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Martin, just how we all know "gay" didn't start out meaning "homosexual" nor was it ever used negatively - "pussy" didn't start out associated with females. I've always been an advocate of the notion that if you cannot take words in their correct context, then you're probably not worth the breath it takes to explain their meaning.
With that said, getting bent over a word reminds me of a happlessly irreverent quote from Full Metal Jacket. "If I'm gonna get my balls blown off for a word, my word is poontang."
It shines light on the weight that is given to words, as if the word by itself is power. In relation to the quote, take "Freedom" for an example. The mere mention of it is sure to get any redneck NRA local militia member to puff out his chest.
You've gotta be smarter than that. You've gotta be more fluid and free-thinking than that. Being affected by a single word is submitting to the will of whoever would speak it. In my mind, that's too much power to give ANYONE over me.
People who are affected by words and words alone are the weak-minded hyper-reactive nitwits that we're trying to save our culture from.
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