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Something that has happened (not hypothetical)

I just read the whole thread, so I've earned the right to assault the deceased equine. Lol.

Context, situation, and intent are of paramount importance when assessing the appropriateness of word usage. I don't know if there are any words that are inappropriate in every situation.

The phrase Rahm used ("f-ing retarded") could be offensive to different people for different reasons, and then there are others who wouldn't be offended at all:

1. Some may not be concerned about his use of "retarded." They may view the word as synonymous with "stupid," and these people may not always associate the word, in all contexts, with disability. I happen to fall into this group.

2. Within that group, there may be people who are strongly opposed to the use of profanity. So while "retarded" doesn't offend them, "f-ing" does.

3. Then there are those who always associate the word "retarded" with disability. They would find his comment offensive.

And of course, those are not the only ways that Rahm's comment may offend. Personally, I think that his comment was undignified and that public officials need to strive to be tactful. I don't think he should be fired, but I hope someone has told him to tone it down.
 
tyflier said:
With all due respect, it's not your degrees that make you decent or respectable. I'm not making generalizations about people with degrees, I'm talking about KJUN's degrees. I believe I said above that I know and respect a great number of people with degrees. I also know and respect a great deal of people without degrees. In every instance, the degrees have nothing to do with whether or not I respect them or admire them.

The idea that you have to have a degree to be taken seriously is ludicrous. The idea that you have to have a degree to be intelligent is just as ludicrous. And the idea that having a degree automatically adds weight to any argument you make is even more ludicrous.

My problem isn't with degrees, businessmen and women, educated individuals, or anyone else. My problem is with the brandishing of one's degrees to lend credence to arguments that don't have any real subjective value.

How does KJUN's posession of a degree in any way connect with the subject at hand, or the validity of the statements he has made? As far as I can see, it doesn't. That's not a generalization, and I sincerely apologize if you, or any other person, with or without a degree, took it that way.
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KJ didn't bring up degrees. I did. And, I did because you we saying something about reading comprehension or writing style or something like that. My point was that someone with a degree, or with multiple degrees, has gone to school to write. Do you have any idea how long, thorough, and grammatically correct a doctoral dissertation must be? I was merely suggesting that one with more degrees knows more about writing than some one with less/none.
 
mike17l said:
Do you have any idea how long, thorough, and grammatically correct a doctoral dissertation must be? I was merely suggesting that one with more degrees knows more about writing than some one with less/none.
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Not to nit-pick an already nit-picked thread, but did you know that in 1954, Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature with nothing more than a HS education? Just sayin.... :sidestep:
 
mike17l said:
KJ didn't bring up degrees. I did. And, I did because you we saying something about reading comprehension or writing style or something like that. My point was that someone with a degree, or with multiple degrees, has gone to school to write. Do you have any idea how long, thorough, and grammatically correct a doctoral dissertation must be? I was merely suggesting that one with more degrees knows more about writing than some one with less/none.
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OK, now you're just using words outside of your normal vocabulary to prove a moot point..Some words are remembered and unnecessarily used in order to extend or validate your opinions, which goes to show that they're really just proverbial sprinkles. Something a $2 pocket dictionary can provide. I've witnessed a cornucopia (or plethora if you will :) ) of foolish remarks from people with degrees and great ones from those without, and vice-versa. When it comes to foul language it's not based on literary ability, it's based on moral code..By assuming that a degree automatically gives you a better understanding of the written language and how it should affect peoples feelings, your effectively creating a wall that prevents you from respecting the words and feelings of people without those degrees..That makes no sense; it's just a lot of talking and no listening...I guess maybe they're should be degrees for listening to curb this problem?...Who knows. I'm thinking that this all seems to stem from a very elitist mentality, but what do I know; I never got past the 10th grade...

LBoz said:
Not to nit-pick an already nit-picked thread, but did you know that in 1954, Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature with nothing more than a HS education? Just sayin.... :sidestep:
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Exactly!...Genius comes in many forms from many places, and Hemingway is a great example..
 
LBoz said:
Not to nit-pick an already nit-picked thread, but did you know that in 1954, Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature with nothing more than a HS education? Just sayin.... :sidestep:
Click to expand...

He was also the exception, that happened to go off the deep end and take his own life.
 
