Watch out my brothers of color...

[CaptainMattJ.]

Originally Posted by vienna

Doesn't apply here: the judgement was by a jury finding guilt and assessing damages and not a fine payable to the U.S. government. This is just basically a damages case and the jury is allowed to set the amount of damages. If a government agency, say the EEOC, had fined the offenders, then perhaps a case could be made for 8th Amendment protections. However, even then, if the fine was intended to punish and deter not only the original offenders, but, also, those who may offend in the future, what may seem as a rather large "unreasonable" fine may be allowed for the purposes of deterence. Also, in some cases, a smaller fine or judgement against a very large and wealthy offender really wouldn't have the intended purpose of punishing and deterring; a $1,000 fine or judgement isn't going to be a blip on the radar of, say, a multi-national financial insitution and make them change their ways; a $1,000,000 fine or judgement is definitely going to get their attention...


<O>

I understand the 8th doesn't actually apply in this scenario but the principal that this guy had to pay 280,000 dollars to a woman for yelling slurs at her is, to me, unfair punishment. To my knowledge this isnt a multi-million dollar corporation that has systemic employee abuse and mistreatment, its just some guy going off an a worker. Im not saying that she should've been able to sue but $280,000 is a pretty absurd sum for an insulting rant.

[NeonSamurai]

I have more than a few friends who would be extremely offended if ever called that word. It may have been appropriated by certain black cultures, that used frequently, and even endearingly, but the word is still one of the most offensive in the English language.

Anyhow in this case, it does not sound like it was being used as a term of endearment.

[Armistead]

I think the word "N word" is more offensive than the actual word. It's like saying it without saying it and each time it's used, the word goes through our mind.

Banning words is silly, but I don't have a problem if racial intent can be implied if the word is used in a crime or work place abuse. The problem is use of words can be grey and many love lawsuits. Are we gonna replace Cracker with the C word, ect.

Much is he same with gay groups wanting to ban what is spoken in churches as gay hate speech, because most churches open their door to the public..Doubt that will ever pass, because it's your choice.

[donna52522]

Originally Posted by Armistead

Are we gonna replace Cracker with the C word, ect.

The C-Word is already taken

[CaptainMattJ.]

Originally Posted by NeonSamurai

I have more than a few friends who would be extremely offended if ever called that word. It may have been appropriated by certain black cultures, that used frequently, and even endearingly, but the word is still one of the most offensive in the English language.

Anyhow in this case, it does not sound like it was being used as a term of endearment.

It is put upon a pedestal as a word that in the wrong situation as one of the most offensive words in the english language, when in reality its not anymore offensive as a number of other words that describe any other race.

[Wolferz]

"Insult can't be given unless taken"

This makes the recipient as equally guilty as the offender.

According to the story, derogatory language in any form that is aimed at anyone in the workplace is now considered taboo.
It's a pity. There are numerous employers I could have sued.

@ Platapus,
Drill instructors are no longer allowed to speak to recruits the way they used to when you and I went through basic. In fact, they hand out stress cards to the noobs to hold up in the air if they feel overwhelmed. Then the drills must stop the training activity to get the troopie calmed down and sorted out.
Yeah, I know, it's sad really.

I guess I was fortunate in the sense that I wasn't an 18 year old kid then and the drills never found an excuse to plant a brim on my forehead and spit in my face while screaming at me. My fellow troopies never learned the secret because they never asked.
Three simple words would douse a drill's fuse before he/she exploded... " No excuse Sergeant!"

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by Wolferz

"Insult can't be given unless taken"

One of those blanket statements that people use as a cover so that they can be as rude and offensive as they like. As if the target of the insult is guilty for the behavior of the one doing the insulting. They tend to be the kind of people that don't get invited over for dinner.

[Wolferz]

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

One of those blanket statements that people use as a cover so that they can be as rude and offensive as they like. As if the target of the insult is guilty for the behavior of the one doing the insulting. They tend to be the kind of people that don't get invited over for dinner.

Yup and it was relayed to me by my supply sergeant who got it from a shrink.

Basically, if someone tries to insult you, ignore it and it will go away as soon as they see that they didn't get the response they were looking for.

As for dinner in Allentown. Thanks but no thanks.

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by Wolferz

Yup and it was relayed to me by my supply sergeant who got it from a shrink.

Basically, if someone tries to insult you, ignore it and it will go away as soon as they see that they didn't get the response they were looking for.

Actions have consequences, so as long as you are fine with that, then flap the lip. Otherwise, don't whine about what people do when you shoot the mouth off. If you're trying to piss someone off, don't get all whiny when somebody takes offense to a blatantly offensive statement.

As for dinner in Allentown. Thanks but no thanks.

I think you misunderstand. I wasn't inviting you. I have no desire to meet you in real life. You do not seem the type of person that I enjoy associating with. We will never meet in real life. Period.

I hope that this is clearer for you.

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by Wolferz

"Insult can't be given unless taken"

This makes the recipient as equally guilty as the offender.

According to the story, derogatory language in any form that is aimed at anyone in the workplace is now considered taboo.
It's a pity. There are numerous employers I could have sued.

@ Platapus,
Drill instructors are no longer allowed to speak to recruits the way they used to when you and I went through basic. In fact, they hand out stress cards to the noobs to hold up in the air if they feel overwhelmed. Then the drills must stop the training activity to get the troopie calmed down and sorted out.
Yeah, I know, it's sad really.

I guess I was fortunate in the sense that I wasn't an 18 year old kid then and the drills never found an excuse to plant a brim on my forehead and spit in my face while screaming at me. My fellow troopies never learned the secret because they never asked.
Three simple words would douse a drill's fuse before he/she exploded... " No excuse Sergeant!"

Now Now, much better to teach hard life lessons with stress cards and giving everyone an award, that way they're no losers and my low self esteem isn't further effected.

[eddie]

New recruits should watch "Full Metal Jacket" if they want to see what my boot camp experience was like!