Sorry, but the burka pales to insignificance....

Read my post again - I did say it was the 'headline' not Jingle's attitude towards the issue she has raised. Most of this thread concentrates on the swearing, not the issue!

As it was relevant to the discussion about the burka/ niqab why didn't she just add it that thread??
As I said earlier , all it has done is provoke a discussion about the use of swearing on a forum, which has been done before , and could have been a separate thread. why don't we start one entitled, Should the House of Commons and courts of law allow its members to use any language they like to reinforce their views?

I'm quite sure that Jingle would never use the horrific situation in Syria just to get attention. It's obvious from some of her previous posts that she cares deeply about the atrocities that are happening.

It's what Jingle does, just like the journalists who create articles that will reel every one in to complain. She has a role to fulfil on Gransnet. I await the next provocative thread headline.

I didn't interpret the word in the heading as intending to provoke controversy either. It struck me that jingl was just angry when she posted it.

You can't possibly know that the language in the heading was intended to provoke controversy - that is just your perception of it. Could it be that Jo8 just wanted to express her frustration about the situation in Syria?

The swearing in the heading is intended to provoke controversy, just like the article by Shona Sibury on 'me time' was meant to stir things up, and it worked!

Yet another post from someone who feels the need to report the language used in a post.

As I have tried to articulate before, if you don't like it don't take part in the conversation, you do not have the right to try and close down the discussion. Just because you are offended that does not mean that we are all
feeling the same.

I would far rather see posts deleted that poke fun at other Gransnetters ( oh but we only meant it in good spirit!!) than those where bad language is used.

It is not even that I am a fan of using such language myself, it is just that I resent others telling me how I can express myself

sorry all but using the fword may be used in common usage these days but that doesn't make it right. I think it shows a lack of imagination by not being able to express yourself in a better way.
To be honest I've been away from this site for a few weeks as I'm visiting family. So to come back and seeing this has more or less helped me make my mind up. This used to be a lovely site with many interesting topics posted, I've been very lucky to win some great prizes. I will from now on just read the info and competition items and keep away from the forums as it seems to be going down the toilet.

There are lots of things that offend me when I read Gransnet, but I have learnt to walk away from those threads.

I too am amazed at the pettiness of a grown woman (or man!) who would report a thread with a swearword contained in the title.

Jingle, this reminds me of so many previous discussions about language and what is acceptable that have taken place over the last few years and only serves to remind me why I think that this is not the place for me.

Going back to the remark about the danger of "dehumanising muslims" through focussing on the negative aspects of Islam... perhaps the Islamists who treat women like baggage nned to think about that. If they really cared about people, they would.

In short, I disagree that focussing on the evils associated with a certain outlook on life dehumanises normal people. Most muslim are normal people. It is only extreme Islamicists who cause problems. So no, I absolutely don't accept that focussing on an evil that appears to be caused by some muslims has the effect of dehumanising normal people who happen to have certain religious faith.

That's like saying focussing on the problem of crucifixion dehumanises all Romans because it existed during the Roman rule of Palestine. Or that fosussing on the evil of slave labour dehumanises all the people in the countries where still happens. Or that focussing on the evil of tobacco smoking dehumanises people who smoke.

So no, the argument that focussing on the evil that burkas represent risks dehumanising normal people who happen to be muslim, is not logical and I don't accept it as valid criticism.

Another forum of which I was a member did ask people not to use swear words in the thread title, but it was ok to use them in an actual post.

What a ridiculous fuss! I really can't be bothered to go into my own views on the use of swear words (which I think serve a very useful purpose) BUT if the topic heading offends/upsets/disturbs/gets your knickers in a twist just don't read it!! Simples.
I agree 100% with KatGransnet - It ain't against the rules!
FFS ... Do "Outraged of Tunbridge Wells" types still exist?? If so, I'd rather they chose another forum!

Galen being sworn AT is entirely different and not acceptable.

Jingle, what about the doctor being sworn at as I was on Monday!

KatGransnet I wouldn't say I like to swear tbh.

I would just likw to say that I strongly object to the swearing on Gransnet.Tonight I watched a discussion on Question Time with David Dimbleby.Everyone had their say and he conducted an intelligent discussion on the wearing of the burka.NO swearing needed.
I also am outraged at what is going on in Syria, as I was at what went on in Bosnia, Rawanda ....and so it goes on......and on.......

thatbags I am also opposed to the oppression of women of all races/cultures/faiths etc. However I really do think there is a real danger of dehumanising Muslims through continued negative press, much of it repetitive and often scaremongering. For example bank raids by people in shirts and trousers are more common than a one off incident of a gang in burkas! They chose burkas but robbers have often chosen masks, fancy dress etc. It is a red herring.

I don't particularly object to the language, although I am uncertain what the OP is sorry about. However, I do object to the implication that the rest of us are a bunch of dilettantes and chatterers without an ounce of compassion.

Focussing on burkas is about liberating women and equality. It isn't about anything else.

I feel all the OP's outrage for and horror about what is happening in Syria as well as thinking the burka is a misogynist monstrosity. I don't need to grade these things in my mind. I just do what I can where I can to change things for the better.

That will have to do whether people approve or not because that is who I am.

And I don't mind the word that some are objecting to.

Go j08, fight for and shout about what matters to you and do it in your own way.

Gracious! What a fuss. If you were offended by the swearing in the title no need to click on the thread! Why upset yourself over a word!

I swear quite a lot for emphasis but like most other people I am judicious about when and where! On an adult forum it is an expectation and I take no offence. In front of children I would object.

Oh for goodness sake it's only a word. I'm sure you've all heard it and/or seen it written before. As NfkDumpling says....sometimes polite language just doesn't say enough.

Very disappointed in both some GNs and also HQ. Think I'll take a break from GN as I feel it has been changed by some GNs and not for the better.

Sometimes, just sometimes something is so terrible and bad that bad angry language can be justified. What's happening in Syria is beyond polite language. I'm not a particular intelligent or articulate person and I cannot find the words to express how I feel watching the mayhem there. Certainly not polite ones. J0 is right to be angry and swearing shows that anger - Polite language doesn't.

At qui very well put sadly some posters just crave disapproval!