Whats the deal!

This conversation is not about alphabetized words, n, f, r etc., but is about the intent of the speaker and the sensitivity of the listener. This whole fiasco was started when Susan used the word “lynch” which in reality has no racial connotations what so ever. Ricky/Michael took it as a racial slur because they are always on the look out for racial slurs. From there it escalated into a lot of mean talk that would not have taken place if Ricky/Michael had not made this into a fight for the dignity of black America.

Beyond all of that, there is nothing wrong with any of these words. What matters is the intent. As Janine pointed out her relatives use words in jest will no insult implied or perceived. Dave linked us to a bunch of threads on DYK where the word fag was used. Elle uses that word to mean cigarette. For a short period several people made a joke of that including some of the homosexual members of our group. The word itself did no harm and everyone involved enjoyed the joke.

Some people are eager to be offended and to find offence, Ricky/Michael. They will be successful in their search. The majority of us go through life trying very hard to not step on anyone’s toes. But truth be told, if you speak, you will offend those who want to find offence in your words.

Yesterday I posted on a thread about a guy who was looking for other herpers who were hard of hearing. Well guess what, I’m hard of hearing. I posted and said, Could you please type a little louder, I can’t hear a word you are writing. This guy was pissed. Even when I explained that I was hard of hearing he still felt that I was an offensive jerk. Sometimes you just shake your head and walk away.

Originally Posted by Susan

Typical of a liberal to see a term only as racial. The definition says nothing about race and lynchings have been performed on and by every race, creed and color throughout history around the world:



Socialist/communist leaders that are "voted" into power have a tendency to remain there. We often call them dictators. Sometimes, the only way to get rid of them is to kill them without due process of law. The fact that Obama is black was only an added bonus to my comment, but not the reason behind it. And in my personal opinion, I don't classify Obama with African Americans (or whatever the current politically correct term is for today). I place him with the Al Qaeda terrorists.

There are always 2 sides to everything. It all depends upon which side is the "winner". To some, our founding fathers are heroes. To others, they are traitors. It may come to pass that what I have posted on this forum will lead to my execution. Some will consider it due justice for a traitor. Some will consider it a travesty of justice. None of that matters to me. What DOES matter is how God judges my words and my actions, and I am confident in what that judgment will be.

I am totally shocked by the first statement I highlighted.... To me it shows delusions...
The second statement I highlighted proves delusion, unless you have a different bible to the ones I've read.....

Originally Posted by wade;930585[B

]This conversation is not about alphabetized words, n, f, r etc., but is about the intent of the speaker and the sensitivity of the listener[/b]. This whole fiasco was started when Susan used the word “lynch” which in reality has no racial connotations what so ever. Ricky/Michael took it as a racial slur because they are always on the look out for racial slurs. From there it escalated into a lot of mean talk that would not have taken place if Ricky/Michael had not made this into a fight for the dignity of black America.

.

No Wade it was when she had an added bonus.... Bonus in the UK means a plus.... The plus side is he's black???
I highlighted the first part of your post as it read like a contradiction to me....
You mention the sensitivity of the listener and the intent of the speaker, but it's a fiasco because Ricky/Michael took exception....
I was also shocked that this site prides it self on being family friendly....
No sex talk no swearing, yet you can discus the best place to hide weapons for an uprising and incite to murder.......
Or am I too sensitive and missed the fun intent behind it???

I think Susan's comments about how Dictators are usually removed is on point. Dictators don't step down, can't be voted out, and usually in history that is when an uprising occurs and they are murdered. Now the "added bonus" comment I don't know.

Originally Posted by davesfiles

Thank you for the formula for producing my very own Kjun; I was going to shreik "Hybrid", but evidently you premonitionalized that. Now cheap old me won't have to pay the shipping. Yer perdy swell in my book, Buster.

For the record, I don't mind if you use the C-word to describe my and mine as long as it is meant in a friendly manner. I don't mean Cajun, of course. I'm just saying.

Some of us realize that empowering a word is the worst thing you can do to HELP your detractors.

Originally Posted by wade

This conversation is not about alphabetized words, n, f, r etc., but is about the intent of the speaker and the sensitivity of the listener. This whole fiasco was started when Susan used the word “lynch” which in reality has no racial connotations what so ever. Ricky/Michael took it as a racial slur because they are always on the look out for racial slurs. From there it escalated into a lot of mean talk that would not have taken place if Ricky/Michael had not made this into a fight for the dignity of black America.

Beyond all of that, there is nothing wrong with any of these words. What matters is the intent. As Janine pointed out her relatives use words in jest will no insult implied or perceived. Dave linked us to a bunch of threads on DYK where the word fag was used. Elle uses that word to mean cigarette. For a short period several people made a joke of that including some of the homosexual members of our group. The word itself did no harm and everyone involved enjoyed the joke.

