Can't Change the Condition So Change the Name

[billwald]

>Yes. But the meaning of words do change.

How does one convince KJO Christians and "Constitution only" Right wingers?

 

[sag38]

Only from your mind would this come Bill.

 

[StefanM]

What causes some liberals to think, and to assume the right to rule, that words in use for generations have suddenly become offensive? Is it because they need something new to nail the conservatives with?

The evolution of language is an observable fact. They don't "suddenly" become offensive, but, over time, some words come to be seen as more offensive.

You can feel free to use outdated and offensive terminology, but you must be aware that a lot of people will think you are a jerk.

If you don't believe me, I suggest walking into an African-American church and using the term "Negro."

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

What causes some liberals to think, and to assume the right to rule, that words in use for generations have suddenly become offensive? Is it because they need something new to nail the conservatives with?

You guys all know that Chris Christy is a Conservative Republican, right

 

[Bob Alkire]

You guys all know that Chris Christy is a Conservative Republican, right

Yes, and from what I've read, I wouldn't be upset if he was our governor.

 

[targus]

You can feel free to use outdated and offensive terminology, but you must be aware that a lot of people will think you are a jerk.

I take offense at your use of the word "jerk".

I feel that an apology is in order.

Perhaps I should contact my congress person to request that this word be banned also.

 

[rbell]

Fine if we want to use less "outdated" and maybe less offensive words.

(I still contend that Gov. Christie was trying to find things to call New Jersey Democrats that offended them less.)

But as usual, government takes what might not be a terrible idea, and takes it too far. You want to not use "retarded" anymore? Fine.

But why are we trying to legislate word order?? Why is this worthy of legislation??

The new law also promotes so-called "person-first" language. For example, it's preferred to say "a person with a disability" rather than a "disabled person."

Come on. Doesn't our government have more important stuff to do...like condemning property via eminent domain for more tax revenues...protecting 4-inch minnows at the cost of a million jobs...and sending a kid home for a week for bringing a tic-tac to school?

Oh, wait. Never mind. Forgot they can multi-task.

 

[StefanM]

I take offense at your use of the word "jerk".

I feel that an apology is in order.

Perhaps I should contact my congress person to request that this word be banned also.

Your facetiousness is well-noted.

If you call someone a jerk, it's an offensive statement. I'm not trying to claim that the term indicates anything else.

 

[StefanM]

Fine if we want to use less "outdated" and maybe less offensive words.

(I still contend that Gov. Christie was trying to find things to call New Jersey Democrats that offended them less.)

But as usual, government takes what might not be a terrible idea, and takes it too far. You want to not use "retarded" anymore? Fine.

But why are we trying to legislate word order?? Why is this worthy of legislation??



Come on. Doesn't our government have more important stuff to do...like condemning property via eminent domain for more tax revenues...protecting 4-inch minnows at the cost of a million jobs...and sending a kid home for a week for bringing a tic-tac to school?

Oh, wait. Never mind. Forgot they can multi-task.

I do think it is silly to legislate word order, but I don't want to throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.

 

[targus]

Your facetiousness is well-noted.

If you call someone a jerk, it's an offensive statement. I'm not trying to claim that the term indicates anything else.

So you are only against the use of offensive words that have non-offensive alternative meanings?

BTW - the word "jerk" does have other non-offensive meanings.

 

[Robert Snow]

What causes some liberals to think, and to assume the right to rule, that words in use for generations have suddenly become offensive? Is it because they need something new to nail the conservatives with?

This bill was signed by republican (another R-word) Chris Christi!

I thought many conservatives here supported Christi?

 

[rbell]

This bill was signed by republican (another R-word) Chris Christi!

I thought many conservatives here supported Christi?

Keep in mind, that many of us are what are known as "independent thinkers."

(I realize that to a democrat, the term may be unfamiliar)

It means that just because there is a particular suffix behind a politician's name--we reserve the right to be critical of particular decisions and positions.

It's really a freeing concept. You should consider trying it sometime.

 

[Dragoon68]

This bill was signed by republican (another R-word) Chris Christi!

I thought many conservatives here supported Christi?

So what? That doesn't matter! It's a stupid bill regardless who initiated or supported it.

I do think Republicans are generally more conservative than Democrats - less so than once upon a time - but it's certainly not a one for one nor always and always relationship.

I can think for myself and don't have to always side with every party position even if I have been voting Republican for many years.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Fine if we want to use less "outdated" and maybe less offensive words.

But as usual, government takes what might not be a terrible idea, and takes it too far. You want to not use "retarded" anymore? Fine.

I'm glad we can agree on this point.

But why are we trying to legislate word order?? Why is this worthy of legislation??

I'm assuming this is a legitimate question.

The word order is important for people with disability because it is about their identity.

We do it all the time in the medical profession. We refer to people with their disease. "The stroke in bed 8". "The delirious lady last week". It makes for easier communication at times but would in fact be very rude if we talked to the patient in that way. If I actually went up to a patient and said "Hello, you must be the stroke in bed 8", I might not get a lawsuit but I've automatically lost rapport with my patient.

By using language like that, I have reduced the person to their disease. By reversing the word order (gentleman with at stroke), they are a person with a disease. This is especially important for chronic illness where the disease in many ways does take over their life and the specific wording of "person with disability" helps to reinforce that the person is more than just their disease. It may not appear like much difference to those not suffering that disease, but for those who are suffering from that disease, it is a significant change in how you perceive their identity.

 

[Dragoon68]

Saying a person is "retarded" who is retarded is in no way "derogatory" towards that person. It describes the person's condition.

Who do the liberal word police think they are? I'm certainly not impressed!

Who gave them the power to decide what is right and wrong in speech? No one with the authority to do so!

Who gave them the power to rename things everyone else clearly understands. They don't have such power!

They will fail unless we just all jump on the latest fad because we're afraid we'll not be "cool" with the crowd. Don't fall for it!

 

[Robert Snow]

So what? That doesn't matter! It's a stupid bill regardless who initiated or supported it.

I agree, it is a ridiculous bill.

I can think for myself and don't have to always side with every party position even if I have been voting Republican for many years.

As a democrat, I don't support the whole democratic platform either, but here at the BB is seems the ability to only support part of a party platform applies only to the republicans.

 

[Bob Alkire]

This bill was signed by republican (another R-word) Chris Christi!

I thought many conservatives here supported Christi?

Robert, you may know more than I do on the subject, but how did Chris Christi sign the bill? He is governor of NJ, he isn't in Washington.

 

[Robert Snow]

Robert, you may know more than I do on the subject, but how did Chris Christi sign the bill? He is governor of NJ, he isn't in Washington.

From the article in the OP:

The bill Christie signed Monday eliminates outdated terms such as "mentally retarded" and "feeble-minded." Preferred terms are "intellectual disability" and "developmental disability."

I was just going by what I read in the article.

If I am wrong, I'm sorry.

 

[Bob Alkire]

From the article in the OP:
I was just going by what I read in the article.

Thanks. It did say NJ. It is NJ's law.

 

[rbell]

I agree, it is a ridiculous bill.

Imagine that...common ground.

As a democrat, I don't support the whole democratic platform either, but here at the BB is seems the ability to only support part of a party platform applies only to the republicans.

Doesn't the fact that many of us who are speaking against a Christie action prove the contrary of your assertion?