Is it ALWAYS wrong to call an idiot an 'IDIOT'?!

nicolaou

I mean c'mon, don't you just wish you could.

well, maybe you need to explain what exactly did the "idiot" do be to called an idiot. If you actually try and explain to them what they did wrong, that person can actually have an opportunity to learn and adjust themselves, for their own good and your good. You must also realise that calling someone an idiot is also a sign of your own frustration of not knowing how to handle the matter better. Its like calling a child "stupid" it only hurts them without really helping the matter. My 2 cents worth for today :-)

zagor

I'm really sick and tired of political correctness. I will call things what they are regardless of what someone thinks

Awakened07

It's important to hold one's tongue in internet debates sometimes, even when one becomes frustrated - perhaps especially then, as Lone Ranger says.

Failure to do so will result in an ad hominem attack, which only gives "the idiot" further ammo. Sometimes it's really hard to stay calm though, it's a natural reaction. Some people I'm convinced post things - or post things in a manner - they know their opponent will find annoying, exactly to rile him/her up into an ad hominem attack.

So it's best to always "attack" the subject matter and not the poster. However, sometimes the "idiot" simply does not post anything of substance that you can really grab on to and debate, but (perhaps intentionally) spouts generalizations that are just annoying. Then you can't attack him/her, and you can't attack the subject matter either, because there really is none. Or, perhaps you could attack the subject matter, but you know it would take pretty much writing an essay of a post, and that even that wouldn't help (or wouldn't be read).

So yes - sometimes you want to say "IDIOT!", but it's probably better to just walk away.

Deputy Dog

nic

Now they can vote in NJ, not just hold office!

From Cnn

New Jersey To Join USA & Allow Idiots To Vote

If the New Jersey state senate approves a terrifying new constitutional amendment, idiots will have the legal right to vote — and we know how well that worked out in the other 49 states.

The N.J. constitution boldly states that “no idiot or insane person should enjoy the right of suffrage.” While obviously unenforced, the language at least gave hope to those who someday dreamed of an electorate that might have at least a vague idea of what’s going on.

But the so-called Garden State’s senate president Richard Codey says idiot is “outdated, vague, offensive to many and may be subject to misinterpretation.” It seems pretty clear to us!

New Jersey may cut ‘idiot’ from constitution [CNN]

LouBelle

you can call them an idiot - just use a nice tone.

buffalosrfree

never call the person in a mirror the idiot, idiot like, maybe but not an idiot!!!1

gaiagirl

I'd say that if the person self-identifies as an idiot, and is affectionaly called an idiot by their friends, or if they use the term to similarly describe their friends, then it is acceptable to refer to them an idiot. In doing so, you are only agreeing with what they themselves are already saying, so there is no grounds for offence from any reasonable person. I believe this was discussed at length in another thread on this forum.

Further, I have observed that, at least in the South, it is also acceptable to call someone an idiot even if the above mentioned conditions are not met, provided you append your statement with the expression "bless your heart", i.e.: "You are a complete idiot, bless your heart". : )

poppers

Now this guy tells it like it is: http://youtube.com/watch?v=oboyox3L_MI&feature=related