Before I get jumped on by the Moderators, this is going to be a political thread, honest.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/05122006/140/xmas-ban-firms-scared-tinsel.html

While I can understand calling them "Christmas" decorations may cause some problems, preventing any "Festive" decorations is just an example of political correctness gone too far.

There was also a news story (now unable to locate) of a small village attempting to hold a Festive Holiday Party in council buildings, only to be prevented by the mountains of red tape - risk assessments for mince pies, Santa needing a complete Criminal Records Bureau clearance, no xmas tree (too dangerous) and full health and safety checks on all decorations. For a private party!

Our increasing fear of litigation (sorry J and accompanied US-citizens, this one came from your side of the pond) has meant that soon we will need a full risk assessment, signed in triplicate before leaving our front doors.

An additional bit of worry for me is the Good Samaritan rule for First Aiders. God help me should I go to the US. In this country, I am protected by the ruling that I am acting as a Good Samaritan should I choose to provide First Aid. Key word there is choose. There is discussion among these circles that in the US you can be sued if you are a First Aider and don't provide help, and you can be sued if you provide First Aid and things don't get better.

Any more litigation that's frightening the world we live in?

Before I get jumped on by the Moderators,
there's only one who may inflict strange morals on threads and be selective about who is chastised.

While I can understand calling them "Christmas" decorations may cause some problems,
it is confusing Nikky, it is after all a festival which has nothing to do with religion.

risk assessments for mince pies, Santa needing a complete Criminal Records Bureau clearance, no xmas tree (too dangerous) and full health and safety checks on all decorations. For a private party!
I saw that story, its total madness - sadly its all down to the Yankee sue-all culture creeping in.

Col

Before I get jumped on by the Moderators, this is going to be a political thread, honest.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/05122006/140/xmas-ban-firms-scared-tinsel.html

While I can understand calling them "Christmas" decorations may cause some problems, preventing any "Festive" decorations is just an example of political correctness gone too far.

There was also a news story (now unable to locate) of a small village attempting to hold a Festive Holiday Party in council buildings, only to be prevented by the mountains of red tape - risk assessments for mince pies, Santa needing a complete Criminal Records Bureau clearance, no xmas tree (too dangerous) and full health and safety checks on all decorations. For a private party!

Our increasing fear of litigation (sorry J and accompanied US-citizens, this one came from your side of the pond) has meant that soon we will need a full risk assessment, signed in triplicate before leaving our front doors.

An additional bit of worry for me is the Good Samaritan rule for First Aiders. God help me should I go to the US. In this country, I am protected by the ruling that I am acting as a Good Samaritan should I choose to provide First Aid. Key word there is choose. There is discussion among these circles that in the US you can be sued if you are a First Aider and don't provide help, and you can be sued if you provide First Aid and things don't get better.

Any more litigation that's frightening the world we live in?

Kill all the lawyers, British and American alike.

It may not solve all our problems, but it will be a great start.


The use of lawyers seems to be more civilized than dueling; but is it really?

The use of lawyers seems to be more civilized than dueling; but is it really?


It is only the lawyers that profit from these cases.

In the UK the system is starting to get just as crazy as the US, you can have your partner or father murdered and receive a pittance from the Governments criminal injuries board, but at the same time you can take your employer to court for stress and get thousands of pounds.

Where is the common sense?

It won't be long before criminals will be granted legal aid to sue there victims for the stress of victimising them!! Mark my words it's coming!!

Oh dear, this thread has a distinct anti-American flavour. How strange that one who decided to brand me the same should start a thread just a few days after, making the same comments I've been making here over the years.
I equate it with those new wave comedians who had the likes of Benny Hill removed from our screens for sexism and vulgarity and then went on to permeate every joke they told with liberal sprinklings of the f and c words as well as repeated references to genitalia. Long live the new world order and god help us all. Oh search here for posts on the sue all culture, I'm sure you'll find it educational

Oh dear, this thread has a distinct anti-American flavour. How strange that one who decided to brand me the same should start a thread just a few days after, making the same comments I've been making here over the years.
I equate it with those new wave comedians who had the likes of Benny Hill removed from our screens for sexism and vulgarity and then went on to permeate every joke they told with liberal sprinklings of the f and c words as well as repeated references to genitalia. Long live the new world order and god help us all. Oh search here for posts on the sue all culture, I'm sure you'll find it educational
What are you ranting about?

What are you ranting about?
Seek and ye will find, search the archives

Seek and ye will find, search the archives

Not interested; I know your views on our society.

I'm asking; why are you ranting?

