Words have consequences

[bawilson at citynet.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 150374

"> >>Joe:   
> Victim also implies powerlessness where in fact Draco and his ilk 
> had to go out of their way to get beat down.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Not the way I'm using it.  It just denotes who was the wronged 
party.  And that would be the three boys lying unconscious on the 
floor getting kicked by the other parties."

I think we are getting into Humpty-Dumpty territory here.

"> >>Alla:
> Not only that, I just don't get how somebody who IMO literally    
> ASKED for something bad to happen to him can be called a victim.

Betsy Hp:
Well, yes, if Draco has said, "please hex me and my friends into 
unconsciousness, and ooh, if you could kick us while we're out, 
that'd be extra special!" then I'd see your point.  But Draco went 
in ready to trade insults.  He behaved horribly, I agree.  But he 
was the one lying unconscious on the floor, so therefore, he was the 
victim."

Then you say that it is reasonable to go around saying horrid things to and 
about people and not expect a negative reaction?  That one should be able to go 
into a barbershop in an African-American neighborhood and call the customers 
n*gg*rs and walk away unscathed?  Or tell a group of Jews that Hitler had the 
right idea?  Or yell 'death to faggots!' in certain neighborhoods of San 
Francisco?  I would say that anyone who did something like that deserves 
whatever happens to him, and what Draco said certainly approaches that level. 

BAW