The difference between bashing and criticism

[Donald Ian Rankin]

One debate anyone who has frequented DU for a while will have seen played out repeatedly is the accusation of "bashing" someone or something (recently, most often Clinton, Christians or Obama, but those are by no means the only one) colliding with the claim that it's not bashing, it's valid criticism?

So what's the difference? Is it just one of those "I raise valid criticisms, you are negative about, she bashes" things, or is there aa difference?

My view, for what it's worth, is that the difference between criticism and bashing is not what you say but how you say it. The difference isn't substance, it's choice of style.

One can make points as critical of something as one wishes, without it being fair to describe it as "bashing", and even very mild-in-substance criticism can be over the line.

The distinction is "has this point been expressed in the least offensive way possible?"

"I think that his decision was extremely foolish" is not bashing.
"He was an idiot to do that" is.

Some points are impossible to make without causing offence. That's inevitable. But, I think, if it's possible to rephrase your criticism of something in a way that will cause less offence, without changing the substance of it, then you're bashing, and if not then you probably aren't.

[L. Coyote]

1. The verb bash has one meaning: hit hard

It is a question of degree, by definition.

bash

v., bashed, bash·ing, bash·es.

v.tr.

1. To strike with a heavy, crushing blow: The thug bashed the hood of the car with a sledgehammer.
2. To beat or assault severely: The police arrested the men who bashed an immigrant in the park.
3. Informal. To criticize (another) harshly, accusatorially, and threateningly:

v.intr. Informal. To engage in harsh, accusatory, threatening criticism.

===================
criticize, v., -cized, -ciz·ing, -ciz·es.

v.tr.

1. To find fault with: criticized the decision as unrealistic. See Usage Note at critique.
2. To judge the merits and faults of; analyze and evaluate.

v.intr.

To act as a critic.

SYNONYMS criticize, blame, reprehend, censure, condemn, denounce. These verbs mean to express an unfavorable judgment. Criticize can mean merely to evaluate without necessarily finding fault; however, usually the word implies the expression of disapproval

[walldude]

2. Pretty simple, the difference is

if you are on DU and say anything negative about any candidate, factual or not, you are bashing. Anywhere else and you are exercising your right to free speech.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. Thank you for this

K AND R

[mike_c]

4. it's a rhetorical tactic as old as language....

Caveman Joe: "Nice mastodon haunch you've got there, Caveman John. Maybe you should share some of that with the rest of us."

Caveman John: (turns to other cave people huddled around the fire) "Do WHAT? Did you hear that? Caveman Joe is BASHING me because I'm hungry! I worked hard all day chewing hides and picking fleas from everyone's hair, and now Caveman Joe is BASHING me! It's not FAIR!"

(everyone looks at Caveman Joe disapprovingly)

Caveman Joe: (tucks his club behind his back) "Errmm-- wait a minute, now. Umm, I didn't mean to bash anyone...."

Caveman John: "Well that what you did! You BASHED me! All I ever do is try to help out around the cave and you come in here and BASH me for no reason!"

Caveman Joe: "Gee, I didn't mean..., I mean-- you know, you took the whole thing...."

Cavewoman Jane: "Leave 'im alone, you bully!"

Caveman Joe: (looks sheepish) "Well gee, I'm sorry, I think...."

[benEzra]

5. Well said. (n/t)