Off Topic The Politics Thread

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Should the UK remain a part of the EU or leave?

  • Stay in

    Votes: 56 47.9%
  • Get out

    Votes: 61 52.1%

  • Total voters
    117
  • Poll closed .
I didn't read Kiwi's post, but I'm interested in knowing the grounds on which you're censoring the thread, Beth. Apparently, this deletion of Kiwi's post is because you don't find it funny and you know some trans people. Or are you saying it broke hate speech laws?

Have you decided to be the arbiter of what goes up on the Politics thread?

Just asking on the grounds of free speech. Many thanks

It was ripping on Trans and suggesting they whinge for no good reason without provocation or any news worthy incident, so just for the sake of it and it does nothing but undermine the genuine **** they deal with on a daily basis the premature death rate in trans people is frightening, it is the sort of thing that has been used to target the LGBTQ kids at my eldests school and the police were involved, the one big difference was this sort of thing was being targeted directly at them rather than just in an open forum, however if you want that sort of free speech you have to accept others that go to undermine other ways of life too, you have to accept and defend the hate preachers on street corners criticising the west as long as they are careful not to insight violence.

Even if it's not hate speech as such it certainly shouldn't be seen as socially accepted and this is possibly the issue, ripping on trans for being trans isn't uncommon and isn't met with universal condemnation, you wouldn't see anyone post something about autistic kids (not suggesting trans is a condition just more something the person has no choice over) undermining their and their and their parents challenges and if someone did they'd be ripped to shreds, what if someone posted a meme suggesting veterans with PTSD are whinging over nothing, would you take the same stance if that post was removed?

Just responding on the grounds of common decency. Many thanks.
 
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It was ripping on Trans and suggesting they whinge for no good reason without provocation or any news worthy incident, so just for the sake of it and it does nothing but undermine the genuine **** they deal with on a daily basis the premature death rate in trans people is frightening, it is the sort of thing that has been used to target the LGBTQ kids at my eldests school and the police were involved, the one big difference was this sort of thing was being targeted directly at them rather than just in an open forum, however if you want that sort of free speech you have to accept others that go to undermine other ways of life too, you have to accept and defend the hate preachers on street corners criticising the west as long as they are careful not to insight violence.

Even if it's not hate speech as such it certainly shouldn't be seen as socially accepted and this is possibly the issue, ripping on trans for being trans isn't uncommon and isn't met with universal condemnation, you wouldn't see anyone post something about autistic kids (not suggesting trans is a condition just more something the person has no choice over) undermining their and their and their parents challenges and if someone did they'd be ripped to shreds, what if someone posted a meme suggesting veterans with PTSD are whinging over nothing, would you take the same stance if that post was removed?

Just responding on the grounds of common decency. Many thanks.

Or was it simply satire on a current topic, in the same way that Charlie Hebdo's cutting cartoons were of the Islamic Faith?

Freedom of speech is an essential tenet of a modern democracy. In my opinion, censorship on the grounds of what you or Beth decide is "common decency" looks awfully like the cancel culture that's affecting this country and undermining free speech.

Far better to put the article up and criticise or mock it for the prejudicial nonsense you believe it is.
 
This government is so ****ing shameless. I would say something about those who still support it but I appreciate freedom of speech comes with some degree of responsibility and isn’t just a right to say anything to anyone.

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Or was it simply satire on a current topic, in the same way that Charlie Hebdo's cutting cartoons were of the Islamic Faith?

Freedom of speech is an essential tenet of a modern democracy. In my opinion, censorship on the grounds of what you or Beth decide is "common decency" looks awfully like the cancel culture that's affecting this country and undermining free speech.

Far better to put the article up and criticise or mock it for the prejudicial nonsense you believe it is.


That's a fair response and I absolutely appreciate it, it's a post that can open discussion rather than sets two people at polar opposites that no middle ground can be found. I'd like to re-emphasize whilst I think Kiwi was unwise to post it, I'm not trying to dig him out over it or suggest that he is a bigot, more that he might not understand how damaging spreading **** like that is.

