[Discussion] Diminutive names for politicians.

[United Marxist Nations]

I have seen some users warned for using diminutive names for politicians; however, there seems to be a bit of bias in this regard, in that only Western leaders are given this standard. Also, do flags count as statements on the forum? Because one user has a flag of Jabba the Hutt in place of Hugo Chavez, that is clearly meant to be a political statement, and a controversial one at that; nor can it be described as politically relevant because the politician in question has been dead for some time now.

These behaviors, from both sides of the argument, are most prevalent in the Ukraine Crisis II thread, which almost seems like a "no-go-zone" for mods at times.

[Euroslavia]

I have seen some users warned for using diminutive names for politicians; however, there seems to be a bit of bias in this regard, in that only Western leaders are given this standard. Also, do flags count as statements on the forum? Because one user has a flag of Jabba the Hutt in place of Hugo Chavez, that is clearly meant to be a political statement, and a controversial one at that; nor can it be described as politically relevant because the politician in question has been dead for some time now.

These behaviors, from both sides of the argument, are most prevalent in the Ukraine Crisis II thread, which almost seems like a "no-go-zone" for mods at times.

It makes things a lot easier if you could provide links to your examples.

[United Marxist Nations]

I have seen some users warned for using diminutive names for politicians; however, there seems to be a bit of bias in this regard, in that only Western leaders are given this standard. Also, do flags count as statements on the forum? Because one user has a flag of Jabba the Hutt in place of Hugo Chavez, that is clearly meant to be a political statement, and a controversial one at that; nor can it be described as politically relevant because the politician in question has been dead for some time now.

These behaviors, from both sides of the argument, are most prevalent in the Ukraine Crisis II thread, which almost seems like a "no-go-zone" for mods at times.

It makes things a lot easier if you could provide links to your examples.

Just a moment, have to dig in the thing to find some.

[United Marxist Nations]

It will take a while; as I'm sure a mod can understand, it takes a while to scour a 309 page thread for something very specific. If it were just for offenses that might be actionable, it would be easier; however, for this specific a thing, it's much harder.

[Euroslavia]

It will take a while; as I'm sure a mod can understand, it takes a while to scour a 309 page thread for something very specific. If it were just for offenses that might be actionable, it would be easier; however, for this specific a thing, it's much harder.

Absolutely no rush kiddo. I feel for you, having to find all of that. We're here when you've got your case put together,:)

[Alyakia]

http://www.nationstates.net/nation=costa_fierro

i have a feeling he means this.

e: i don't want there to be any bad internet blood between me and costa fierro so i'm just posting this because united marxist nations mentioned it first

[United Marxist Nations]

I didn't mean it as any kind of report (or case as you put it), I just meant it to ask if if it is really practical to have a rule against political "pet names"; most of the offenses are too old in the thread to maintain any kind of actionability (though, I'm running into one, but it's more of a flat out insult than a diminutive).

[Russian Socialist Soviet States]

There is nothing wrong with that, Criticism of politicians is a central tenet of free speech.

[Gandoor]

There is nothing wrong with that, Criticism of politicians is a central tenet of free speech.

This is a privately-run website, there is no "free speech".

[The Risen Jaguar Warriors]

As long as the diminuitive names remain "cute", clean and mature, I am barely bothered by them.

[Alosteq Diin Nastja]

There is nothing wrong with that, Criticism of politicians is a central tenet of free speech.

To quote the FAQ's...
"» It's free speech, so I can post whatever I like here, right?
Ahahahaha! Hahaha! Free speech! No, it's not. I run this web site, see, so you have to play by my rules. It's like my own Father Knows Best state."

[Lyttenburg]

Ok, how about that:

1)

...Or does she not admire Vladimir Putin (aka "Petro-Vlad" aka "the anti-gay Russian Chippendale" aka "Vladdy the bare-chested wonder-Slav") enough?

2)

...ASB (and myself, for that matter) refer to this unrelated, unnecessary, and wholly irrelevant sideline into gay-naming you seem to have taken in order to prove an illusory point that had nothing to do with gays but was instead more focused on your belief that neo-nazis were legit election observers and Albright was much worse than them (via, admittedly, the avenue of nicknaming Petro-Vlad with some humorous titles related to his propensity for bare-chested publicity photos).

First (and the most important) of all - "Vlad" is diminutive from Vladislav, while short/diminutive from Vladimir (like in Vladimir Putin) is Vova(chka). Second - user admits that he used (or probably, even thought-up) a nick name for a politician.

Need more?

3)

Wich would be nuked from orbit by Tsar Vlad the Retailer because he doesn't like competition in his gas and oil market.

4)

But who and what exactly is going to pose a big enough threat to us?

Aliums.
Or, the Russian Federation if Vlad the Invader gets too adventurous.

5)

I'm sure that's what Tsar Vlad I remembers from the Cold War as well. Probably why he's acting so hard with Europe these days, his herpes are back.

6)

Fun fact:

Vladimir "Vlad the Invader" Putin is on the first, broader list of 278 contenders for the Nobel Peace Prize. All members of national parliaments are among those with a right to nominate people for this list.

Something tells me he won't make it through the first round of thinning the list to 40 nominees.

[The divided]

I've never understood the ban on political nicknames at all.

An occasional curse it considered ok, but a political nickname getting almost an automatic warming has never made logical sense to me.

[Alosteq Diin Nastja]

I've never understood the ban on political nicknames at all.

An occasional curse it considered ok, but a political nickname getting almost an automatic warming has never made logical sense to me.

