Political correctness

[Al Massey]

I agreed with what was being said right up until the whole these people are stealing our jobs line started. Its not particularly directly stated as that but thats pretty much implied.

 

i never implied that at all,i dont think they are stealing peoples jobs as the whole emergency services and armed forces and well under manned but they only recruit so many white peopleas they dont wana look racist when there isnt enough ethnics joining so they cut back.

 

i went on a course about racism/sexcism in the army and it clearly states that they need to recruit a certain amount of ethnics coz of new government policy on racism and they wasnt getting enough

[Al Massey]

OK I am going to agree to disagree here.

For what its worth though I also have witnessed many a disabled badge holder waltz around supermarkets like its a wee holiday. For me disabled parking badge holders should hold said badge because they have difficulties with being able to get from a further away parking space or cannot get out of the car in too narrow a space etc, not because they have a slight itch in their right toe and can't be arsed to walk an extra 20 yards. These idiots and the idiots that gave the undeserved the badge in the first place are the very people responsible for demeaning the actual value of that badge.

So again we find ourselves back with being ruled by idiots that are easily taken in and force upon the majority the rules of the overly well meaning few.

 

i know how you feel,my ex girlfriend was disabled coz she had water on the knee,but she could walk fine and was out on the piss every other night dancing away but still parked wherever she wanted

[Lewis]

I agreed with what was being said right up until the whole these people are stealing our jobs line started. Its not particularly directly stated as that but thats pretty much implied.

 

At no point did I intend this to come across as my viewpoint. I don't and never have though it. My point is that a vast majority deserve those jobs because of their skills. The fact that governments/councils/officials appoint a quota means that those deserving people can be unfairly viewed. If it didn't come out like that then I apologise.

[Pot]

The vast majority of people I see parking in disabled bays don't have those badges anyway.

 

But I'm sure nobody on this forum does that.

 

I don't, My Dad's got a blue badge, as he smashed his right leg up in a bike crash over 30 years ago... Now he's got arthritis in his right knee so he's on 2 crutches everywhere (His left knee's given up with the strain)...

 

I've been with him many times where he hasn't been able to get a space because there's been some non-disabled people parked in spaces, and he's had to park further away, but because of his determination he's struggled with my help to still do his shopping...

 

And even though we have his badge in my car and Mum's car now and again, we never use it unless he's with us...

[dangerous brain]

I don't, My Dad's got a blue badge, as he smashed his right leg up in a bike crash over 30 years ago... Now he's got arthritis in his right knee so he's on 2 crutches everywhere (His left knee's given up with the strain)...

 

I've been with him many times where he hasn't been able to get a space because there's been some non-disabled people parked in spaces, and he's had to park further away, but because of his determination he's struggled with my help to still do his shopping...

 

And even though we have his badge in my car and Mum's car now and again, we never use it unless he's with us...

 

And its a crying shame that this happens. Its the eejits that have that badge in their cars like you do and actually use it. They would do less damage if they just parked in a disabled place and left the badge in the glove box.

 

Also I didnt mean to imply that anyone was specifically saying that these people have stolen their jobs. Ah crap even I am being a hypocrite now lol.

[Class One]

I'm entitled to a blue badge, but have so far resisted the need to apply for one. The day is coming though, only because I need to open my door as wide as possible to get out, not because I can't walk far.

 

Anyyyyywaaaaay back on topic. The problem is, is that the male WASP's of this country are beginning to feel marginalised. I learnt along time ago that really the only way to try and get on, is to take some responsibility for your own development instead of relying on others to hold your hand and guide you on your way. The fact that there is help for other minority groups can be seen as a snub to your average male WASP, but at the same time some of those minority groups NEED help to get on and do some of those things that we take for granted.

 

Like: Diasabled access to public building/shops etc. It's taken so long in this country to legislate to make it necessary to allow equal access for all.

 

I don't agree with all the positive affirmation that has become apparent (it's affirmation not discrimination) but there is a need for some of it somewhere.

 

Life ain't fair. That's the way it goes.

[dangerous brain]

I'm entitled to a blue badge, but have so far resisted the need to apply for one. The day is coming though, only because I need to open my door as wide as possible to get out, not because I can't walk far.

 

Anyyyyywaaaaay back on topic. The problem is, is that the male WASP's of this country are beginning to feel marginalised. I learnt along time ago that really the only way to try and get on is to take some responsibility for your own development instead of relying on others to hold your hand and guide you on your way. The fact that there is help for other minority groups can be seen as a snub to your average male WASP, but at the same time some of those minority groups NEED help to get on and do some of those things that we take for granted.

