How is the use of the word "dude" in these posts not an insult?

[Stinky The Clown]

Here are links to many posts in 21 threads by the same poster. I stopped at 21 because the pattern of behavior for which I was searching was so common I had no need to go further. The pattern is use of the word "dude" as dismissive, insulting, and to incite anger so as to win an argument. One or two or five examples might be excusable, but this is a clear pattern. While I sampled 21 threads, this goes back for a very long time. The poster is clearly capable of cogent arguments and often makes sense, so why the tone?

The word "dude" is obviously, by itself, not against the rules. Also, as it appears to be part of this poster's name, use of the word might have been cute at one time. Now it more often than not results in deleted posts and outbursts from other posters.

This poster is clearly capable of winning arguments on the merits. Why the need to use the word "dude" in the context demonstrated in the links below? Why is this sort of pattern of dismissiveness and disrespect to other posters tolerated?

We are asked to post here in discussion of issues, not people. Throwing in "dude" in the context demonstrated moves the argument off the topic and onto the person. I suggest that is against the rules of this board.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1367387#1367468

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1360970#1362797

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1360970#1362936

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1374086#1374172

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1373480#1373688

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1368976#1370022

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1357685#1358145

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1367469#1367489

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1355083#1355672

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1355083#1357210

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1341820#1349292

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1348351#1348412

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1348351#1348431

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1337199#1338294

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1337199#1338513

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1337199#1338594

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1344006#1344453

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1318515#1326006

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1318515#1326056

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1318515#1326088

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1318515#1339607

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1318515#1339978

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1318515#1340088

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1318515#1325270

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1318515#1340682

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1339663#1340655

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1339663#1340744

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1339663#1340769

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1331846#1333047

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1331846#1333294

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1331846#1333858

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=1331846#1333945

[Skinner]

1. I'm not going to give my approval to the use of the term "dude."

But at the same time, I'm not sure that we want to delete it either. I know we go to some pretty absurd extremes here on DU trying to stamp out incivility, but there's a point where such efforts start to appear silly. And I think this might be one of those cases.

My advice is to use the ignore function.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. I have no need to use the IGNORE function. I'm capable of ignoring him without assistance.

You say you want civility on this board. He and a few others are the antithesis of that. He is the most egregious of the lot of them. Perhaps a word from you to him might be in order.