(I'm assuming) Political nicknaming is a personal attack on an individual, therefore it would be more likely to be actionable.

[The divided]

I've never understood the ban on political nicknames at all.

An occasional curse it considered ok, but a political nickname getting almost an automatic warming has never made logical sense to me.

(I'm assuming) Political nicknaming is a personal attack on an individual, therefore it would be more likely to be actionable.

A personal attack against politicians who probably don't even know this website exists?

Getting attacked personally is one of the job descriptions for politicians.

[Cerillium]

It's my understanding that the nicknames can lead to animosity from those that support the politician.

I don't understand diminutive name bans however. "King George" and "King George II" were common names for Presidents Bush on some (non-NS) forums and IRCs. Granted, "First Chimp" was annoying but Bush was portrayed that way in political satire comics during his presidency as well as referred to by that moniker (by his detractors). Likewise, I fail to see anything wrong with "O'Bummer". One of the delightful things about free speech is that we can poke fun of political leaders. We shouldn't be allowed to cross the line however. Referring to Obama as "O'bummer" is an expression of contempt for the man's policies (especially his health care).

[Punkvania]

Even though I can be considered a pretty liberal person, when someone refers to Mitt Romney as "Mittens" it makes me cringe. People may try to rationalize that as being cuter than calling the president something like "Obozo" but it still sounds terribly condescending. I don't like being associated with a person that feels the need to give nicknames to a politician instead of making a rational argument against them. It really just serves to make their supporters uncomfortable for all the wrong reasons.

[Alosteq Diin Nastja]

(I'm assuming) Political nicknaming is a personal attack on an individual, therefore it would be more likely to be actionable.

A personal attack against politicians who probably don't even know this website exists?

Getting attacked personally is one of the job descriptions for politicians.

You have a good point

[Farnhamia]

A personal attack against politicians who probably don't even know this website exists?

Getting attacked personally is one of the job descriptions for politicians.

You have a good point

Political nicknames are considered trolling because they're used to annoy a politician's followers and can't really be argued with. Making attacks on a politician, such as the recent one where President Obama was called a "spineless coward," while also annoying can be contested. That's why nicknames are not allowed.

[Alosteq Diin Nastja]

You have a good point

Political nicknames are considered trolling because they're used to annoy a politician's followers and can't really be argued with. Making attacks on a politician, such as the recent one where President Obama was called a "spineless coward," while also annoying can be contested. That's why nicknames are not allowed.

Ah, danke

[United Marxist Nations]

Ok, how about that:

1)

...Or does she not admire Vladimir Putin (aka "Petro-Vlad" aka "the anti-gay Russian Chippendale" aka "Vladdy the bare-chested wonder-Slav") enough?

2)

...ASB (and myself, for that matter) refer to this unrelated, unnecessary, and wholly irrelevant sideline into gay-naming you seem to have taken in order to prove an illusory point that had nothing to do with gays but was instead more focused on your belief that neo-nazis were legit election observers and Albright was much worse than them (via, admittedly, the avenue of nicknaming Petro-Vlad with some humorous titles related to his propensity for bare-chested publicity photos).

First (and the most important) of all - "Vlad" is diminutive from Vladislav, while short/diminutive from Vladimir (like in Vladimir Putin) is Vova(chka). Second - user admits that he used (or probably, even thought-up) a nick name for a politician.

Need more?

3)

Wich would be nuked from orbit by Tsar Vlad the Retailer because he doesn't like competition in his gas and oil market.

4)

Aliums.
Or, the Russian Federation if Vlad the Invader gets too adventurous.

5)

I'm sure that's what Tsar Vlad I remembers from the Cold War as well. Probably why he's acting so hard with Europe these days, his herpes are back.

6)

Fun fact:

Vladimir "Vlad the Invader" Putin is on the first, broader list of 278 contenders for the Nobel Peace Prize. All members of national parliaments are among those with a right to nominate people for this list.

Something tells me he won't make it through the first round of thinning the list to 40 nominees.

These are what most of them are, but certainly not all; I've seen some non-Russians called things too, just more scarce, and thus harder to find. Also, those attacks tend to be more direct than the name-calling (e.g. referring to a Ukrainian politician as a "the West's bitch"); that whole thread should get a "knock it of"; shouldn't be locked though, I love the thread too much to suggest that, but political insults are very prevalent there.

[Lyttenburg]

Political nicknames are considered trolling because they're used to annoy a politician's followers and can't really be argued with. Making attacks on a politician, such as the recent one where President Obama was called a "spineless coward," while also annoying can be contested. That's why nicknames are not allowed.

So calling Margaret Thatcher the "Iron Lady" - is trolling now?

[Araraukar]

So calling Margaret Thatcher the "Iron Lady" - is trolling now?

The nickname needs to be insulting to count, I think. Calling her "Iron Maiden" (the torture device) might count.

[Farnhamia]

So calling Margaret Thatcher the "Iron Lady" - is trolling now?

The nickname needs to be insulting to count, I think. Calling her "Iron Maiden" (the torture device) might count.

Perhaps. People who call Mrs. Thatcher the "Iron Lady" tend to be her fans, not her opponents.

[Calimera II]

The nickname needs to be insulting to count, I think. Calling her "Iron Maiden" (the torture device) might count.

Perhaps. People who call Mrs. Thatcher the "Iron Lady" tend to be her fans, not her opponents.

Indeed. I personally like Maggie, and I use the term "Iron Lady" often to refer to her.