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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe term MAGAT has been banned
On another website that supports Democrats.
I don't want to name drop, but it starts with "Daily".
I logged in and received a notice that the term "MAGATS" is derogatory, and I had to click an affirmation that I would not use the term again.
Please enlighten me as to why those vile pieces of sh*t deserve such courtesy.
bluesbassman
(19,958 posts)If we insult them they wont repent and join us.
dalton99a
(85,156 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(51,724 posts)I stopped.
I realized, when tRump referred to "vermin" and "poisoning blood" the way Hitler did, that calling them maggots (magats) was the same kind of thing.
Now I just write "maga", lower case. I don't dignify the deplorables with capitals. Readers will silently add a 't' as they read if they are in the old habit.
Roy Rolling
(7,227 posts)I just dont know how to rationalize that MAGAs created the brand MAGA so it is the root word of their own choosingMAGA.
They wear red hats of the MAGA brand, calling them MAGAts seems fair game but I understand the point.
azureblue
(2,330 posts)is for Trump. I just add "rump" to the now forbidden word.
And some times I use the word "Fox holes" to refer to them..
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)has been successful. Just one.
Trump's MAGA supporters gleefuly propose policies to take away the rights of women, LGBTQ, POC, and immigrants. Some of those policies equate to and have already HAD murderous repercussions. And you are worried about an acronym that they, themselves originated--with a phonetic (homophone) derogatory meaning?
Give me a damned break. I guess you'll just stay home on election day. Don't want to risk hurting some MAGA voter's feelings after all.
Paladin
(29,068 posts)I am so tired of Democrats kneecapping themselves with pointless good manners. If ever there was a crowd that was unworthy of best-behavior treatment, it's trump and his scumbag worshippers. Save the politeness for those who genuinely deserve it, and fight those who want to destroy us.
muriel_volestrangler
(102,741 posts)They gave understandable reasons, and instead you just went and assumed something quite different, with a ridiculous " I guess you'll just stay home on election day". What was the point of you posting at all?
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)Whether YOU like them or not. That attack is your freebie today, but I'd suggest checking yourself.
muriel_volestrangler
(102,741 posts)The bit about "not voting". You want to be able to attack DUers without criticism.
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)Or is this just another one of your personal issues with me? Stalk someone else.
muriel_volestrangler
(102,741 posts)Fine, Paladin was wrong to agree with you .
I had no idea that I had "personal issues" with you. I guess that means I disagreed with something you said in the past two decades.
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)Others can see what you are doing (and may have experienced themselves)..
D23MIURG23
(3,106 posts)I don't think most historically literate people blame them for it.
BTW Hitler was a villain because he waged unjust wars of aggression, blamed all of Germany's problems on a few groups of minorities, and then had them exterminated. Not because he was making justifiable criticisms too harshly.
bluesbassman
(19,958 posts)Perhaps Ill just refer to them as Trump cultists moving forward. MAGA, even in lower case, gives legitimacy to their so-called movement, while Trump cultist is really what they are at this point.
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)from state to state... invade my home to investigate if they think I might have miscarried a pregnancy. They gleefully watch children and their immigrant mothers drown--caught in the barbed wire they purposely erected across the Rio Grande River. Ask LGBTQ what they have in mind for THEM. Or POC. Every day it is a new deadly policy not so distinct from that of other Fascists in history or even Hitler.
And you want to appease THESE people with kind words? JHC! With supporters who wiill not deign to fight back, are many of us are doomed? It certainly would seem so. Well, not ME. If the worst they hear from me is "MAGAT" then I have not even BEGUN to fight back.
bluesbassman
(19,958 posts)But the point was not about them, it is about us. I freely admit that I have routinely used the term MAGAt when referring to these people and I meant it in a highly derogatory way that I believe they've earned. But does that really do US any good? Bernardo's post encouraged me to look at MY motivation for using that slur and what it says about me. Yes, they are despicable people for the most part and I believe most will never change. If anything they'll just move on to the next authoritarian/fascist leader once Trump is gone. I will continue to point out the evil they perpetuate by referring to them as the cult members that they are and not giving legitimacy to their foul "movement".
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)based on an acronym, that they, themselves created only serves to underscore their claims of our weakness. Sadly, they ARE the ignorant bullies on the playground who are never stopped with acquiescence, abeyance, and appeasement. Nor will we get the support of independents if we fail to FIGHT for all that puts democracy at risk. Showing we are terrified of even the mildest use of highly earned countering language is hardly the way to show that. For years we have been terrified via our media to call out LIES for what they are. Now we are afraid of an acronym that they created themselves and which happens to have a less positive homophone equivalent? Good gawd...
Focus on what is genuinely important. And that is not some term that hurts the feelings of those who want to kill democracy and quite literally to create policies that WILL kill people like myself and others on DU.
Response to hlthe2b (Reply #167)
ArkansasDemocrat1 This message was self-deleted by its author.
brush
(58,284 posts)thesquanderer
(12,408 posts)To me, name calling is always diminishing, no matter who is doing it.
Sometimes I see something on DU and would forward it to some of my more open-minded right-leaning friends/relatives (possibly Republican, but not MAGA), and I don't send it because that infantile stuff is immediately going to turn them off (and in a sense reflect poorly on me for having recommended it).
Happy Hoosier
(8,601 posts)By all means, let's not be offensive to the Fascists.
IMHO, we need to push back, and push back HARD. If that means a little name-calling (that plays DIRECTLY what they call themselves), then so be it.