Not interested; I know your views on our society.

You've no idea

I'm asking; why are you ranting
See if you can figure it yourself, I'll give you a hint, the originator of this thread branded me anti-American after only 5mins on the forum, then posted the same sort of thing I've posted here numerous times over the years.
I wonder how long before she's branded anti-American and decides to live up to the charge?:rolleyes:

You've no idea


See if you can figure it yourself, I'll give you a hint, the originator of this thread branded me anti-American after only 5mins on the forum, then posted the same sort of thing I've posted here numerous times over the years.
I wonder how long before she's branded anti-American and decides to live up to the charge?:rolleyes:

OK I got all that. Why are you ranting?

OK I got all that. Why are you ranting?
Same reason I've ranted over Bush and Bliar over all these years

Same reason I've ranted over Bush and Bliar over all these years

Has it done you any good?

Has it done you any good?
Yes, it's remarkable therapy

Yes, it's remarkable therapy

By all means then. But I thought you said only Americans needed therapy.:confused: :confused:

By all means then. But I thought you said only Americans needed therapy.:confused: :confused:
I don't have to pay for it, in any case when in the company of Romans etc

I don't have to pay for it, in any case when in the company of Romans etc

Oh I see.

So like the Romans before us, do as we do, because we rule the known world.

And yes they did fall, but only after a thousand years or so.

Oh I see.

So like the Romans before us, do as we do, because we rule the known world.

And yes they did fall, but only after a thousand years or so.
Your empire isn't going to last anywhere near as long, in anycase I decided to take a leaf out of the Americans posting here's book and fight fire with fire

Your empire isn't going to last anywhere near as long, in anycase I decided to take a leaf out of the Americans posting here's book and fight fire with fire

Well were one fifth of the way there now.

Well were one fifth of the way there now.
How long has 60 been a fith of a thousand?

How long has 60 been a fith of a thousand?



Our time began when we decided to kick ya'lls tyrannical predecessors off our continent.

Our time began when we decided to kick ya'lls tyrannical predecessors off our continent.
and decided to continue the practice yourselves:rolleyes:

I'm not anti-American.

I have been very civil to J and the rest. I am quite envious of some of the freedoms that are in place in parts of the US. My problem is with the increasing litigation in this country, and the worrying trend that we are becoming anti-British, losing our identity. Not because of America, necessarily, but because of the political correctness which is being inflicted on us from every direction. You may as well label me anti-European. A far more accurate description.

I'm not anti-American.

I have been very civil to J and the rest. I am quite envious of some of the freedoms that are in place in parts of the US. My problem is with the increasing litigation in this country, and the worrying trend that we are becoming anti-British, losing our identity. Not because of America, necessarily, but because of the political correctness which is being inflicted on us from every direction. You may as well label me anti-European. A far more accurate description.
Oddly enough I used to be the same here and started out with the same philosophy as yourself

So what changed?

Help me to avoid this future.

I'm not anti-American.

You may as well label me anti-European. A far more accurate description.


Nicky,

I'm with you on that.

I am fed up with all this political correctness nonsense.

It is the beaurocrats in Brussells that are responsible for this not the Americans.

The sooner the UK leaves the EU the better!

I have nothing against people migrating from poorer eurpoean countries to here to work, as long as they have skills that we can find useful. What I disaprove of is all the spongers who come over just to claim our benefits.


White, Black, Asian, Muslim, I do not care what race or creed, if they are a benefit to the UK they are welcome and I will call them friend, but if they are here just to sponge off our state then I say send them back.

I don't feel that this is a racist comment, although some people might.
Some of my best friends have been black and Asian.

So what changed?

Help me to avoid this future.
Constant belittlement by most of the American male posters here, I have to say though that the female Americans posting here are far more enlightened than their male counterparts

Nicky,

I'm with you on that.

I am fed up with all this political correctness nonsense.

.
Bliar sucked us deeper into it

likes of Benny Hill removed from our screens


Bring back Benny Hill.

It wasn't smuty not by todays standards it was good clean innuendo fun.

It was the feminist brigade who got him remved from the TV.

and decided to continue the practice yourselves:rolleyes:

But we’re, oh so much better at it. And more deserving as well.

Worked out pretty good for ya'll last century. To the British rescue; not once but twice.

Constant belittlement by most of the American male posters here,

The ol' pots a steamin"
that kettle, she sure is black,

But we’re, oh so much better at it. And more deserving as well.

