HFCS. And few people drink enough water to handle that HFCS.)

[YoungDemCA]

197. "Your stance is anti-science"...

[Rex]

60. So if they are not a 'good person' according to mob rule, we can insult them?

Personally, I find it funny when Dems try and limit free speech with a pretty nanny OP. Always amusing to watch, but sad too.

[Spider Jerusalem]

62. I didn't actually say that

personally I think RFK Jr is dangerously wrong about vaccines (dangerously because his misinformed and unscientific opinions may influence people to not vaccinate their children; ask any of the parents who've lost a child to measles thanks to anti-vaccine hysteria how they feel about that).

[Rex]

64. So we can call him an asshat, guilt free then?

I think he is an asshat for being anti-vax, but I guess I should watch what I say...since it gives some around here the 'concerns'.

[Spider Jerusalem]

68. You can if you want...

personally I'd rather focus on how and why he's wrong without gratuitous name-calling (which tends to lower the tone of debate; ad hominems don't really help, much).

[Rex]

71. Sure, you can worry about what other people think about you

and I will stay unconcerned about net nannies...to each their own. Go tell the Rude Pundit that.

[Spider Jerusalem]

73. I see him as a humourist, not a serious commentator. (n/t)

[Rex]

76. Okay then that is settled. Humourists cannot be serious commentators.

Sorry Jon Stewart.

[Spider Jerusalem]

80. I find Jon Stewart to be insufferably smug and a bit of a prick, honestly.

And no, he's not a serious commentator. He even says so himself. (His appearance on "Crossfire", for instance? When challenged on what he was saying about the show his response was "I'm on Comedy Central! The show after mine is puppets making prank phone calls!&quot

[Rex]

83. So you think he is an asshat?

Such a good word, asshat.

[Spider Jerusalem]

84. Not a word I'd use...

I think he's both less funny and less clever than he thinks he is, though.

[Rex]

85. I now someone like that.

No doubt there is a word to describe them.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

91. Regarding Jon Stewart ;

I'd say you are in the minority...........

[Spider Jerusalem]

95. What minority? "The Daily Show" has about 2.5 million viewers, according to ratings.

Which is pretty insignificant considered as part of the entire population. Most people probably don't have an opinion one way or the other.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

114. The minority of the viewers of the show

is who I mean. If a person doesn't like them, they probably don't watch. So if you do watch and don't like him, you are in the minority is what I meant.......

[Warren DeMontague]

119. Most politicians know that when JS starts making fun of them, they're in trouble.

Like him or not, the guy does have influence. Maybe not to older demographics, but younger ones? Absolutely.

[marym625]

153. reading the offshoot thread on RFK Jr and vaccines

And have NO intention of getting into it. But just had to agree. .Asshat is an awesome word!

[Warren DeMontague]

118. I like Jon Stewart.

Usually when people get their arguments effectively eviscertaed, particularly with humor, they fall back upon complaining about "mocking", "meanness" or "smugness". No matter how self-deprecating or humane the humor used was.


The bottom line is, some people are better at it, than others. Stewart is one of those.

[Spider Jerusalem]

144. I generally agree with him, I still find him insufferably smug.

[Warren DeMontague]

146. Interesting. See to my mind, part of his appeal is that he doesn't take himself too seriously.

Maybe it's a generational thing.

[Spider Jerusalem]

147. I'm in my thirties.

So, probably not. Unless you're a teenager.

[Warren DeMontague]

148. No, I'm older than you, man.

So maybe what comes off as smugness to you comes off as Gen X charm to me.

[YoungDemCA]

199. Free speech goes both ways, you know...

And there are plenty of limitations to free speech. Can't yell fire in a crowded theater, can't threaten someone with violence, and so on. And this IS a private site, you know...

Don't expect people who say ignorant, harmful anti-scientific and anti-rational bullshit to not be called on it.

[Nye Bevan]

72. I prefer "anti-vaccine nutcase with blood on his hands". (nt)

[zappaman]

74. I go with "anti-vaccine asshat with blood on his hands". n/t

[La Lioness Priyanka]

132. no, that is completely not what i am talking about. nt

[grahamhgreen]

140. Kick

[Major Nikon]

3. So does subliteracy

But seriously, some ridiculous ideas should be ridiculed, perhaps including those who hold such ideas.

[pipi_k]

209. Yep, there's nothing like ridiculing

other people to make one look like a hero.

So does subliteracy


But seriously, some ridiculous ideas should be ridiculed, perhaps including those who hold such ideas.

Ideas, yes.

People, no.

Since the epithet "moran" gets tossed around quite frequently here, then people must believe that those who hold "ridiculous ideas" are of subnormal intelligence.

Mentally disabled, so to speak.

and how awesome is it to ridicule mentally disabled people?

Hey, maybe we can all go around and knock physically disabled people out of their wheelchairs too!


Honestly, do I really need this? ------->

[Major Nikon]

220. I'm not following you and I'm pretty sure you're not following me

Subliteracy is the intentional and excessive use of slang such as rethuglican, floriduh, repukes, rapeublicans, utards etc.

Nowhere did I claim anyone promoting ridiculous ideas are automatically of low intelligence so how you got from there to kicking the disabled out of wheelchairs seems to be more than a bit melodramatic.

