Leatherhead Matters

Politically correct language (PCL) should be sensitive and respect differences in people such as age, sexual preference, race and gender. By omitting from language those words considered pejorative and phrases viewed as stereotypical, proponents of PCL consider it one step toward an enhancement and acceptance of diversity among people.

But,two articles this week seem to suggest that the movement to remove gender, sexuality,race & faith references in our language has now crossed a line into intolerance and silliness

Atlanta is to redesign all its roadwork signs.The traditional “Men Working” signs will be replaced by a gender neutral “Workers Ahead“. This followed complaints from the founding, female  editor of Atlanta-based PINK Magazine, a publication that focuses on professional women.She is now lobbying to have this change adopted nationwide. Presumably we will now have to refer to “man hole covers” as “worker hole covers”, “no mans land” as “no persons land”. “the gingerbread man” as “the gingerbread person”….you get the picture?

 Dallas County commissioners were discussing problems with the central collections office that is used to process traffic ticket payments and handle other paperwork normally done by the JP Courts. Commissioner Kenneth Mayfield, who is white, said it seemed that central collections “has become a black hole” because paperwork reportedly has become lost in the office.

Commissioner John Wiley Price, who is black, interrupted him with a loud “Excuse me!” He then corrected his colleague, saying the office has become a “white hole.” That prompted Judge Thomas Jones, who is black, to demand an apology from Mayfield for his racially insensitive analogy. Did they understand that black hole comes from science relating to a region of space in which the gravitational field is so powerful that nothing, not even light, can escape This renders the hole’s interior invisible or, rather, black like the appearance of space itself.

The movement to remove from our language, politically incorrect words or, connotations has now reached a point where the movement itself has become intolerant & abusive.

Language, when used effectively conveys precise meaning and also the thought & value processes going on in the speaker’s head.

What’s going on in the heads of the subjects in the two stories above is…… O.I. (obsessive intolerance)

My father died just two years ago at the age of 87. In his latter years, I can remember having many discussions with him on the way British culture & society were changing. One issue which totally perplexed him was the change in the way society perceives male adults and children. He used to visit the local park in the summer and it was always with regret that he felt he had to refrain from engaging with the children who would come to chatter with the “nice old man” on the park bench. He understood that others might view him with suspicion but, he could never understand why.

I recalled these conversations when I read the following two articles.

 Mother told baby’s bare bottom is pornographic

A quarter of adults to face ‘anti-paedophile’ tests (Criminal Records Bureau checks)

British society is now close to the point where everyone is presumed to be a paedophile unless the individual:

1. Possesses a Government certificate (a Criminal Records Bureau check).
2. Openly publicises they are CRB cleared, not just for a work or, volunteering position with children but, any contact with children. In effect, the CRB certificate is becoming part of our national identity & it will be as critical to effective functioning in our society as a driving licence & passport.
3. Ensures their baby/child is always fully clothed for family pictures.

We appear to be sleepwalking to the point where even Mums & Dads will need to be CRB cleared if they don’t want the state snooping on their parenting practices.

My father couldn’t understand why our society automatically views with suspicion a public engagement between its senior citizens and children. This engagement between the elders of our society and our children has gone on for generations and is still a valued part of the culture in most other countries. He would understand even less our current direction of travel!

Total UK beer sales fell to the lowest level since 1975 for the year to April 2008. Pub closures are currently running at 27 a week with an estimated 1,200 pubs closing down over the last year.

The decline of the British pub is primarily a consequence of government regulation to ban smoking in pubs, increases in beer duty and a significant burden of new regulation (health & safety regulations & planning regulations) and a change in consumer drinking habits (more drinking at home & in restaurants & clubs). But it’s the small country pubs which are the most vulnerable to these changes and these tend to be the oldest & most charming pubs in the country. Some have been in business continuously for several hundred years (See THESE pubs for example).

Sometimes the truth creeps up on you very slowly and then in a blinding flash, what everyone else outside your circle sees clearly, is suddenly revealed to you.

A post today on Maggie’s Farm prompted such a flash of personal realisation. If you are not a good fit with American society where should you go? Not England!….read on

I find myself thinking the old “America - Love it or Leave It” these days. It’s a cliche, and a bit crude for California Chardonnay sippers, but it contains many important Yankee truths in its simple words. “Don’t Tread on Me” is simple, too. So is “God Bless America.” Millions aspire to come here, and break laws to do so. Perhaps many wish to leave this terrible place? Be my guest. It’s not a good fit for you. Find a freer or a better place, and leave today. I’d suggest Dubai, France, Singapore, South Africa, or North Korea. Not England - it’s become Moslem and you would be an oppressed dhimmi. Not Canada: no free speech. Argentina might be pleasant.

 Memo: dhimmi is a non-Muslim subject of a state governed in accordance with sharia law (source: Wikipedia)

Hazel Blears the Communities Secretary, contributed to this perception by acknowledging that the Government’s sidelining of Christianity in favour of Islam is ….”common sense”.

