What do you do for a living?

[ETC]

Haha. Fair enough. But for the record words only take on meaning in the mind. I call my brother a queer (but I don't consider the reality of homophobia a laughing matter, and I call my Muslim friend a terrorist but I don't think real racism is the least bit funny). It's all just words, it's peoples actions that we should focus on, that cause damage, rape in the real world is clearly a dispicable and disgusting act, that someone can use the word 'rapist' or the 'idea' of rape jokingly doesn't mean they don't feel that the reality of it is disgusting, it just means they can twist it in their mind into an abstraction and a source of humour.

I think the moment we can no longer joke about something then we enter a very dangerous place because some people get offended by all manner of things and where do you draw the line? Sexist jokes on here don't seem to attract much attention yet some people in the world get upset by them. How do you decide who we can and cannot risk offending?

Actually you are wrong

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harassment,_alarm_or_distress#section_5

If you do any of that in front of a copper expect an ?80 fine minimum, I have seen and processed it many times where I used to work.

[Charlie]

But it's not abusive or offensive because, for example, when I call my Muslim friend a terrorist she knows I'm joking. How is joking an offense? There's a big difference between joking and hatefulness and they're usually pretty easy to tell apart.

[Charlie]

Your friends sound like the kind of person I find unlikable.

Why's that?

[ETC]

But it's not abusive or offensive because, for example, when I call my Muslim friend a terrorist she knows I'm joking. How is joking an offense? There's a big difference between joking and hatefulness and they're usually pretty easy to tell apart.

So someone that does not know you or your friend or your relationship is going to know you are kidding "ok then" sure tell you what next time why don't you try it in front of a police officer

[Pikate]

Your friends sound like the kind of person I find unlikable.

As opposed to people like yourself who judge others on nothing other than their use of a single word? :/

[averybluemonkey]

The fact is that using the word as a joke is a deep insult to everyone who has ever suffered from such a horrific crime.

[Charlie]

Why would I want to do it in front of a police officer? But, yes, I believe they'd know it's a joke by the manner in which it is said, the tone, facial expression, reaction, etc.

Anyway, you may feel the need to have what you can and can't say implemented and imposed for you, and that's your perogative, but I don't. I believe I was born free, I will hopefully die free, and I believe in living free.

[ETC]

As opposed to people like yourself who judge others on nothing other than their use of a single word? :/

A single very offensive and out of order word

[ETC]

Why would I want to do it in front of a police officer? But, yes, I believe they'd know it's a joke by the manner in which it is said, the tone, facial expression, reaction, etc.

Anyway, you may feel the need to have what you can and can't say implemented and imposed for you, and that's your perogative, but I don't. I believe I was born free, I will hopefully die free, and I believe in living free.

And I strongly believe that it is people with your attitude is the very reason why this country is going to utter ****

[Charlie]

Haha. So I'm to blame for the country going to ****? I see.

[ETC]

Haha. So I'm to blame for the country going to ****? I see.

Yes. You and Nick Clegg. I could really say anything it's not like you understand any of the points I am making, so whatever, crawl back under your rock. I'm done with you.

[originalbadboy]

Back on topic ...

Senior IT Systems Engineer - whatever that means these days I have no idea ... Basically jack of all trades in the IT world really. Envious of anybody who has a Games Industry related job. Closest I get is making the odd map for Halo, just not enough time / brain cells left to learn something new (although I am an ok programmer at a basic level).

[Colin]

Right, let's clarify something here. Charlie PM'ed me about this after the back and forth in here, and as much as I don't want to discuss this on here, he was plainly told I was offended by it due to a close friend being raped last year who then went on to take her own life at the start of this year. It is still very fresh with me. The "rapey" post, I think it was clear I thought was stupid, the "rapist" post was directly attached to my name, and offended me much more. Whether you like my take on the comments I couldn't really give a ****. Anybody wants to take issue with my reaction, bring it to PM and leave this thread doing what it's supposed to.

[averybluemonkey]

Why would I want to do it in front of a police officer? But, yes, I believe they'd know it's a joke by the manner in which it is said, the tone, facial expression, reaction, etc.

In law if your friend doesn't care about what you said to them you can still get a ticket for harassment and distress if any third party was offended, and that can include the police officer.

[stevie vip 99]

Good god stop this madness!!!!!!!

This was a good thread until all this crap!!!!

Can we try and get back on topic before the thread gets locked?