 

Like: Diasabled access to public building/shops etc. It's taken so long in this country to legislate to make it necessary to allow equal access for all.

 

I don't agree with all the positive affirmation that has become apparent (it's affirmation not discrimination) but there is a need for some of it somewhere.

 

Life ain't fair. That's the way it goes.

 

Thats worthy of a quote mate.

[Lewis]

Thats worthy of a quote mate.

 

 

To preserve his spellink for prosterity?

[Pot]

I'm entitled to a blue badge, but have so far resisted the need to apply for one. The day is coming though, only because I need to open my door as wide as possible to get out, not because I can't walk far.

 

 

I'm entitled to one too, due to the Osteochondritis I have in my knee (Freaky the same knee as my Dads, but I guess there's only a 1/2 chance of that happening), but I refuse to have one at the moment, as I still find myself able to make myself do most things...

 

Anyyyyywaaaaay back on topic.

 

Yep, why don't I get tax credits?... lol

[Class One]

To preserve his spellink for prosterity?

 

Keystroke error, which can be easily rectified.

[Lewis]

Keystroke error, which can be easily rectified.

 

Tell it to the judge plod!

[Andy-No-Knee]

Now two things have come up that I feel I can contribute to with first hand knowledge.

 

I left the Army in 1997 and decided to get a 'real job' one where I dont have to jet around the world, meet interesting people and get shot at for peanuts, so I joined the London Fire Brigade.

 

In my intake there were no women and no 'ethnic minorities' (stated that way as it covers all), however in the intakes ahead and behind me there were roughly one woman per course and and two or three males of various shades and races. This was never a problem, as we ALL had passed the same tests, and knew if the time ever came anyone of 'them' could drag me out of a fire without much of a problem.

 

I became an instructor as the training school in 2003, and there was a huge difference. On weekends when the trainees were not in they held 'Minority or Women Only days' in an effort to positivly recruit people of these catchment areas.

 

While the Brigade did not outwardly argree to using positive descrimination they were doing it throught the back door as it were by not advertising for recruits in the normal way (on the radio, in national newspapers or on the web site) they were advertising in selected publications, The Voice, Asian News, Womens Mags, Gay and Lesbian papers etc.

They would then invite any who applied for the 'introduction day' and at the end even if some had not passed the relivant physical tests were still given an application form.

 

What was happening then was a larger amount of trainee fire fighters coming through that were of non white male deffinition. But because of the extra effort to recruit them, tests were being either removed or forgotten about. (It is hard to find an Asian/Indian woman who is taller than 5'5 and can lift a 20lb breathing set and still be expected to carry an 80kg dummy (me!) as the Police have also found out and alegidly done in London) so they remove that test. Another test, before getting sent to the Station was a 'carry down' where the trainee carried down from the 3rd floor on a ladder a live 'casualty' played by one of thier course mates. The cas had an anti fall belt on just incase they were dropped. Well it had to happen, and it was the first time it ever did, and it was a female trainee who dropped her cas, another female to make it easier for her, but not only did she drop the cas but she fell off the ladder herself! Well instead of saying 'Sorry you have failed' they passed her and removed the test, because they needed the figures of female firefighters.

 

In the Union I have one vote.

In the union a female has 2 votes. Union AND the Female fire Fighters Assc vote)

If she was also Black/Ethnic she would get 3 votes, and if she was also a Lesbian she would have 4 votes!

 

Democracy in action!

 

 

At the end of the day no one I talk to in the LFB likes the situation, no because of Racisim or sexism but because it isnt fair. Have the same tests and standards for all from entry and all would be well, but instead they have set up this system that is undermining peoples sence of security when they are on a fire ground. Now when I go into a job, I look at the other crews and wonder if they will be physically strong enough to do the job, let along rescue me if the roof falls on my head! And everyone does it. Even other females look at the new ones and wonder!

 

 

edited for spullunk!

[Jake]

Likewise if I say the word n*gger within half a mile of a black person I would feel within myself like some sort of racist Git.

Blimey. That's Sig-worthy that is.

 

 

 

The vast majority of people I see parking in disabled bays don't have those badges anyway.

 

But I'm sure nobody on this forum does that.

 

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9993/disabledqt2.jpg

[Chris Wilson]

I make a point of parking in the Mothers with Babies parking lot at Tescos. Why the hell they should have parking right by the doors I don't know... I get sick of people applauding when some disfuctional, ugly cow with 16 kids by a myriad one night stand sperm donors come on the box, and I similarly feel ratty when a convenient parking area is designated only for those who chose to have kids I feel just as entitled to be near the doors as I am always in a rush, and won't be causing a hold up while I corrall a load of disobedient infants into various buggys and contraptions.

