Senator Grassley just said "Democrat Senators"

[MaineDem]

He specifically said "Democrat" not "Democratic".

Do they do it on purpose or are they all clueless? I find it maddening but it may just be me.

(This is my first time positng a thread in GD. Hope it's acceptable.)

[nostamj]

1. they ALWAYS say that

ALWAYS.

[DarkPhenyx]

2. They do it on purpose.

It is one of those "control the language" moves that probably came out in a memo someplace. I find it annoying too, and have taken to refering to the Republic representatives when ever I'm in a discussion with soemone wanting to use "Democrat" instead of "Democratic".

[Richardo]

6. Someone here once suggested "Publican" as a counter. Which I like:

Defns:

2) A collector of public taxes or tolls in the ancient Roman Empire.
3) A collector of taxes or tribute from the public.


Let's start using "Publicans" whenever possible...

:thumbsup:

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

10. heh, that was me

I have no love for Publicans :) If that's too much, at least pronounce it "Republic-cons".

:evilgrin:

[Richardo]

11. WTG, WhoCountstheVotes...

I remembered that one...always like to give credit where it's due.

[calimary]

15. I'd submit an additional nickname - republi-CONS or republi-CON-ARTISTS

Emphasis on the CON part.

As in - that's what they ARE, and that's what they're trying to DO.

Let's start using that, too, 'eh?

[mazzarro]

19. That is great!

I will henceforth refer to them as the conserva"thieves" Publicans - hey!hey!hey!!!

[Zero Gravitas]

12. yes they do

and they use it so much that "stealth" Freepers come on to DU use it not realizing they are giving themselves away by doing it.

[annak110]

14. Yes, it is annoying. To bad someone

on the Senate floor doesn't start referring to the Repukes as "Repukes"

And hey, thats the first time I've seen the Venus of Willendorf's picture on this site-in fact it is the first time I've seen such a picture in years!

[Monte Carlo]

3. Yes, they do. It's a Gingrich tradition.

It's really petty.

[Q]

4. Isn't it like saying...

..."Republic" senators?

[tom_paine]

8. No, like saying "Jew Lawyer"

You know how these Busheviks like to "play to their base".

[Tom Rinaldo]

9. Not quite

We call ourselves "Democrats", they don't call themselves "Repubs". There are much worse things to get worked up over. Grassley is nowhere near the worst of the Repubs lol.

[tom_paine]

23. "DEMOCRAT" is a NOUN; "DEMOCRATIC" is an ADJECTIVE!

This is not trivial. It is exactly the same slur that "Jew Lawyer" is instead of "Jewish Lawyer".

What's worse it most defintely a slur originated a perpetrated through the Gingrich Arm of the Busheviks.

More fool us for allowing it to become common usage without a fight.

[Loonman]

5. Disrespectful...maybe li'l Tommy will be "deeply saddened"

As if.

[tom_paine]

7. Yes, those bastards say it all the time

Just like "Jew Lawyer" instead of "Jewish Lawyer"

Same thing. Same exact FUCKING thing.

[dfong63]

13. so why is it offensive?

if a Jew is a lawyer, then why is it more offensive to refer to him or her as a "Jew lawyer", than a "Jewish lawyer"?

same question for "democrat" vs "democratic politician"?

[sangh0]

17. The difference between a noun and an adjective

"Jewish lawyer" describes the religion and occupation of a person

"Jew lawyer" is a noun. The "Jew" part signifies that this is a "special" kind of lawyer.

[tom_paine]

18. There isn't really a semantic "why"

Once a thing is commonly accepted as a slur...it is.

Here are the semantics of the alteration:

Democratic and Jewish are adjectives. Democrat and Jew are nouns. Using the noun in place of the adjective (but still as a descriptor) is nearly universally considered to be a sign of disrespect.

Of course, there are some words, like Russian, let's say, where the adjective and noun are the same spellings, so it can't be done.

The best I can say is, go down to your local synangogue and call someone a "Jew Lawyer" instead of a "Jewish Lawyer" and guage the reaction...

[TacticalPeek]

16. Daschle, or some dem Senators, should demand that this not be allowed.

It violates the Senate rules and should be nipped in it's foul bud.

The disrespect (intentional, planned and coordinated) is the same disrespect the witch Endora shows by referring to Durwood or Darwin or David when the guy's name is Darrin. Similarly, its disguised as a simple, innocent slip of the tongue, hardly worth fussing about without seeming overly sensitive. Until finally, the name is Dum Dum and you are stuck with it.

Nip this in the bud.

[SoCalDem]

20. When I call c-span, I refer to them as the "republic" party

At least c-span, for the most part, HAS changed their approach.. They now just say support bush or not support bush... It really does not matter anyway, since people call on the wrong lines.. I wish they would go back to the way they used to do it.. Just have several lines available, and let-er-rip..

I even hear DEMOCRATIC party people saying democrat party this and democrat party that.. They started this about 4 years ago...around the time they all stopped saying "President" Clinton.. It became just "Clinton"...

It's a sign of disrespect, and they enjoy doing it.. It's like you calling your friend Mikey, even though he has told you several times, that he prefers Michael..

Since the media belongs to them, they get away with it and then act all innocent when it's called to their attention.. A caller did just that on c-span a long time ago, and the host just said.."Why does it bother you?"

[stevedeshazer]

21. They've done this since the RATS television commercial

I just call them what they are- the Radical Right.

[Mentalist]

22. I have never really understand

the problem with this. I see nothing wrong with saying X is a member of the Demcorat party, or X is a democrat.

I think complaining about this is a waste of energy that should and could be better directed.