I've recently had some conversations with some of the people that live around here about using language that some would consider offensive. Judging by the general content of the messages posted here, most people don't seem to be too worried about political correctness, but it is always easier to post something then to actually say it.

At any rate, the argument was concerning the phrase "Don't be gay". It has been somewhat of a rule to live by around here for longer then I've been here (4 years) and was origianlly intended to mean 'don't be stupid'. At some point, it got corrupted in some ciricles to mean 'don't be a homosexual', though the general population on this floor held to the 'don't be stupid' meaning. Not too long ago, someone made the point that we are probably offending homosexuals regardless of our intent of "Don't be gay". There seems to be a pretty even split between droping the rule or leaving it in place. I'm looking for opinions of disinterested 3rd parties.

This thread, at least intially, will be moderated.

True, true. It would be hard to count the number of times on these forums alone, someone has tried to dismiss someone else by saying, "you're gay," or something like that. Then the whole thread devolves from an intelligent discussion to a back-and-forth "you're gay" match. While I personally don't see the point in exercising political correctness to the point that you're damn near lying, it must also be realized that you only degrade your own cause by not providing any better intelligence than a trained monkey and call your opposition gay, or anything else to that effect. If someone wants to discuss something totally stupid in a thread, for instance, how they want to watch the Bonzibuddy get slaughtered, then I'll be happy to read it and maybe even post stupid comments, maybe even including calling someone gay, whether or not I mean homosexual. But destroying an intelligent discussion just because you disagree with the views of one of its participants is rude, pointless, generally stupid, and should not be tolerated by the members of the forums, or the administrators of the system.<br>In response to Cat, and without trying to sound conceited, I don't know if you're referring to me when you say that someone brought up offense to homosexuals, etc. If it is, that's not what I meant at all, I'm just trying to get folks to utilize a little bit more of their brain. I figured if all they can do is rip on someone, they ought to at least put some thought into it, and not act like 13-year olds. Hell, occasionally you can put something together that you can be proud of if you put your mind to it. :)<br>-Diesel

No not at all. It's a discussion that had been going on for a few weeks on 4 North. There seems to be a vocal (small) minority who thinks that we ought to become more kind and gentle, and a silent majority that wishes that the minority would shut up. I was just wondering what the rest of the world thought.

OK, here goes.

I am truly sick to death of "The Kinder Gentler World", where people look at a pile of broken glass in a museum and call it art, and if anyone steps back and says "What the hell is this big pile of broken glass doing here?" the 'artist' gets in their face, and accusses them of hampering his free speach.

All those touchy feely marys are always toughting this free speach thing, but when I stand up and say what I think, everyone just looks at me, and someone enevitably says "That was so insensitive!"

I don't care. Sensitivity is for small children, and men wanting to get laid.

I will agree, that sensitivity has its place, but I refuse to call a tree purple, cause some moron is afraid of green. I love how homosexual people refer to themselves as gay, but get all up in arms when someone else does the same. If we can't call them gay, I vote for sexually retarded. JMO

Our society has been overrun with pussys. No one will say what they think. I say what I think, and people call me an asshole. I will not deny this, for I would rather say what I belive and be despised, than say what others want me to and be accepted.

By the way, there has been a rash of tough talk, accompanied by people hiding behind their handles. I will do no such thing. If there are other men in this forum, I will be the first to stand and remove my veil. I encourage others to do the same. My name is Ryan Shanks, and I live at Triangle fraternity. If anyone wants to come see me, we can discuss this further in person, as I am always up for a good conversation.

See you all on the flip side.

True.

I agree with everything except for this statement:

Correct me if i'm wrong, but i dont think homosexuals find that offensive.

Plus you gotta remember.. thats not what they were getting upset about, it was because the floor adopted "Don't be gay" as one of thier rules. Not "homos are gay".

To get back to the subject......did someone say there was a sign posted in a dorm hall that said "Don't be Gay"?
Lemme know if this is true, b/c I've got my two cents on that.

pretty much everyone on the floor was saying it.. For example the were saying it in emails that went to the listserve of the floor... and i think writing it on chalk boards and stuff like that.

I'd like to hear people's opinion on this.