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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 18 to 42 of 46. Go back in thread:
Posted by christophrejmc on May 23, 2002, at 16:28:34
In reply to Re: dangerous territory » Dr. Bob, posted by krazy kat on May 23, 2002, at 10:03:28
> I renigged on using that term in a later post.
It's actually spelled "reneged." I know how annoying spelling corrections can be, but I think perhaps this is a special case... I certainly don't mean to imply that you meant anything negative by the word (it's obvious that you did not), but can you see how it might be interpreted that way?
-Chris
Posted by kid_A on May 23, 2002, at 18:10:05
In reply to an annoying little spelling correction » krazy kat, posted by christophrejmc on May 23, 2002, at 16:28:34
It's entirely meaningless to take offense at a word simply because it happens to resemble another word which by all rights may be offensive to others. In this case it was a mispelling, so It hardly merits mentioning, but what about the following, which I quote from a Salon article, concerning an even more similarly sounding word..."Take such squeamishness a little further and you have the shameful attack on David Howard, the white director of a Washington D.C. municipal agency who told his staff that, in light of budget cutbacks, he would have to be "niggardly" with funds. An uproar followed that resulted in Howard's resignation, which was accepted by Mayor Anthony Williams on the grounds that Howard had shown poor judgment.
Even some of the commentators who admitted that they knew that "niggardly" has no relation to "nigger" (the origins of the first word predate those of "nigger" by about 300 years) still condemned Howard. They were answered by the columnist Tony Snow, who wrote, "David Howard got fired because some people in public employ were morons who a) didn't know the meaning of the word 'niggardly' b) didn't know how to use a dictionary to discover the word's meaning and c) actually demanded that he apologize for their ignorance."There was a similar protest about a University of Wisconsin at Madison professor who used "niggardly" during a Chaucer class -- this time the complaint came from a student to whom the professor had explained the word's origins. And a professor at Jefferson Community College in Louisville was dismissed because of the lone protest of one black student (out of nine in class of 22) upset by the professor's inclusion of "nigger" in a class discussion on taboo words."
I do in fact believe the author of the above text is african american if you are at all interested in that fact.
Posted by BeARdEdLaDY on May 23, 2002, at 18:36:16
In reply to all spelling corrections aside, yet... » christophrejmc, posted by kid_A on May 23, 2002, at 18:10:05
Bugged the hell out of me. I know what words mean. It's not my fault other people don't. I should be entitled to pick the best word for the job without worrying that someone will mistake it for another word. Howard didn't deserve what happened to him.
A few years ago, I got an e-mail about having the word picnic removed from the dictionary, as it was offensive to black people for reasons you wouldn't even believe. It was one of those urban legend/hoax things, I think, but so many people actually believed the ridiculous etymology in the e-mail. (And I know some people who believe you can get breast cancer from underarm deodarant and MS from aspartame!)
My final story: A few years ago, one of my students told me I couldn't use the word handicapped. I had to say disabled. When I asked her why, she said, "The government says...." I said, no, I don't care what the government says. What's wrong with the word? "It's offensive." Why? "Because they like disabled better." Why would someone like a word that says he is unable to do something? "Because handicapped," she finally told me, "comes from people standing with their caps in their hands begging for money."
!
It took seconds to disprove this, as I happened to have an article about that very word, as well as three dictionaries, all of which explained that it comes from a game called "hand in cap," in which players draw lots. I told the student that when we handicap a horse, we essentially give it something to make it equal with all the other horses. So if we see handicapped persons as persons so great they were given a slight flaw to make them equal with everyone else, why would anyone want to be called disabled?
beardy : )>
(Facial hair on women? Handicap, not a disability.)
Posted by kiddo on May 23, 2002, at 18:57:50
In reply to I remember that one. » kid_A, posted by BeARdEdLaDY on May 23, 2002, at 18:36:16
Posted by krazy kat on May 23, 2002, at 19:20:20
In reply to an annoying little spelling correction » krazy kat, posted by christophrejmc on May 23, 2002, at 16:28:34
Thanks! I certainly can see how it could appear negative.
I used to be the Best speller in the world (really) and Depakote has robbed me of that (Topamax before Dep.). It's so frustrating...
- kk
Posted by krazy kat on May 23, 2002, at 19:23:38
In reply to all spelling corrections aside, yet... » christophrejmc, posted by kid_A on May 23, 2002, at 18:10:05
can't believe you brought up Howard! Let's discuss him further if you'd like on chat or via email (I just perused your post thus far, but doesn't matter I think..) :) Have some inside insight... (and she mysteriously winks...)
