Name-calling - Little annoyances

[spindoctor]

It is starting to annoy me that the vast majority here considers it the in-thing to belittle opponents through name calling.

It now got to the point where *I* am being flamed for referring to "President Bush" rather than using terms like "shrub", "Dubya", "*" or what not. It was funny when Michael Moore started with "Commander n Thief" in 2000, but come on...

I'm sorry but all the name calling seems (to me at least) just so incredibly childish and useless. What's more, its one of those despicable Republican techniques. Can't we do better?

I have (obviously) no problem dragging President Bush, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Coulter and Mr. Limbaugh through the mud, but every time I read an accusation addressed to Shrub, OhReally, or whatever pet name people choose to use, it already loses 25% of its credibility right off the top.

If you insist on using these childish techniques then go ahead. It's a relatively free country for now. But if you really want to make a serious statement, it doesn't hurt to use correct naming. There are enough criminals running free because their name was spelled wrong on the citation.

Most of all, don't get on *my* case, LADIES and GENTLEMEN!

;)

[bryant69]

1. Look you step into the mudpit your gonna get some mud on you

That said, it's worth considering whether we want DU to be a mudpit.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[spindoctor]

19. "They" drew first mud

So as long as I'm already dirty, I might as well go all out. ;)

[Roland99]

2. I have found I cannot say his name anymore.

I refer to him as the President or, more commonly, as the Propagandist since that's much more accurate.

[Walt Starr]

3. Sorry, I will NEVER call the asshole in the White House

"president".

He's not now nor has he ever been MY president.

And they started the shit. They brought this gun to the battle, I am merely firing back at the bastards.

[babylonsister]

I'm with you, Walt. I don't have an ounce of

respect for the blivet, so that's why I can't call him by a title that was most likely stolen for him.

[Catherine Vincent]

14. Right on, brother!

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. A turd, by any other name...

I personally find the name "Bush" to be the most offensive term for the (p)resident, and avoid using it whenever possible.

And I don't generally come here to make well-reasoned arguments against the fascists, but to vent and call them the assholes they are because I can't do so out in the real world. I save my well-reasoned arguments for my co-workers.

Of course, I know others come here for other reasons. I hope they will put up with me when I come here for my reasons.

[beam me up scottie]

5. I also am unable to

say it's name.
I was unaware that I needed permission to refer to it by any other name but thanks just the same.
:shrug:

[Career Prole]

46. pResident Evil.

That's the only way I'll use a title I respect in conjunction with this clown.

pResident Evil.

[beam me up scottie]

54. Hey, that's good!

That would make a great bumper sticker (the apocalypse part is damn scary although likely if this idiot doesn't stay home and shut up)

[KurtNYC]

6. I had someone accost me at a rally because my sign said:

What's the Buzzzzzzz at Fox News?

The answer of course is Bill O'Reilly's little friend but this guy wouldn't leave me alone. "That should say 'Faux' News!"

I think getting one's meaning across is most important. If funny names interfere with that then they are counter-productive.

[raysr]

7. i won't legitimize

the corksucker by calling him mister or president. He's illegitmate anyway, he didn't win the first time so how could he have been re-elected??!!

[Just Me]

8. Nope. I can't do any better than callin' 'em as I see 'em!

:rant:

The neoCON crew and their corporocrat fascists are dividing our country, delivering mayhem and murder around the globe, conning the American people into funnelling their blood/limbs/assets to a few hands, and f*cking lying outta' their teeth every damned day!

THESE criminals are running free and I'll call them whatever I damn well please!!!! It's the least I could do considering what evil, greedy, back-stabbing bastards they are!!!! :grr:

[beam me up scottie]

10. geez

why don't you tell us how you really feel?

just kiddng, don't hurt me! :hide:
Great rant! I love it when a keyboard melts!
:evilgrin:

[Moderate Dem]

26. Now THERE'S some well-reasoned debate...

[Just Me]

40. Thank you, my dear.

}(

[Career Prole]

9. In reply I offer this, typed in this morning...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3622714&mesg_id=3622805

Reid calls your president a loser, which quite honestly was a fair call, and then offers an apology.

The RNC's response to the apology is to demean every Democrat.

Sorry, I've tried being nice for too many years. I've run out of cheeks.

Good luck on your quest, though! :)

[spindoctor]

13. OK, I'll respond to it here in light of the subject at hand

It's fine to say "President Bush is a loser". It can (and should in this case) be argued that he is one.