It's an awkward one really as it really is a society based problem, as I tried to demonstrate in my previous post. If someone where to mock, I'll use the veterans with PTSD example, and suggest that they complain over nothing what would the reaction be? They'd be universally crucified and rightfully so, if they did it on their facebook profile for instance, they could lose their jobs and they might get lynched in their community, so in a way although there is freedom of speech society dictates what is acceptable or not through repercussions. The reactions would not be so severe if it had been against trans, whilst it would met with some disgust the person would not be scared to leave the front door as there would be no angry mob willing to string them up, it would also be laughed at and shared about. It would also most likely be used to mock trans people directly and as previously stated premature death rates in trans people is very high including suicide. This is part of the reason why 'hate speech' is a thing and why what was posted could be deemed to have been hate speech
 
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That's a fair response and I absolutely appreciate it, it's a post that can open discussion rather than sets two people at polar opposites that no middle ground can be found. I'd like to re-emphasize whilst I think Kiwi was unwise to post it, I'm not trying to dig him out over it or suggest that he is a bigot, more that he might not understand how damaging spreading **** like that is.

It's an awkward one really as it really is a society based problem, as I tried to demonstrate in my previous post. If someone where to mock, I'll use the veterans with PTSD example, and suggest that they complain over nothing what would the reaction be? They'd be universally crucified and rightfully so, if they did it on their facebook profile for instance, they could lose their jobs and they might get lynched in their community, so in a way although there is freedom of speech society dictates what is acceptable or not through repercussions. The reactions would not be so severe if it had been against trans, whilst it would met with some disgust the person would not be scared to leave the front door as there would be no angry mob willing to string them up, it would also be laughed at and shared about. It would also most likely be used to mock trans people directly and as previously stated premature death rates in trans people is very high including suicide. This is part of the reason why 'hate speech' is a thing and why what was posted could be deemed to have been hate speech

Nobody should lost their job for expressing their opinion, unless the opinion adversely affects the job they're doing.

You talk about crucifixion and lynching in a very dramatic way. Someone mocking vets over PTSD has that right and has to accept there'll be a reaction from others exercising their own right to disagree (which will not include threats unless they want the law on them).

As far as trans is concerned, the same applies. You say what Kiwi put up could be deemed as hate speech. That wasn't the reason Beth expressed for deleting the post. She said it wasn't funny and she knew some trans people.
 
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This government is so ****ing shameless. I would say something about those who still support it but I appreciate freedom of speech comes with some degree of responsibility and isn’t just a right to say anything to anyone.

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What a surprise.

In a role outside of parliament, she would have been sacked and staff would be contacting solicitors.

Democracy, what a crock.
 
Nobody should lost their job for expressing their opinion, unless the opinion adversely affects the job they're doing.

You talk about crucifixion and lynching in a very dramatic way. Someone mocking vets over PTSD has that right and has to accept there'll be a reaction from others exercising their own right to disagree (which will not include threats unless they want the law on them).

As far as trans is concerned, the same applies. You say what Kiwi put up could be deemed as hate speech. That wasn't the reason Beth expressed for deleting the post. She said it wasn't funny and she knew some trans people.

Firstly if it's known you work for a company, which is easy to find out, you represent that company if you express views that could damage the companies reputation as a 'representative of' so yeah they have every right to bin someone off for expressing certain views. If you were an employer and an employee openly in public expressed an opinion the legal age of consent should drop to 6 years old even petitioned government and was famous for it, nothing illegal about having that opinion as long as they don't act on it, no matter how ****ing sick you or I think it might be, would you defend them to be able to air that view? Would you want them on your workforce, knowing that others will have seen those views and know that person worked for you? And whilst you said I was being dramatic, do you think someone holding those views would be safe in society? Yes the law can sort out the aftermath of any repercussions, but the act or the threat of the act would prevent that view from being openly shared, because society dictates what views and opinions are acceptable beyond what the law can do.