Ridicule is a very effective means to marginalize people who promote ridiculous ideas. It's also the basis of satire and has been used by great thinkers throughout history. When those ideas are genuinely harmful, you know like actually promoting the idea of harming the less fortunate, then I'm going to ridicule them if I so chose regardless of whether you approve or not. If it's not your cup of tea, more power to you, but claiming I'm drowning kittens in bathtubs for pointing out it's not a bad idea in some instances really doesn't do you any favors.

[pipi_k]

225. Failure to communicate

But seriously, some ridiculous ideas should be ridiculed, perhaps including those who hold such ideas.

When those ideas are genuinely harmful, you know like actually promoting the idea of harming the less fortunate, then I'm going to ridicule them

Like I said previously, ridiculing IDEAS is fine.

But you also seem to be cheerleading for the right to ridicule the people who hold stupid or harmful ideas even though the majority of DU thinks the people who hold those ideas are not of normal intelligence.



As for this...

When those ideas are genuinely harmful, you know like actually promoting the idea of harming the less fortunate, then I'm going to ridicule them if I so chose regardless of whether you approve or not. If it's not your cup of tea, more power to you, but claiming I'm drowning kittens in bathtubs for pointing out it's not a bad idea in some instances really doesn't do you any favors.

In your first post, it says clearly that not only would you ridicule the ideas but also the person holding those ideas. The two are not the same.

And nowhere did I claim that you were drowning kittens in bathtubs. Nowhere.

What I did say was that, since most of DU thinks people who have stupid/harmful ideas are morons, idiots, and imbeciles...you know, mentally disabled...then ridiculing THEM is tantamount to ridiculing any other group of disabled people, so why stop at ridiculing the mentally disabled? Why not go whole hog and ridicule other groups of people as well? Like, ummm...fat people. Oh wait Lots of DUers already do that.

Do you understand what I'm saying? Pointing out the silliness of an IDEA is OK. Ridiculing the person who has that idea is not. Well, not in my book, anyway. People can always do what they want, but if a "debate" gets to the point where Person A has to ridicule Person B, then Person A has lost.








if I so chose regardless of whether you approve or not. If it's not your cup of tea, more power to you, but claiming I'm drowning kittens in bathtubs for pointing out it's not a bad idea in some instances really doesn't do you any favors.

[Major Nikon]

228. It would probably help if you didn't conflate what I'm saying with whomever else you are arguing

But you also seem to be cheerleading for the right to ridicule the people who hold stupid or harmful ideas even though the majority of DU thinks the people who hold those ideas are not of normal intelligence.

I'm pretty sure I don't agree with whatever the majority of DU thinks all of the time. I'm not sure many people do. I've noticed broad brushing is often the root of many fuckups. YMMV.

And nowhere did I claim that you were drowning kittens in bathtubs. Nowhere.

Sure, what you actually said was that I might as well kick the disabled out of wheelchairs so I'm sure there must be some sort of abstract difference in our metaphors that perhaps you can elaborate.

What I did say was that, since most of DU thinks people who have stupid/harmful ideas are morons, idiots, and imbeciles...you know, mentally disabled

No actually I don't know that. There's no shortage of people of average and above intelligence that say and do stupid things. Some are willfully ignorant. Some are sociopaths. Some just don't give a fuck about anyone but themselves, if that. Conflating all those people with the mentally disabled and pretending it's all the same is asinine. I don't ridicule people who are impaired in some way solely on that basis. If other people do you should take up your concerns with them directly rather than trying to do it through me by proxy because that's not what I'm "cheerleading".

Do you understand what I'm saying?

I understand what you are saying. I just don't agree with it.

[seaglass]

4. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I also can't stand baby talk. Unless we are talking to babies or

pets.

[NYC_SKP]

5. I agree and I'm always reminded of the likes of Michael Savage when I read it here.

It's especially nasty when used as part of a regional slur, as against Southerners, and groups that include democrats.

"Xtians" and "Gun Nutz" and "Rednecks" are terms that come to mind.

I want to think we're better than that.



However, I make allowances for some members who use it sparingly and to effect.

Our friend in the Caribbean, for example. When I read RETHUGS, I smile.

[littlewolf]

44. I always thought the term "red neck" was a good thing.

it came about during a labor dispute the miners wore a red bandanna as a
show of solidarity and came to be known as red necks.

when I hear the term - that is what I think of.

[DeadLetterOffice]

61. "Redneck" actually predates the coal miner issues of the early 1900's

The term originally referred to rural laborers, who had a red neck from sunburn caused by working outside all the time. It was used as a pejorative from the very beginning, especially for poor southern farmers.

[Art_from_Ark]

137. And there are some people who are proud to be labeled "rednecks"

[joeglow3]

107. And other people will tell you they are showing respect when they say "redskin"

[Veilex]

194. And for some, they might be genuine in that statement...

the problem is not so much their intent (in this case), but public perception. Terms that are deemed acceptable today, may be deemed unacceptable tomorrow. People just have to be willing to grow with the time.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

92. Xtian is an abbreviation using the Greek letter X for Chi-the first letter in the word Christian.

I have explained this and some people don't understand.

It's merely an abbreviation.

[Gormy Cuss]

112. like this..

which is a combination of the first two letters of "Christ" in Greek:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

113. Chi-Rho. Yes.

Used by the Catholic Church.

