Why do we let the word "Zionist" get bandied about so much? Let's ban it

[WillyBrandt]

It not difficult to use this word "Zionist" to mean something simple, like one who supports the existence of the state of Israel. (You can have other meanings, variations on the same theme).

But I've seen a number of cases where it really seems like Zionist = all Jews, or Israel = all Jews, either done implicitly, unknowingly, or in a hamhanded way. And when you point out the anti-Semitic overtones of doing such, bam--hysterical reactions come out! So call out what transgresses the line from criticism of Israel or Sharon into criticism of Jews as a people and then you're the bad guy!

Anyway, I find it pretty offensive the way this word usually gets used on here. It's smacks a bit too much of the kind of conspiracy mongering that people have used against Jewish people. And so I think the word "Zionist" should be banned, except when used in cases such as direct or paraphrased quotations, or when carefully used in fidelity with its generic meaning as a supporter of the existence of the state of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people.




(While I've reflected my thoughts on the word "Zionist" as it's bandied about, I don't at all believe the word should be banned or restricted. I just wanted to point out how censorship can multiply, and this is all a fool's errand.)

[Walt Starr]

1. The term "feminist" gets bandied about a lot here too

Let's all ban the word "feminist" while we're at it, too. Come to think about it, the term "Nazi gets bandied about a lot, too. Let's ban "Nazi while we're at it.

Let's add a lot more to that list like the following:

shit
piss
fuck
cunt
mother fucker
cock suck
tits

That's a start. Then we can start on the really offensive terms like "Nader" and maybe "Rumsfield"

And damn it, I don't like seeing stories about rats so "rats" must be banned too. Seeing the word "rats" is offensive to my sensibilities since it's a subliminal message used by Bush in 2000.

:eyes:

[Skinner]

2. I'm locking this.

Thanks.