Tory MP blames BBC for attacks on Poles.

[BBKing]

The same Edward Leigh who has the easiest job in Parliament, exposing Government waste as chairman of the Audit Committee.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by BBKing

How can you discuss negative stories about immigration in the British media without mentioning the newspapers who print negative stories about immigration, eh? Do try to keep up.

You really think I want or need to keep up with you? You're the one with the pathetic tabloid obsession not me. This thread started in relation to comments by a Tory twit about the BBC. Surprise, surprise you then introduce tabloids yet again as if the entire population outside Chiswick hasn't got a mind of its own and couldn't possibly be capable of acting according to anything other than their output. Until I came across you I'd never associated BB King with broken records........

[KaySquirrel]

Originally Posted by frogstamper

This is ridiculous, the BBC don't express a negative image of Polish people, quite the opposite in fact, I remember a recent program where the BBC focused on Poles working in the UK, they were portrayed as "hard grafters" and came across as very decent people. I'd be very interested to see the evidence this MP has that the BBC are responsible for an increase in attacks on Poles, now his delivered his broadside his got to back it up.

I can see how even positive comments made about the Poles (or any group of people) can expose them to an increased risk of attacks.

Say something negative about any group of people, they could be attacked by people who share that negative image of them.

Say something positive about any group of people, they could be attacked by people jealous/angry/who feel slighted at being described as being not as good/hardworking/etc as them.

I'm not saying I agree with it, or that the BBC is responsible for it, but I can see how it could be possible.

[downquark1]

Originally Posted by KaySquirrel

I can see how even positive comments made about the Poles (or any group of people) can expose them to an increased risk of attacks.

Say something negative about any group of people, they could be attacked by people who share that negative image of them.

Say something positive about any group of people, they could be attacked by people jealous/angry/who feel slighted at being described as being not as good/hardworking/etc as them.

I'm not saying I agree with it, or that the BBC is responsible for it, but I can see how it could be possible.

Precisely, he effectively saying that the nice immigrants shouldn't get mentioned so the bad ones get beat up by racists. It's insane.

[KaySquirrel]

Originally Posted by downquark1

Precisely, he effectively saying that the nice immigrants shouldn't get mentioned so the bad ones get beat up by racists. It's insane.

The whole thing makes my head hurt. There's ENOUGH hatred in the world without encouraging people to harm others.

The kind of people who would attack others simply because they are different will do it no matter what. By indulging them by making up these "excuses" for their actions, all this MP has done is make it easier for them to keep on doing it. Well done.

I don't CARE what you heard in the media, saw in a video game, or if Mummy and Daddy didn't hug you enough when you were little, the minute you harm another human being, YOU become the one to blame for your actions, not the media, videogames, Virgin Media, or your parents.

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

Originally Posted by KaySquirrel

The whole thing makes my head hurt. There's ENOUGH hatred in the world without encouraging people to harm others.

The kind of people who would attack others simply because they are different will do it no matter what. By indulging them by making up these "excuses" for their actions, all this MP has done is make it easier for them to keep on doing it. Well done.

I don't CARE what you heard in the media, saw in a video game, or if Mummy and Daddy didn't hug you enough when you were little, the minute you harm another human being, YOU become the one to blame for your actions, not the media, videogames, Virgin Media, or your parents.

What if you have mental issues?

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo

What if you have mental issues?

There will always be exceptions, mo, but I think broadly speaking what KaySquirrel says is 'spot on' - some people do seem to be inclined to want to blame anyone or anything, other than themselves for their bad behaviour...

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

Originally Posted by homealone

There will always be exceptions, mo, but I think broadly speaking what KaySquirrel says is 'spot on' - some people do seem to be inclined to want to blame anyone or anything, other than themselves for their bad behaviour...

Yeah I know, but its a quiet day at work and I thought I'd stir it up a bit....


But seriously tho, I can see the validity in an argument that apportions some blame on the media, for example. There are quite a few people who believe what they read for example. This doesnt always materialise in them physically attacking others but I have heard racist arguments being used because "this is what the paper says". I think in the majority of cases most people need some sort of catalyst to propel them to take some sort of action, and usually it comes from the TV/newspapers they read.

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo

Yeah I know, but its a quiet day at work and I thought I'd stir it up a bit....


But seriously tho, I can see the validity in an argument that apportions some blame on the media, for example. There are quite a few people who believe what they read for example. This doesnt always materialise in them physically attacking others but I have heard racist arguments being used because "this is what the paper says". I think in the majority of cases most people need some sort of catalyst to propel them to take some sort of action, and usually it comes from the TV/newspapers they read.

I don't doubt it, but the media aren't going to go away & people should be able to think for themselves, rather than let themselves be led.

It is the whole idea that finding an excuse for doing something bad somehow justifies it, which is wrong. That includes people who think mugging an old lady is justified because they are a drug addict or getting into a fight is ok because they were drunk.

Racism, personally, is something I, personally, can't get my head round & attacking someone 'just because' of their ethnic or national origin has to be wrong, in my eyes, no matter what is printed in the papers.

- easy to say, I know ......

[KaySquirrel]

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo

What if you have mental issues?

What if I do?! I'm still entitled to my opinion, aren't I?!

Point taken though. Even if you just wanted to stir, you bring up a valid point. Obviously people with mental issues/addictions/other things affecting their ability to think rationally do need, if not special consideration, at least acknowledgement that their circumstances are a bit different than that of most people.

What I object to is the average person making up excuses. I mean, my parents divorced when I was little, that shouldn't give me a reason to harm others and then blame it being a product of a broken home.

Originally Posted by KaySquirrel

What if I do?! I'm still entitled to my opinion, aren't I?!

Point taken though. Even if you just wanted to stir, you bring up a valid point. Obviously people with mental issues/addictions/other things affecting their ability to think rationally do need, if not special consideration, at least acknowledgement that their circumstances are a bit different than that of most people.

What I object to is the average person making up excuses. I mean, my parents divorced when I was little, that shouldn't give me a reason to harm others and then blame it being a product of a broken home.

But it's handy to have it ready, just in case......

[KaySquirrel]

Originally Posted by foreverwar

But it's handy to have it ready, just in case......

I keep 2 lists. Reasons and Names.

Naughty or Nice?

Speaking as the product of a single parent family I always resented the implication that automatically gave anyone carte blanche to go off the rails if they came from a single parent family.

If anything it should be that one becomes more adult and more responsible due to one's circumstances.

[KaySquirrel]

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Speaking as the product of a single parent family I always resented the implication that automatically gave anyone carte blanche to go off the rails if they came from a single parent family.

If anything it should be that one becomes more adult and more responsible due to one's circumstances.

*nods* If I can manage to stay out of trouble, despite being raised by one parent, why can't others?

And, to be honest, growing up in my 1 parent household was a lot healthier than if they'd stayed together, so the implication that kids are always better off having both parents together really irks me.