[Luminous Animal]

188. Xtian? It's been around for centuries.

[Louisiana1976]

6. I see what you mean. I've rarely referred to "Rethugs" but will try not to in the future.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

10. every once in a while it's not a big issue

but when you see posts littered with these altered words, it does make it harder to read

[PeaceNikki]

7. Agreed. "congresscritter" is barfworthy as well

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

17. Oh, thanks :P

I use Congresscritters. And I use it to refer to all of them, even the ones I like. It's not an insult, at least not from me.

[Veilex]

46. I like the term "congresscritter"... I dont see it as an issue...

In fact, I kind of find the term endearing... but I suppose I can see how others might not like it.

The terms identified by the OP are used to otherize... the term "congresscritter" seems easier to say than "Congressional representatives" or "House representative & State Senator"

[PeaceNikki]

54. meh. some people are bothered by words like 'moist'.

[Veilex]

63. I love the word moist!

Especially as it pertains to cookies!!!!

[Spirochete]

78. Well, yes - there is that...

[FrodosPet]

157. They prefer "almost wet" perhaps?

It is nothing more than a relative state of moisture content. Damp...moist...wet...drenched.

Do the anti-moists have an acceptable term for something between damp and wet?

It's as ridiculous as saying that the word "gentleman" is bad. As far as I am concerned, it is a concise definition of my aspiration: to be a gentle man, and not a rude, aggressive know-it-all.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

94. What if your congresscritter is a whore for the big corporations?

And doesn't represent people?

[Veilex]

131. That's more of a reflection upon the person rather than the term.

[treestar]

156. +1

It's cute, not insulting.

[Phentex]

169. I like it, too, and don't find it insulting...

everybody's different.

[Orsino]

158. I like that one, personally...

...as it seems more inclusive than perjorative.

[rustydog]

8. I agree with you yet I am one of those who do this

I vow today to stop.

we need more: "Sir, have you no shame?" statements rather than Rush limpballs is wrong putdowns.

[TDale313]

9. Yeah, I agree.

I understand the impulse. May even have slipped and used one or two occasionally myself. And yeah, I know the other side does it in spades. BUT, it is childish and probably counterproductive. I try to stick to facts and avoid the "cutesy" namecalling.

[jwirr]

11. I use rethug because I refuse to call them what they want to be called. It is my small way of

protesting their existence. I hear what you are saying but I don't think you see what I am doing.

So if I can not call them rethugs then what do I say since I refuse to use their party name?

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

15. Call them the Republic Party.

Since so many of them intentionally use 'Democrat Party'.

[jwirr]

24. Hmmm. I feel like I would be giving into them. I remember when that name had more dignity.

By the way Democrat and Democratic are both correct depending on which way you are using it. Ex.: I belong to the Democratic Party. I am a Democrat. Both are correct. And have been used for many many years.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

37. True, but that's not how they use it.

They would say you belong to 'the Democrat Party'. The people who do it simply always leave of the 'ic'. It's not universal, but with specific Republican members of Congress or certain pundits, you'll notice it whenever they talk about the Dems on tv. They can be corrected on it, and immediately do it again.

[duhneece]

190. How about 'R'?

I agree with the original poster....
Right now, I'm trying to use the air quotes R air quotes.
I will never, ever use the N word. So I personally equate the R's as folks just as ugly as the ugliest word I can say.

[Throd]

12. Any post with "AmeriKKKa" in the title.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

13. Yup. They lower the tone

and only antagonize those who are 'on the fence'. Good for ranting, not so good for changing minds among those who might be willing to change based on real issues that the Republicans have failed them on.

You win elections by convincing more people to switch over to your guys or gals. Not by insulting people based upon where they live, or who they may have voted for in the past.

[el_bryanto]

14. Two reasons - turnabout and tribalism

We all know what you would read on a right wing message board about us. Even their public media figures sometimes talk about the need to execute liberals simply for being liberals; in the relatively anonymous confines of a message board the language gets a lot more eliminationist.

It's also a way to mark yourself out as one of this tribe - to unify us in our hatred or disdain of Republicans. While I think it gets carried to extremes at times, I certainly understand the impulse.

Floriduh though is more problematic as that is a state (a state with many Liberals and Democrats in it).

Bryant

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

21. Sure, but aren't we supposed to think we're 'better than that'?

We should be above 'eye for an eye' and 'tit for tat' playground speak.

Besides, I've got nothing against your run of the mill regular Republicans, other than that they vote for the grifters and plutocrats. Talking to them on a one on one basis, a lot of them are perfectly normal, mostly reasonable people. They're just irrational when it comes to marking their ballots.

[el_bryanto]

27. Nods - but DU is a place that people come to blow off steam

It's a place where they can talk safely about Republicans and Conservatives. For some people on this board speaking out regularly isn't really an option - their work situation or family situation makes it difficult. So they come here to vent.

What disturbs me more than the attacks on Republicans is how regularly at DU people who disagree on one point are declared enemies or disruptors. I think that does more to inhibit speech than attacks on Republicans.

Bryant

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

39. The problem lies in the site having 'multiple audiences'.

You've got the people who come here exactly for that - to blow off steam. But you've also got casual users whose understanding of the party and attitudes toward it are shaped by reading here. I think we do ourselves a disservice with respect to those readers when we sound like a leftwing version of RedState in terms of vitriol and use of ad hominems and insults.

There are good arguments for better policy, all sorts of evidence that 'lefty' solutions to problems work better than 'righty' ones. But a lot of people will just tune us out if our tone is one of anger and derision, ignoring all of those good arguments and data.