 

Seriously though, prejudice is all around us, always has been, always will be. You gotta live with it, it won't go away, it *MAY* just get driven more underground, where it will fester and ferment into a far more sinsiter form.

[SUPRASUZUKI]

I make a point of parking in the Mothers with Babies parking lot at Tescos. Why the hell they should have parking right by the doors I don't know... I get sick of people applauding when some disfuctional, ugly cow with 16 kids by a myriad one night stand sperm donors come on the box, and I similarly feel ratty when a convenient parking area is designated only for those who chose to have kids I feel just as entitled to be near the doors as I am always in a rush, and won't be causing a hold up while I corrall a load of disobedient infants into various buggys and contraptions.

 

Seriously though, prejudice is all around us, always has been, always will be. You gotta live with it, it won't go away, it *MAY* just get driven more underground, where it will fester and ferment into a far more sinsiter form.

 

Get out of my parking space!!!

I had kids just so I could park in the big spaces and not get my doors knocked in!!:d

[RobSheffield]

I often take my mum to the supermarket in my car, and usually park in the mother and child spaces (well, they dont put an age limit on it )

[Thorin]

I make a point of parking in the Mothers with Babies parking lot at Tescos. Why the hell they should have parking right by the doors I don't know... I get sick of people applauding when some disfuctional, ugly cow with 16 kids by a myriad one night stand sperm donors come on the box, and I similarly feel ratty when a convenient parking area is designated only for those who chose to have kids I feel just as entitled to be near the doors as I am always in a rush, and won't be causing a hold up while I corrall a load of disobedient infants into various buggys and contraptions.

 

Seriously though, prejudice is all around us, always has been, always will be. You gotta live with it, it won't go away, it *MAY* just get driven more underground, where it will fester and ferment into a far more sinsiter form.

 

Good post, I agree entirely, parent and child spaces are fair game

[SMiFFAD]

Now two things have come up that I feel I can contribute to with first hand knowledge.

 

I left the Army in 1997 and decided to get a 'real job' one where I dont have to jet around the world, meet interesting people and get shot at for peanuts, so I joined the London Fire Brigade.

 

In my intake there were no women and no 'ethnic minorities' (stated that way as it covers all), however in the intakes ahead and behind me there were roughly one woman per course and and two or three males of various shades and races. This was never a problem, as we ALL had passed the same tests, and knew if the time ever came anyone of 'them' could drag me out of a fire without much of a problem.

 

I became an instructor as the training school in 2003, and there was a huge difference. On weekends when the trainees were not in they held 'Minority or Women Only days' in an effort to positivly recruit people of these catchment areas.

 

While the Brigade did not outwardly argree to using positive descrimination they were doing it throught the back door as it were by not advertising for recruits in the normal way (on the radio, in national newspapers or on the web site) they were advertising in selected publications, The Voice, Asian News, Womens Mags, Gay and Lesbian papers etc.

They would then invite any who applied for the 'introduction day' and at the end even if some had not passed the relivant physical tests were still given an application form.

 

What was happening then was a larger amount of trainee fire fighters coming through that were of non white male deffinition. But because of the extra effort to recruit them, tests were being either removed or forgotten about. (It is hard to find an Asian/Indian woman who is taller than 5'5 and can lift a 20lb breathing set and still be expected to carry an 80kg dummy (me!) as the Police have also found out and alegidly done in London) so they remove that test. Another test, before getting sent to the Station was a 'carry down' where the trainee carried down from the 3rd floor on a ladder a live 'casualty' played by one of thier course mates. The cas had an anti fall belt on just incase they were dropped. Well it had to happen, and it was the first time it ever did, and it was a female trainee who dropped her cas, another female to make it easier for her, but not only did she drop the cas but she fell off the ladder herself! Well instead of saying 'Sorry you have failed' they passed her and removed the test, because they needed the figures of female firefighters.

 

In the Union I have one vote.

In the union a female has 2 votes. Union AND the Female fire Fighters Assc vote)

If she was also Black/Ethnic she would get 3 votes, and if she was also a Lesbian she would have 4 votes!

 

Democracy in action!

 

 

At the end of the day no one I talk to in the LFB likes the situation, no because of Racisim or sexism but because it isnt fair. Have the same tests and standards for all from entry and all would be well, but instead they have set up this system that is undermining peoples sence of security when they are on a fire ground. Now when I go into a job, I look at the other crews and wonder if they will be physically strong enough to do the job, let along rescue me if the roof falls on my head! And everyone does it. Even other females look at the new ones and wonder!

 

 

edited for spullunk!

