Still, Twitter should allow folks to block abusive users by IP and filter coarse language.

I just think that, especially in the United States, we’ve become a nation of people who can’t take criticism or insults. We get so offended by each and every little thing. Like it or not, someone has the right to call you an idiot, a jerk, an asshole, or even a cunt. They can do it on their blog, their journal, their podcast, etc. I think they ought to be able to do it on Flickr, or Twitter, or any other social or micro-blogging platform. It’s free speech.

But somewhere along the line, we as a people got this idea in our heads that if it’s offensive, it’s wrong. If it hurts someone, it shouldn’t be allowed. Since when do I not have the right to offend you? I think that right is just as important as your right to be offended.

I don’t know either of the parties involved in this, but I don’t qualify this situation as harassment. This guy is not interrupting her life. He isn’t threatening her, or making any kind of direct contact with her (from what is said here). He’s calling her names. It’s a poo-flinging tactic as old as conflict itself.

It sounds to me like this girl needs to get a thicker skin, and get on with her life. She is causing herself anxiety about the situation, which is more harmful than anything he is doing.