[hugo_from_TN]

200. Why would you think that? All people are tribal.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

205. All people are naturally lots of things.

But intelligence and self-awareness allows us to rise above our 'natural' self-centered states, when we realize that those states limit the progress of society as a whole.

[H2O Man]

16. Respectfully disagree.

I like that you said this.

I agree with everything else you said.

[Rex]

70. I like the Prime Directive around here

Yas take ur chances when u post...anything else is calling for censorship, because net nannies are 'concerned'.

[arcane1]

18. Another possibility is that some may like you more because of it.

[snooper2]

19. Fine, but Bush will always be Chimpy, I have to drive on the Chimpy Expressway all the time LOL

[vanlassie]

26. And I reserve the right to call Darryl Issa an asshat.

[hifiguy]

48. I generally agree

but I will always refer to His Fraudulency, Bush the (Much) Lesser, the Idiot Son of an Asshole, as Chimpoleon. The resemblance is too great. Viz

[RebelOne]

20. As a former copy editor, I totally agree.

I hate those childish terms.

[kelly1mm]

22. It is part of the "otherization" of political opponets. Meant to dehumanize and belittle

others. Republicans do it. Democrats do it. Socialists do it. Libertarians do it. I am beginning to think it is really a reversion to early human tribalism. Not my favorite human trait, but perhaps unavoidable. It does tend to make political debate less of an intellectual exercise and more of a third grade school yard fight.

[woo me with science]

52. +1 It is a deliberate tactic to keep us divided by party rather than focusing on issues.

Rallying the two teams into the Two Minutes Hate against each other is one of the primary ways the PTB hope to ensure we will never unite against what they are doing to all of us.

[Jackpine Radical]

69. I'm with Woo here.

With both of you, actually.

The "otherization" or dehumanization processes are what you put ordinary people of good conscience through in order dehumanize the enemy and to desensitize your own troops so well that they will suppress their capabilities of empathy and compassion to the point that they will kill other human beings for no better reason than having been ordered to do so.

That is what they have consistently done to keep the other side--us--fragmented.

Chant in unison, now--"I can hire half the working class to…"

[Pathwalker]

25. Repuke= someone who regurgitates right wing talking points.

n/t

[Blue_In_AK]

32. As in "again"...

Puke and then re-puke.

[Blue_In_AK]

28. I tend to agree with you,

but I certainly understand the motivations of people who use these terms. I have a friend who simply calls them "rat bastards," which also works.

[ReRe]

93. "Rat bastard" is also a Mike Malloyism

[Spider Jerusalem]

31. Tribalism and dehumanising one's enemies, is why people do it (n/t)

[m-lekktor]

33. I agree! nt

[Journeyman]

34. Good luck . . .

Personally, I just stop reading whenever someone shows themselves to be, in your term, "less than intelligent" in this

Life's too short to subject myself to kiddie scorn.

[Boom Sound 416]

35. K&R

[Half-Century Man]

41. I have used rethuglacan quite a bit before.

I believe I have kept its usage to those of the republican party who acted with thuggish behavior. I have also engaged in other word play insults. I will try to cut back and be more person over group specific.
I will continue to not capitalize republican however. They can get their big R back when they do something I can respect.

[Comrade Grumpy]

42. I agree. Let's be grown ups.

[Paladin]

43. Sorry, I can't buy into it.

While I'm no fan of childish insults, I've grown tired of repeated demands that Democrats adhere to good-conduct rules that the right wing discarded, years ago. I believe that conservatives rely on this sort of restraint from us, and they use it to defeat us, time and time again. The right wing isn't going to clean up its act on account of our playing nice with them---they will view such behavior as they always do: a sign of Democratic weakness, which they will exploit to their benefit. They created this ugly playing field, and it's up to us to do battle with them on it. Good behavior medals can be awarded at some better time in the future.

[Liberalynn]

175. I agree with you.

The right does not give respect and therefore does not earn it in return. For instance we may think it's rude in an interview when someone on the right interrupts the host or the person representing the left, but who gets their point heard? Certainly not the Democrat sitting politely with their hands folded waiting for their turn to speak, which will never come because the Republican refuses to shut up.

We have to start getting our message out over theirs, demanding our turn, and just fighting back in general. We are smarter and better for the country but how is anyone supposed to get that message when we allow ourselves to be bullied into a silent corner? We have to be willing to throw punches instead of just standing there allowing ourselves to get flattened.

[Paladin]

182. My sentiments exactly. This goody-two-shoes routine gets us clobbered, every time. (nt)

[ChiciB1]

189. Yes, I Tend To Agree With You Much More

than the post. Look what's happened to Obama and Democrats for trying to compromise. Whose lunch got eaten??

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth or fighting fire with fire. Finding solutions to problems aren't always pretty and the other side have had many play books given to them to follow and spew their venom. Lee Atwater, Karl Rove we could go on and on and look at how far these people have pushed the agenda and WON!

Most here try to post intelligently and spell correctly, so the bottom line for me is how we find a way to help this country look more like Democracy. I know we're a Republic, but we use our military might to spread Democracy around the world. Is not the joke on "we the people?" Economic equality seems to have disappeared into a cloud somewhere.

THIS is important to me!

[uponit7771]

219. +1

[Major Nikon]

221. The idea that ridicule is always bad conduct is just not that good in the first place

Ridiculing someone for something they have little to no control over is not the same as ridiculing someone for something they can control. People like the Westboro Baptist church protesters deserve to be ridiculed.

