[HPforGrownups] Re: muggle baiting vs. muggle torture

[rebecca]

No: HPFGUIDX 155662


> Gerry wrote:
>> Hm, I don't think it has anything to do with the level of harm. I
> would expect Muggle-baiting is using magic maliciously on Muggles
> because they are Muggles. From the examples we get from canon
> (shrinking keys, Willy Widdershin's toilets) quote often not even
> specific Muggles but any Muggle will do.
>>
<snip>>
>> So yes, it is wrong, just as wrong as beating him up would be. But
> no it is not muggle-baiting.
>
>
> Carol responds:
> Not to beat a dead horse, but why would the only motive for Muggle
> baiting have to be "because the person is a Muggle"? Fred and George
> use this point to excuse their actions, but it doesn't mean that they
> weren't Muggle baiting. Dudley is a Muggle and they know it. He can't
> do magic or defend himself against it. And they are unquestionably
> *baiting* him (dropping the candy as bait that they know he'll take).
>
> I think the argument that they didn't do it *because* he's a Muggle is
> their attempt to get themselves off on a technicality.
>

Rebecca now:

It's ok Carol, we like whipping the foam to a froth around here. :)

Like Alla before me, I do believe that twins were telling the truth and not 
trying to get off on a technicality - I only have canon to go by here, and 
we all interpret it differently, or so it would appear. If they only 
targeted Muggles with their pranks, I would believe it be malicious and 
wouldn't believe it when Fred responded "indignantly" that they weren't 
baiting Dudley because he was a Muggle.  That said, I suppose it depends on 
your POV about what Muggle baiting really is. Yes, Dudley is a Muggle and 
yes, they baited him. Why?  Because he IS a great bullying git, not that 
that makes what they did ok, but it is a reason other than thinking Dudley's 
a second or fourth class person to whom they can do anything they like.  But 
are they malicious Muggle baiters or torturers (or in some cases, killers) 
like Voldemort and his Death Eater crew?  No, subtle difference, but a 
difference nonetheless to me.

Rebecca