Referent - LOL. Never heard that one before. Reminds me of
'decedent' which was used a lot in old Perry Mason episodes.
I am not a killer but I can talk about it all day. Not just killing,
just dying in general. Farts and turds and outrageous odors
are always a draw.
So you are an expert in English usage now, is that it? I mean,
the way you say, "The semantics of your original statement
'or others will die' when directed at me excludes myself from
your threat." You should be over at the alt.usage.english group.
A bunch of ultra sticklers in the grammar world. I go there and
am just as unwelcome there as here - by most. As it should be.
On the other hand I do find it interesting how the threat of
death will change people's opinions in a hurry, at least on
the outside. I find it interesting, forcing people to think on
the fly. For example, a guy hiding in wait outside a huge stadium
and intercepting a fan who is leaving early with the game
still in process. He has a gun. He points it at the departing
fan and says, "Who were you for in the game?" Now the
'askee' is forced to think fast, scanning the aggressor for
clues as to what he wants to hear. Scoping out his face to
determine who he would be rooting for from the stands.
Or you're coming out of a voting booth to find yourself
instantly put upon by a gun wielder demanding to know
who you voted for. You're going to say what he wants
to hear. Or you're going to look for ways to stall him, such
as, "Well, you see - yes, it's true - I did vote just now as
you can plainly see - but I am not for either candidate really,
although I do lean toward one - I mean if I absolutely had
to vote, like at gunpoint. But I will answer your question.
Just give me a little time........"
The guy says, "Well, if you were in the booth, you had to
vote for someone. Or was it just a game to make other
people think you're socially involved? I hate people who
pretend to be socially involved but don't vote."
"Oh, I vote", says the potential decedent - "I surely do -
and I did again in this case, but the situation is a bit
complex and hard to explain as really I was not voting
for myself, I was voting for a guy in a wheelchair a few
miles down the road who paid me good money to pull
the lever for him."
"Good news", says the gunman. "But, once again - for the
last time - who did you vote for?" The gun barrel is in your
face and it's all you can see. Speak up man, speak up!