...who called me a liar...
"Irony does not require the use of racial slurs or stereotypes. The point could have been made just as effectively calling them by their proper names, i.e., Iraqis, Arabs, Pakistanis, Indians - whichever group of people who wear such headwear you wish to refer to. So, no, I don't quite buy the 'irony' angle, either. After all, if I had used any of the so-called racist code words for a black man, you, with your anti-American and, specifically, anti-Southern bias, would have been all over it, regardless of what explanation I gave."
Not there.
"Next time you might find a way to say what you mean without resorting to racial or ethnic slurs."
Not there, either.
"It is racist, and I do take offense. I lived and worked among Arabs for quite some time, and made some very good friends among their people, some of whom I still keep in touch with. I took offense after 9-11 when it was popular to refer to them as ragheads, towelheads, camel jockeys and sand niggers, and I take offense with such terms now. My indignation is nowhere near 'fake', and I feel you are a complete ass for assuming such. Just so you know."
Or there.
"Dunno. You have family close to the WTC on 9-11? (thanks and a tip o' the hat to BT)
Actually, I don't really care what the reason was. You might actually be a racist SOB, or you might just be an insensitive, uncaring lout who thought it would be funny to refer to people that way to try to make a point. Either way, I have made my opinion of what you posted known, only to have you assume I was simply faking indignation at it. I never asked for an apology, and in your frantic efforts to defend your comment, I doubt one would do any good anyway; besides, it wasn't me you slurred, but good friends of mine. All you've really done to me is to decrease my estimation of you as a person.
And yes, I can say 'desperate'. Pretty much describes your attempts to justify your comment."
Certainly not there.
"I was in the Army from 74-80, and travelled quite a bit in the Middle East at the time. I was in the Middle East as a civilian contractor in the 90's.
When I was in the Army, making racist comments about Middle Easterners wasn't as fashionable as it has become since 9-11. Generally the people I served there with had considerable respect for the local populace.
You can believe what you want about whether my offense was factual or not. It was, though I have grown weary of your attempts to justify yourself. Though now you come very close to calling me a liar, and you'd better believe I do consider that a grave insult. You see, I'm one of those 'hillbillies' you disparage who takes honor rather seriously.
My opinion of you is still the same - you're an ass."
There either.
"You might want to look here:
http://debategate.com/new3dhs/index.php?topic=6577.msg66507#msg66507or here
http://debategate.com/new3dhs/index.php?topic=4930.msg46875#msg46875I've mentioned my time in the service and as a contractor in the Middle East several times in this forum.
I've also mentioned I really don't take kindly to being called a liar."
Hmmmm, no mention of you being a liar anywhere. I've explained my objection to the term used, and my reasons for that objection. Nowhere do I see where I have come even close to calling you a liar. Maybe you can point that out to me.
I'm trying very hard to think of an insult to your 'honour', but since you don't have any, it's pretty difficult.