So I think there is a discussion and attitude element to it.

The same comment can be interpreted differently based on the author instance by liberals.

Do the same type of comment with an account on .ml and see if people will call you tankie or not.

Depends on the audience, more than anything. Most socialists aren't going to waste time calling each other a tankie.

I've been called a tankie for saying ACA didn't far enough and was just a conservative plan.

Also seen people called it for saying maybe we should have better public transport. It's been rendered as useless as calling someone woke. Just a meaningless word people use as a slur at this point