We will not win this fight soft-pedaling things.
Bernardo de La Paz
(51,724 posts)Regarding your last sentence, if we assume your false premise and take your approach that we should be offensive, ... being nasty is no kind of antidote to soft-pedaling and fighting hard does not require any nastiness. The more emotion, the weaker the warrior. The clearer the person, the more focused and steely-edged they can be.
You are free, if you want, to snarl and say "magat" and offensive references to animal pests, but you get the greatest impact if you practice in front of a mirror. Of course though, offensive verbiage has no effect on magas.
In the meantime, there are many of us who don't wish to indulge in the kind of nazi name calling that they used to lay the groundwork so the populace would turn a blind eye to the cattle cars and one-way transportation.
Read my post again. For your convenience it is here:
I stopped.
I realized, when tRump referred to "vermin" and "poisoning blood" the way Hitler did, that calling them maggots (magats) was the same kind of thing.
Now I just write "maga", lower case. I don't dignify the deplorables with capitals. Readers will silently add a 't' as they read if they are in the old habit.
I wrote about myself with the only broader reference being the "us" in the title, and it is clearly about not soft-pedaling, nor about penetrating their awareness. Keep on "reaching" magas by being offensive if you think it works.
brush
(58,284 posts)Walleye
(36,717 posts)SarahD
(1,732 posts)Even when it's super deserved. Not sure why. Maybe just a feeble attempt to be cool.
TwilightZone
(28,834 posts)All the cutesy and not-so-cutesy nicknames for Trump and other Republicans sometimes come off as trying too hard to be edgy or impress others.
I don't really have a problem with them, though I also think people tend to beat them to death.
LiberalArkie
(16,743 posts)We try to act to civil though and it almost lost the democracy.
Bucky
(55,334 posts)I know some people started using the number 45 because they couldn't stand to type out the word Trump, which is stupid. If you don't believe in magic, then there's no power in using a man's actual name.
But the worst part was calling him 45 made him seem like a legitimate part of the sequence of presidents who've held the office. I found "45" more offensive than his silly name
dalton99a
(85,156 posts)Guaranteed to work 100%
I_UndergroundPanther
(12,956 posts)As kindness among magats is seen as weakness.Dont appease bullies it makes them worse.
Prof. Toru Tanaka
(2,379 posts)100% spot-on comment
liberalla
(10,128 posts)tritsofme
(18,736 posts)hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)orangecrush
(22,258 posts)They were roaming the Capitol on January 6th looking for Pelosi and Pence to do exactly that.
A bullet in one of them is the only thing that stopped them.
tritsofme
(18,736 posts)I just dont get why people get such a kick out of it.
triron
(22,240 posts)tritsofme
(18,736 posts)John Shaft
(808 posts)don't be so quick to speak for MOST adults.
tritsofme
(18,736 posts)Hermit-The-Prog
(36,628 posts)How many people denied an abortion by the MAGA movement were included in the survey? How many LGBTQ+?
MAGAts are crawling through our government, at all levels, doing as much damage as they can, right now.
orleans
(35,401 posts)when you start speaking for MOST adults.
example: i think i speak for MOST women over the age of 18, for MOST frank zappa fans, for MOST everyone who likes chocolate ice cream and MOST of us are just fine with calling those fucking pieces of shits the m word: MAGATs.
talk about it again when republican assholes stop with the "libs" shit or chopping the word democratic down and ending it with RAT as in "the democRAT senator from illinois"
you know, really, fuck them
Prof. Toru Tanaka
(2,379 posts)John Shaft
(808 posts)scolding.
wryter2000
(47,640 posts)At least maggots grow into flies. MAGATs are just eating away at our society's norms and generally making life difficult.
Mr. Mustard 2023
(264 posts)I doubt it.
There are a group of Republicons in my family who berated me, insulted me and although I verbally fought them each and every time, veiled death threats started one Thanksgiving. In my own home that holiday.
In addition, every time I argued with them their anger increased motivating them to do more. When I pointed out their false logic and out right lies, they were incensed to the point they sent texts days later to my wife mind you, not me, with liberals are weakling memes.
I refuse to be in the same building with those people anymore because as I warned them, you threaten me again you will have a very bad day. I informed my wife and although she was disappointed, she agreed they had to stop and if they won't I was within my rights to beat them to a pulp.
Therefore, if I happen to be close to them again I am going to take the initiative and give them 5 seconds to get away before I humiliate them and punch them in the nose and more.
I WILL TAKE THE INITIATIVE and warned everyone that will happen.
I will not sit back knowing I'm surrounded by idiots calling me juvenile names, pretending to want to know my opinion then using it as fodder, or having my life threatened.
Again, I will take the first swing and I will call them anything I damn well please.
Doc Sportello
(7,962 posts)Using petty insults (not to mention smearing fellow DUers with false attacks). Just some recent examples hurled at other members that you obviously enjoyed:
"They're becoming more and more like the Hamas monsters they so admire.
Probably nothing. Too many people only have the attention span for a single episode of Law & Order
Someone here is peddling propaganda
He's always been really good at issuing press releases! (About a Democratic Senate caucus member)
Utter nonsense. Our Speaker Emerita is incredibly perceptive. The fools are the Hamas sympathizers attacking her.
