Okay, I'm really behind in this thread so it's time to catch up:
iirc "idiot," "moron" and "imbecile" were all used as technical terms to describe how mentally retarded someone was. Now they're predominantly used as insults, and nobody cares.
Obviously some people do, but I personally don't. It's the same way that calling something "lame" is actually a slap in the face to cripples everywhere. Words change meaning over time, that's just how it is.
So you're saying their choices of limitation/censorship should also limit me, thusly inconveniencing me because of their choice? I think the burden of inconvenience should be placed on them if they decide to exclude various aspects of mainstream culture.
I see your point, but you need to keep in mind that there are things to be said in good taste, and things that aren't. Calling a man fat to his face is not exactly something you should be practicing, nor should you be knowingly making Nazi jokes around Jews. That's just disrespectful and hurtful.
I have a question for the people in this thread who have no problem using the word (BAN ME PLEASE) to describe someone they didn't like. Would it be acceptable if, instead of calling someone you didn't like a (BAN ME PLEASE), you called them a (BAN ME PLEASE)? A kike? Would that make a difference? Personally, I don't think it does, but people I've talked to seem to see things much differently.
Well, no, it wouldn't be acceptable, but now we bring into the argument the matter of degrees. It's just like as a kid, you know that bitch and ass are bad, shit is terrible, but fuck is the king of all swear words. Saying ass near your mom might get you spanked, but saying fuck will basically get you disowned for a month. So, no, it's not the same, but obviously that still doesn't make it okay. (I, for one, despise how the black culture has appropriated the word (BAN ME PLEASE) for their own use, it's sickeningly ignorant.)
No, I don't have a problem with using derogatory terms such as gay, fuck, (BAN ME PLEASE) and the like at all.
Unless saying the word would lead to me being killed, maimed, etc.
A very good point: know your audience.