Yet I believe most of the cases people have highlighted of late don't pass the test. Now I've got no problem on calling people out for poor phrasing and reminding them to pick their words with care, but as I've said, I feel there must be a fairly tangible case that the person meant to incite it, mens rea and all. Your example, where the person whispers afterward 'metaphorically' would indeed be sufficient for me, at least for conviction in the court of public opinion, because it can be demonstrated pretty clearly that they did have an intent for the words to have that effect. "DRINK DUFF... responsibly" if you remember the reference, is a different story from someone getting a bit overenthusiastic and saying "Now let's get out there and kick some GOP/Dem ass!" or "We're gonna absolutely kill them." if someone is pretty clearly - to a reasonable person - talking about ballots. Perry should have been a lot more careful but I simply can't see his comments as any sort of attempt to encourage violence, though I do rather wish he'd ratchet back on Texas Stereotype behavior.

No, if I believe there's any sort of decent indication the person really was attempting to stir up trouble of that sort I'm all for hitting them hard, and I've got zero problems telling someone who didn't mean to do it but did it that they need to learn more caution and slapping them down hard if they do a lot of repeat performances, but I do think you set the standard a touch to high. Also I didn't mean to imply you hated Perry or Hoffa, I was merely talking in general terms about people who apply situational ethics and partisan bias with a very free hand when setting their standards. I've no issue with trying to set a more civil tone but I also can't condemn someone for their choice of words, civil or not, if I don't believe they either had intent to incite violence or really went outside the safe zone either repeatedly or with little legit cause for a mistake.