Yes, it really is quite pathetic to see how the pro-Hamas faction is reacting. (One of many attacking DU posters falsely claiming they support terrorists)"
Since almost all are nothing but one-line headlines, they are just personal attacks with no facts or reasoning. Not to mention hypocritical, considering this post.
tritsofme
(18,736 posts)I never said folks shouldnt criticize these people, or even not be completely savage, I just dont care for the silly made up words.
mountain grammy
(27,433 posts)only good librul is ....... heard it often from my brother in law.. may he rest in peace.
mobeau69
(11,722 posts)wyldwolf
(43,891 posts)wryter2000
(47,640 posts)And our representatives using "MAGA" as an insult does the same thing.
druidity33
(6,606 posts)not a creature that turns into flies.
Make America Grift Again
wryter2000
(47,640 posts)I was commenting on if you add a t to MAGA, it sounds like maggot. Are they not flies? Do I have the wrong species?
Ferrets are Cool
(22,044 posts)LAS14
(14,850 posts)tritsofme
(18,736 posts)hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)I gave up on Kos a very long time ago so... But, that is just stupid.
dalton99a
(85,156 posts)hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)TwilightZone
(28,834 posts)I don't have a problem with them (other than, perhaps, rampant overuse and over-generalization), but let's not pretend that they're accomplishing anything productive.
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)they are even remotely prepared for the fight to come. No. I will not support this nonsense. No one is hurt by telling the damned truth about these Trumpists---many who want to see us dead--they already are doing so with women of child-bearing age with abortion policies and have zero humanity when it comes to innocent immigrants, including children.
If this is what you think we should focus on then gawd help us all.
Hermit-The-Prog
(36,628 posts)DemocraticPatriot
(5,410 posts)We "go high" but we lose the damned election, as well as the Supreme Court....
I guess we are supposed to be consolated by the idea that we are better people than they are,
if we didn't call them MAGAts.....
or "deplorables"-- which too many of them ARE
azureblue
(2,330 posts)approach doesn't work with the Trump nuts
edisdead
(3,359 posts)It is ridiculous
druidity33
(6,606 posts)does not make him the asshole that he is. Insulting him because of his weight IS INSULTING. And honestly, it makes me think less of the person hurling that insult. That'd be you, in this instance.
Prof. Toru Tanaka
(2,379 posts)And he has no problem with making derogatory remarks about how other people look, especially women.
He invites and richly deserves scorn and ridicule. Chris Christie is overweight but I dont see him getting flamed about it on this site like Trump does. But Christie also doesnt go around insulting others about their appearance like Trump does, either.
edisdead
(3,359 posts)druidity33
(6,606 posts)"Some people lose their shit when you call him fat. That's ridiculous" Which, of course, implies that calling him fat is fine. Or that it's ridiculous to object to that criticism too strongly. I contend there are MANY things to criticize Trump for. His weight is irrelevant.
orleans
(35,401 posts)or what about the orange plamorange?
JoseBalow
(5,887 posts)thomski64
(586 posts)..it should be maggot..
Cha
(306,124 posts)Fascists they are.
Shame on those Telling it like it is.. NOT!
lpbk2713
(43,201 posts)Tetrachloride
(8,514 posts)how about some whataboutismitics ?
A one and a two
OMGWTF
(4,502 posts)If you mean the Daily Kos -- fk them -- I got kicked out years ago for saying that many intelligent people had questions about what happened on 9/11/01.
markodochartaigh
(2,221 posts)I think that faith clearly does have something to do with gun violence. It is a positive correlation. And having grown up around evilgelicals I'm not surprised. I remember hearing "Kill them all, let god sort them out." used in the context of many wars and US military interventions. I heard more than one Christian say that they hoped that they would die soon because heaven would be so much better. I remember reading that support for the death penalty even if some innocent people would be killed was around 70%; and then finding out that indeed most of the Christians that I asked were indeed for the death penalty even if innocent people were put to death
Emile
(31,304 posts)that stupid.
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)That is just a ridiculously naive' and self-defeating move.
lastlib
(25,053 posts)MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT
MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT
MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT ....
MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT MAGAT
lame54
(37,256 posts)Response to lame54 (Reply #21)
ArkansasDemocrat1 This message was self-deleted by its author.
Kid Berwyn
(18,588 posts)Mother Earth is pregnant for the third time
For y'all have knocked her up.
I have tasted the maggots in the mind of the universe
I was not offended
For I knew I had to rise above it all
Or drown in my own shit.
Go on, maggot brain
Go on, maggot brain
Kos can not get respect being nice to the NAZI.
PTL_Mancuso
(276 posts)Grungy gritty ghetto guitar. Eddie Hazel axing the right questions. Right-on P-Funk
cayugafalls
(5,755 posts)Maggot Brain, George and Eddie...
We will never give in to the madness.
Paladin
(29,068 posts)As Benjamin Franklin famously said: "Fuck that shit."
Silent3
(15,909 posts)For instance, I always say "Republicans", not "rethuglicans" or "repukes" or the like. Not out of courtesy to Republicans, but because I think such wording isn't rhetorically effective, and just comes across as childish.
"MAGAts", however, I find damned useful. It covers a lot more ground than merely saying "Republicans". It pulls in the full ugliness and insanity of the Trumpism which has so thoroughly infected the Republican party.
getagrip_already
(17,611 posts)That site aspires to be seen as conforming to journalistic standards. They pay their staff, and their editorial content is world class.
They expect the same from their citizen journalists, which all the members are considered.
You don't have to like it. Just don't post there.
I'm fine with it, and abide by their rules, even though I freely use magat here.
TwilightZone
(28,834 posts)I posted something similar. They take themselves seriously as an organization and are probably trying to make the comments, etc., better representative of that.
