Quote:

Is an excellent and perceptive commentator, one of the shining lights of British media.

I prefer "annoying, whining wuss".

Quote:

Which, as a generalization, is sufficiently accurate that it shouldn't bother anyone.

Well okay, I'll just assume you're like that.

Quote:

Which would be a bit more compelling an argument if "I was only joking" were not the default defence of the bigot when caught out.

Or the person who was only joking. Do you think that either of these people were actually going get someone to stone YAB to death/blow up Doncaster Airport?

__________________
Standard disclaimer: the disgusting statements contained in this post are the views of the poster, and unless specified do not represent the views of the moderators or the site's owners.

Originally Posted by Zichao

Well okay, I'll just assume you're like that.

Without information to the contrary, that would be a reasonable enough position.

Quote:

Or the person who was only joking. Do you think that either of these people were actually going get someone to stone YAB to death/blow up Doncaster Airport?

I am not asserting that they were in fact not joking; I'm simply pointing out that as a defence, it is a weak one. "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?"

Quote:

Without information to the contrary, that would be a reasonable enough position.

But one likely to offend a lot of people, so why bother with it?

Quote:

I am not asserting that they were in fact not joking; I'm simply pointing out that as a defence, it is a weak one. "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?"

So what should we do? Ban jokes?

__________________
Standard disclaimer: the disgusting statements contained in this post are the views of the poster, and unless specified do not represent the views of the moderators or the site's owners.

Originally Posted by Zichao

But one likely to offend a lot of people, so why bother with it?

Information is always partial; assumptions, inferrences, generalzations are unavoidable.

Quote:

So what should we do? Ban jokes?

Perhaps what we shoulod do is assume some responsibility for our actions and not resort to the "I was only joking" defence?