Are terms like "corporate whore" and "media whore" offensive?

[Nutmegger]

Poll question: Are terms like "corporate whore" and "media whore" offensive?

Inspired by this post.

[mike_c]

1. of course they're offensive-- they're intended to offend, or at least chastise...

...the presstitutes to whom they apply.

[Hosnon]

2. I think the question refers to 3rd parties

(i.e., those to which the particular insult was not directed).

[daninthemoon]

3. Well, which corporate media whore are we talking about?

[leftofthedial]

4. no, but corporate whores and media whores are

and so are cock-sucking corporatist fascist shitstains.

[TahitiNut]

5. I think it's demeaning to honest prostitutes who're besmirched by the association.

:dunce:

[Greyhound]

11. I should have read your reply before I voted, you're right. n/t

[JI7]

6. Meet the Whore

that's what i call that show with that whore Russert.

[blonndee]

7. Only offensive because of the actions to which they refer. n/t

[MADem]

8. They're offensive, because that's their purpose. But they are NOT sexist.

And the person who thinks they are has a very provincial view of prostitution, believing it to be a female profession, when that's actually not the case.

However, calling presidential candidates whores simply doesn't advance the discussion of their qualities for office. It brings down the person hurling the term, IMO, not the candidate him or herself.

[Quixote1818]

9. What is wrong with someone who makes a living as a prostitute?

Some of these people are just trying to feed their children and come from nothing.

A better term would be "Sell out" though not as poignant.

[troubleinwinter]

15. I don't call or regard sex workers "whores".

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Other.

It can be offensive. The term "whore" generally is used to refer to women as a way to vilify their sexuality. Any woman who is not "pristine and pure," could have that term hurled at them. Although men can also be prostitutes, 'whore' being a slang/derogatory term for that profession, generally, when the term is used to refer to men it is done so jokingly or it can misogynistic undertones. However, the term has also come to mean not only one who has sex for money, but one who compromises her/his values for a desired outcome. Female politicians (and other females in powerful positions) will have the term "whore" attached to other words (corporate, etc.) and it can lead some to suspect the motive for the attack is anti-woman. Why not use the term "shill" or "sellout" or something along those lines?

Calling someone a whore, who is not a prostitute (and it is still not very nice) can almost be seen as equivalent to saying "that is so gay!" It is not exactly the same, but for some, IMO, it could be seen in a similar frame.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

12. Robert Heinlein in "Notebooks of Lazarus Long" said

"A whore should be judged by the same criteria as other professionals offering services for pay--such as dentists, lawyers, hairdressers, physicians, plumbers, etc. Is she professionally competent? Does she give good measure? Is she honest with her clients? It is possible that the percentage of honest and competent whores is higher than that of plumbers and much higher than that of lawyers. And enormously higher than that of professors."

As well as members of the media...

[IntravenousDemilo]

13. In a way, we're all glorified whores.

Every time we go to work and exchange our service and abilities for money, we're whoring out our talent. But the alternative is to do the work free of charge, and I think I'd rather be a whore than an idiot.

[MsRedacted]

14. Offensive to prostitues no doubt. They are far more respectable than the

scourge on the telly.

[silverojo]

16. Oh, for God's sake!

Now are we going to be politically correct toward the media that has done nothing but help Bush screw over the country?

Pretty soon, I expect to see a poll asking whether it's politically incorrect to call Bush "offensive" names. :puke:

[Richard Steele]

17. This question was SETTLED years ago. Please refer to the DU rules. nm

[Tesha]

18. A "whore" is someone who "does it for money"; the terms are very apt. (NT)

[sniffa]

19. onLy when used against hiLLary

that's an outrage. otherwise, it's unoffensive.