That being said, there are a lot more offensive nicknames than that, so they might have their work cut out for them.
Fiendish Thingy
(18,987 posts)But after laying off 20-25% of their non-management staff, mostly writers who had unionized and were working without a contract for two years, DK has relied increasingly on reposting stories from third party sources such as AP, as well as unpaid content from community members.
The few remaining front page writers are the senior, non-union management staff.
And, despite being based in Silicon Valley, DK has one of the worst web designs of any political forums Ive ever visited- the site is completely unviewable without an ad blocker, and still struggles to function properly most days.
getagrip_already
(17,611 posts)Face it, the numbers are not kind to any news oriented website. Especially a progressive member supported site.
The fact that he pays staff at all is laudable. Nobody is getting rich in this business. Lots of very good sites have folded.
I'm sorry your vision of nirvana isn't realized.
But here is an idea. Start your own site. No, really, it's easy. With AI tools and a few bucks you can have your own blog site with everything you want.
No rules, no moderators, no advertisers, no fees, lots of great content!
I'll be the first to sign up. Just send me the link.
Prof. Toru Tanaka
(2,379 posts)As a retired union worker, I have another reason not to read the Kos.
ArkansasDemocrat1
(3,213 posts)And damn near every time I go there, an AP story, always with a twisting of the words like using 'terrorists' for people at the border, for example, is at the top of the page or is trending high if they aren't right there - while still censoring people who use a certain letter.
I come here much more now
DemocraticPatriot
(5,410 posts)maybe one article every odd day.... but now I will have to pay attention.
ArkansasDemocrat1
(3,213 posts)Think. Again.
(19,716 posts)...if it wasn't for the state of journalistic standards these days.
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)Okay. Honestly, I've never seen that in the 20-odd years they've been around, but admittedly I am not a regular visitor nowadays. If they have emerged with that standard, good for them. I have not seen their "world class" editorial content regularly picked up elsewhere though or at least outside the usual Democratic blogs and social media.
Many years ago I would occasionally see Markos Moulitsas appear as a commentator on MSNBC or perhaps CNN as a political commentator but that has been a very long time ago. Perhaps that suggests motivation to become a more mainstream site as some suggest.
NNadir
(34,927 posts)...they're doing a pretty good job at "both sidesism."
If they want to be Fox News with a liberal spin, they're not doing a very good job of it.
I rarely go over there to learn anything but rather to assure myself of that they're just whiners, as opposed to honest reporters.
Occasionally, especially when examples of the bad thinking is reposted here, particularly about science, I comment, particularly when their "paid staff" engages in hyperbole that is, frankly, highly misleading and bordering on dangerous:
Some remarks on purported fraud concerned with ?? oligomer hypothesis in Alzheimer's research.
I'm personally not fond of "journalists" at all. I often joke here, and sometimes reflecting on the "journalists" at Daily Kos, that one cannot get a degree in journalism if one has passed a college level science course with a grade of C or better.
At DU we can express our righteous anger. We need to do so, and being polite to the detestable is both intellectually and morally week, although it may be what regrettably passes for "journalism" in the 21st century.
marybourg
(13,238 posts)Do they allow their commenters to call the Democratic party the democrat party?
multigraincracker
(34,530 posts)Thats a name they they called themselves, until they found out what it meant. I think Im being polite.
JoseBalow
(5,887 posts)GreenWave
(9,609 posts)Bused those fuckers everywhere to cause trouble,
Wonder Why
(4,809 posts)gab13by13
(25,569 posts)Here I was worried about offending people who were partial to maggots.
I live among them, Magat isn't strong enough.
MuseRider
(34,424 posts)because it is descriptive and they did not like tea baggers so I had to let that one go. There are far worse things that they could be called but Magats was the least nasty word I could think of and one I would let myself say. So sorry, glad I do not post there.
Funtatlaguy
(11,814 posts)orleans
(35,401 posts)while we, on the other hand, are far more congenial. we can be annoyed but not angry and therefore are not allowed to stoop so low.
JoseBalow
(5,887 posts)TwilightZone
(28,834 posts)Curious that Daily Whatever has chosen to ban that particular one. There are tons of others that are much more offensive.
They tend to take themselves seriously as an journalistic organization, so perhaps they're trying to make the comment section a little more representative of that.
Butterflylady
(4,036 posts)Calling death threats on various democrats and those supporting democrats. Death threats are a lot worse because people take them literally.
JoseBalow
(5,887 posts)orleans
(35,401 posts)it's really funny because it actually seems to fit (and it's kinda gross!)
JoseBalow
(5,887 posts)with an "a"
But it is still an accurate description!
ArkansasDemocrat1
(3,213 posts)yardwork
(64,926 posts)calimary
(84,805 posts)Its THEIR turn to shut up and get over it.
Bengus81
(7,558 posts)Guess they need to look in the mirror on the endless Taylor Swift bitching and conspiracy theory's. Big,tough MAGOTS can't handle that petite woman.
calimary
(84,805 posts)LakeArenal
(29,888 posts)Hugin
(34,935 posts)Until they ban that too.
Response to Hugin (Reply #45)
ArkansasDemocrat1 This message was self-deleted by its author.
sumus
(23 posts)Maybe because it should be spelled maggot?
Oneironaut
(5,830 posts)Fiendish Thingy
(18,987 posts)The use of dehumanizing language, such as vermin, or MAGAts (that is, maggots) is an early step towards full eliminationist language, which leads to crimes against humanity, including genocide.
