What offends you?

[Natalie Severn]

Just so we all stay on thread:
The subject matter of this play deals with 'What offends me' ---in this case the treatment of prisoners of war---you can read about it here---http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...a-Mousa-Inquir

There is a brilliant play on right now advertised by our National Theatre yesterday and running at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn High Road entitled:
Tactical Questioning
Scenes from the Baha Mousa Inquiry directed byNicolas Kent.

On 14 September2003,Baha Mousa and nine others were arrested by the British Army in a hotel in Basra as suspected insurgents,

48 hours later Baha Mousa was dead,
A post mortem revealed he had suffered asphyxiation,and had received at least 93 injuries to his body whilst in the Army's custody.
In 2008 the Secretary of State for defence announced a Public Inquiry into Baha Mousa's death and the treatement of those detained with him.

Tactical Questioning brings together scenes from the Public Inquiry which examined the shocking events that took place over those two days of detention.and the British Army's policies towards the treatment of prisoners of war.

[Fleetwood Mac]

What a load of old tosh! Who ever passed a law that stated you can't discuss immigration? And why are you so amused at the idea of the anti-nazi league being offended? I would have thought most level-headed people would be against nazis.

Well you will think that. You will think level headed equates to left wing.

I am against fascism in any guise: against right wing fascism and left wing fascism (those who want to ban the BNP and deny them a voice).

The argument is won according to the merits of argument. Get them on the table and let people decide. If you're aware of the history of this country, then you'll know it's a country that despises extremes, left and right.

What are the anti-Nazi league afraid of? There is no way on earth the far right will be anything more than a fringe party in this country made up of oddballs and social misfits. So what exactly are they doing trying to ban them? Well, deep down you and I know the left needs a cause, and they crave a far right so they can use it as an excuse to parade round the streets like idiots. They're old enough to know better, and as they paint themselves as intellectuals then they need to stop and think about what exactly is motivating them: power.

You've seen Monty Python's sketch, I'm sure, the far right and the anti-Nazi league are essentially the same types: the one difference is they're shouting about different things, although they're still there making a noise about something that is irrelevant in English history and politics. Attention seekers, both the left and the far right.

And, if you have to ban something in order to quell their ideas, then we're knackered anyway, and you musn't have much faith in your fellow countrymen; which of course you don't, the left wants to save us all even though we don't want saving by them!

[Rubyretro]

I don't have a problem with political correctness. I just think people argue against itwhen theyare actually arguing against common human decency.

Then we agree totally.

[Rubyretro]

P.S. -and another thing..

"political correctness" has made the lives of some people immeasurably better.

Limehouse used the example of 'spastics'. Well knowing some people who are certainly 'all there' with their brains, but have problems with their bodies -if laws, and conventions of our society mean that such people can go out unmocked by morons -so much the better.

I also have met a number of cross dressers through an internet site devoted to Fashion. Believe me they are just as intelligent and interesting, as people on Casebook (they often do the same jobs as you). If "political correctness" means that they can go out and shop and not be abused and discriminated against -so much the better.

[Fleetwood Mac]

I am not trying to force anything on you. You can be a offensive as you wish and I shall go on being respectful.

Does this mean you value tolerance while accepting the individual's opportunity to chase his/her own values, tolerant or otherwise?

If so, we're in agreement.

[TomTomKent]

I don't have a problem with political correctness. I just think people argue against itwhen theyare actually arguing against common human decency.

[Rubyretro]

My experiences on the continent are not ones of there being a thought police. You have the right to say what you want, but the chances are others will use their right to tell you exactly why they disagree.

Tomtom -I'm English , but have lived in France for 26 years. Don't be fooled by superficial appearances. look up the case of comedian Dieudonné and see that he can't get away with being antisemite..

..and quite right, too.

Personally, I'm with Limehouse.

The French certainly have the most sexist ads and jokes about naked women -but the reality is that a woman would have more chance of being taken seriously and being treated as a 'professional' in her job, than she would in England. Witness the career of Martine Aubry, who doesn't need a 'makeover' to try for the presidency -I just can't imagine the French making 'jokes' about her physique or sex life. They attack the policies of Marine Le Pen -not the fact that she's a woman. Maybe 'political correctness'
is just different here -but it does exist.

It is absolutely evident that there is rascism against the many North Africans living in France (you can see the rise of the Extreme Right) -but I can't imagine that anyone could just walk around sticking 'no Arabs' in their shop windows.

Everyone seems to hate 'political correctness' on this thread (except Limehouse) -I think that it's a good thing when not taken to ridiculous extremes. For example, the Daily Mail is always cocking-a-snook at 'political correctness' -but if you read the hate filled comments posted by readers after biased and immflamatory articles, you would (I hope !) be on the side of the people they attack.

Of course we all want freedom of thought and speech -but as another thread on Casebook ably demonstrated (whether religious bigots should have the right to give their opinions on the Irak war at the funerals of American servicemen) -one person's 'freedom' ends where another begins.

ps: personally, I get offended by people, too ! Of course I do, I'm human.

[glyn]

What a load of old tosh! Who ever passed a law that stated you can't discuss immigration? And why are you so amused at the idea of the anti-nazi league being offended? I would have thought most level-headed people would be against nazis.

Thanks for you kind words.I didnt mention laws being passed.Remember Michael Howard ,and the abuse he received when he questioned Immigration policies? Perhaps you have forgotten (conveniently) he is but one of a considerable number.The Labour supporter who commented to Brownie regarding immigration during election campaign and was labelled a bigot by the leader of the loony party himself.Laws? your kind dont need laws passed,it interferes somewhat with your agenda.
Why am I amused about the Anti-nazi league? Well there are several reasons,the main reason being that the Anti nazi league are responsible for more violence thabn the groups they protest about.They are merely the Left wing loonies "storm troopers"
Left wing organised violence is no better than Right wing violence.You appear to glorify one ,yet condone the other.Which is somewhat typical maybe.