Worked out pretty good for ya'll last century. To the British rescue; not once but twice.
Yeah, the first time you turned up when it was nearly finished and the second time you turned up because somebody dropped a turd in your custard

I love Benny Hill, I remember being a kid and watching it on tv at home. I know BBC america plays benny hill and I gotta say I love Whose Line is it anyway

Yeah, the first time you turned up when it was nearly finished

Tell that to the families of the 116,516 Americans that died over there, 53,402, in battle and 63,114 other (they must have been seriously short on medical knowledge and army safety training) and the 204,002 wounded.

You’re always up in the air about American’s denigrating Britain’s participation, and yet when it comes to America; no amount loss would be enough for you.

Speaking of Christmas Decorations

We have some really dedicated families all over America it’s so much fun to take the kids for a ride through some of the neighborhoods where it’s popular to decorate.

Speaking of Christmas Decorations

We have some really dedicated families all over America it’s so much fun to take the kids for a ride through some of the neighborhoods where it’s popular to decorate.

I have to say that, while a lot of the images that make it to this side of the pond show very garish, over-the-top decorations - at both Christmas and Hallowe'en - some of the ones I've seen are quite tastefully done and beautiful.
There is a street near where I live where a lot of gypsies reside (legally, let's not tangent the thread again!) and they decorate the entire cul-de-sac.
Unfortunately, because of the reason I gave before about the US media over here, the influence of many decorations in this country tends to be of the "OMG, take it down, you are a nuisance to the neighbours" variety.

I have to say that, while a lot of the images that make it to this side of the pond show very garish, over-the-top decorations - at both Christmas and Hallowe'en - some of the ones I've seen are quite tastefully done and beautiful.
There is a street near where I live where a lot of gypsies reside (legally, let's not tangent the thread again!) and they decorate the entire cul-de-sac.
Unfortunately, because of the reason I gave before about the US media over here, the influence of many decorations in this country tends to be of the "OMG, take it down, you are a nuisance to the neighbours" variety.

It's sounds like British freedom is under serious attack (as is the US). Not from the government as much as the lawyers.

I say again...

Tell that to the families of the 116,516 Americans that died over there, 53,402, in battle and 63,114 other (they must have been seriously short on medical knowledge and army safety training) and the 204,002 wounded.

You’re always up in the air about American’s denigrating Britain’s participation, and yet when it comes to America; no amount loss would be enough for you.
No I'll pass your message on to the million odd British and Commonwealth relatives of those who gave their lives before you arrived on the scene.
I'll remind them just how much they owe to the Americans for saving them

I have to say that, while a lot of the images that make it to this side of the pond show very garish, over-the-top decorations - at both Christmas and Hallowe'en - some of the ones I've seen are quite tastefully done and beautiful.
There is a street near where I live where a lot of gypsies reside (legally, let's not tangent the thread again!) and they decorate the entire cul-de-sac.
Unfortunately, because of the reason I gave before about the US media over here, the influence of many decorations in this country tends to be of the "OMG, take it down, you are a nuisance to the neighbours" variety.
I don't think it's the actual decorations that neighbours object to, but the traffic that's generated by sightseers

Even the Commision for Racial equality derides this PC nonsense -

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1968702,00.html

something has clearly gone wrong somewhere - and as usual its the lawyers making money for themselves at the expense of everyone else.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=421683&in_page_id=1770

This is a pretty good example of lawyers work at our expense.

:confused:

Well it's even worse in the US
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16150563

Constant belittlement by most of the American male posters here, I have to say though that the female Americans posting here are far more enlightened than their male counterparts
I agree, the male American posters are always spoiling for a fight (the American dream I suppose), but if you want to have a sound sensible discussion, then the female Americans here by far outshine the American males.

Col

I think a lot of this crap tends to get blown out of proportion or reported out of context. We just so happen to have been having a discussion on political correctness over here (http://palimpsest.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=583) and when you read some of the stuff from the anti-PC brigade you see how misinformed and incapable of forming opinions with substance they are.

There was a good article in the Guardian last week called The Phoney War On Christmas (http://www.guardian.co.uk/christmas2006/story/0,,1967367,00.html) which investigated some of the claims that seem to get the anti-PC brigade up in arms over nothing. Such cases as Luton Council supposedly banning people celebrating Christmas and Birmingham renaming Christmas as Winterval.