Its a rule I agree with.
Its not about being nice, or avoiding hurting Trump cultists feelings.
The English language has a variety of ways to express contempt and outrage without sinking to the language used by fascists.
BannonsLiver
(18,330 posts)Fiendish Thingy
(18,987 posts)Taking eliminationist rhetoric seriously is not silly.
Like I said, intelligent people can find many ways of expressing contempt and outrage without resorting to the tactics of fascists.
BannonsLiver
(18,330 posts)But unless you think weve got some Reinhard Heydrichs or Heinrich Himmlers just waiting to be activated by some colorful language about trump supporters among our membership of mostly progressive retirees, then its just seems pretty silly and over the top to apply that historical lesson here. Maybe I have more faith in our humanity.
Fiendish Thingy
(18,987 posts)Ive visited the Gestapo museum in Berlin, where they named the names, and pictures of everyday Germans- accountants, clerks, secretaries, dock workers, etc. who all were exposed to the dehumanizing, eliminationist language used against the Jews, and then did their mundane jobs to aid in the extermination of those Jews, whether it was loading canisters of Zyklon onto trucks, sending checks for the canisters to the suppliers, typing up the orders for the canisters, etc. Nobody flinched, because they were all being good Germans, doing their part to eliminate the vermin in their country.
BannonsLiver
(18,330 posts)Its not a peeing contest. What its about is other folks trying to police speech using some misguided apples to oranges comparison about elimination language because they think it applies here. It really doesnt. The end.
speak easy
(10,849 posts)just waiting to be activated by opportunity.
BannonsLiver
(18,330 posts)There is a small cadre of antisemites who talk a lot about how terrible the west and Israel are with some frequency.
Think. Again.
(19,716 posts)...using "eliminationist rhetoric" when referring to a group of people who's intent is to be malicious and hurtful to others for no reason other reason than to falsely elevate their own standing.
I believe that mindset should be eliminated.
PTL_Mancuso
(276 posts)and deserves to be drummed out!
orangecrush
(22,258 posts)Referred to Nazis as Jerries and Krauts.
Fiendish Thingy
(18,987 posts)Calling someone a disparaging or vulgar nickname is quite different from describing them in subhuman terms as vermin or MAGAts (maggots).
Its much easier to justify violating someones human rights, even killing them, if they are commonly referred to, described or thought of as less than human.
orangecrush
(22,258 posts)Recruits are referred to as "maggots" frequently by Drill Instructors
I get your point though
NNadir
(34,927 posts)Fiendish Thingy
(18,987 posts)MAGAts/maggots is in the same ballpark, or railway car, if you prefer.
Calling them cultists, morons, or Sick Fucks is linguistically and qualitatively different than the subhuman characterization of the term MAGAts/maggots.
NNadir
(34,927 posts)This implies that he was not a part of what should be called "humanity." This was the judgement of history, one with which I happen to agree, although in general I oppose death sentences.
We are not calling for the extermination of Magats; we are simply noting their lack of humanity, where "humanity" is defined of respect for other human beings.
The problem in Weimar Germany was that no one responded in kind to Streicher. I wish that in those times someone had responded by calling Nazis "Nutsies" or the equivalent in German, whatever that might have been. That would have been a firm resistance to what proved to be one of the most inhumane governments in human history.
Anyone comparing us to Nazis for the use of strong language with which we protest the indefensible is engaging in hyperbole which I personally find disgusting. There is not one person on this website, not one, with the exception of those who will be quickly banned by our MIRT team, who is calling for the extermination of anyone. Saying that we are by using a word, an appropriate word is, again, at best trivializing, at worst obscene.
Given my knowledge of history, particularly with respect to the Holocaust, I lean toward the latter.
I note that Julius Streicher began calling for extermination of Jews well before Hitler took power, in the 1920s. He should have been met with forceful rhetoric, not polite acknowledgements of his nominal position as a human being. Human beings elected to kick him out of humanity at the end of a rope, but only because he was allowed to go as far as he did.
Scale matters.
I would suggest opening a history book to get a sense of scale, because obviously one is lacking when one implies that DUers, or the unfortunate people who take Markos's website seriously, are comparable to Nazis.
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)Last edited Sun Feb 4, 2024, 06:36 AM - Edit history (1)
We are using the term that they, themselves created. They emerged from the remnants of the Tea Party and wore Tea Bags, earning them the earlier name of "teabaggers," which they then embraced (until they learned there was a secondary meaning in slang they could not accept." You refer to yourself as "fiendish"--something I'd never ever ordinarily say to you, nor refer to you, but that is your own created screen name...
What is with some here? Are we to sit back as Trumpists seek to create--a Trump dictatorship--because you won't even risk/are extremely uncomfortable with possibly offending them? Oh no. We don't dare fight back? Good gawd.
No one is using the term like anti-Semites and NAZIs used "vermin--" nor would they. That is so ridiculous and OTT, you should really think about what you are saying. And if you are going to deride and attack DUers for using the term I think you need to rethink. Attacking DUers for this is against current DU rules, after all. I have faith that DU is full of like-minded members who are not and never would-- in any sense of the imagination-- be like the NAZIs. Do you disagree, given your comment suggesting that there are likely "Reinhard Heydrichs or Heinrich Himmlers" waiting to emerge among us? Honestly, to suggest that is so far beyond anyone's use of the acronym MAGAT, I cannot even believe you suggested such. If you really do think so, then why would you frequent DU? I am appalled at your insinuation.