[Limehouse]

Its a job to keep up with what is or isnt offensive or bigotted these days. Fashions change it seems.
Not so long ago ,to even question whether or not there was a problem with Immigration numbers was enough to bring about catcalls of Racist! Bigot!.In some cases your job might even have been put at risk......Then the "powers " that made those rules in the first place, suddenly decided that questioning immigration wasnt so racis t or bigoted after all...Which must have "offended" the anti-nazi league and their hangers on immensely
Like most others here who have posted,nothing much really offends me, anyway, not to the extent Im gonna go waving banners around ,or demanding someone is sacked.
Fleetwood ,of course is correct when he warns against the spectre of Tumbrils trundling down Whitehall "full to the gunwales" with non conformists,free-thinkers,non labour voters and Bernard Manning fans" etc..................From tiny acorns ,mighty oak trees grow.

What a load of old tosh! Who ever passed a law that stated you can't discuss immigration? And why are you so amused at the idea of the anti-nazi league being offended? I would have thought most level-headed people would be against nazis.

[glyn]

Its a job to keep up with what is or isnt offensive or bigotted these days. Fashions change it seems.
Not so long ago ,to even question whether or not there was a problem with Immigration numbers was enough to bring about catcalls of Racist! Bigot!.In some cases your job might even have been put at risk......Then the "powers " that made those rules in the first place, suddenly decided that questioning immigration wasnt so racis t or bigoted after all...Which must have "offended" the anti-nazi league and their hangers on immensely
Like most others here who have posted,nothing much really offends me, anyway, not to the extent Im gonna go waving banners around ,or demanding someone is sacked.
Fleetwood ,of course is correct when he warns against the spectre of Tumbrils trundling down Whitehall "full to the gunwales" with non conformists,free-thinkers,non labour voters and Bernard Manning fans" etc..................From tiny acorns ,mighty oak trees grow.

[Limehouse]

The good thing about political correctness is that it removed a few words out of everyday vocabulary. Other than that it has been used to stifle debate.

Tolerance and understanding are fine. But I have a right to openly disagree with any individual's(or groups) lifestyle choice. Ridicule is an excellent way to undermine someone, it ought to be welcomed in an open society.


Edit; If it werent for ridicule Anthony Weiner would still be in the US congress.

I agree with most of what you have written Jason and I would support your right to openly disagree with someone's lifestyle if you do so with decency - and in doing so -uphold their right to disagree with yours.

[jason_c]

You talk as if a society that is more respectful is somehow less appealing. Do you really want to go back to the days when disabled children were called 'spastics' in the street ? Do you want to walk past guest houses with the sign 'no blacks - no Irish - no dogs in the window?

Why would anyone defend their right and other people's right to be offensive to others? Aren't we supposed to move forwards in tolerance and respect and human understand instead of retreating to ignorance and ridicule?

The good thing about political correctness is that it removed a few words out of everyday vocabulary. Other than that it has been used to stifle debate.

Tolerance and understanding are fine. But I have a right to openly disagree with any individual's(or groups) lifestyle choice. Ridicule is an excellent way to undermine someone, it ought to be welcomed in an open society.


Edit; If it werent for ridicule Anthony Weiner would still be in the US congress.

[Limehouse]

Limehouse:

a) Tolerance is not a human right; it is a view/opinion relating to the best means of achieving a peaceful co-existence (see John Locke).

b) If you think that tolerance needs to be forced upon us, which by extension you clearly do as you're advocating the right to not be offended, then we're lost anyway; and in essence you're imposing your (tolerant) opinions on my freedom of expression. What's more important? Your wish to tell me what to say, or my wish to have a voice while leaving you alone?

c) You are straight out of the Robespierre book of 'we must force the people to be free', except you're saying 'we must force the people to be tolerant'. And you know where Robespierre's ideas led? 'The Terrors'. This is why the left is so dangerous: they really believe they are the law, and if you don't agree with them they'll enforce it (all because the left think they're virtuous human beings whose **** doesn't smell like the rest of us).

You're tyrants, mate. The worst kind. Not only are you tyrants, but you appeal to people's emotions: "we just want to make you all free". I am ******* free, leave me alone with your idea of freedom!

P.S. Have a look at what you've just posted! Absolute bollocks about ignorance, ridicule, human understanding and the rest; the ususal appeal to abstract notions and nothing practical such as: 'you and I are neighbours, you keep your dog off my lawn and I'll keep my dog off your lawn, and we'll enjoy our privacy'.

I am not trying to force anything on you. You can be a offensive as you wish and I shall go on being respectful.

[Joseph]

What offends me is the lengths certain people will go to in their efforts to sabotage the immensely popular A6 threads and get them closed for good. Sad people.

[johns]

Had a bit of a hard think about what sort of stuff offends me and this is my list...

1) errrr

Seriously I can't think of one thing big or small that "offends" me.

Lots of stuff annoys me and gets me a bit wound up at times but nothing offends me.

Stuff that annoys me...

1) College lecturer bloke (can't recall his name now) who was rude to almost everyone.

2) Folks who take their dogs for a walk and let the dogs run free (often across 4 lanes of town traffic) while holding the unused dog lead in their hand and shouting abuse at the poor dogs.

3) Idiotic parents who let their sprogs eat chips, cheese and curry sauce... sweeties... and any other junk they can shovel in their mouths on a 24/7/365 basis.

4) Bloke who stole my Kawasaki all those years ago.

5) People who start sentences "The fact of the matter is..." then come out with an opinion NOT a fact.

6) Some other stuff