Why do people disrespect names of individuals?

macintosh doctor · May 3rd, 2012, 05:21 PM

I have been noticing lately..when folks discuss political or other hot issues
they do not use proper names..
i.e Harpo or King Harpo...
that makes no logic to me.. if someone can explain it to me..

Sonal · May 3rd, 2012, 05:24 PM

I don't get it either, but I do think it's ridiculous. I'm not a fan of disrespecting party names either. e.g., the Fiberals, the Liebruls.

It's much worse when the press does it, mind you. (There's a local columnist who does this quite a bit.)

macintosh doctor · May 3rd, 2012, 05:27 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Sonal
	I don't get it either, but I do think it's ridiculous. I'm not a fan of disrespecting party names either. e.g., the Fiberals, the Liebruls. It's much worse when the press does it, mind you. (There's a local columnist who does this quite a bit.)

I hope going in future we respect the names of person/place/thing..
Just makes the person IMHO less for doing so... also lessens the impact what your trying to prove.

mrjimmy · May 3rd, 2012, 05:33 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by macintosh doctor
	I have been noticing lately..when folks discuss political or other hot issues they do not use proper names.. i.e Harpo or King Harpo... that makes no logic to me.. if someone can explain it to me..

As your title states, It's simply a sign of disrespect.

It can be born of many things, but mostly I expect it's a feeling a powerlessness. The name calling creates an illusion of control, which in turn makes you feel better about yourself.

MacDoc · May 3rd, 2012, 05:33 PM

Respect is earned not automatic. Mocking political figures is old as there is a polity.

Bush Jr perhaps set a record....

	Quote:
	Table of nicknames [edit]Neutral or positive Some nicknames are used in a neutral sense, a positive sense, or in an ironic way mocking the positive sense: W - distinguishing son from father by his middle initial Dubya - folksy Texan pronunciation of his middle initial W GW - the initials of both his first and middle names Bush II - implying a dynastic succession from father to son Bush-43 - meaning the 43rd president, distinguishing son from father (who is referred to as Bush-41) Liberator of Baghdad - praising the US invasion of Iraq as a "liberation" of the Iraqi people from dictator Saddam Hussein The Bushinator - likening his military prowess to that of the lead role in The Terminator [edit]Negative President Bush's political opponents often use nicknames for him in a disparaging sense, such as: W - distinguishing son from father by his middle initial Dubya - folksy Texan pronunciation of his middle initial W GW - the initials of both his first and middle names King George, King George II, Little George - implying he's as oppressive as the British monarchy was toward the early American colonists - used by Howard Dean in a campaign speech September 23, 2003 [1] Junior - suggesting that he's not on a par with his father Baby Bush - distinguishing him from Poppy Bush (the nickname of choice for George H. W. Bush) Bush Baby - a crack likening him to an African primate (see galago) Shrub - pun on his last name, since he's a smaller Bush. This nickname was popularized by Texas newspaper columnist Molly Ivins. Uncurious George - motivated by his chimp-like resemblance to fictional monkey Curious George and by his intolerance for diverging fact and opinion. Usual "I know you are but what am I liberal tag" (See "put some Ice on it, Bill Clinton) Bushie - belittling diminutive (compare Moonie) Dumbo - implying that Bush is an idiot Dumbya - hybrid of Dumbo and Dubya Shrubya - hybrid of Shrub and Dubya Gush - coupled with "Bore" in descriptions of Election 2000 as the "Gush and Bore election", juxtaposing his surname spooneristically with that of Al Gore (whose only two nicknames, by marked contrast, are Al Bore and Al Snore) Bushitler - used by his most extreme opponents to express hatred towards the US president and to liken him to Adolf Hitler.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3A...George_W._Bush

Harper has earned his share of negatives....

Sonal · May 3rd, 2012, 05:46 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by macintosh doctor
	I hope going in future we respect the names of person/place/thing.. Just makes the person IMHO less for doing so... also lessens the impact what your trying to prove.

Absolutely.

Saying you hate a particular politician and what they are doing and why you hate it is so much stronger than fiddling with the name.

Sure, once in a blue moon, it makes for a cute punchline, but mostly?

Macfury · May 3rd, 2012, 05:50 PM

I agree. It's weak shorthand to impress the people in your posse. '

MacDoc, your idea here is simply wrong. Some of your pet politicians are also reviled by others and have attracted a long string of nicknames. This has nothing to do with how we should debate the issues here.

ehMax · May 3rd, 2012, 06:06 PM

Everyone deserves criticism occasionally.. some more than others, myself very much included.

I'm don't agree with doing it with derogatory terms, insulting, or disrespecting etc... Especially in the case of political discussion, I think it really cheapens what is important issues. I hate the characterizing of political figures, both political figures I'm for and against. I can't stand Rob Ford's politics, but mocking him as a pig etc.. Also, I still am really against any reporting going anywhere near the man's house. Everyone is entitled to their privacy.

The only time I don't really care about disrespecting someone, is in the realm of sports. You call the Leafs the Toronto Maple Laughs, and I'll call the Montreal soccer team (L'Impact de Montreal) the Montreal Limp Act.

I think that is the realm that we as society have setup to get out are "Aggression" and tribal arguments in a theatre that we've purposely setup in that manner.

For politics and religious discussions, I'm not for the WWE style rhetoric. If creates characters, and just completely polarizes issues to "For us, or against us". Some of the most admired politicians to me, are ones that are able to work with and for people from both spectrums to come up with good compromises and balance.

MacDoc · May 3rd, 2012, 06:09 PM

Do actually read the OP MF

	Quote:
	I have been noticing lately..when folks discuss political or other hot issues they do not use proper names.. i.e Harpo or King Harpo... that makes no logic to me.. if someone can explain it to me..

There is nothing that the maker over of Canada would like than automatic kowtows from his subservient citzenry ....ain't gonna happen despite wishful thinking from his adherents for whom he apparently can do no wrong.

Respect for the Office of the PM is one thing, respect for the holder??....earned.
He hasn't outside of a very vanishingly instances.

screature · May 3rd, 2012, 06:12 PM

The answer to your question that comes to my mind macintosh doctor is that such people actually disrespect those public figures and thus why the they disrespect their names and titles and any anyone who may respect them... makes them feel all puffed and proud and holier than though.

I suspect that they may have a propensity to disrespect many more people that they know intimately as well but just do it behind their back...