to think nothing is off limits when dealing with bigots?

[2shoes]

so we don't have to be nice to the, or polite or treat them with any respect.
because respect has to be earned and the sure as hell don't earn it.
I am fed up with the way they hide behind their "rights£ whilst at the same time not giving a shit about other peoples....
phew rant over.

The policy I have is to treat others like you wish to be treated ... no-one DESERVES to be badly treated regardless of what they think or do.

see I think some people do deserve it, when they are racist or homophobic or disablist imo they loose the right to be treated nicely.

.. ok - sorry - but just hijacking on (I hope) a small scale.

I really dislike the phrase "respect has to be earned".

I think respect is automatic until a person says or does something to loose that respect.

yep your right I got that the wrong way round, but still works as a bigot looses respect.

Once loosed where does it go?
Back into the wild?

So you don't have respect for them, but it still doesn't give you the right to treat them badly .... and often just confirms (in their mind) their bigotry!

Bigotry is not always a concious act - it can arise from ignorance ...

Isn't a bigot basically a know it all type?

I think that civility is a given. You can disagree without losing your cool. People don't agree on everything - if we all decided that nothing is off limits when dealing with those we disagree with, life would be a bit unpleasant.

And of course dealing with a twat with calm, icy politeness can be very satisfying!

When did we start using "off limits". This is the second thread with it in the title.

We aren't American. "Out of bounds" is better!

A1980 - where did you get that mad idea from?

RandyRussian->>>>> Pedants corner.

how do you know who is a bigot until you talk to them? not all of them have a dick-head sign attached to them.

This is about the "Comedy" thread isn't it?

Apologies. Thought this was the comedy thread

What rights do bigots hide behind?

RandyRussian:o

So do you disagree with their right to free-speech?
Surely the same right to free speech is what gives people the right to criticise them for their bigotted views?

no they can say what they like, as is their "right" but they can't can't really expect people to just smile and be nice.

No but I don't see how it's hiding behind a right.
They have a right to free-speech, that doesn't mean you have to smile and agree with them, that's not what the right confers. It means you equally have a right to castigate their views as reprehensible. Or would you describe people who invoke their right to free-speech when criticising these bigots as "hiding behind rights"?
The ECHR precedents on freedom of expression also extends to language which shocks,disgusts and offends (can't remember the exact quote or judgment so I'm paraphrasing) so they are not hiding behind a right, they are legitimately envoking it.
People who criticise them are equally valid in invoking their rights.

I don't think you should abandon your own moral values just because the person you're dealing with hasn't got any.
Agree with Sullwah and Orm.

Speak your mind freely.

IMO its best if you can do it politely but that doesn't necessitate one iota of respect in your voice. If you descend to their level then it detracts from the argument.

So it is okay to

Swear
Hit them - (they were asking for it)
Verbally Abuse them
Attack their families
Stab them
Shoot them

You become no better than them.