Example of political correctness going too far?

MrFun · June 19, 2003, 13:01

Ok, a few days ago, I ran across an e-mail correspondence to employees where I work.

At the end of it, I remember that it praised American soldiers who are in Iraq. Now, this bit was nothing really political -- it was just praise for American soldiers.

Yet, for some reason, the originator of this made the following statement that said this was not meant to offend anyone and apologies if anyone was offended.

How the hell is praising American soldiers for their efforts offensive towards other people?

I am not that comfortable with hyper-patriotism, and question almost all the wars we were involved in. But I try to respect the soldiers in any war that I do not support.

But still, this is excessive political correctness -- to apologize if others are offended with the praise given to American soldiers.

Velociryx · June 19, 2003, 13:02

Happens all the time, sadly. People so wrapped up in falling all over themselves so as not to offend anybody, that it just gets absurd.

Long Live PC!

-=Vel=-

MrFun · June 19, 2003, 13:05

Quote:

Originally posted by Velociryx
Happens all the time, sadly. People so wrapped up in falling all over themselves so as not to offend anybody, that it just gets absurd.

Long Live PC!

-=Vel=-

But you see -- I have not supported our war in Iraq, yet I was not offended with this e-mail praising our soldiers. They're just doing their duty.

Japher · June 19, 2003, 13:11

It's those that would be offended by such a statement that need to do the apologizing!

SlowwHand · June 19, 2003, 14:43

You're really surprised? Really?
Look around here sometime, a little more closely.
I agree with you that this is way beyond too far, but don't be surprised.

Dauphin · June 19, 2003, 14:53

What a joke.

Sorry if I offended anyone with the above statement. And I'm also sorry if anyone thinks my apologising prior to a complaint is wrong.

DaShi · June 19, 2003, 15:09

**** off the lot of you.

Sorry, if that offended anyone.

The Andy-Man · June 19, 2003, 16:48

all political correctness goes to far.

MrFun · June 19, 2003, 17:22

Quote:

Originally posted by The Andy-Man
all political correctness goes to far.

not all

Kuciwalker · June 19, 2003, 17:24

That offended me.

Velociryx · June 19, 2003, 18:44

I agree. The PC movement is a lesson in absurdity. That you must lace whatever you say with a string of apologies to beg forgiveness to any person, persons, or group(s) you may have left off or ::gasp:: cast in a bad light is rediculous.

-=Vel=-

Dr Strangelove · June 19, 2003, 19:12

None of you are old enough to remember the days when little white boys down South would compete to find progressively more outrageous uses for the "N word", especially in the presence of a member of the "N" race. If the member of the "N" race was bigger and male the boys would make sure that big brother or Pa were close enough at hand to bail them out if need be. The same process applied to the "S" race and the "J" race, and G*d help you if you were white and objected, because that surely meant that you were of the "Q" persuasion, or even a "Y" or a "C".

It's a little better now.

Zulu Elephant · June 19, 2003, 19:15

I get the feeling that I may be coming down on the wrong side of public opinion here but I don't think it's inconceivable that a reasonable person could be offended by the statement.

If someone knew an Iraqi that was killed in the invasion, I wouldn't think they were out of their mind to be slightly offended at someone saying "good job" to the army that killed their friend.

Im not saying that people shouldn't praise the army and if the hypothetical friend-of-a-dead-Iraqi were to start saying otherwise I'd be the first to tell them that they have no right to censor others.

BUT, I don't think it's "political correctness gone mad" to show that (even though you feel that the soldiers did a good job) you recognise that others may not be as happy as you that they did such a good job.

Odin · June 19, 2003, 19:22

Actually, I think he did the apology thing so he didn't get pounded by liberal co-workers. Most conservatives think that hating a war is the same being against the men & women fighting in it.

MrFun · June 19, 2003, 19:25

Quote:

Originally posted by Zulu Elephant
I get the feeling that I may be coming down on the wrong side of public opinion here but I don't think it's inconceivable that a reasonable person could be offended by the statement.

If someone knew an Iraqi that was killed in the invasion, I wouldn't think they were out of their mind to be slightly offended at someone saying "good job" to the army that killed their friend.