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/wgs2kj/tales-of-principled-behavior

[Rex]

49. GOPukers suck donkey ballz.

[Richardo]

51. Totally with you on this, Pri

A lot of the time these allegedly 'clever' monikers are so contrived that I can't even determine who they're referring to.

It's a device Limbaugh and Savage rely on to amuse their idiot audience - let them have it.

[gaspee]

53. I think sometimes

the people using it fall under the category of "doth protest too much" and they think it helps their undercover persona - or that's the impression it gives me, true or not.

[IADEMO2004]

56. Guardians Of Privilege-------pass or fail

Good enough for Pres. Harry Truman. Good enough for DU?

[DrDan]

57. agree!!!!

[YOHABLO]

58. How about ''criminal Republican Party''? or how about ''Republican Fascists''? Will that be

E X C E P T A B L E ??

[Nye Bevan]

79. "Fascists" is one of the most tired cliches on DU

and using the term diminished the horror of true fascism.

"Criminal" is fine, when you are talking about people who have actually committed crimes.

[swilton]

59. Thank you for saying that

I would also add to your observations (spot on imho) that there is no value in demonizing Republicans, especially considering that there are plenty of leaders with the '(D)' after their name who are doing their best to drive the nails into the coffins of enlightened ideals and values....notice that I omitted the word 'liberal'

[bigwillq]

65. I so agree, even though I have used some of those words during my DU career.

I no longer, though, because I realized exactly what you wrote. It does lower the quality of debate.

[wandy]

66. Once upon a time there were a people called Republicans...........

Somehow they fended off most of the take over attempted by the John Birch Society and managed to maintain most of their dignity.
Even suffering the disgrace of Joseph McCarthy they could still proudly call themselves Republicans.
In the late 1960's and early 1970's they fell pray to the unsavory characters of Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew.
It was in this era that this party could no longer spell their name with a capital R. Forever after they were forced to use the name republicans in lower case.
Amazingly the rein of Ronald Reagan, mostly by luck and the time needed to see the damage, they did not need to change the name to The Despoiler Party.
During the dark years, the George W. Bush administration they willing change the party name to Fu**ing Neocons, commonly refereed to as the Fools War Party.
Although always retaining some of the paranoid elements of the Birchers and the blood lust of the Fools War Party, it was in 2010 that considerable investment by Charles and David Koch bought about a new astroturf aspect. The Tea Party was born. Conceived in hate and fooled by greed the Tea Party quickly executed a hostel takeover on the tattered remnants of the republican party.
The vial GOP tool now known as Teapublicans.

Yes I know, but thats their name. It is more polite than Koch Suckers or The Black Plague Party.

[ReRe]

75. How's about KKKarl Rove? n/t

[TheCowsCameHome]

102. HHHe SSSucks, TTTo

[bettyellen]

77. Agreed.

[Erose999]

81. Are we supposed to respect the right wingers? Because I kinda... don't.

[razorman]

82. I tend to agree with you on this. I do not like the coarsening of debate,

from any side. If I use a shorter term for Republicans, it is usually "R's", or "Repubs". Adding an insult to the term diminishes the speaker. That's why I always refer to the president by full title, even if he has not been my choice. The office deserves respect, regardless of whether I believe the individual does or not. Political debate does not mean that we have to lose our civility. After all, disagreeing with me does not make you evil; it merely makes you wrong.

[Dont call me Shirley]

86. Sometimes we, most of we, all get stuck in juvenile behavior.

[Generic Other]

87. I think standard English does more to make one sound intelligent

especially in the case of a person critiquing others.

The English teacher in me wants to make you look up the rule for this error:

"...make you sounds less than intelligent..."

The political activist in me doesn't care how you say things as long as what you have to say is worthwhile.

I will say whatever I please on DU as I have since 2001. Let a jury sort it out if you really feel the need to shut me up.

[dembotoz]

88. nah--will call them what i want to

[La Lioness Priyanka]

161. that is completely and utterly your prerogative. nt

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

89. It's like third grade;

"You're stupid!"
"I know you are but what am I?"
"You are a poop head!"
"I'm rubber and you're glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you"
Except they were more clever in the third grade....

[11 Bravo]

96. LLP, there is NOTHING that you can EVER say that will cause me ...

to not like you. I don't require 100% agreement with someone to respect and admire them.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

135. aww. thank you.

[cali]

97. you're right. and I've been guilty of "rethuglicans" and "repukes"

but I know I don't sound "less than intelligent". It debases language though and distracts.

[randome]

98. Agree.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Birds are territorial creatures.
The lyrics to the songbird's melodious trill go something like this:
"Stay out of my territory or I'll PECK YOUR GODDAMNED EYES OUT!"[/center][/font][hr]

[AngryDem001]

99. Your opinion has been noted.

I'll keep calling republicans what they are.

[daschess1987]

100. "In politics, absurdity is not a handicap." - Napoleon Bonaparte

Of course it lowers the quality of debate, but look how many votes Republicans get by demonizing us and calling us names like "libtards." It sucks, but many voters fall for that crap, and we do have to lower ourselves to fight them at their level at times. Our greatest weapon is still the truth, but many don't even recognize it anymore with all the misinformation and propaganda being spread.

[Adam051188]

101. what debate?

"let them eat cake" isn't a debate....is it?

[DrewFlorida]

103. I agree, although from time to time I find my anger coming out in passive agressive ways.

It is not a effectual way to get a message listened to!