I'm unclear as to why it has "Christ" in the name when it is nothing to do with religion:confused:

Col

I'm unclear as to why it has "Christ" in the name when it is nothing to do with religion:confused:

Col
Yes it should be re-named the festival of trees

Yes it should be re-named the festival of trees
It probobly was when it was a good old pagan knees-up - before the religious holier-than-thou hypocritical freaks hijacked it:rolleyes:

Col

... before the religious holier-than-thou hypocritical freaks hijacked it:rolleyes: ...and the "US Male Posters" are the one's itching for a fight? :confused: :eek:

I think a lot of this crap tends to get blown out of proportion or reported out of context. We just so happen to have been having a discussion on political correctness over here (http://palimpsest.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=583) and when you read some of the stuff from the anti-PC brigade you see how misinformed and incapable of forming opinions with substance they are.

I wouldn't say I'm anti-PC. I feel very uncomfortable around deliberate racism, where it is used to be hurtful and hateful. But at the same time, I know people of the older generation to whom the word n*gger is just a descriptive term, not an insult.

I wouldn't necessarily say that the original story behind my first post was a case of political correctness gone mad. More a case of needless beaurocracy gone mad - red tape which could have been used to decorate a Winterval tree! It is the fear of being sued, the increasing influence of a compensation culture. It really exists - and it is really infuriating.

It probobly was when it was a good old pagan knees-up - before the religious holier-than-thou hypocritical freaks hijacked it

Can you post a narrative/history of how that occured?

...and the "US Male Posters" are the one's itching for a fight? :confused: :eek:

He's not a very nice person at times is he...

He's not a very nice person at times is he...

http://sydlexia.com/imagesandstuff/xmasmovies/marley.png

http://sydlexia.com/imagesandstuff/xmasmovies/marley.png

Is that Rich and Col?

Is that Rich and Col?

Nah people actually laugh at Waldorf and Statler's gags. ;)

Nah people actually laugh at Waldorf and Statler's gags. ;)

I was just wondering, cause they sure are a handsome bunch.

http://server5.pictiger.com/img/778826/picture-hosting/gonemad.gif

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/4474b1f299.gif

You see? I laughed at that one :D

Can you post a narrative/history of how that occured?
Don't you know?:confused:

Can you post a narrative/history of how that occured?

"We could continue with much more documentation and history, but anyone who has the desire can soon find out for himself that Christmas is a thoroughly pagan holiday — in its origin, in its trappings, and in all its traditions.

Don’t take my word for it though, you need only read a dictionary, encyclopedia, or some books on the holidays from your public library. No honest person can deny these truths. The Roman Catholic Church, which originated this holiday, admits that it was taken from paganism and adapted for its own purposes."
Full text (http://ancienthistory.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=ancienthistory&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.aol.com%2Flibcfl%2Fxmas.htm)

Plus the many other websites that google highlights

Col

We just had a case here in Toronto where the senior judge at one of the courthouses ordered the Christmas tree in the lobby removed. She thought it was insulting to non Christians.

The support staff at the courthouse (many of who are not Christians but had no problem with a Christmas tree) were up in arms.

The Chief Judge got involved. He told the senior judge to return the tree or else he would expect to find her in her office on Christmas and Boxing Day working.

The tree was returned.

There was joke going around a few years ago to the effect that the "Ministry of Political Correctness" had ordered people to stop using the word "Eskimo". Eskimo is a Cree Indian word and in the Cree language it's quite insulting. When asked what word should be used instead, the Ministry said use Inuit. An Inuit is an indiginous resident of the Arctic (see, I didn't use the "E" word). It was pointed out that Inuit only live in the Eastern Arctic. There also Aleuts and other native groups who wouldn't be covered by the term Inuit. After a long consultation, the Ministry decided the correct term for an indiginous person living in the Arctic would be "Warmth Challenged".

Just bought a carton of Christmas decs from a chain store here, the message now reads Happy Holidays:rolleyes:

Just bought a carton of Christmas decs from a chain store here, the message now reads Happy Holidays:rolleyes:

You can't please some people can you? :D

You can't please some people can you? :D
Sure you can... I have a sign on my cubicle that reads Merry Christmahannukwanzika :D

You can't please some people can you? :D
I'm surprised the greeting wasn't written in 26 different languages with an apology to jehovah witnesses :rolleyes:

Every major holiday originally recognized by the pagans was co-opted by the "holy mother church" during the first several centuries of the first millennium post-Jesus. All-Saints day follows Halloween, Easter matches the pagan return of Spring, Christmas was a pagan tree festival, and so on. You have to search for it, but the idea was simple. To win the hearts and minds of the pagans, throw parties. Parties at which they have a good time and you have a semi-captive audience. But... to get them to come at all, you need to pick a time when they were going to be partying anyway. So make your parties occur "by coincidence" (if you believe in such things) on the same day as a major pagan holiday. Then, when everyone is feeling no pain, talk about your religious beliefs.

