Frankly, Statto, I'm very surprised by your response. Did you read the thread in its entirety?
Yes. After the first use of "slut" it all got rather excitable and, for me, off-topic. Rather than debate the use of the word itself, I'd be more interested in whether or not it is in fact applicable to Hilary Clinton politically.
First of all, the words "slut" and "whore" are not synonymous, as has been discussed above in some detail.
In this context I think they are — the context can only be the third definition ("a person who is unscrupulous, especially one who compromises their principles for gain").
Second, the study of linguistic usage and its semantic fields, effects, and political meanings is thankfully not based on the wikipedia entry for the word "whore."
Third, your post gives the impression of taking the side of someone who has told us that using the words "slut" and "psycho bitch" are "valuable" for the cause of political liberation, for political discussion
The initial comment was "she's a fucked up, compromised political slut". It's strong language for a strong viewpoint. It may not be "valuable" (as in useful) but it seems perfectly "valid" (at least from a UK perspective — we don't always mean quite the same thing linguistically).
"slut" is a pejorative term for a woman who is sexually promiscuous.
Yes it can be and usually is, but the context here was not a sexual one. The word was indeed used pejoratively, but no one here has taken it as a comment on Hilary Clinton's sexual proclivities. (If it was referring to Bill on the other hand...)
On this model, we'll apply racist langauge to Clarence Thomas, anti-gay slurs to argue against Andrew Sullivan
No, because such language would have no wider meaning other than the offensive one.
And to hear them come from one of the most vocal, shrill, name-calling posters who professes to be interested in linguistic usage and the struggle against racism, is a total and complete hypocritical joke.
well ok, I don't know the history there
PS.
BTW, Thatcher was also a SLUT
"This lady's not for turning." "There is no alternative." No, she really wasn't a slut. I might be tempted by one of the other epithets though.