[logosoco]

104. I don't believe I have ever refered to republicans as any of those names,

but I do not capitalize the word. Nor do I capitalize bush or cheny and I will not use the president title before the bush name.

Sometimes those names do make me dismiss the post a bit, but sometimes they also make me laugh a bit. And I almost always picture it as a very young person. I just can't see an older 40ish person using those words because you are right, they do seem to make the user seem less serious.

[pinboy3niner]

105. To think I actually USED to like you!1!!

But I agree, and I still like you.

[Demit]

106. I agree. Because the cute words distract from the substance.

[rock]

108. Unfortunately the repiggies deserve no respect

And I do mean none. To call them turds is to give shit a bad name and to make it sound like they smell better than they do. There is no lowering of the debate with them for they cannot debate (facts and truth pester them). I don't mind sounding less intelligent as long as I get these messages across. Lastly, I don't mind in the least you saying that; in fact I welcome it as it gives me a chance to adopt the counter-point.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

160. again, i am not saying we need to respect them on not insult them

these cutesy monikers dont read as adult writing though

[rock]

168. What you say is true but, and I have a big "but"

It's a dilemma: if I call them with terms of disrespect it sounds infantile; if I call them with other terms it sounds like I concede them worthiness. And like the choice of getting on the roof by that thing that bends wire or the device made for climbing, I choose the latter and not the former.

[noiretextatique]

177. republicons

seems like an accurate description to me, not an insult.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

178. its not an insult. it's also not a real word at all. its just infantile sounding. nt

[noiretextatique]

180. your opinion

which you are entitled to. i don't believe accuracy is at all infantile. i believe faux civility is insane.

[Kalidurga]

109. a list of people that Republicans routinely demonize

and coincidently deem unworthy of a safety net in too many cases.

Liberals
Women
Minorities
Poor People
Children
Minimum Wage Workers
Just above minimum wage workers
the shrinking Middle Class
LBTG People
non-theists
unwed mothers of any age, but
especially teen-aged mothers
People with Disabilities
Drug Addicts
Immigrants
Educated People who become Liberals
Environmentalists
Animal Rights Activists
Teachers
Military Personnel
9/11 First Responders
Art Teachers
Gym Teachers or
any other subject that is deemed
frivolous

There is probably more. I will stop demonizing Republicans when they stop demonizing everyone who isn't on the list of who they think is above reproach.

[MaggieD]

122. True

But why sink to their level? I understand the desire though. I just don't think it's helpful.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

133. its not a question of demonizing. its a question of how stupid one wants to sound

[Kalidurga]

138. I think it depends on the context

Calling Rush Limbaugh vile names well he is vile so I don't get fussed when people do that. Calling Republicans racist well that doesn't look very smart to me because we can't possibly know if an individual Republican is a racist or not unless we are privy to what they have actually said or done.

[MaggieD]

110. Yeah, I agree

Glad you said it.

[ReRe]

111. I lost my inhibition for foul language....

.... when I was age 21-22. I was a waitress and we worked in pair teams. IOW, I worked with another waitress. We switched off on our duties. One week I would serve the dinner and she would serve the drinks, the next wee we would switch. Now, I was raised in a sleepy little mid-west town in the middle of nowhere by very conservative parents. Cursing was not allowed. But when I got away from home, I started hearing foul language. Well, my partner waitress used the root word "fuck" like a drunken sailor. She broke me in, when it comes to foul language. I laughed at the different ways she would use that word. I didn't care how she talked, as long as she didn't use that language in front of the customers, and she didn't. It was always in the noisy kitchen, away from the dining room. She was the hardest worker I had ever seen and had a great personality. We made allot of money together, and that was all I cared about, as I was a single Mom with a son to raise. Her name was Sharon. I will never forget her.

So, truthfully, I am not offended by the words you mentioned. Our country is, you know... going to hell in a hand-basket. As someone else said upthread, it's a form of venting. People express themselves in different ways out here in the real world. If I don't like what or how someone is saying something, I just back out of the thread. Anyway, that's my 2 cents on the subject.

Hope you're not mad at me for expressing myself on the subject. Peace.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

134. foul language and cutesy monikers are not the same thing though

[ReRe]

141. As you like it.

[lunatica]

115. What else could I call an Idiocrat?

Except an Idiocrat?

[Warren DeMontague]

117. Bonuskungen! There, I said it. And I will say it again. Bonuskungen!

I regret that I have but one bonuskungen to give, for my bonuskungen.

[mythology]

120. I agree with you

I think it sounds really stupid, plus it's hard to win somebody over if you start out calling them names. And I dislike it when a Republican calls it the Democrat party.

But then again my dad gave people snide nicknames like calling his wife his little albatross, so I just generally disdain that sort of thing.

[HereSince1628]

124. S.h.i.t. just use the mentally disorderd as icons of the opposition...

It might not be intelligent, but it fires on every cylinder.

WHAT?

No, I wouldn't post a piece of shit sarcasm!

[1dogleft]

125. I'm shocked

I thought it was just me that did not like juvenile comments childish name calling. It makes many threads not worth reading. I left Jr high a long time ago. I would not socialize with people who act that way. I guess I've said my piece.

[bvf]

126. Thank you for saying this.

I agree 100%. Some may get some satisfaction from using cute terms but I find it a bit, um, distracting, to be polite.