The Wizard
(12,985 posts)What was "Jews will not replace us" all about? Brandishing nazi symbols anyone? Let's not mince words. MAGAT is a euphemism for nazi. If it sounds looks and identifies as a nazi ..... Spouting nazi derisive and divisive language is a big step to normalizing Hitler. "Never again, wash, rinse, repeat. Never again.
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)The Wizard
(12,985 posts)What was "Jews will not replace us" all about? Brandishing nazi symbols anyone? Let's not mince words. MAGAT is a euphemism for nazi. If it sounds looks and identifies as a nazi ..... Spouting nazi derisive and divisive language is a big step to normalizing Hitler. "Never again, wash, rinse, repeat. Never again.
And why do they support Putin? MAGAts are a clear and present danger bent on imposing their anti American strongly held nazi beliefs on civilization. There is no nice way to say nazi.
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)That shame is on you and that pedestal you place yourself on is unearned. And there WAS a term for those like Henry Ford, Lindbergh, Neville Chamberlain, and many others who APPEASED and DEFENDED the NAZIS--something DUers would never want to be a part of... PONDER THAT! Perhaps you will figure out that your fellow DUers ARE NOT the opponents you should be creating nor Trumpist extremists those you should be DEFENDING.
MuseRider
(34,424 posts)TSF? Better?
aggiesal
(9,575 posts)M@g@t M@g@'t
M@gat M@ga't
Mag@t Mag@'t
or just plain @$$h0les.
The Conductor
(188 posts)Maybe the maggots complained, being sick of being insulted to the rotten Republicans who feast on the flesh of Democracy.
BannonsLiver
(18,330 posts)Ive had someone here castigate me for making fun of Trumps orange hue because it might upset someone with carotenemia.
LeftInTX
(31,171 posts)I used to take a bunch of B-carotene, then lycopene in order to have tan skin.
Think. Again.
(19,716 posts)...I won't be attempting to pretend I respect them.
UpInArms
(51,944 posts)It is what they are sigh
Sneederbunk
(15,466 posts)RussellCattle
(1,792 posts)Progressive dog
(7,312 posts)and I don't get why the word should be banned. It's not like they were born that way or can't help themselves. Letting them claim that they are for making America great again is delusional. What they advocate and work for seems to me to be the opposite of making America great.
swong19104
(345 posts)It's a choice, unlike sex, gender, race, age, physical or mental disabilities. Classes that people choose to join or not join are not protected, like being a member of Sigma Delta Tau or the IOOF. If it's not protected, then they shouldn't have any protection from vilification.
ArkansasDemocrat1
(3,213 posts)It does not mock race, sex, orientation or any other protected class, therefore, IMO it is not dehumanizing any more than 'Limey' or 'Yank', which were also derived from something related to the group itself. Even now, 'Nazi', still commonly used to describe all members of the German military from 1933-1945, is a safe term there as long as you don't call another member one. BUT...
DKos is a private entity, therefore they can set the conditions of posting there as can any other business insisting you have shirts and shoes before entering*. So I don't use the term there. Doesn't mean I understand why that's the hill they've chosen, but okay. I already removed them from my adblock whitelist and I won't be sending money their way, because I don't appreciate the energies spent micropolicing this while AP spews much worse (such as describing people crossing the border as 'terrorists') right there in the front page and gets rec'd for it.
The R's are not the only group with contradictory thinking.
*I always wanted to walk in carrying shirts and shoes in my hand because the signs never stipulate that you have to be wearing them, do they?
AnrothElf
(923 posts)Trumpaloompas.
ArkansasDemocrat1
(3,213 posts)Same face, same beard, same gut, same clothing...
AnrothElf
(923 posts)ShazzieB
(19,042 posts)This doesn't really bother me. Of course, that's easy for me to say, since I'm not in the habit of posting over there, but I really do think the owners of a site like Kos have the right to ban whatever language they want, whether I agree with their choices or not.
I also don't have a problem with people using rude nicknames for either him or his followers. Whether it "accomplishes" anything or not is beside the point, imo. I see it as a way to blow off steam, an outlet for the frustration of having that vile creature in our faces for all these years, knowing that he and his minions would like to take away our rights and then kill us all. I think we've earned the right to make fun of those mofos any way we want.
But that doesn't mean Kos or any other site is obligated to provide a platform for posting these kinds of things. I'd be upset to see rules like that here here at DU, but I'm not paying the bills for other sites to keep their lights on, so to speak, so I don't feel entitled to get a vote on how those sites are run.
Just my personal opinion, fwiw.
Rebl2
(15,107 posts)Have no idea. Daily news, daily post. What is it.
Niagara
(9,976 posts)Warpy
(113,131 posts)While I can see the Democratic Party banning it, tiptoeing around the easily bruised feelings of a group that tried to overthrow the government on a democratic site seems a little silly.
Damn right it's a pejorative. It's one they earned.
canetoad
(18,385 posts)That we're calling him Sick Fuck over here. Sensibilities extremely offended.
relayerbob
(7,073 posts)Referring to people as vermin, is straight out of the Nazi/magat playbook
Grumpy Old Guy
(3,635 posts)Magat, magat, magat!!!!
wryter2000
(47,640 posts)I won't apologize for using insulting language for Trump supporters. They support utter cruelty I didn't think this country was capable of. They support a serial sexual predator.