The original Christmas holiday was actually on the night of the Winter Solstice, but when the Romans switched from a lunar calendar things started to get out of hand. The Julian calendar was inaccurate enough that when we switched to the Gregorian calendar, we were 11 days out of sync. We now have New Year's day celebrated on the calendar's start, but originally that should have been on the day that in the Gregorian calendar is Dec. 21st.

The issue of political correctness is SO stupid - whether dealing with holidays or with race or with religion - that it becomes impossible to hold a critical discussion. Which is, of course, playing into the hands of the "politically correct" thought squad. Which is why I tell them that at my age, I'm too old to learn these new-fangled PC terms. To me, a spade is a spade and a duck is a duck.

Which isn't to say that I try HARD to be insulting. I just don't try very hard to NOT be insulting. Particularly when a PC type starts harping on some topic that can't be discussed outside of using blunt language.

I think its about time all references to religion are dropped when referring to the 25th December [pagan] public holiday.
It can be very offensive to non-religious people having all that jesus crap thrown down your throat on TV - all those freaky hypocrits singing in church, its enough to make you want to throw up.

Even if there was a jesus alien thing born - a search of google tells you best estimates of the birthday is in September.

Col

:) G'morning Col - Have a good weekend?

And this is the time of year when one of the wealthiest institutions in the country come knocking asking for contributions to help the poor. &%£#!^$ hypocrites!:mad:

And this is the time of year when one of the wealthiest institutions in the country come knocking asking for contributions to help the poor. &%£#!^$ hypocrites!:mad:

Oh dear.... Where is everyone's Christmas spirit? :(

Oh dear.... Where is everyone's Christmas spirit? :(
Haven't drunk any yet:mad:

Do you all drink egg nog?

Do you all drink egg nog?
Yuk, sounds disgusting, is this an American tipple?:confused:

:) G'morning Col - Have a good weekend?
Yes actually, I did.

Oh dear.... Where is everyone's Christmas spirit?
In the vodka bottle I use every night. I suppose Kenny, you don't drink what with being a "christian" and all:rolleyes:

ok, go on then have a go at me for drinking the dreaded devils brew alcohol.:rolleyes: I thought I'd give you an easy starter target today

Col

Yes actually, I did.

Wonderful - Do you and your's buy the nieces's and nephews a little present for th holiday?


In the vodka bottle I use every night. I suppose Kenny, you don't drink what with being a "christian" and all:rolleyes:

You are correct but not so much on account of my faith - :)


ok, go on then have a go at me for drinking the dreaded devils brew alcohol.:rolleyes: I thought I'd give you an easy starter target today

Col

Not today, I'll give you a break - :D :D

Yuk, sounds disgusting, is this an American tipple?:confused:

I'm not sure where it came from - I would have thought it an 'English' tradition - ???

I'm not sure where it came from - I would have thought it an 'English' tradition - ???
Sounds more like Scandinavian

You are correct but not so much on account of my faith - :)



Too tight? :confused:

Sounds more like Scandinavian

Hum... I'll have to google that one - :confused:

Too tight? :confused:

Nah - But it can be a drain on the billfold :eek: :p

Nah - But it can be a drain on the billfold :eek: :p
So can children:p

So can children:p

I quit them as well - :D

Wonderful - Do you and your's buy the nieces's and nephews a little present for th holiday?
We never buy for the family - sisters, nieces, nephews - too bloody expensive, its just an expensive over commercialised farce. Anyway, my family live miles away so we seldom see them anyway.

Col

You are correct but not so much on account of my faith
I just knew you wouldn't drink:rolleyes: I'll bet you don't smoke either. - It goes with your image

Col

We never buy for the family - sisters, nieces, nephews - too bloody expensive, its just an expensive over commercialised farce. Anyway, my family live miles away so we seldom see them anyway.

Col

Yeah, I guess you have to draw the line somewhere - I have cousins I haven't seen in years - no xmas gift for them - :eek: :(

I just knew you wouldn't drink:rolleyes: I'll bet you don't smoke either. - It goes with your image

Col

Right again - not on regular basis anyway...:) :)

Right again - not on regular basis anyway...:) :)
do you smoke pot then?

Col

do you smoke pot then?

Col

I tried it hum... 30+ years ago :confused: and all it did was make me hungry and sleepy - :eek: ;)

I tried it hum... 30+ years ago :confused: and all it did was make me hungry and sleepy - :eek: ;)
That's because you weren't listening to the correct music:p

Who smokes pot these days? Young people, old people (old hippies)?