Trans people are both physically and mentally attacked on a regular basis for no other reason than being trans, i understand that being trans is something a lot of people can't get their head round, to be honest I can't entirely, but all that is really wanted is trans being treated as any other human being and personally I don't think that is much to ask, they are clearly a vulnerable part of society and is it not our duty as decent human beings to try and support and protect the more vulnerable, that is why hate laws cover such groups, because large proportions of society are apathetic at best to the trans people among others and ignore **** given to them.

I'm not going to comment on the reasons why Beth deleted it, she can speak for herself. However if I were a board mod, not that I have any desire to be, I could see that maybe they don't necessarily want abhorrent views or kicking society's vulnerable associated to a board they are responsible to moderate? And the post only went to make light of the situation and perpetuate the myth that they are whinging annoying twats that moan over nothing which to the weaker minds will only re-enforce prejudice. Daily mail 101
 
now rocks are to be removed
is the rock racist
or is the 100 year old newspaper story racist
should it be removed

Rock Bottom: Boulder To Be Removed After Students Complained It Is Racist
Let’s get the rock outta here!


19 November, 2020
Steve Watson

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Corey Coyle / Wikimedia Commons
A large rock in the campus of Wisconsin-Madison University is to be removed after the student’s union there declared that it is racist.

Not content with removing statues of actual people, the woke mob has now seemingly turned its attention to inanimate objects.

It appears that some bright spark unearthed a news clipping from the 1920s that referred to the large rock as a “n***erhead,” and all hell broke loose.

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The Wisconsin State Journal reports:

UW-Madison is moving forward on a plan to remove a boulder from Observatory Hill after calls from students of color who see the rock as a painful reminder of the history of racism on campus.

The 70-ton boulder is officially known as Chamberlin Rock in honor of Thomas Crowder Chamberlin, a geologist and former university president. But the rock was referred to at least once after it was dug out of the hill as a “n***erhead,” a commonly used expression in the 1920s to describe any large dark rock.

[…]

The Wisconsin Black Student Union called for the rock’s removal over the summer. President Nalah McWhorter said the rock is a symbol of the daily injustices that students of color face on a predominantly white campus.


[…]

McWhorter also faulted the Wisconsin State Journal for printing the vulgarity in a 1925 news article.

The report notes that the press clipping from 95 years ago was the only time that anyone has ever referred to the rock using the term.

As Def Leppard famously posited in their 1992 number one hit, ‘Let’s get the rock outta here!’

The university’s campus planning committee voted unanimously that the boulder should be removed, but has not worked out what they are going to do with it.

Perhaps they should put it in a museum along with other racist horrors including (but not limited to) The US Constitution, Any term with the word ‘black’ in it, Chess, Vikings, Clowns, SpongeBob Squarepants, and time itself.
 
Firstly if it's known you work for a company, which is easy to find out, you represent that company if you express views that could damage the companies reputation as a 'representative of' so yeah they have every right to bin someone off for expressing certain views. If you were an employer and an employee openly in public expressed an opinion the legal age of consent should drop to 6 years old even petitioned government and was famous for it, nothing illegal about having that opinion as long as they don't act on it, no matter how ****ing sick you or I think it might be, would you defend them to be able to air that view? Would you want them on your workforce, knowing that others will have seen those views and know that person worked for you? And whilst you said I was being dramatic, do you think someone holding those views would be safe in society? Yes the law can sort out the aftermath of any repercussions, but the act or the threat of the act would prevent that view from being openly shared, because society dictates what views and opinions are acceptable beyond what the law can do.

Trans people are both physically and mentally attacked on a regular basis for no other reason than being trans, i understand that being trans is something a lot of people can't get their head round, to be honest I can't entirely, but all that is really wanted is trans being treated as any other human being and personally I don't think that is much to ask, they are clearly a vulnerable part of society and is it not our duty as decent human beings to try and support and protect the more vulnerable, that is why hate laws cover such groups, because large proportions of society are apathetic at best to the trans people among others and ignore **** given to them.

