> But I really don't think this is a matter of choosing whether or not to
*be* impolite, it's about the *perception* of [im]politeness.
I strongly disagree with this. The phrase "perception of impoliteness" implies that any fault is not with the speaker, but rather with those who might be offended. The speaker is blameless, it's just your "perception."
> But perceptions of impoliteness
do serve as barriers to raising such issues, and I think we need to
lower those barriers to the extent possible.
I disagree with this even more strongly. The implication is that all we need to do is teach everyone how descend to the uncivil level of discourse that used to be acceptable. I maintain it no longer is. You seem to believe that it's just in my head. I guess time will tell who's right.
/r$