Do not say "Loser is President".

If for no other reason, the first sentence is much clearer. There is no doubt who we are talking about. The second sentence could refer to the President of the local Scrabble Club.

[Kitka]

24. You see that a lot?

“Loser is President”, I mean. I’ve never seen someone state that here or anywhere else.

[spindoctor]

27. It is just an example

As a matter of free speech you can apply any adverb or adjective you want, but don't change the noun.


I know....loser is not an adverb. Just get the point please. lol

[Kitka]

31. Wasn't the point....

that you're sick of name-calling in general? Now you're saying that a hypothetical grammar flub insulting to the President would annoy you.... but not calling the President a loser? I'm trying to get your point but you've confused me with this tangent.

[spindoctor]

34. Sick is a strong word

A little annoyed is the term I used.

And again, what triggered this flame-bate is some IM's I received about my reference to "President Bush".

To the point now.

You can say whatever you want about the President's actions (adverbs), but changing his name (noun) obscures the message in more than one way.

[Up2Late]

11. You obviously are not feeling the same level of Anger and frustration...

...that some of us are feeling. I, for example, will never refer to the current resident of the WH as "President Bush." He was not elected fairly in 2000 or 2004, and he is destroying everything I grew to love about America. When he begins to earn some respect, I will show it, but until then, the only President Bush I will ever recognize or call President Bush, is #41, and I'm beginning to question the fairness of that election too. :evilfrown:

So what's you secret? The Idaho Fresh air, or DU in moderation?:evilgrin:

[spindoctor]

16. Probably both :)

As a matter of fact, I get so angry that I have to take political abstinence at least once a year.

[retnavyliberal]

50. And I think you have every right to call him any names you want...

I think Spin was really spun (sorry.... just had to) because he was berated because he chooses NOT to engage in the name game. I happen to agree with him and I tend to read posts that use, lets call them nicknames, and take them a little less seriously.

Spin, don't worry about what I hope is the rare individual who gets on you for being an adult. They are not worth your time.

[Catherine Vincent]

12. Tell that to the freepers. They call you a DUmmy.

:-)

[raysr]

For christsakes

they even stole PBS!!!

[spindoctor]

I don't lose sleep over that.

Not a single wink.

[Tyler Durden]

15. He told me I needed a TARGET on my shirt, a tattoo on my forehead....

That said "LIBBIE" so that REAL AMERICANS could keep track of me.

THAT is what some neocon son of a bitch told me should happen to me because I did not support "President" Bush.

FUCK "President" Bush, and FUCK his supporters.

Not saying you are, but I will not render him any respect in any way shape or form.

I turned down an opportunity to escort Reagan when I was in the service; I would spit on the ground in front of Bush and DARE them to arrest me.

[spindoctor]

21. Guys like that are easy to keep track of themselves..

...becayse they already have asshole written all over them.

But don't make the mistake thinking that they are all that the Republican Party is made off.

[Kitka]

17. He is not the legitimate President.

So I will not incorrectly call him President Bush. I show him more respect by refraining from calling him a fucknut at every turn than he has ever shown his constituents, or the people of the world. I think calling him “shrub” is being generous considering the death he has caused, and the destruction of our country’s infrastructure he has and continues to cause.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

18. I am with you on that

As I have never really cared for it much either. But it seems to be important for some, which may be there own way of dealing with frustration, so I generally just overlook it. But you're right, it does have a certain ambiance of being in freeperville.

However, I don't know if I would go so far as to use proper titles when talking about these people.

[NV Whino]

20. Feel free to call the asshole anything you want

However, he is not now, nor has he ever been my president. He has always been an asshole.

[spindoctor]

23. Obviously

The downside of a democracy is that every now and then you get stuck with "their" President.

He is unfortunately THE President never the less.

[Kitka]

25. You are aware…

that the whole point is that he is not, to many of us, the legitimate President, right? I would be more likely to call him “President Bush” if he was legitimately elected, and I’m sure others agree with me on that one. Yes, sometimes Republicans will be elected and we suck it up and fight the next fight. This one wasn't.

[spindoctor]

28. Painfully

And as I said, it was funny in 2000. Five years later it just distracts from the issues.

[Kitka]

32. Five years later...

it's still true. And I don't find it funny at all.

