Were you offended?

midst not mist!

Start a thread Elegran.

Yes. Definitely call those nasty Vikings "swarms".

Does anyone really give a flying fu fart about any of this? Buggered if I do.

Once again I don't think that 'Dave' has thought his new policy through, no surprise there. The one where private landlords have to vet tenants.
On the news at lunchtime there was a chap from Hillingdon council. He said that there is still a law in place whereby if a family with children are evicted the local borough must rehouse them, legal or not. Back to the back of the envelope Dave.

Jingle. Your post at 15.50. The numbers speak for themselves.

Has any actually asked any of the migrants if they feel offended?
I expect they are too busy worrying about their futures to feel offended about a word.
Hattie should be worrying more about the migrants' futures and the future of the Labour Party than mere words and their meanings.

Hmm. More petty squabbling I think petra rather than anyone really caring that much.

Good thread subject though, before it went silly.

I think the migrants are already feeling they are not seen as human beings. They shout out "We are not animals" (yes, I know, all human beings are animals but you get their drift I'm sure). I think in their situation I would not like being described as being part of an anonymous and threatening "swarm".

Of course, these sorts of expressions only fall from usage if more and more people start to think they are inappropriate and that's as it should be. However, it should still be OK for people who have misgivings about using such a word to be able to express that opinion. I think a prime minister, in particular, should be quite careful about the expressions he uses. As durhamjen's link showed, the Swedish minister at least was not particularly impressed.

Nine migrants have died since June - that surely gives some indication of their level of desperation and motivation. Is it possible that they might make a reasonable contribution to this country and show great commitment to it if they are given a chance?

GG

Her views are not mine I agree.

Your view of hypocrisy seems to vary from mine too, what's new?

As for using the word Harperson it is some what timid compared to the pure nasty comments, words and insults a few posters have used when talking of the likes of Gove, Pickles , Osborne, Thatcher etc. Law for one and not another I guess.

Harriet Harperson has been used for 'years'. It was a nickname given to her from the Labour ranks, wasn't Damien McBride who started it off, not sure.

Were the nine migrants who have died since June residents of the camp they call The Jungle?

thatbags This is what a Guardian report said in July, following a recent death:

"A total of nine migrants have died near the Channel tunnel terminal since June. Two other Sudanese migrants, both in their 30s, were recovering in hospital after being struck by high-speed trains on Monday."

Oh, I see that one died as a result of getting crushed when trying to get onto a lorry. Yes, desperate. Or foolhardy. Possibly both. No way of knowing really.

Or caring, bags?

Of course we care! (About the welfare of the migrants. Not about DC's use of words)

Anyone with a son of that age cares.

Yes, of course we care. But the problem seems insurmountable.

We have to budge up and take them. It will be fine. They could be our saving grace. They are young.

Their problem is that they weren't clever enough to be born in a rich country.

Heavens SineDie, You'll get crucified for saying that!!

Your view of hypocrisy seems to vary from mine too ....

I'm fascinated POGS. How do you see hypocrisy?

I think Sine Die was using sarcasm Nigglynellie.

rosequartz wrote : "What I do find is offensive is a German man calling the British racist in the light of present-day racist and anti-Muslim rallies in that country."

Do you not see the illogicality, at the very least, of lumping all residents of one country together as if they all share the same view?

I assumed SineDie was being facetious.

The sad thing is that these are young, energetic, enterprising people who would be an asset to the countries they are escaping from, if only the conditions were better there.
Who will change things for the better when they have all left?

Do you not see the illogicality, at the very least, of lumping all residents of one country together as if they all share the same view?

Precisely my point, FarNorth!

There problem is that they weren't lucky enough SineDie. "Clever" would make you believe that you had some influence over it. You are lucky indeed to have been born in a rich country but what a lack of "cleverness" you showed in not being born into one of the richest families in that countries.

Really some people do talk nonsense although perhaps I should remember that we are equally lucky or unlucky to be able to talk good sense and not blame those who do come out with claptrap.