And there’s the blinding flash of realisation. In Britain we now live in a state of DHIMMITUDE. Read more on what this is HERE.

if anyone had said fifty years ago, that the people of this country would be:

1. Staked out by their local councils to make sure they actually lived where they said they did;
2. Have small computers secretly planted in their waste bins to spy on their rubbish;
3. Routinely photographed everywhere they went, and the resulting information kept for ever, in secret;
4. Would be required to carry ID cards;
5. Would have to have passports to move from one part of the UK to another;
6. Could be held without charge for two weeks (soon to be six weeks);
7. Could have their assets sequestered by the state on being arrested (not convicted) of certain offences;
8. Could be arrested for buying a pound of bananas;
9. Could be cautioned for displaying the English Flag of St George
10. And have 80% of the laws of the land made in a foreign country by unelected officials who cannot be removed

Would anyone have believed it?

Source: An Anonymous post on Mr Euginedes

H/T The Bench

It’s all Knights & Dragons at iGoogle as they celebrate St Georges Day with a new logo

Happy St Georges Day! But, do you know who St George was & what St Georges Day celebrates?

There are many legends in many cultures about St. George, but they all have a common theme; he must have been an outstanding character in his lifetime, for his reputation to have survived for almost 1,700 years. Most authorities on the subject seem to agree that he was born in Cappadocia in what is now Turkey, in about the year 280 AD. It is probable that from his physical description, he was of Darian origin, because of his tall stature and fair hair. He enlisted into the Cavalry of the Roman Army at the age of 17, during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian and very quickly established a reputation amongst his peers, for his virtuous behaviour and physical strength; his military bearing, valour and handsome good looks.
He quickly achieved the rank of Millenary or Tribunus Militum, an officer’s rank roughly equivalent to a full Colonel, in charge of a regiment of 1,000 men and became a particular favourite of his Emperor. Diocletian was a skilled military tactician and strict disciplinarian, who set himself the task of rejuvenating the morale of the citizens of Rome by reviving the prevailing traditions and paganism of Rome. St. George acted to limit the excesses of Diocletian’s actions against the Christians. He went to the city of Nicomedia where, upon entering, he tore down the notice of the Emperor’s edict (to destry Christian churches & scriptures). St. George gained great respect for his compassion towards Diocletian’s victims.
As news spread of his rebellion against the persecutions St. George realised that, as both Diocletian and Galerius were in the city, it would not be long before he was arrested.He prepared for the event by disposing of his property to the poor and he freed his slaves.
When he appeared before Diocietian, it is said that St. George bravely denounced him for his unnecessary cruelty and injustice and that he made an eloquent and courageous speech. He stirred the populace with his powerful and convincing rhetoric against the Imperial Decree to persecute Christians. Diocietian refused to acknowledge or accede to St. George’s reasoned, reproachful condemnation of his actions. The Emperor consigned St George to prison with instructions that he be tortured until he denied his faith in Christ.

St George, having defended his faith was beheaded at Nicomedia near Lyddia in Palestine on the 23rd of April in the year 303 AD.
Stories of St. George’s courage soon spread and his reputation grew very quickly. He soon became known in Russia and the Ukraine as the Trophy Bearer and his remains are said to have been buried in the church that bears his name in Lydda. However, his head was carried to Rome, where it was preserved in the Church that is also dedicated to him.
St George was beatified by the Roman Catholic Church. His reputation for virtue and chivalrous conduct became the spiritual inspiration of the Crusaders and by this time the pennant or flag with a red cross on a white or silver background became prominent as a means of recognition by English Knights.   In 1348 King Edward Ill established the Knights of the Garter, which is the oldest order of Chivalry in Europe. The Order of the Garter was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Edward the Confessor and St George. The Insignia of the order consists of a collar and badge appendant known as the George, the Star, the Garter and the Sash with the Investment Badge called the lesser George. This is a gold and richly enamelled representation of St George on horseback slaying the dragon.

St. George’s Day in England is traditionally the occasion when the Queen announces new appointments to the Order of the Garter and is our National Day. The National Day is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a country or non-sovereign nation. Often the National Day will be a national holiday…….but, not in England!

Se also Not in Bradford

H/T The Royal Society of St George

Top candidate must be The Halal Inn and it’s in my birth town, Oldham, Lancashire. I believe it’s the very first alcohol-free Islamic pub in the UK. It offers quite a selection of juices that you can sip while playing darts, praying in the prayer room or sitting in the steam room. Oh and don’t forget that traditional Islamic songs will be played in the background, rather than that offensive Western music.

One of the owners describes the place as, “It’s a gathering place for people who abide by strict Islamic rulings and don’t like going to places where they serve alcohol.  Sounds like a pants-load of fun. Apparently there is no ban on women entering the pub but, ………..the lads in the Hilal pub probably won’t be able to share the experience of the guy in this video !….and they will probably have the steam room to themselves whey hey!

H/T Neal Boortz