Some people are eager to be offended and to find offence, Ricky/Michael. They will be successful in their search. The majority of us go through life trying very hard to not step on anyone’s toes. But truth be told, if you speak, you will offend those who want to find offence in your words.

Yesterday I posted on a thread about a guy who was looking for other herpers who were hard of hearing. Well guess what, I’m hard of hearing. I posted and said, Could you please type a little louder, I can’t hear a word you are writing. This guy was pissed. Even when I explained that I was hard of hearing he still felt that I was an offensive jerk. Sometimes you just shake your head and walk away.

It's not only Ricky and Michael who were offended. The use of the word 'lynch' does have specific connotations, to suggest otherwise is disingenious. Inciting assassination of the US president by lynch mob is not the kind of 'friendly banter' anyone could reasonably expect on a cornsnake site, regardless of their political views, IMO.

Originally Posted by wade

This conversation is not about alphabetized words, n, f, r etc., but is about the intent of the speaker and the sensitivity of the listener. This whole fiasco was started when Susan used the word “lynch” which in reality has no racial connotations what so ever. Ricky/Michael took it as a racial slur because they are always on the look out for racial slurs. From there it escalated into a lot of mean talk that would not have taken place if Ricky/Michael had not made this into a fight for the dignity of black America.

Wade, open your eyes please. More people took offense to the comment than just us, and it was Susan's comment proceeding the lynching part that was in question. Don't bring only mine and Ricky's names up, did you even look at the thread. For all of your "Michael and Ricky are eager to be offended, you seem to get off at labeling that". Look back at the thread, see what I posted, and then comeback with actual knowledge. Seriously, post one thing in this thread where I was simply looking to take offense, I would love to see it.

Originally Posted by wade

Yesterday I posted on a thread about a guy who was looking for other herpers who were hard of hearing. Well guess what, I’m hard of hearing.

Ask the people in Datona or that have met me in person anywhere else. I do NOT have an inside voice. I've got LOUD or not talking. Usually LOUD if those are my two options.

I'm missing about 75% of the hearing on one side and some in the other ear (from birth). I'm down to no more than half in my other ear and tinnitus in both ears now (too much shooting without protection as a KID before I knew better and WAY too many hours in an airboat chasing gators even though I always wore plugs and muffs). Sooooo, I'm hard of hearing, too...and that makes me LOUD in conversations when I get excited because I forget that I'm LOUD when I can actually hear myself....lol. Of course, being a loud speaker is a bonus in my profession.

What is funny is that I can't hear people without my glasses on. I know - that makes no sense, but anyone who needs glasses AND is hard of hearing knows what I mean. I believe half of what I hear in a conversation in person is from facial clues. No, I can't even come close to reading lips, though. I'm not that tallented - or that patient!

Originally Posted by Michael823

Wade, open your eyes please. More people took offense to the comment than just us, and it was Susan's comment proceeding the lynching part that was in question. Don't bring only mine and Ricky's names up, did you even look at the thread. For all of your "Michael and Ricky are eager to be offended, you seem to get off at labeling that". Look back at the thread, see what I posted, and then comeback with actual knowledge. Seriously, post one thing in this thread where I was simply looking to take offense, I would love to see it.

One question (and not to start a fight), but if someone other that you guys had used the expression, "Calling a spade a spade"...would you have NOT seen that as offensive? Heck, even dummy me knows not to use THAT expression carelessly.

Originally Posted by KJUN

One question (and not to start a fight), but if someone other that you guys had used the expression, "Calling a spade a spade"...would you have NOT seen that as offensive? Heck, even dummy me knows not to use THAT expression carelessly.

Wouldn't that depend on whether the phrase was intended in it's original english, referring to a garden implement? A spade;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spade

Originally Posted by diamondlil

Wouldn't that depend on whether the phrase was intended in it's original english, referring to a garden implement? A spade;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spade

But if LYNCH always has negative connotations because it does to some people, wouldn't this one mean the same since the expression in over half of the US (likely all of it, but I can only comment on the south) is purely racial?

What I'm getting to is why is it OK for them to use spade when that is JUST as bad as the elusive "N word" in all of the "old south" but not for someone else to use "lynch" because it MIGHT have racial references. Goose and gander. If it is OK for one to use spade if they MEANT shovel, then why is in not OK to use lynch if it does not mean something race-related to the user. Goose and Gander here.

See my point? I see no difference between the use of "spade" and "lynch." Assumably, the insult comes with the reader and not the writer, but the user of "spade" attacks the user of "lynch" but not vice versa. That just doesn't seem just to me! It seems one person that accuses everyone else of being racist by any connotations to any word should be uber-sensitive and not use such a racially charged word.