Same with "Limpballs," etc. I never refer to him as anything but "Limbaugh." "Rush" implies a certain familiarity I find distasteful, although I realize people around here don't intend that. (I have no problem with "gasbag" however.) /personal rant.

Good post!

[radiclib]

127. Spoken like a true libtard

[Kingofalldems]

128. I don't ususally capitalize republican. Is that okay?

[riverwalker]

130. I like "teabaggers"

they seem to get especially offended, I think because of the sexual connotations. Republicans on Twitter really get upset when I use "teabaggers", also because the mental imagery is always extra humiliating.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

136. i think teabaggers is actually not too bad. i mean they made up this tea party shit

and so what are we to call them anyway.

[Jim Lane]

139. How do you feel about "ammosexual"?

As for the terms in your list, I seldom or never use them myself, but I don't have the same reaction you do to others' use of them on DU. By contrast, in writing that's aimed at persuading people who aren't committed progressives (as opposed to the preaching to the choir here), the terms you list should definitely be avoided.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

166. I don't know how LLP thinks about that term but, I will tell you that I find it disgusting on

several Levels and it lowers the quality of discourse on that subject.

[toddwv]

142. Is GOPeeOnAmerica OK?

j/k

I tend to avoid the use of satirical derivations these days but have done so in the past.

[lovemydog]

145. I agree with you La Lioness Priyanka.

I want people to read DU who might have voted Republican in the past and are now considering voting Democrat. Even though I'm far left. I want to persuade people.

The middle class, the working poor. They should read here. They will find a lot of useful information. They should consider voting for the Democratic Party.

If they read here they will see that we're a very diverse group of people who care about the present and future of our country and the world. They'll also have a good time if they see the sense of humor so many here share freely.

Thank you for this post.

[JonLP24]

149. I like wierd news. Florida is a gold mine for wierd news for some odd reason

I'm not aware of the origin of "floriduh" but would guess it probably comes from there notability in the strange news area.

Here is one of my favorite sites for weird news
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/strange/floriduh-blog/

[cwydro]

150. Totally agree.

It's just childish.

Those that do this think they are clever, but it makes them look stupid.

[JohnnyLib2]

151. I agree and thank you.

[JustAnotherGen]

152. I use

IndieTeaPublican as a way to describe the ideology of those who are bitter because their world is changing and the only thing they have to say is to carry around a sign of President Obama as a witch doctor.

I don't use words that lump disabled people in with those raging hemorrhoidal assholes.

[marym625]

154. I think it depends on the conversation

And at what point it is used.

[treestar]

155. I don't mind it when either side does it

They are clever plays on words. Not as bad as cursing or angry rantings.

[sammythecat]

159. Agree completely, and thanks for saying it.

They're distracting and reduce rather than reinforce the impact of whatever the person is trying to say. I get it that we're not a bunch of professionals here, nevertheless it's hard for me to attach much weight to what someone is saying if they're making an effort to sound lightweight and unprofessional. They just add a juvenile quality to whatever is being said.

[October]

165. Good point.

In the "comment" sections of online articles, I regularly see things like "effing libtard" and whatnot. I can't help it, I automatically make negative assumptions about someone who would make such a public comment. (Often their FB photo/name is right alongside it, too!) I assume they are uninformed, ignorant, racist, hateful, etc., etc. For the most part, I've stopped reading comments because they're so often just ugly rants that offer no substance or insight.

[hughee99]

167. You know what? You're right. I'll stop doing it.

I can't speak for anyone else, though.

[jillan]

170. The problem so many of us are having is they are no longer Republicans and we

are trying to come up with a new word to describe them.

[Capt. Obvious]

171. Not only that

but making up juvenile words has the chance to miss the intended target (or not).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5514344

[lisby]

172. I absolutely agree.

I fail to see how we can become outraged when they call us "libtards," etc., and turn around use the same childish insults. Grow up. Act like the caring liberal you claim to be. You would not so this to a child. I think you can make the leap to what I am implying.

[tclambert]

173. Okay, but I feel uncomfortable with the phrase "Fox News."

[jen63]

213. I call it the Fox Entertainment Channel.

It really riles them up, because they're "fair and balanced" and only report the truth.

[DrBulldog]

174. I've transformed long ago ...

... whenever someone enrages my mind, I now just scream "You Republican!". Best epithet there is. And consequently pretty soon that additional pejorative meaning will make it into the dictionary.

[Glaisne]

181. I do it

to throw it right back in the face of the cons. If they are going to dish it out with their "libtard", "dumbocrat", and much worse then the rethuglican conservatards are going to have to take it as well, sorry.

[Marrah_G]

183. I agree

[ChiciB1]

186. Oh, I'm Tired... Whether I Like This Or Not Really Makes No

difference to me. I use words I WANT to use and have never given it a second thought. Nor do I feel others who use terms like this are showing ignorance or are in any way unintelligent. To me that implies that "comedians" are stupid in some way because they invent alternative words and/or phrases to entertain an audience. Some here prefer using "Obamacare" because at the very least it started us down the path to universal health insurance. Their point being that HIS name will be forever connected to it. OTO, others find this repulsive preferring to call it by it's real name, Affordable Care Act.

I'm sure you feel strongly about this, but I feel equally strongly about how I can find a way to get people to VOTE!

Agree to disagree.
JMHO!

[B Calm]

187. When they stop rolling the word liberal and socialist off their tounge as if

it's a dirty word, then and only then will I stop!

