Can words be an initiation of force?

Yes

10 (41.7%)

No

5 (20.8%)

That's probably the stupidest thing I've ever heard

0 (0%)

It's one of the stupidest things I've ever heard

4 (16.7%)

Whoever said that is a dunce who doesn't understand the NAP

5 (20.8%)

Total Members Voted: 17

[Taors]

Here's some questions:

1. Why does Riddler say nigger?
a:  Probably to get a rise out of people like yourself, and by people like yourself, I'm not referring to BLACK PEOPLE

2.When did it become appropriate for another white people to use a hurtful word as a term of endearment?
a:  I'm going to say, yes cavemen. . .that was when.  A disrespectful grunt meant you really liked the guy

3. If it was so acceptable, how come most white people don't say it?
a:  because they're scared of being hurt by black people who see it as a freebie to knock the shit out of someone.  Namecalling is not a reason for the initiation of force. . .sorry.

4. Of course your answer is "Well all black people say it." Well, did you notice that was black people's way of taking the word in order to reduce the pain it brings when white people say it? Are you against people trying to help themselves by taking away the power one group had over it?  So you are all for white people being hurtful to blacks?
a:  Are you all for black people being hurtful to white people?  Is it cool to have that 'revenge'?  Reduce the pain my ass, I'll call bullshit all day, if you're in pain it's your own fucking fault

5.Why don't you use any other racial epithets?
a:  I don't use them anyways unless it's a joke, and if I did I'd be sure to be pretty open about who I pissed off

6. Why don't you like black people?
a:  I like some black people.  Just like I like some white people.  Get it?

::police tank rolls on by, watching white people AND black people both run for cover::

Have to disagree on number 3. You are initiating force (in person) if you say it, because those words that you forced out of your mouth hurt hy feelings, so I am going to force my fist to hurt your face...

[YixilTesiphon]

The "dunce" one.

[CaL DaVe]

The "dunce" one.

[Taors]

I guess the next poll should be "how many people think Sincere is a dunce?".

[blackie]

It can be fraud.

[Evil Muppet]

How about threats of violence? 

[John Shaw]

If someone is walking toward me and sez: "Imma gut you like a fish." and reaches behind their back, they're initiating enough force for me to put a hole in them. I don't have to wait for the dude to start stabbing me to defend myself.

I don't even have to wait until I see what he's gonna gut me with.

Same goes for a dude with his hand in his jacket telling me he's gonna shoot me. Does he have a gun? Well, maybe, maybe not. Is he gonna have a hole in him in a second? Probably.

[Taors]

I think threats of violence are different, because of the intent behind them. If someone calls you a nigger, they're being hateful, but that doesn't mean they're initiating violence or are alluding to it. If someone says that they're going to kill you, then they have a very obvious intent.

John, would you call name calling an IOF? That's my point with this thread.

[Evil Muppet]

calling you a name is at the most an attempt to incite you to committing violence.  A sincere threat of violence is the only thing that comes close to initiation of force. 

[Taors]

calling you a name is at the most an attempt to incite you to committing violence.  A sincere threat of violence is the only thing that comes close to initiation of force. 

How do you tell the Sincere from the not-so-Sincere?

[Cognitive Dissident]

Didn't vote.  Use of "nigger" won't qualify, so in the way you apparently meant it, no.  However, fraud would qualify under the NAP, and fraud is generally a form of using words.

Edit: corrected "meant," removed redundant "of."

[blackie]

How bout if a witch tries to cast a spell on you with some weird chant, and they have the intention to cause harm?

Can you shot them and not violate NAP?

[John Shaw]

How bout if a witch tries to cast a spell on you with some weird chant, and they have the intention to cause harm?

Can you shot them and not violate NAP?

Only if magic is real. 

CAN O' WORMS AHEAD

[John Shaw]

John, would you call name calling an IOF? That's my point with this thread.

Nope. Unless it's something like coffin stuffing or something.

[YixilTesiphon]

How bout if a witch tries to cast a spell on you with some weird chant, and they have the intention to cause harm?

Can you shot them and not violate NAP?

Yes. How the fuck do you know whether it works or not?

(note: I do not believe in magic)

More complete answer: I wouldn't, but if you believed it might work, it would be reasonable to.