While plaudits are being posted for helpful contributions to this 
recent imbroglio - which is giving us all an opportunity to learn 
something, I submit -  I want to add my appreciation for Tracy 
Wuster's most thoughtful and most clarifying paragraphs, saved below. 
I think it says almost everything that needed to be said about the 
issue of "words as weapons" (for that's what they are, and that's 
what we are recognizing here) in this discussion. It's not only that 
some words are "offensive," but that they have, indeed - historically 
and today -  been used as instruments of dehumanization and as such, 
any decent respect for the humanity of others militates against using 
them in a casual fashion.  It's a matter of our own sense and 
sensibilities, not just sensitivites for others - if that makes any 
sense!

My two scents.

Ben


>
>
>The objection to the use of the term "coolie" is not merely a
>"pathologically correct" objection to colorful language. It is not
>"group-think" to understand that the term has a highly pejorative
>history (which is not really a matter of what one *perceives*).  The
>point of the objection, I perceive, is that the term "coolie" has no
>place in intelligent discussions except as a historical term.  And it
>only has a place in humorous usage if it is actually funny.  I would
>guess that others on this list would join me in thinking that Twain
>would not have found your "coolie" joke whimsical.
>
>One last point.  There is a categorical distinction Mr. Fears failedl to make
>between the usage of the pejorative term "coolie" and the pejorative
>terms "fossil" and "troll."  The first term is a pejorative that
>applies to a group of people of a certain race.  "Troll" and "fossil"
>are pejoratives that were applied to a single person.  The first term
>may serve to limit contributions of a large number of people; the other aimed
>to only limit the commentary of only one.
>
>Best,
>
>Tracy Wuster
>
>
>On 3/20/08, David H Fears <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>  Isn't it interesting that those who lie here waiting in attack mode for
>>   terms they *perceive* as pejorative respond by using terms such 
>>as "troll" and
>>   "fossil" in ways which are undeniably pejorative. Such abuse can only limit
>>   contributions to this forum.
>>
>>
>>   David H Fears
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>   **************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL
>>   Home.
>> 
>>(http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=aolhom00030000000001)
>>