[raganwald]

What your argument tries to do is sneak a false dichotomy onto the table.

It's absolutely true that people are responsible for their feelings. But that doesn't mean you aren't also responsible for your choice of words. By saying that I am responsible for how I feel when I hear the word "bitches," you are trying to imply that you aren't also responsible for choosing to say it. It's perfectly valid to say that we are BOTH responsible for our choices. I should choose to ignore you, and you should choose another word. There is no need to say that one or the other but not both of us should be responsible.

I find your arguments along these lines to be passive-agressive. If you want to hurt other people with words, own up to wanting to hurt other people with words. Don't pretend that it's everyone else's fault. Because surely, if nobody took offense to these particular words, you would hunt around until you could find words that would cause offense.

You choose to use these words and phrases precisely because they have shock value. It's not like you use the word and are surprised it carries some special meaning that offends people. I see elsewhere you have told people to "fuck off." Are you seriously suggesting you weren't trying to give offense? Because if it isn't possible to give offense, why are you trying so hard to offend people??

[burgerbrain]

Greeting groups of people as "sup bitches" is a popular culture phenomenon. It's not used for shock value or to give offence (at least in my social circles....).

My use of both "profane" and non-profane offensive comments in my comments is to drive home my point. It is not intended to hurt others, but merely make them think to themselves "frack it, I'm ignoring him." "What he says would normally offend me, but I'm going to have a nice evening with my wife and kids instead" ...or something along those lines.

If I get anyone to that point then maybe they'll know that in the future, if some anonymous dude dares use the dreadful word "bitch" on the internet, it's best for the sanity of everyone to let it slide.

"Because if it isn't possible to give offense, why are you trying so hard to offend people??"

-gets back in character...- Well I'd say there is a keen difference between "giving offence", which I am of course not doing, and "presenting others the opportunity to take offence". The choice is theirs.

[raganwald]

Well I'd say there is a keen difference between "giving offence", which I am of course not doing, and "presenting others the opportunity to take offence". The choice is theirs.

That's the most cowardly thing I've heard all day. But it's only lunch time, so we'll see how it goes.

[burgerbrain]

So much for my attempts to discuss this intelligently, instead of emotionally. I going to consider this one more point of data in support of my hypothesis...