CloudWatcher
(1,946 posts)They call themselves "patriots" ... perhaps we should simply call them traitors. Insurrectionists and fascists might be more accurate, but we shouldn't strain their vocabulary.
brooklynite
(96,882 posts)I dont engage in it.
brush
(58,284 posts)ecstatic
(34,569 posts)With everything going on, that's the concern? That we might be offending magats??
orangecrush
(22,258 posts)republianmushroom
(18,371 posts)Remember "Tea party", in a newspaper it got so bad you couldn't post "TP", because
some republicans were offended.
Blue Owl
(55,008 posts)Pluvious
(4,836 posts)Followers Of The Sick Fuck
ArkansasDemocrat1
(3,213 posts)RANDYWILDMAN
(2,949 posts)but they, make take offense or not understand.
The WHOLE point is that "maga" is a propaganda slogan that doesn't stand for shizz and has only added 8 trillion to the debt and has empowered old white racist dude's to gas light everybody else about what a messiah TFG truly is...
tavernier
(13,312 posts)by insisting that the msm pronounce it MAH-GA.
JoseBalow
(5,887 posts)Bouncy Bouncy!
GuppyGal
(1,748 posts)andym
(5,743 posts)especially since 1/6. So calling extreme Trump supporters "MAGA's" solves the problem. Joe Biden himself has called some folks MAGA Republicans who self identify as such, so DK and other sites can't ban MAGA as derogatory, even though it is.
Ferrets are Cool
(22,044 posts)FakeNoose
(36,169 posts)limbicnuminousity
(1,409 posts)Any derogatory connotation associated with the MAGA appellation is earned. The same goes for derivatives of their self-designated term for identifying themselves.
What other term works for that matter? Trump Republicans? No, all Republicans are Trump Republicans at this point. But some of them are crazy. They think sexual assault is A-OK. They believe Gilead was an aspirational template. They deny their kids healthcare. They applaud migrant murder. What new phrase captures that bizarre blend of lunacy and won't take on an identical derogatory flavor through use?
There is merit to avoiding eliminationist rhetoric and language but this particular phrase is about being concise and accurate.
ZonkerHarris
(25,517 posts)DemocraticPatriot
(5,410 posts)I am also a member.
The term MAGAt has been judged to be a "dehumanizing term" by that website, which violates their rules about using 'dehumanizing terms'---
Like calling other people "vermin"....
I don't personally agree with it--- as far as I am concerned,
those who support Trump DESERVE to be dehumanized----
and I disparage those on that site who defend the MAGAt snowflakes....
but anyway, that is the policy. I have stopped using that term on Daily Kos, since those are the rules,
although I believe I was one of the pioneers who helped to popularize that term....
I did suffer a one-week "time-out" at one point, for having used it.
Now I only disparage the "rules-jockeys" who jump on anyone else who use it.
Kennah
(14,465 posts)llmart
(16,331 posts)They deserve to be dehumanized. One of them went to Nancy Pelosi's house and beat an old man over the head with a hammer. How "human" is that?
NNadir
(34,927 posts)There's no love lost between he and I. I think he's an asshole. His site is very poor compared to DU.
Though banned, I sometimes look at what's there, and just shake my head.
Let me chant in a better place:
MAGAT! MAGAT! MAGAT! MAGAT! MAGAT! MAGAT! MAGAT! MAGAT! MAGAT! MAGAT! MAGAT! MAGAT!
A MAGAT is a MAGAT and there's no reason to pretend otherwise.
I agree with the President of the United States when he refers to their golden/orange calf, that they're "sick fucks."
Bernardo de La Paz
(51,724 posts)I stopped and now use simply "maga", lower case. There is no basis in the acronym "maga" for an extra 't', which was there just for (deserved) nastiness.
Deserved or not, I am not going to get into a race to the bottom in the vermin category.
hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)However unfortunate the acronym, it is one of their own making and not in any way whatsoever directly comparable to the NAZI use of "vermin" against a discriminated (and ultimately nearly exterminated) group of people, religion, ethnicity.
Bernardo de La Paz
(51,724 posts)hlthe2b
(107,147 posts)While I certainly am not a Fox viewer I have seen/heard it on posted Fox-source videos and obviously, you know that our President refers to them as MAGA Extremists and MAGA Trumpists as well.
You do what you will, but equating an acronym with Hitler's (or Trump's) intentional use of vermin to dehumanize the very Jews he attempted to exterminate (or in Trump's case also immigrants and Democrats) is appalling to me. That is not "being adult" IMHO but rather appeasing a FASCIST force in this country who is out to destroy democracy.
druidity33
(6,606 posts)for a LONG time. Weird how they like to pretend they're adults over at the Kos.
Prof. Toru Tanaka
(2,379 posts)I eventually got put in time out (account suspended) for a post I made. So, I started checking out articles here at DU and became a member.
The waters are much better here and I am glad things worked out this way.
The MAGAts have earned that nickname. The events of January 6th, 2021 sealed the deal for me
wyldwolf
(43,891 posts)My first election was '88. I didn't get involved until the mid 90s when Gingrich started pulling his shit. (My dad said 'he thinks he's a little Hitler.)
I went to my first Democratic party meeting in '97 and said we have to hit these people like we're swinging a baseball bat at their heads. Proverbial, of course. I got booed!
I'm sure some here who's been around in liberal circles longer than I have similar experiences.
Never care for KOS. He and his often aimed for the wrong heads.
I'll use terms like MAGAt forever. It's what they are. Maggots.
