Posted by Dr. Bob on April 4, 2002, at 0:47:30
In reply to Lou's answer to the offensive language, posted by lou pilder on April 3, 2002, at 20:36:48
> Once upon a time, certain folks in the south took offense at black folks who sat at the front of the bus. Does that make Rosa Parks offensive? I am offended by the policies of the United States toward Palestine; does that make U.S. policy offensive? I am hurt that you would even suggest one person's feeling of offense makes the other person's behavior offensive. Since I am hurt by your opinion, then your opinion is hurtful, no? ;-)
Offensiveness is subjective, yes.
----
> I had a student that swore in school and the Principal was moving to expell him. Because of his swaring, it was discovered that he had Tourett's syndrome. His swaring enabled him to get treatment for his affliction and he was not expelled.
If people here can "repress" uncivil behavior, whether by getting treatment or in some other way, then they aren't "expelled", either.
> In the case at hand here, my solution would be to allow the swarer to continue to post, but that the language is not endorsed by the administration and "parental descretion is advised."
Hmm, as long as the potentially offensive language were in the body of the post, as opposed to the subject line, I guess that would work. And it should be doable, just tacking on a warning...
IMO, the underlying issue is that "the good of the many outweighs the good of the few":
http://www.starfleet.4mg.com/episodes/movies/2.htm
Your school had an obligation to that student, but this board has no obligation to uncivil posters.
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:3678
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020308/msgs/3793.html