I'm not going to comment on the reasons why Beth deleted it, she can speak for herself. However if I were a board mod, not that I have any desire to be, I could see that maybe they don't necessarily want abhorrent views or kicking society's vulnerable associated to a board they are responsible to moderate? And the post only went to make light of the situation and perpetuate the myth that they are whinging annoying twats that moan over nothing which to the weaker minds will only re-enforce prejudice. Daily mail 101
unless you are a public figure why should you be sacked for what you think
whats more sinister is groups of people searching you out and then getting a large enough mob to email and phone your company complaining until you are fired

the worlds going to be great when we all think alike and do as we are told
 
Imagine the contracts that can be handed out although I'm sure none will be handed out to Tory donors or friends of Torys <laugh>, it also appeals to a certain demographic who will lap up the narrative of cutting foreign aid.
Marcher

@MarcherLord1


Lots of tweets tonight from people who seem upset that we’re expanding the Royal Navy at the detriment of India’s space programme.

Strange times
 
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what utter ****e
I don't remember the eighties nightclubs being segregated
certainly not the Hammersmith palais

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Imagine the contracts that can be handed out although I'm sure none will be handed out to Tory donors or friends of Torys <laugh>, it also appeals to a certain demographic who will lap up the narrative of cutting foreign aid.

Marcher

@MarcherLord1


Lots of tweets tonight from people who seem upset that we’re expanding the Royal Navy at the detriment of India’s space programme.

Strange times

There you go Will, Kiwi fits the demographic you describe. Or does he? How can we tell what he thinks? At least we know what MarcherLord1 thinks. Or do we, perhaps this is 'satire'. Alternatively, maybe it's not satire, but Kiwi has posted this to draw attention to its nonsensical nature.

Or maybe MarcherLord1 is just a **** and Kiwi is copying him.
 
Firstly if it's known you work for a company, which is easy to find out, you represent that company if you express views that could damage the companies reputation as a 'representative of' so yeah they have every right to bin someone off for expressing certain views. If you were an employer and an employee openly in public expressed an opinion the legal age of consent should drop to 6 years old even petitioned government and was famous for it, nothing illegal about having that opinion as long as they don't act on it, no matter how ****ing sick you or I think it might be, would you defend them to be able to air that view? Would you want them on your workforce, knowing that others will have seen those views and know that person worked for you? And whilst you said I was being dramatic, do you think someone holding those views would be safe in society? Yes the law can sort out the aftermath of any repercussions, but the act or the threat of the act would prevent that view from being openly shared, because society dictates what views and opinions are acceptable beyond what the law can do.

Trans people are both physically and mentally attacked on a regular basis for no other reason than being trans, i understand that being trans is something a lot of people can't get their head round, to be honest I can't entirely, but all that is really wanted is trans being treated as any other human being and personally I don't think that is much to ask, they are clearly a vulnerable part of society and is it not our duty as decent human beings to try and support and protect the more vulnerable, that is why hate laws cover such groups, because large proportions of society are apathetic at best to the trans people among others and ignore **** given to them.

I'm not going to comment on the reasons why Beth deleted it, she can speak for herself. However if I were a board mod, not that I have any desire to be, I could see that maybe they don't necessarily want abhorrent views or kicking society's vulnerable associated to a board they are responsible to moderate? And the post only went to make light of the situation and perpetuate the myth that they are whinging annoying twats that moan over nothing which to the weaker minds will only re-enforce prejudice. Daily mail 101


It's interesting you chose the topic of support for ****philia, Will, because this is exactly what some members of the Labour Party (Harman, Dromey etc) were doing in the 1970's. They aired their views in the name of freedom of speech and liberalism and weren't sacked for it.

You keep on about Trans. It may be a cause worthy of support but it is simply not a special case on the issue of freedom of expression. If you believe satire should be banned on a trans issue, then you must also support extreme elements of Islam that want to ban Charlie Hebdo from publishing cartoons that mock the Prophet Muhammad. Do you condemn Charlie Hebdo?
 
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