Posted by krazy kat on May 23, 2002, at 19:30:07
In reply to I remember that one. » kid_A, posted by BeARdEdLaDY on May 23, 2002, at 18:36:16
Darling:
I want to start calling you this because I love your posts so.
My guess is that this, and Kid_A's posts will get a pbc b/c Some might find them offensive.
I made a post to Mark H. about a new book out, even in the book store in my little town of liberal Woodstock, NY re: the word n***er. I have not read it, but it looks fascinating. Didn't get a response.
Oh, I know, it was in the "swear words" thread.
Anyhoo, agree wholeheartedly with you, as usual - not Always, but Usually. :) And regardless, you're Always very verbose. (That's my word for the day... )
Take care.
= kk
Posted by IsoM on May 24, 2002, at 0:00:24
In reply to personal to kid_a... » kid_A, posted by krazy kat on May 23, 2002, at 19:23:38
Strange how perfectly innocuous words can take on vulgar connotations depending on who uses them. Certain words start out innocent enough but become taboo depending on their origins.
As Beire-dei no doubt knows, many Old Germanic words were considered more coarse & vulgar when the Normans conquered England. Norman French became the artistocrastic language & the shorter blunter Germanic languages became that of the "lower" class. The word 'shit' came from a perfectly acceptable Old Norse (or other Germanic word) for excrement. Even though the word 'nigger' came from Spanish & before that Latin, meaning black, even back then its connotation wasn't meant just to describe skin colour but was meant to denote someone beneath the 'pure' white's consideration.
Posted by Zo on May 24, 2002, at 4:14:13
In reply to personal to kid_a... » kid_A, posted by krazy kat on May 23, 2002, at 19:23:38
Posted by krazy kat on May 24, 2002, at 11:40:51
In reply to origins of taboo words..., posted by IsoM on May 24, 2002, at 0:00:24
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 24, 2002, at 16:29:50
In reply to Re: dangerous territory » Dr. Bob, posted by krazy kat on May 23, 2002, at 10:03:28
> I'm obviously a glutton for punishment. I thought I worked pretty well on my arguments and their presentations for this concern.
>
> It feels as if you have a personal dislike of me, Dr. B. Or perhaps I just can't cut it as a reasonable poster here.
>
> But, no matter. I'll refrain from offering my opinion for awhile as it just seems to get me hurt.Your arguments were fine, I think we may just disagree on what kind of balance to try for. Sorry to have hurt you, I certainly didn't mean to. And I don't dislike you, either! :-)
Bob
Posted by susan C on May 24, 2002, at 17:59:26
In reply to origins of taboo words..., posted by IsoM on May 24, 2002, at 0:00:24
in Japan, the decendants of butchers and tanners were stigmatized by their ancestor's involvement with something this Buddist society considered profane: The carcasses of animals....Menial labor....so there is no excape for the burakumin....the translation of the word..."village people". The word when written in Chinese characters? "Excessive filth"
--Gary Katzenstein, Funny Business an Outsider's Year in Japan
Posted by Zo on May 24, 2002, at 21:15:55
In reply to Thank you Dinah 1 » Dinah1, posted by Lou Pilder on May 23, 2002, at 7:57:17
Lou,
I think one of the important things here is that you don't end up feeing persecuted, and certainly not for your religious beliefs. I think that tends to get lost, that people do have respect and affection. . .it's just that the Message is really driving them nuts, Lou! Repitition is a pretty irritating thing!
Clearly you are a good man, and I have enjoyed some of your stories so much, but I think if you aren't careful, you could end up putting people *off* the Spirit. . .
And you know what would be really helpful? People would like to hear more from you than just the one thing.
It would be good to offer a variety of helpful ideas and suggestions.
Otherwise, you inadvertently end up leaving non-believers out in the cold. . .feeling unsupported.
You know, even Christ went easy--He gave people help, yes, but he gave it in the form *they* needed. When someone was hurting, he just responded. He didn't use that moment to preach, and by this compassionate example. .. well, isn't it really this that really wins hearts and minds?
I think it would work better to go on writing in your Gate threads--and respond to posts with the focus of being sensitive to that person's needs (which are usually expressed in their post, or one of their previous posts in the thread) at that moment.
