Where has the civility gone in the Rosie debate?

Question

When did it become appropriate or acceptable to assail someone's Body Image or Sexual Orientation because you disagree with there Viewpoint or Political Stance ?

I am really growing weary from the amount of hatred and ignorance being put out there about this. Both in the Media and Answers.

What are your thoughts?

If you don't like Rosie's behavior, and find it so reprehensible then why act like her?
My question wasn't about Rosie or her views.

Thanks to those who answered that actually got it !
firstdragon, 2jxx, ritefielder ,meowmix,

Rag Doll you had some interesting observasions

Most missed the point of the question entirely and are acting like they accuse Rosie of acting.

Answer 1

I think the questioner is trying to ask why assail the messenger just because it delivered unpopular news. When a specific question goes the wayside to a barrage of personal attacks on someone mentioned within the question several things happen. A - The point is missed entirely and the person answering loses intellectual credibility. And B - The basis for a civil debate is compromised. Nobody has to like Rosie but that does not invalidate some of her statements. When something is the truth, it remains the truth regardless of the source. The right to disagree is honorable and expected but to undermine that disagreement with juvenile displays only spoils a good spirited debate. Out yelling someone doesn't make either side more right or more wrong. It only serves to make many take a side they otherwise might have either not considered, or avoid the subject entirely. Good well thought out debate regardless of the side of an issue one is on is quite fun and can really help educate those that have no conceptual thinking. In school we had to debate many issues and trade sides to learn point, and counterpoint thinking. Thats why I like this askers questions and answers. The subjects often aren't as important as the variety of viewpoints they stir up. He might like Rosie where I do not, he may or may not agree with her lifestyle. While it is not what I would want for myself, those points are secondary to the fact that he challenges people to think. Attacking him only proves ones inability to do such. He is a wise person many here might learn a few things from.

Answer 2

Yahoo Answers provides the forum to do just that...."be uncivil"...and of course that means attacking anything and everything that isn't nailed down, i.e., the way a person looks, their politics or sexual orientation. People can take out their own frustrations under the cover of "nobody really knows who I am".... Not to mention how ill informed some of these answers are. Don't confuse me with the truth !!!!!!

The media does the same thing, especially the tabloids. They are extreme when it comes to spreading hatred with their half-truths and inuendos. They all promote this sort of thing. The TV entertainment/news shows are just as bad, but the talking heads (political pundits) are by far the worse. I can only repeat what I said before....."don't confuse me with the truth".....What's that old saying, something about repeating a lie long enough and everyone believes it. The continuous coverage complete with film. I am not taking up for Rosie, she can do that herself, but this debate (if that's what you'd call it) was blown way out of proportion. She didn't say what they are repeatedly accusing her of saying, and everone jumped on the bandwagon for an old fashion, patriotic flag waving kick in the pants. Why, because it was easy and the thing to do at that moment and apparently it makes everyone feel warm and fuzzy about the war. Right out of the RNC play book.

You may be weary, like a lot of us who seek truth and fairness are, but I don't see things changing anytime soon. The mood of the country is toxic. It seeps into every aspect of our daily lives, to fuel it even more, there is this 24 hour beast called cable news that needs to be fed. Apparently, it eats a lot of garbage.

Answer 3

It's not like people are calling her Axis of Evil. If you're talking like she does on TV you have to assume you're going to get some nasty reactions. Not to mention internet provide perfect place for people to be nasty as they want to be since we all can remain anonymous.

Bottom line is Rosie probably doesn't deserve it, but there's nothing spectacular about Rosie bashing. I've seen lot worse with comments on president Bush. To be sure most people attack what she says and not her sexuality. Michael Moore had it worse than Rosie, President Bush, Dixie Chicks, they all had it worse than what Rosie got from the public.

Also, things got real bad when Rosie made personal attack on Trump out of the blue who have not said a thing about Rosie previously. I guess that's just fine with people. And this arrogance from Rosie is part of the reason that provoke people so much.

Answer 4

I will not attack her body image or her sexual orientation, but her politics are just insane. to call soldiers terrorists is just right next door to treason and about as un- american as you can get. I am the proud father of an american soldier and I am a little sensative to the issue, but even if my son was not a soldier I would still have the same opinion.

Answer 5

Rosie doesn't desire a civilized debate.
Rosie engages in name-calling.
Rosie shouts down people who disagree with her.

Rosie accuses American soldiers of being terrorists and then acts offended when someone calls her on it.

Rosie ridicules people based on their appearance and acts mortified when those people respond in kind.

Rosie prefers setting an offensive tone, then plays wounded victim when others stoop to her level.

Answer 6

Your right, but Rosie is WRONG.

Yes, it is always bad to make fun of someone because of the way they look/act. But, her political stance has really bothered me. She is really radical in her thinking...and thats kind of the problem...she doesn't put much thought into what she says.

But, yes, you are right, it is never good to make fun of someone because of the way they look and act.

Answer 7

Rosie was the first to abandon civility and exhibit her ignorance. This doesn't justify others who retaliate in the same vein, but that is what started it.

Answer 8

Civility?????? You may want to ask Rosie this as she calls our Brave American Soldiers terrorists and lying about them killing 650K Iraqis. She is a traitor to her own country just like all the far left loons are ......many traitors reside right here on yahoo answers too.

PS....Elizabeth owned her fat mouth finally and poor little Rosie took the COWARD way out and quit early.

Answer 9

About what?
About a deranged, fat pig, dike?
If you are tired of the ignorance, you shouldn't have asked this question, because openly displays "Your Ignorance".
One thing is a viewpoint another thing is abuse the airways and a position to express ignorant and defamatory comments to gain notoriety.
People like you put these worthless, pseudo idols in pedestals they don't deserve. Porky O'Donnell is a fricking comedian and her sexual orientation, which she's the one "shoving it on our faces", has nothing to do with her ignorant, uneducated rhetoric. In one thing I agree with you, the Media is giving this stupidity way too much attention. To me like in the movie "Sideways":
Porky O'Donnell " she's unnecessary, she is a smudge of excrement in a piece of toilet paper surging out to sea on a pile of raw sewage".

Answer 10

Civility doesn't get ratings or publicity. It's all about getting/keeping your face in the "news".