[Tommymac]

191. [phone]

[Tommymac]

192. I personally enjoy using santorum when referring to batshit crazy rethug asshats.

Obviously I strongly disagree with the OP. But to each their own.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

195. ok.

[still_one]

201. Since 95% of the airwaves are saturated with right wing misinformation

I am not too concerned with your concern

[La Lioness Priyanka]

207. how is this related to misinformation?

[still_one]

208. you are suggesting a civil discourse with a large segment of the republican party who believe we are

not even Americans

The republican party is not the republican party of Ensienhower(sic). Each decade it has subsequently became more and more extreme to the point that it is hateful. I relate it to the McCarthy hearings.

If group characterizes you as something you are not, constantly interrupts, has no respect for the President, etc., how can one not expect some expression of anger at them?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

216. actually i am perfectly fine with insults and foul language

its these weird bastardization of language and cutesy monikers that i think make it very hard to read a post without thinking that the person writing it is immature

for instance, if you said republicans are homophobic (it is insulting but accurate), i 'd be fine with that.

[still_one]

218. Understood

[Welibs]

202. NO ONE has lowered the debate more than Rethuglicans have. People have had enough,

of Republican attacks on America.

They have NO respect for 'the people' and they use their power like a WMD against the people that gave it to them!

I AM INTELLIGENT AND WELL EDUCATED and I'm sick to death of the lies and the filth that comes out of their mouths daily.

I for one have nothing left but contempt for Republicans & Teadiots that spit on this country every day and promote guns and wars that have taken the lives

of my friends' kids. I think it's very clear their lives were used for GOProfit.

Not sure why intelligent adults send American kids to die in far away places for wars built on lies that are purely for GOProfit.... but I wish they would stop!

[jambo101]

203. I dont get it either.

When presumed mature adults are reduced to the juvenile penchant of name calling, Do they really think these names in some way strengthen the context of their posts?
Usually people into this type of activity are also into the emotion of hate, i presume by using these childish monikers their addiction to the emotion of hate is somehow enhanced.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

204. "...and make you sounds less than intelligent."

Dems and Liberals are always acting like there is some kind of phantom third person they need to impress.

Republicans don't do that.

It's like when Dems are terrified of coming off as "too partisan" while Republicans listen to and actually give their base what it wants.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

206. i dont mean to other republicans, i mean to anybody reading your post. nt

[Spitfire of ATJ]

211. I didn't mean Republicans either....

I meant this notion of talking to someone who doesn't exist outside of the imagination. The vast, non-existent moderate middle.

That's known as, "Playing to an empty theater".

[pipi_k]

210. Not much more

I can add besides that I agree 100%


Some like to use the excuse, "Well THEY do it too!". Or, "THEY started it!!!"


Meh.

That's the sort of shit people usually grow out of by the time they reach high school.

[Doc_Technical]

212. Hear hear!!11

There is no text here
I said all I had to say
in Reply title:

[jen63]

214. I agree.

Whenever I see comments calling us "demoncrats", etc., I don't even bother reading the rest of the comment. I know there won't be anything of substance there, just insults. There won't be any intelligent statement that requires serious debate or facts. I shut it off here also, when I see repukes, or similar names. It just reminds me too much of the other side. It's a shame, because I believe as a group, we are pretty intelligent people and maybe the rest of the comment has merit, but I can't get past the "repuke."

I don't mind foul language at all, but bastardizing republican just shuts me down. We are better than they are and we need to act and speak like we are. I don't mind teabagger though, they brought that one on themselves.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

215. i agree with you. i dont mind foul language or legitimate insults

but these weird bastardizations/monikers just dont sound like the person saying it has any real grasp of politics.

[loyalsister]

217. I'm glad someone did

They make me cringe. They seem childish to me. Like the kind of things kids do when they make fun of other kids or want to demonize their parents.
I am always disappointed to see them embedded well written posts.

[jambo101]

222. As an example/

A list to help the righties enhance their silly practice of juvenile name calling and will also increase the depth of their posts.
And some pics they will really like,

http://brainshavings.com/obama-nicknames/

[ecstatic]

223. Light hearted name calling has been on DU for over a decade,

which means you joined a site that already had a fair amount of that on it.

Sometimes I call them by their official name, sometimes I don't... but based on their actions over the past 14 years, I find the majority of them to be hateful trash who don't deserve my respect, at least not on DU.

They are actively destroying this country and rolling back the rights of women and minorities. To stay in power, their strategy is to disenfranchise millions of voters. Sorry if that makes me angry enough to call then mean names from time to time.

In person, I'm polite to everyone.

[markpkessinger]

224. I agree -- it's really rather juvenile n/t

[maced666]

226. You are correct. But it is just sport.

Here, anyway, and a little fun. In a public non restricted forum, okay.
But LUV doing it here.

[no1uno]

227. You're not going to like me for saying this....

but I am proud of being that disgusting trashy word.....LIBERAL. Every other day some republican/tea party/independent will slitter off their tongue that slimy insulting word...LIBERAL thinking they are insulting me. Oh but those stupid repugnuts/tea baggers/independents (who are really repugnuts but ashamed to admit it) have no idea they are in FACT complementing me!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

229. why wont i like you for calling yourself a liberal? i am proud liberal and progressive

[no1uno]

230. Because you are....

upset because Liberals are using unsightly words to describe republicans. The word Liberal, for a repugnut, is the same as a "bad" word. So they think. I will continue to say repugnut.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

231. not unsightly, just childish drivel. nt