Ricky87 said:
OK, now you're just using words outside of your normal vocabulary to prove a moot point..Some words are remembered and unnecessarily used in order to extend or validate your opinions, which goes to show that they're really just proverbial sprinkles. Something a $2 pocket dictionary can provide. I've witnessed a cornucopia (or plethora if you will :) ) of foolish remarks from people with degrees and great ones from those without, and vice-versa. When it comes to foul language it's not based on literary ability, it's based on moral code..By assuming that a degree automatically gives you a better understanding of the written language and how it should affect peoples feelings, your effectively creating a wall that prevents you from respecting the words and feelings of people without those degrees..That makes no sense; it's just a lot of talking and no listening...I guess maybe they're should be degrees for listening to curb this problem?...Who knows. I'm thinking that this all seems to stem from a very elitist mentality, but what do I know; I never got past the 10th grade...
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Ricky, a dissertation is a really, really long research paper that most people have to compose before they get a graduate degree.

Do you know what a W2 is? Still waiting for the answer to that one.
 
<------- is no college graduate, having partied wayyyyyyyyyyy too much....but even SHE knows what a dissertation is! (and has used the word before)
 
mike17l said:
He was also the exception, that happened to go off the deep end and take his own life.
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Not really the exception, though. Jane Auston didn't get past elementary school, and there are many more examples. I'm not trying to be argumentative with you, I'm just saying that a degree does not necessarily ensure the gift of writing.
 
mike17l said:
KJ didn't bring up degrees. I did. And, I did because you we saying something about reading comprehension or writing style or something like that. My point was that someone with a degree, or with multiple degrees, has gone to school to write. Do you have any idea how long, thorough, and grammatically correct a doctoral dissertation must be? I was merely suggesting that one with more degrees knows more about writing than some one with less/none.
Click to expand...

:nope: I'm not gonna explain it you... :uhoh:
 
mike17l said:
Ricky, a dissertation is a really, really long research paper that most people have to compose before they get a graduate degree.

Do you know what a W2 is? Still waiting for the answer to that one.
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Of course I do...It's the cog that drives the machine of Elitism right?...Also love how you manage to do everything in your power to try and discredit someone so they're opinions seem less reasonable. Looks like either your degrees aren't all they're cracked up to be, or (more likely) you're not putting them to very good use!.
 
If a degree makes the man, or woman, then your standards are biased.

Also for you word smiths, a kidD is a small goat. A kiD is a small human.

Your does not mean the same thing as you're. Confusing one for the other shows either intellectual laziness or ignorance for those claiming to be intellectually superior as some seem to be doing here.

How many of you who have misused these words have degrees again?
 
LBoz said:
Not really the exception, though. Jane Auston didn't get past elementary school, and there are many more examples. I'm not trying to be argumentative with you, I'm just saying that a degree does not necessarily ensure the gift of writing.
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Jane Austen grew up when schooling was not free to everyone and still managed to get educated by her peers/family. She rose above her circumstances. The problem today is that many people use their circumstances as an excuses to drop out of high school or never even attempt college (which can be nearly free to those in need).
 
mike17l said:
Jane Austen grew up when schooling was not free to everyone and still managed to get educated by her peers. She rose above her circumstances. The problem today is that many people use their circumstances as an excuses to drop out of high school or never even attempt college (which can be nearly free to those in need).
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School is free now?

If it's not your argument doesn't hold much water.
 
mike17l said:
Jane Austen grew up when schooling was not free to everyone and still managed to get educated by her peers/family. She rose above her circumstances. The problem today is that many people use their circumstances as an excuses to drop out of high school or never even attempt college (which can be nearly free to those in need).
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And when it's not free? They what...put their body up for auction? Oh wait, wrong thread.

It's not that I disagree that a degree can get you much further today than NOT having one, but at the same time, there are so many examples of exemplary people who've done exemplary things without ever having entered an institute of higher learning.
 
mike17l said:
Jane Austen grew up when schooling was not free to everyone and still managed to get educated by her peers/family. She rose above her circumstances. The problem today is that many people use their circumstances as an excuses to drop out of high school or never even attempt college (which can be nearly free to those in need).
Click to expand...

Throughout Human History, there have been a great number of individuals, past, present, and I'm quite certain future, that have accomplished a great many things without a formal education.

Having a formal education does not guarantee intelligence. Just as their are a great many "uneducated" geniuses, there are also many "educated" dolts...
 
There are good examples of people with little or no formal education doing well and becoming vastly wealthy. Some of their stories are fascinating and very inspirational. But they are the exception to the rule. An education does not guarantee your success, but it definitely gives you opportunities that those without an education will never see.

We can also all find examples of very well educated people who have failed or appear to do foolish things. I’m a mathematician. It is well know that people who excel in mathematics are often poor spellers, myself being a great example. In my experience Medical Doctors often make very poor businessmen. They may be brilliant at brain transplants but lousy at managing the front office. That doesn’t make them stupid. It makes them poor businessmen.

I think several people in this discussion are looking at only the little pieces that fit their arguments and ignoring the rest of the pie.
 
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