 

That makes me quite scared to ever be caught in a fire

 

Its at points where you start risking EVERYONES safety in the persute of balancing the books, peoples heads need banging together to get some sense back into things.

 

Take that lass on Big Brother who dared to say the "N" word... why on gods earth is it acceptable for a black person to say it, and not a white person, if its offensive its offencive from who ever says it surly!! regardless of race, colour, height, sexual orientation, religious believes of hair colour

 

Worlds gown mad!

[Ian C]

I agree with CW about mothers and kids parking space, although I do suspect it's more there to protect other cars than to make their life easier. It seems like as soon as some 16 year old munter spawns x number of state-paid kids by accident and stupidity, they feel they are much much more important than a careful and intelligent taxpayer.

 

It's this aspect on buses that gets me riled. Y'see, I get a bus every day to and from work, have done for years. I'm a tall bloke and buses are still built so that 3 foot tall cro-magnons could fit in the seats but precious few modern genetic subjects could - never mind someone two metres tall. So there are 7 seats on the average bus with adequate legroom that I can fit on - the three at the back and the two sets at the front. However those two at the bloody front are also sometimes marked up with a "abandon this seat you queued 10 minutes for so that a chav single mum can stomp in here at the last minute with their wailing child" sign. Really pisses me off. You want this seat? Get here before me next time, now fuck off. Hurrah for personal mp3 players and staring out the window while they struggle with their whinging kid.

 

Where exactly the fuck is my "if a tall person who can't physically fit, through no fault of their own, in the other seats wants this seat then GTFO" sign? Having kids is a choice, making the seats miniscule is a choice, being this tall isn't so if you look at it carefully I should get priority seating! And while I'm on it, where are the cashpoints at my height? I can't see the top half of the facking screen usually! Why are doorframes all 1 bastard inch lower than the top of my skull? huh? That's even health and safety, if doorframes were so narrow that people in wheelchairs banged their elbows on them I bet they would get widened. Why is it when someone says "what's the weather like up there" they get offended with a reply like "Same as down there, shortarse"?

 

Grrrrr. and relax

 

DB is right. People suck.

 

-Ian

[JustGav]

Sorry.. but that is a very biased and tainted view... okay that is the obnoxious bit done *grin*

 

The parent and child parking are a good idea for mothers in general (you guys have generalized a lot when you said 16yr old mothers)..

 

It is actually a pain the ass getting a kid in and out of a pushchair and into the car as well as the shopping and stuff. Try opening car doors wide enough in normal parking bays to get the bits and pieces out..

 

Once the kids are able to walk on their own then they shouldn't be in the buggies (for me that is around the age of 2) and none of this 10yr old in a buggy crap...

 

So yeah, as with most things in the this country...I find there are some good ideas for things like that which are just abused by the 16yr old mothers and fathers... *grin*

[Thorin]

Why is it when someone says "what's the weather like up there" they get offended with a reply like "Same as down there, shortarse"?

 

 

Still at least you should be ok in these floods.

[Chris Wilson]

One of my prejudices is I hate kids, so special parking arrangements for their mothers is never going to be a vote winner with me

[Ian C]

Sorry.. but that is a very biased and tainted view...

 

Helloooo

 

You know those people who join the army and then express surprise, shock, and indignation about being shot at and their lives are in danger?

 

That's people who have kids and expect everyone else to work around them. C'mon, your life gets more difficult, what a shocker, you knew it was coming - don't try and make it easier by expecting special treatment.

 

-Ian

[michael]

The mother and child spaces at my local Asda have a really bizarre picture on them, rather than the standard parent leading a child by the hand they look like 2 people body-popping. Me and the missus often park there, jump out, cut some shapes and then wander in to the store.

[JustGav]

Helloooo

 

You know those people who join the army and then express surprise, shock, and indignation about being shot at and their lives are in danger?

 

That's people who have kids and expect everyone else to work around them. C'mon, your life gets more difficult, what a shocker, you knew it was coming - don't try and make it easier by expecting special treatment.

 

-Ian

 

BOLLOCKS!!! *grin*

 

I'm a step parent/parent... and to be fair, I don't use the parent and child parking, I did many years ago when my little guy was only 2 and that was because I was on my own trying to lift buggy and kid around. If you have ever tried to use a buggy as a bloke, they are more complicated than the twin seq. system on the supra. *grin* Now that they can all walk, the buggies, the parking the lot has gone.

 

However, I do see your point with regards the usual chavvy suspects, I myself actually get arsey and shout at people who park in disabled bays when they are blatantly not.

 

Same as the social system in this country, just used and abused by those who REALLY don't need it.