PCIntern
(27,085 posts)Wouldnt want to sink to their level, right?
Its all horseshit. Wait until their buddy dies and they start talking about putting him on Mount Rushmore like they did with Reagan.
Zambero
(9,786 posts)Anything causing them to melt down would be insensitive. In the meantime, "libtards" will need to come up with a kinder and less offensive term to describe these knuckle-dragging cousin-f**ckers.
3Hotdogs
(13,696 posts)Scrivener7
(53,431 posts)They might destroy our Democracy. Though they will do that anyway, given the chance.
Niagara
(9,976 posts)These MAGATS have been following instructions from their cult follower since day one. They can't or are unwilling to think for themselves.
I remember in August of 2016 when The Sick Fuck suggested to his supporters that they should assassinate Hillary. Violent rhetoric should be disqualifying to any candidate.
I'm happy that we have no such rules here on DU about using MAGAT.
claudette
(4,758 posts)They deserve only scorn for their depravity in supporting a criminal. Respect is earned. Theyve earned the hatred against them
NoMoreRepugs
(10,698 posts)Shermann
(8,747 posts)Biden uses the term "MAGA Republicans" and would never resort to "MAGAT". "MAGA Republican" is the perfect insult because it puts the opposing views down by precisely characterizing them in a dignified way. No need for spinning or strawmanning or demonizing. Let the rickety platforms crumble all on their own, this was his winning campaign strategy in 2020.
That said, "MAGA Republican" is a bit of a mouthful and a pretty weak pejorative by any forum standards. "MAGAT", however, flirts with dehumanization and isn't a good look for DU in my opinion. Many of our friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers are MAGA Republicans (especially here in the South), so I don't use it.
Deb
(3,744 posts)Who is this "Daily" and you had to sign an agreement? lol
Sounds like 60's 2nd grade authoritarian control, when "times" were perfect.
MAGAT is a compliment in my book.
wolfie001
(3,911 posts)If I ever went there, I would immediately start yawning and yearning for a nappy.
Glaisne
(548 posts)in Daily Kos for that. Indeed why do they deserve such courtesy.
KS Toronado
(19,916 posts)jerkyEd
(10 posts)float a new term?
Flaggats!
BannonsLiver
(18,330 posts)But there will be loads of sanctimony coming your way.
Prof. Toru Tanaka
(2,379 posts)AncientOfDays
(210 posts)... the use of the term MAGAt as being on the same level as terms like "Karen" Behavior-based, not based on race/gender/etc.
LW1977
(1,417 posts)Even if it is offensive to maggots
OH NO! DAILY KOS JAIL FOR ME!
ArkansasDemocrat1
(3,213 posts)Been put in time out by DK a few times. I got a nastygram two weeks ago where I'd rec'd a well written comment that happened to have an unfortunately placed T in it. I was told I would be in DK purgatory until I removed my rec.
I've sworn never to give that site a dollar from now and I removed them from my ad blocking whitelist.
Generic Brad
(14,374 posts)Sort of like how Democrats understand that being called "Democrat" is meant in a derogatory and disrespectful way (except the media is fine with permitting that). They feel that being called a MAGAT is disrespectful towards them.
hadEnuf
(2,843 posts)The disconnection is really astounding at times.
orangecrush
(22,258 posts)Exactly.
hadEnuf
(2,843 posts)that want to overthrow a government rarely works out well.
orangecrush
(22,258 posts)BobTheSubgenius
(11,817 posts)Everyone might well be served better by dropping "MAGATS" in favour of "vile pieces of sh*t." It should be explored, at the very least.
The Bopper
(256 posts)The Democratic party and why we get crapped on. We let the haters of democracy tell is calling them out is the same thing as their hatred. Talk about cancel culture .
LAS14
(14,850 posts)In the 209 replies here I only saw 3 names I recognize. Should I be celebrating new blood or mourning lost members?
orangecrush
(22,258 posts)I recognize at least a third of them.
LAS14
(14,850 posts)I would remember people I had noticed for years, though.
orangecrush
(22,258 posts)Slammer
(714 posts)All language which is solely derogatory and dehumanizing is prohibited there as part of their Rules of the Road. And it's been part of their site rules long before Trump became a Republican and picked MAGA as his slogan.
So you can call someone a fascist there if the person behaves like a fascist.
You can't call anyone a rat, vermin, magat, swine, or anything else which dehumanizes them. "Dehumanizing the enemy" been part of the fascist playbook since fascism was invented. And has been part of the anti-Semitic playbook long before that.
Not allowing dehumanizing language is something Daily Kos does to try to set apart progressives from their fascist enemies.
Emile
(31,304 posts)ProudMNDemocrat
(19,249 posts)I know, OXYMORON. Still somewhat respectful.
orangecrush
(22,258 posts)That is ok for usage, without the T.
CrispyQ
(38,713 posts)orangecrush
(22,258 posts)Conjuay
(2,212 posts)And you folks have been gracious enough to tolerate my nonsense, so...
The Unmitigated Gall
(4,663 posts)It was 1996 when my Rush Limbaugh-loving father in law declared that all democrats should be put up against a wall and shot. In all the years between then and his death last year, he voiced that opinion over and over again.
Derogatory terms against the scumbags who want to kill people they disagree with? To destroy our democracy because they can't take a loss?
You bet.
orangecrush
(22,258 posts)For some people.
Justice matters.
(7,641 posts)orangecrush
(22,258 posts)SunSeeker
(54,198 posts)I won't be visiting that site.