[G_j]

35. distraction or not

I don't consider "President" to be an accurate or truthful title.
In the US the "President" is elected.

[donheld]

45. It was NOT funny five years ago!

It was painfully accurate. It is still painfully accurate now. By failing to acknowledge it's accuracy only tends to let people forget the theft.

[moddemny]

42. Are you crazy???

I don't like a lot of the name calling here either. When I express a moderate view or advocate support for someone like clark or biden, clinton, etc. there are many dean supporters (among others) waiting to jump out and call me a bush-lite, repub-lite, etc. However, if I called the placeholder, President Bush I would fully and deservedly expect to get flamed. He is in office because of a well planned coup before 2000 and used the four years afterwards to consolidate power and dupe half of the American public into to voting for him again. The first illegitimate win still invalidates his claim to the Presidency.

[uppityperson]

22. Call him Mr.Bush, or I prefer Mr.bush since he is the younger

I will not call him president, but he is Mr. (insert last name here). So I call him, adding on "and his evil minions" when need be because I do feel Mr.bush is acting not on his own.

I get annoyed at the sexual innuendoing of nicknames. Nicknames are ok but keep them beyond kindergarten age please. I've moved beyond toilet and bodily funtion humor and find it stupidly demeaning. There is enough otherwise demeaning about these guys.

[comsymp]

37. That's the term I use when discussing

with people I don't know, or people around whom I wouldn't ordinarily use profanity / vulgarity... think it used to be called "company manners." It's always "Bush" or (mostly with older folks) "Mr. Bush." Usually, as you and I are in agreement on his not acting alone, I refer to This Administration or This Gang of Thieves.

I've used the term "President B..." (can't even bring myself to type it) exactly once, in the context of a quote.

At home or around people I know, well....

[Stinky The Clown]

29. I agree. I'll let one word do it for me. The context will be the qualifier

When I use the term "the fuckwad" and speak of presidential hubris, you'll know it is President Bush to whom I refer.

When I use the term "the fuckwad" and speak of a incompetent foreign policy spokesperson, you'll know it is Condoleeza Rice to whom I refer.

Similarly, when I use the term "the fuckwad" and speak of our pugnacious and intentionally provocative 'defense' chief, you'll know I mean Donald Rumsfeld.

So, okay .... I'll cut down on my use of name-calling. I foreswear all others in favor of fuckwad.

And when I speak, not of a person, but of this administration, it will be clear what I mean by "Truth, Justice, and The Fuckwadian Way".

[uppityperson]

33. Definition here

derogatory term, fuckwad is semen, especially after masturbating but could be after intercourse.

[Generator]

30. But it's fun

And honestly,if I didn't enjoy it I would never spend any time on the DU message boards and only would be reading the editorials. Which made me have to check to see-how long you've been here-longer than I!

If saying Rumscum, Rumsfailed makes my day..how can you bedgrudge me? There is plenty of serious debate here as well..and I often will use the proper form of address..but I enjoy the endless creative ways to use language. That's what I love about language-it's free. Let's start another thread about how saying ManCoulter is sexist. Really, that's the problem-liberals (oh ho ho-they love to say this about feminists) need a sense of humour. I mean NEED in the sense that we will die without it.

Saying Cheney is a reptile from another dimension works too. It's not serious but then again it's as serious as the lunacy dimension America 2005 is fast becoming. I sink to their level and swoon in my mud. It's my mud and I like it.

DU has that which is why I'm here. Laughing at the lunacy is the only thing that keeps me sane.

[spindoctor]

36. And because I spend most my time reading editorials...

...I only have these measily 700 posts to my name ;)

At the rate this threat is going though. Yikes

Anyway, my battery is almost out and then I have no more excuses for not cleaning my car.

[sweetheart]

38. credibility is in the mind of the beholder

This is the underground. You're thinking overground. If you like
the work, then use it and change the names... its free, and that's
what we're here for... an ultimately deep reservoir of propagandists
intent on the end of the BFEE, full stop.

[Orangepeel]

39. This is a partisan discussion board, not a letter to the editor

people come here to vent. :shrug:

Besides, "credibility" really isn't an issue -- the barn door has been wide open and that horse is long gone.

[Kitka]

41. Exactly.

I *do* get LTTE published and don’t use the term “Shrub” in them. I hope some people aren’t under the impression that everyone uses the same language they use at an informal message board website that they do in formal or public situations. Time, place, and audience, people.

