Having a sister who has been 'disabled' all her life I really took offense at what I considered a silly and offensive example. Now, you can reply in any way you wish. If I was a prick I'd just erase messages that personally offend me and be done with it. I do respect your opinion. Using the word **** is not a big deal to me. In these forums everyone has the access to post what they want. And as you know typing words does not carry across the 'feeling' which is why 'smiles' and such are often used.
I said you 'pulled **** out of the air' (I did not cally anyone a 'stupid ****' or any such like, by the way) because you cited a very, very unusual 'case', to say the least, and implied people are stupid. Let's face it - you were streching it to use the case you cited. But I didn't erase your message - rather I replied to it.
You implied (as I interpreted it) mentally handicapped people are too stupid to be trained. My comment may have been offensive to you because I used the word **** (someone in another thread recently said I mauled someone in a response) in a response to you. However your implication that handicapped people are stupid was by far and away more offensive than anything I could have said - in my opinion.
Often in internet forums responses in threads do get quite heated. These forums here are, I believe, relatively mild and there are not that many 'heavy' responses. But there are some passionate responses and there will be more in the future. It's the nature of the medium and of people. If this is a problem for anyone I suggest you not participate. About the only adjective/noun I do object to is spelling out the F word.
Yes - on these forums there will be passionate disagreements in the future and there will be misunderstandings as well. Anyone who is personally offended may want to stick to other quality related forums such as the ASQC's forums.
As a last 'heavy' comment, which none of you may like, this is NOT an issue of 'free speech' here. I have invited all of you 'into my livingroom' as friends and guests. I fund this out of my pocket and maintain it with my own time. It is not a public utility or organization. No - I do not censor and I have erased very few messages. I do not subject you to advertisements. I go out of my way to snag posts I think are interesting and/or controversial as 'feed' - just as this thread was started with - to put forth some ideas for us all to chew on. Many times I post things I do not even agree with just to provide an alturnative view. These forums are my attempt at an open, free (as in no fees), and unbiased information resource. MY gain is as I read every message/post (which I actually do) I typically learn something new or another way of looking at things.
I cannot thank enough folks like Kevin, barb, David, Laura, AJPaton, Tom, Ken, Jim Biz, John, Roger, Jerry Eldred, Andy --- heck - there are lots and lots of people I could mention - provide very valuable insight and understanding into issues. Everyone continues to educate me. And they (and sometimes I) help out people every day who are having problems. Even Allan had some good input from time to time between advertisements.
If you can tolerate some 'passionate' posts, you can learn a lot here. If a few words like **** disturb you, or if your ego is easily bruised, this may not be the place for you.
Now - let's get back to the subject at hand.