I received an email from The Rude Pundit

[davidthegnome]

101. A couple things to think about...

When you alert on someone's post here at DU and the post is ultimately hidden, it adds towards a count that can eventually end in getting them banned. I think that we should try to have enough consideration for others - that before hitting the alert button, we send a message to the poster to explain what we find offensive and why. Now maybe this won't always work - in fact, it almost certainly won't. The issue though, is simple courtesy towards the people we share this forum with.

Other posters have said "If you don't like the content, don't read it!" While I'm inclined to agree with that philosophy, I also realize that things I don't find at all offensive, other people will find very offensive. There is a line somewhere between offensive to some - and over the top, deciding where that line is, should (IMO) be more of a matter of general (overall) consensus. The problem with the jury system here is that it does not truly represent DU as a whole. It should involve a certain amount of neutrality and reasonable doubt - as any other jury system does.

The basic outrage seems to be over the notion that "Go suck a dick!" is a misogynistic thing to say. That it is bigoted, offensive, an insult against women. I think we should probably consider the context of writing before we decide to react to it. I think the stupid pun was just a stupid pun - but I realize I'm no authority on this. Maybe we could start a poll asking whether that post should have been alerted on (if no one has done this yet). I expect that the general consensus will be that it should not have been.

I'm not a fan of censorship, or of banning people for using language that may be offensive. Personally, I say dumb shit all the time here and I don't think I've had anything hidden yet - though I've probably had a few alerts. It doesn't seem to me like Meegbear or the Rude Pundit are pursuing any kind of misogynistic agenda, the idea that they are intentionally going out of their way to offend women is kind of... well, unfounded, kind of silly and ridiculous.

I'm not one for demanding silence - even when reading something I find really offensive and hateful. I'm more inclined to argue with the message or the words I find offensive. What's wrong with that?

I think alerts should be reserved for personal insults against other DUers, obvious republican trolling, intentional cruelty or bigotry. I think that it is often misused.

My opinion doesn't count for much - but it seems to be that the overwhelming majority here are overwhelmingly in support of the Rude Pundit and his post - regardless of the word choice. Something to consider, I think.