Originally Posted by Mount Olympus *Olly*:
Strikes me that disciplinary action isn't working with a lot of things like the racism and homophobia so maybe sacking someone will show others that these 'jokes' are not on any more. .time to teach people to leave that sort of thing out of their 'I'm joking' vocabulary. .you have to start somewhere and other action is not working so getting tougher has to be the way to go I reckon ..the more the punishments are publicised the more younger people who speak in such ways may stop and think before opening their gobs. .won't work overnight but we have to start re-educating somewhere and showing proper severe consequences ..
Well said. As I said, I get a bit sick of people being rude and offensive, and saying they are 'only joking' to mask their rudeness and offensive remarks. If something - ANYthing - upsets people, then it is offensive and should be addressed. I am sick to death of people making shitty remarks and then making out people have no sense of humour and need to 'get a life' if they're offended. Never mind people 'not being allowed to say anything' (according to some,) people are not allowed to say they are offended or that the remarks are unacceptable either, without being accused of 'jumping on the bandwagon.'
I agree that it's getting a bit annoying how people *sometimes* jump on bandwagons (like 1000s of people complaining about Russell Brand and Wossy making a crude remark to Andrew Sachs granddaughter,) but by the same token, I think when a group of people (gay or black or whatever) are insulted, you don't have to be in that group to find it offensive. And so what if people are offended on 'other peoples' behalf?' There would never have been anything done to try and put a stop to racism and bigotry if it was only the people it was aimed at who were allowed to be offended by the comments.
For example, you don't have to be gay to be offended by those crass and uncalled-for remarks towards Gareth. Like I said, why the hell would this muppet need to 'padlock his arse?' Just assuming that Gareth would be interested in him/attracted to him shows what a narcissistic wanker he is. But of course, he was 'only joking...'
So maybe you're right Olly, that people DO need to be sacked to show that these kind of remarks are no longer acceptable in today's society. We've moved on... thankfully, and remarks like that are out of order.