Im not saying that people shouldn't praise the army and if the hypothetical friend-of-a-dead-Iraqi were to start saying otherwise I'd be the first to tell them that they have no right to censor others.

BUT, I don't think it's "political correctness gone mad" to show that (even though you feel that the soldiers did a good job) you recognise that others may not be as happy as you that they did such a good job.

I'm not saying that everyone should feel compelled to praise the army if you don't support the war.

I can respect the soldiers in Iraq without supporting the war by simply acknowledging they're doing their duty -- what they have to do.

My question was not why doesn't everyone feel compelled to praise soldiers, but how in hell could anyone find an insult in literature praising soldiers?

Al B. Sure! · June 19, 2003, 19:25

Quote:

"J" race

???

MrFun · June 19, 2003, 19:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Odin
Actually, I think he did the apology thing so he didn't get pounded by liberal co-workers. Most conservatives think that hating a war is the same being against the men & women fighting in it.

Excuse me -- I'm liberal, and I see how silly this extreme PC situation was.

Nubclear · June 19, 2003, 19:29

Is it just me, or are Vels post become less and less intelligent?!

Anyway, yeah thats pretty asburd.

I was speaking to a support group a few days ago.....I mentioned something about "illegal immigrants". Well, I was "corrected" by a very nice person.

So next time, remember to say "Unauthorized Persons"

Odin · June 19, 2003, 19:29

Quote:

Originally posted by MrFun
Excuse me -- I'm liberal, and I see how silly this extreme PC situation was.

I hate most PC too, I just think this guy was such a nationalistic idiot that he thought anti-war ment against the people in the millitary.

Lorizael · June 19, 2003, 20:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Albert Speer

???

The Japanese. Or, as they would have been called back then, japs.

Whaleboy · June 19, 2003, 21:07

Its a little much, he's trying to place a fundamentally absolutist argument (as was the case for war at best

, and then wrap it up in a kind of moral relativism to make it appear PC. Thats generally the case with most PC stuff, but I personally advocate that we totally ignore the whole idea of political correctness.

Its a complete fallacy, in truth, it does not exist, there are merely only peoples opinions. The reasons for them believing in their opinions bares no relation to their actual argument, and thus logically, it holds as much water as ad hominem arguments.

One should take his position to be moral relativist by default (I know thats a contradiction in terms, but view it in context of my own opinions and my right to express them), by emphasising the fact, perhaps that is showing a degree of insecurity about his own opinion.

Velociryx · June 19, 2003, 21:13

Tass, you're just sayin' that cos I won't join the dark side....

And someone got on your case about "Illegal Immegrants?" Christ! Isn't that what they ARE (persons immegrating to a country illegally? What the heck are we supposed to call them?!)

Next thing you know, it won't be "proper" to call a rapist a rapist.....

-=Vel=-

Tuberski · June 19, 2003, 21:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Albert Speer

???

Jewish????????

ACK!

Nubclear · June 19, 2003, 23:14

Quote:

Originally posted by Velociryx
Next thing you know, it won't be "proper" to call a rapist a rapist.....

-=Vel=-

He isn't a rapist......He is simply a sexual deviant.

Velociryx · June 19, 2003, 23:19

-=Vel=-

Joseph · June 19, 2003, 23:48

Quote:

Originally posted by MrFun

not all

Yes all

Zero · June 20, 2003, 01:11

Quote:

Originally posted by MrFun

My question was not why doesn't everyone feel compelled to praise soldiers, but how in hell could anyone find an insult in literature praising soldiers?

Well I find no reason to praise the soldiers, theyre just doing their job. But I agree, theres no reason to insult literature praising soldiers either.

Victor Galis · June 20, 2003, 01:12

Well I chose to find supporting the troops offensive, and I don't care who that pisses off. Political correctness is stupid.

mrmitchell · June 20, 2003, 02:03

I'm offended.

(I don't mean to offend anyone, I'm just offended.)

Dis · June 20, 2003, 02:22

It is offensive

American soldiers are killers. paid killers

By praising the solders efforts, you are praising the thousands of Iraqis they killed a few months ago.

not that I have a problem with that

. We need trained killers.