Snape's abuse (Re: Would an "O" for Harry vindicate Snape?)

[Tonks]

No: HPFGUIDX 131707

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Chris" <labmystc at y...> wrote:
> 
 I am supposed to respect someone simply because of the office that 
they hold? No. (snip)> I do not respect them in any way, so am I 
uncivilized?
(snip>   I will agree here. There is no reason for them to stoop to 
the same level. As a matter of fact, I support a person who would 
keep their mouth shut, and rise above it all and be the better 
person. But does this always stop the behavior? NO. How much must a 
person endure before enough is enough and action is taken?
> 

Tonks:
I think you are missing my point, and perhaps I am not being clear.  
When I hear the phrase "so and so must EARN my respect" that 
translates to me as:  "I can be rude and treat them in a 
disrespectful manner because I don't like them".  Which happens way 
too often in this day and age by young people toward older people or 
those in positions of authority. IMO we have become a rude and crude 
society and I don't do not think that it is right.  Children are to 
learn to treat their teachers and elders with respect.  Not just 
when they *like* them.  This is an old fashion idea, but a good one.

This has, as I said in my previous post, nothing to do with social 
change. If a child is being mistreated they should tell someone.  
But they do not have the right to be rude and crude to a teacher or 
anyone else just to show off or because they don't happen to like 
that person for whatever reason.  If you live in the U.S. you know 
what I am talking about if you look around and see the disrespectful 
manner in which teens and some who are a bit older treat other 
people. And it is IMO because they can get away with anything in 
school.  The whole *question authority* thing has gone too far the 
other way. 

Let's look at LV for example.  Watch DD.  LV is the most evil person 
of the times.  And yet DD calls him Tom and does what he can to 
protect himself and others from LV, but he doesn't stand there and 
insult him.  DD doesn't call LV names. DD doesn't try to put rat 
poison in LV's coffee. DD doesn't do any of the things that some 
people on this list want Harry to do or say to Snape.  And what that 
says to me is that DD is showing respect for the little bit of 
*human* that is left in LV.  DD does not approve of what LV does.  
He fights against LV.  But when they are face to face,  DD acts like 
a civilized human being.  Do you think that makes him less of an 
adversary to LV?  Do you think that means he thinks that what LV 
does is OK?  Or not that bad?  Or maybe "well we will wait and see 
if things get better?"  NO.  DD is against LV and LV knows it. 

I know it is not a popular idea in the U.S.; maybe there is still 
hope for other countries.  But IMO!! a child should always treat an 
adult with respect.  They do not have to like the person, they do 
not have to suffer abuse, they do not have to like what the adult 
does, but they do not have the right to act like a little snot!!  
And that is how I interpret the phrase *he must deserve my respect, 
before I give it*.  This type of respect is subjective.  One person 
respects you and someone else doesn't.  So one can treat you like 
Sh..t and the other bows at your feet.  I think NOT.

Sorry if this is a bit curt. It is one of my pet peeves against the 
younger generation. 

Tonks_op