From: brookings	Date: 22. Augusts 2018 - 18:35		(Pastāvīgā saite)

When you want to insinuate (often for political/ideological reasons) that what something somebody said is disrespectful, but you feel embarrassed claiming it outright - so you make it a little vague, say it is very close to being disrespectful.
I think it's clear, isn't it?

From: tiesibsargs	Date: 23. Augusts 2018 - 12:46		(Pastāvīgā saite)

now i got it. just that "borderline" sounds really terrible in my ears, so i personally wouldn't take it as softening... but i guess it sounds differently for others, especially for those who have english as their mother tongue.