Maybe we should address the change in humor while we are at it, or the lack of it.
I would remind you that you asked a question, I answered it, tongue in cheek.
Maybe we should discuss the question of how early in life the onset of dementia starts.
I hope you aren't offended either.data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Noticed in your first paragraph you used first person singular "I", but in your second paragraph you used the second person "you".
Not making a judgement, just pointing it out data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
That's where the handy smilies come in useful data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
They add context to what you are writing data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Otherwise people can't assess whether your text is to be taken in a serious way (often no smilie, just the text), or perhaps in a humorous way data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7D or data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 or data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7), or maybe in a sarcastic way (data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 or data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7), to give but three examples.
data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I was being old and confused data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I'm juggling this whilst doing some work emails so my mind is on multiple tasks. I know, what a tart! Not devoting myself wholly to the forums this evening data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I refer the honourable (forum) member to my answer of 9:48pm. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
And no, I'm not offended. Based on @Alan CD's post at 9:48pm, I think I ought to be mildly concerned data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Come on Baggy, get with the beat.
I can't be bothered with that, I have no time for that nonsense.
(With apologies to Baloo and Bagheera)
You may think it is just about brown people but it certainly is not! These days the worst advice is to do /say something against the current PC climate.
I heard a discussion on the radio about teacher being concerned (remember the new meaningdata:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7) when little Johnny said that he hoped Donald Trump would win the election. He had picked this up from his parents.
Now teachers have a duty to report anything on the proscribed PC list. Extremism, suspected abuse, all the phobias etc are on the list- there could be consequences if they don't report.
Obviously, this example was before the election, but your son /or daughter could be put on a watch list and be branded for many years. There will be endless interviews with parents, social workers dropping into your house at a moments notice, questions about upbringing, solitary interviews with the child to establish if he is no longer a danger..
So no... you cannot speak out. Bad advice.
You make a good point Cliff.
Another element to the discussions here have been tainted by groups of posters seemingly supporting each other's posts.
It occurred during the in out debate where heated arguments divided people.
The two camps then supporting each other's posts, and its continued ever since, spilling over here.
Not only has free speech been affected, but the inability to listen read and try and absorb what other people's arguments on a subject are, then consider them.
My out vote could have been swayed the other way had sufficient arguments been put forward.
That's doesn't work today.
Your either one group or the other, in whatever discussions.
I personally have tried to understand opposing views as the other posters have and would equally give way if suggestions were put forward to support points of view that could sway my thinking.
Unfortunately this doesn't happen, and isn't a two way process and invariably anger sets in and as shown in posts last night personal attacks wrapped up as 'not intended to offend', eventually are thrown into the discussion.
Yet, knowing it was inappropriate it wasn't acknowledge as such by the poster and removed after further discussions. To him it was acceptable behaviour.
It becomes one upmanship, winning points, proving that, 'I'm right, I win'
Everyone else is wrong.
My only comparison can be with the inability to acknowledge being wrong and the utterance of the word 'Sorry', today,which seem to have gone the same way as free speech.
IMO it's not tainted. I think you'll find, in some instances, two camps supporting each other's posts is caused by understanding and respect for the other poster's opposing view.
Personal attacks wrapped up as 'not intended to offend' is a very common political arrow. Also winning points is a political gain, that is what politics is all about - winning points.
I don't remember any posts being removed by a member last night, but then I tend to miss a lot of stuff, result of being old and confused data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7