[donheld]

43. I will NOT be calling him Pre... Bush

Like it or not i do not recognize him as such.

[Solly Mack]

44. Why would I call a pile of shit anything but a pile of shit?

[G_j]

52. or tone it down to poopy head? nah....."War Criminal" will do

for me

[ArkDem]

47. Ad Hominem attacks are the true sign of intelligence.

[Kerrytravelers]

48. Calling * by * is just fine with me. * is the nicest thing I can think of

"There are enough criminals running free because their name was spelled wrong on the citation."

I don't think calling our President * on a partisan Internet(s) discussion board is the same as technicalies allowing criminals to run free... unless we're talking about the criminals and terrorists in the White House.

[demgurl]

49. I respect your right to call * whatever you want.

I think a lot of us would be happy to call him by an official title if he had actually truly been elected to office instead of stealing it away from us.

If someone came into your house and stole your property, you would not call him "Mr.____". If someone embezzled money from your bank account and you faced him in court, you would not address him as "Mr._____'. No, because these are all signs of respect.

Well * has come into our home (the office of the president) and stolen the entire house from us. He lied to us about stealing our car (going to war in Iraq). He lied again to justify the killing of our Uncle - well, he was going to come into your house and kill you. (so Saddam must be gotten rid of and so what if our people and theirs are dying) He has stolen our money (biggest deficit in our history due to his lies about the war) and now he is like Kato Calin (how was his name spelled?) and he won't leave! It is time for us to arrest our unwanted house guest for trespassing. (impeach the bastard!)

When someone has done all of this to you, I just can not see how you can address him as anything but what he is. He has taken everything good about America and spat on it. He has hated us for our freedoms and has tried to strip us of them.

I sign petitions. I do letters to the editor. I do everything I can, but for some of us the nicknames we have for * is the only highlight at all when we write about him. If we didn't laugh it would be hard not to cry.

All of that being said, I am not like * and his followers. I think you have every right to call him what you want and I will not demand you fall in line with how I think. I will not ask you to leave the country. I will respect you and I am sorry if others have not.

[applegrove]

51. I think you have a right to call someone a name if they plot to undo

the very fabric of your country. To make it something that will not benefit all.

Bush made reference to name-calling at his press conference. He said he didn't think he had engaged in that. Well Ann Richards was called a Lesbian in a whisper campaign. McCain was called 'the father of a black baby'. Kerry was called 'French' and 'a non-hero'.

It goes on and on.

Me I call Bush Cardinal Cesspuglio (Cardinal cesspool) because Cesspuglio means Bush in Italian.

Bush is responsible for the machine he uses to get himself elected. He is responsible for all those freeper or 'role players' who get on-line and demean people who live in trailers.

They name-call.. all day long.

You can choose to take the high, high road. But I think many on the DU and elsewhere are under duress specifically and intentionally cause by Bush & his handlers. Because they want to divide the party. Because they use things like 'lack of voting transparency' as problems they want to keep alive to cause division... and they stir the pot. And then they call people conspiracy theorists. Why not call people: 'people who are in shock and have not grieved and stepped back from one trauma or another'. Why not? Because calling them what they are would imply that the President of the United States had a role to play in healing the nation.

They use words and names all the time to hurt others. They purposely stole the word liberal. They slur FDR. They steal our totems and try and either steal our souls (by teaching adolescence and hate of the 'other). If they cannot steal our souls... then they try to keep people (on the far left) from healing.

People who are under duress can call the person purposely causing this..anything they dam well please.

They are aiming at the right person. They are targeting him for his actual actions against them. If they get a little release from the tension that way.. if it helps (humor does). Then they are doing the right thing. And if they try to teach that humor and that way of healing or 'not turning the anger onto themselves'..which is part of the grieving process... all the better for them to do that.

So that we can all grieve together. Or separately. So that we can accept the great injustices in the world. So that they will not be stuck.

You can tell them to leave you alone. And you can applaud their anger (because it is healthy and part of surviving to play and live and fight another day).

[in_cog_ni_to]

53. Since the asshole ISN'T the president...

I will never and never have called him "president." He was not elected. He's the idiot-in-chief, the chimp, shrub, asshole, bastard, piece of shit....ANYTHING other than president. The man STOLE 2 elections and has literally DESTROYED our country. He deserves NO RESPECT. None. I'll be damned if he gets any from me. :grr: