Because there's an increasing culture of you must apologise for anything that somebody deems offensive.

And because, if you don't – and quickly – the situation can escalate.

As I said, thick. How can anyone believe this was directed at a black player as an insult in a racist manner, other than the 'insulted industry' who would create a problem over anything (remember the BaBa Blacksheep bollox).

The other day on 5 Live the discussion was about doctors not referring to people as 'fat' as it was insulting, there was even some women on saying how she felt persecuted if her doctor commented on her weight or diet when she was visiting over something she deemed non-weight related (Invariably weight has a lot to do with other ailments). I am 19' 12" and it is NOT muscle, I know its because I eat too much and don't excersize enough, I also know it is all my own fault and if my doctor has a go at me I don't feel insulted or curl up in a all and cry because I am offended. I either change my lifestyle or suffer the consequences.

I'd imagine most of it would be leg bones but that is a hell of a size, could you come around and paint the gutters on my house for me, I hate going up ladders.

He's absolutely brilliant at basketball.

Context seems to be an insignificant factor these days, it really is a nonsense.

Had Townsend been white, the comment/joke would have been just as valid and Hodgson would probably have been just as likely to use it, but we'd have none of this. It's like the line about people asking to speak to the organ grinder rather than the monkey; do we now have to consider the ethnicity of the people in question first, or do we even have to go the whole hog and resign the phrase to the scrapheap entirely?

This is an interesting one – and a little different, I think.

There is a rise in the number of people who 'think' that they have a right to comment on someone else's weight – invariably in an "I'm perfect" manner, which also involves them not having a clue about the individual and making a serious of assumptions. I recall a poster here saying that he was shopping one day and a woman felt that she could walk up to him and tell him to pick a low-fat brand of the product that he was considering at the time.

Personally, it's not the word per se, but that assumption – which I've had from doctors myself. And frankly, it's medically lazy as well as anything else. And that same personal experience also means that I do not unquestioningly trust doctors.

Sorry but you can't go the whole hog anymore.
Also banned.

Sorry but you can't go the whole hog anymore.
Also banned.

Is that the weight thing? If so, I'm overweight so that should make it OK. I'd be reclaiming the slur for my people.

[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24577352Good for him.[/url

Its wht I should be for my weight !!

It doesn't work that way round, as well you know.

echo reduction

Is there an echo in here?

TIP: Posting on RL Fans is sometimes like waiting for a lift or at a pelican crossing. Repeatedly pressing the button does not result in quicker service

However, another campaign group has sent a formal complaint to the FA in which it calls for an independent investigation into the issue.

In the four-page complaint, Race for Sport, an off-shoot of the Society for Black Lawyers, says the decision to consider the matter closed is "unacceptable". It also demands "cultural intelligence" training for Hodgson and all football managers

you couldn't make it up

Condescending fish face.

Getting beyond silly now.

Perhaps 'joke awareness' training and 'stop being offended on behalf of others' training is needed

Can we extend that to imbecelic tv presenters such as Adrian Chiles?
I'm actually beginning to believe Brummies are thicker than Southerners.
Difficult, I accept.

Perhaps the key word was "lawyers".

I did roll my eyes on "cultural awareness training". And again now, posting it.

What about some ''common sense'' training or perhaps some ''get off your stupid high-horse and take that chip off your shoulder, you racist'' training

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24592596 We're on one with the racism it seems

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24592596 We're on one with the racism it seems

You're right.
Everyone knows that the way Pelican crossings work is to wait until after a gap in the traffic has allowed the pedestrian to nip across anyway.
And then, half a minute later, the lights stop the traffic when there isn't a pedestrian in sight.

Would this be the same Society of Black Lawyers who only last year accused the FA of being "institutionally racist" for not reporting the Mark Clattenburg/Jon Obi Mikel incident (which turned out to be nothing) to the police - despite the only evidence they possessed being what they had read in the media?

Failing to learn from precedent really doesn't indicate a good lawyer, does it?

Moving on to a subject from the same ball park, though of a different game - what of the fuss about Thorpe park's "attraction" - "The Asylum"? Mental health organisations want it banned because it is demeaning to mentally ill people , perpetuates myths etc., how would you like it if you or yours had been mentally ill etc.

Of course no decent person would consider the mentally ill as a subject for entertainment. Might be your opening thought. Except - then what about (for example) films like Psycho, The Shining or One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest?

The Halloween series?

And is not the word "mental", and derivations, currently one of the modern buzz words amongs yoof? Either in a deprecating sense, or as in fact a good or amusing thing ("Oooh, I'm proper mental, me innit).

What about the conveyor belt of popular songs that play on the subject, of people being driven mad or crazy, usually in the context of a relationship?

Should all references to anything that is remotely not to be wished for now to be taboo from all types of popular culture, or do they have a point?

With regard to the Thorpe Park attraction, you can actually see a snapshot on a popular video site under
Fright Nights at THORPE PARK - The Asylum
and to me it is very clearly a homage to B horror movies, and general horror entertainment (which is as old as the hills). Looking at it, it's clear that in absolutely no way could any reasonable person think that it is meant in any way whatsoever to resemble either genuine mental health patients, or any modern day mental institution (are they even called "Asylum" any more anywhere?) so for mine, they have completely picked the wrong target.

But, returning to the main point of the thread, this will not stop thousands jumping on the perceived bandwagon - without, IMHO, having actually analysed what rational objections they might really have, before jumping in.

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