Hope this helps,
Zo
Posted by Lou Pilder on May 26, 2002, at 0:25:16
In reply to Re: Zo writes to Lou » Lou Pilder, posted by Zo on May 24, 2002, at 21:15:55
Zo,
Now after I was in the City of Peace, I read the Bible about the jesus person in it. I remeber didtinctly that he did preach to people. Also,you say that he went easy. Not from what I remember in my reading of the bible. He said, "Unless you repent you will perish." He said, "If you do not forgive men, your Father in heaven will not forgive you." He said, don't fear man that can kill the body, but fear him that can cast your soul and body into hell." And he said, You seek after worldly goods. Store up treasures in heaven where moths and rust and theives will not get them." He said, "but I say into you, unless a man be born again, he can not enter the kingdom of God.
Lou
Posted by kiddo on May 26, 2002, at 0:36:18
In reply to Re: Zo writes to Lou:Lou writes back to Zo » Zo, posted by Lou Pilder on May 26, 2002, at 0:25:16
Posted by Zo on May 26, 2002, at 2:53:45
In reply to Admin TOO??!?!??!!!!??!?!?!?!?! (nm) » Lou Pilder, posted by kiddo on May 26, 2002, at 0:36:18
Posted by kiddo on May 26, 2002, at 3:37:38
In reply to Re: Elvis is everywhere in the building. (nm) » kiddo, posted by Zo on May 26, 2002, at 2:53:45
Posted by dinah 2 on May 26, 2002, at 9:20:51
In reply to ROFL (nm) » Zo, posted by kiddo on May 26, 2002, at 3:37:38
Perhaps you or Zo would care to explain it to the board? I'm afraid I chose not to see the humor, but perhaps you could explain why it was funny.
Posted by Lou Pilder on May 26, 2002, at 9:47:06
In reply to Admin TOO??!?!??!!!!??!?!?!?!?! (nm) » Lou Pilder, posted by kiddo on May 26, 2002, at 0:36:18
Kiddo,
Could you clarify what "Admin TOO" means in your title? If you clarify that, then I can have an understanding of what your mean by it and then I could respond to you. Your cooperation in clarifying would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Lou
Posted by kiddo on May 26, 2002, at 11:10:56
In reply to Re: Admin TOO??!?!??!!!!??!?!?!?!?! » kiddo, posted by Lou Pilder on May 26, 2002, at 9:47:06
Lou-
What I meant is simply this:
Your continuous threads on the subject have overwhelmed me on Social so much that I find it extremely difficult to post there anymore....now I feel like it's starting here too.
I'm not bashing, discriminating, trying to 'segregate', or anything else. You asked, I answered.
Kiddo
Posted by kiddo on May 26, 2002, at 11:20:25
In reply to Ooh a joke. And I missed it. :( » kiddo, posted by dinah 2 on May 26, 2002, at 9:20:51
Dinah-
I found it funny for the simple fact I had just watched 3000 Miles to Graceland, and I an entirl 'Fleet' of flying "Elvi' were swarming the building....
This is getting bad when I can't even laugh. I mean you know offense, Dinah, but this entire thing is getting to me
Still friends, I hope-
Kiddo
Posted by Lou Pilder on May 26, 2002, at 11:21:31
In reply to Re: What I meant » Lou Pilder, posted by kiddo on May 26, 2002, at 11:10:56
Kiddo,
I have suggested that there be a quota of 10 posts per day for each poster. What do you think of my sugggestion?
Lou
Posted by kiddo on May 26, 2002, at 12:10:17
In reply to Re: What I meant » kiddo, posted by Lou Pilder on May 26, 2002, at 11:21:31
Why limit the posts to 10 per day? I saw your suggestion, but I fail to see the good in it.
Kiddo
Posted by dinah final on May 26, 2002, at 16:42:01
In reply to Re: Ooh a joke. » dinah 2, posted by kiddo on May 26, 2002, at 11:20:25
I had assumed, kiddo, that your admin remark, zo's reply, and your laughter were related. In which case it appeared to me to be unkind.
And perhaps you read my post where I said that what was done to any of my brothers, I would also consider done unto me?
But if you say the three posts were not related and your laughter was solely due to the vision of multiple Elvises, then I of course believe you and apologize for misunderstanding.
Posted by kiddo on May 26, 2002, at 17:00:18
In reply to Re: Perhaps I misunderstood » kiddo, posted by dinah final on May 26, 2002, at 16:42:01
Yes Dinah, unfortunately, you did misunderstand me. I thought you knew me well enough to know I don't "laugh" at people
Yes, I saw the part about your brother and it being done unto you.
Yes, I said they were not related except for the fact there were Evis' involved-
Kiddo
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