I am not doubting the veracity of your sources. I am simply saying, that these days, the word "nigger" is used in a racial sense so I am against it. That's all. Whether it SHOULD mean what it DOES mean is another issue altogether.

And if you read my whole comment, you would find that I don't agree with blacks calling each other niggers either. I can see (sort of) where they are coming from, but at the end of the day, they shouldn't be using racist words against each other and complaining if people of other races use it. Period.

Agree.

Right, "racial" because it refers to race, just like "white," "black" and "asian." What is your point?The word means what it means. Just because a couple of retards find it racist doesn't mean it is. If someone finds the word "desk lamp" to be offensive, does that mean it's a really mean word with some hidden meaning that trumps its real meaning?I did read your whole comment. What do you mean they are using it "against" each other? When I call someone white, am I using the word "white" against them?

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If a neocon whines about big government wealth redistribution, just ask him what he thinks about the portion of that big government that sends aid to Israel.

I agree, Pi. To me it seems as though it is giving back-handed permission for whites to use it, as often racists will point this out to back up their indefensible use of the word.

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Lucky is he (sic) who has been able to understand the causes of things
Virgil

*groan*

Slon, whether you choose to admit it or not, the general public does see the word "nigger" as a racist slur ... yes, perhaps it should not be, and perhaps the "real" meaning is what you say it is, however, I'd rather go along with the flow on this one and not use the word. Maybe that classifies me as a retard in your opinion. If so, so be it.

As for "against", I said that since I don't see the word the same way as you do.

I agree, and I find it hypocritical to a large degree - if they can use it against each other, then whites should be allowed to use it too (allowed as in the blacks shouldn't get pissed off over it).

I can see WHY this attitude came about (to an extent), but the only way to stop it is to simply stop using the world altogether IMO.

I also find it hard to imagine that many Americans of European descent are at all bothered by the word gringo. They are the ones who hold the means of production, therefore, they are dominant. When do the dominant ever worry about what is said by those whom they consider 'lesser'?

When I lived in New Zealand 'pakeha' was the word Maoris used to describe Europeans and those of European descent. No-one considered it a derogatory term.

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Lucky is he (sic) who has been able to understand the causes of things
Virgil

I couldn't agree more.

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Lucky is he (sic) who has been able to understand the causes of things
Virgil

Agree. In this case, I can't even see how the word could be construed as having a racist meaning - Chavez probably meant it in a condescending way anyway, not racist.

Hmm, I didnt know about that - first time I've heard that word. So pakeha is the Maori equivalent of gringo?

When their dominance is slipping away...eheh.

As you know, enigma, Aboriginal Australians call us whities "Gabba". Again, the originn of this word is uncertain, but is thought to have derived from the word "Governor", i.e., a symbol of power rather than a symbol of race.

Tethys

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-- Harry S. Truman

So the name of the cricket ground in Brisbane (if am right - Perth was WACA) has a history behind it then. Interesting!

THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RACIST AND OFFENSIVE.
Chavez of course meant to cause offence but the term is debatable. What about the Freedom of Speech. Isn t that how people defend Ann Coulter?
What I don t understand is the fuss.
Especially when in the US you have the likes of Ann Coulter making racist comments (or what would definately be interperated as that in other countries) Yet thats fine?

I really think she crosses the line with Islam and terrorism. Some of the things she says could be considered incitement to racial hatred.

When challenged about the use of the term “raghead” by a young Middle Eastern man who asked her to “please, please, please, don’t say raghead,” Coulter responded “

Muslims???? shouldn t she say terrorists. It isn t every Muslim that does this.This I feel is really wrong

The word "Paki" is considered (in certain contexts) to be racist. I would certainly discourage peope from using that expression.

Oh my!! I know if that was said in most countries there would be hell to pay.
YET in the US alot of people will argue for her as Freedom of Speech. So in that case why the horror about 1 PERSON George Bush by a Venzuelan president, Yet there is less of an outcry when someone insults a whole religion and culture.

I completely agree, la orientase. A lot of those on the right would think nothing of branding an entire religious group as terrorists based simply upon the fact that religion is Islam. However, most of those same people get upset when Chavez makes an offhand remark about "gringo" which has been clearly shown to be more a colloqial than a racist term.

You also make a great point about freedom of speech ...

As for the term "Paki", I was not aware it could be used in a racist sense though! Derogatory yes, but I didnt think it could be used in a racist sense ...

I know you're not referring to Matt when you accuse some on the right of branding and entire religious group as terrorists! He's never done that, at least that I'm aware of and if he had, I would have called him on it as I have others in the past.

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

Where did I refer to Matt here? I referred to "some on the right". If you feel I have accused Matt of this, please provide a quote showing where I did this.

However, most on the right doesn't seem to be up in arms over the numerous posts on this forum branding all Muslims as terrorists, or woman beaters, or other depsicable stuff instead preferring to let it pass by unchallenged. This is something that I have noticed and suspect is true.

Some of the 'less-educated' poms use it as a pejorative, at least the ones out here do, and have done since at least the early 60s. Apparently after the British so wisely partitioned India many Pakistanis emigrated to England. I keep telling the poms if they don't like citizens of former British colonies in their country, imagine how the colonies themselves felt when the British arrived. Sadly, many are too dull or stupid to get my point.

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Lucky is he (sic) who has been able to understand the causes of things
Virgil