Dear 'Political Correctness Brigade',
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With 'Christmas on a stick' just past us, I can't help but feel that you have been prompted into action of late.
I have been witness to examples all week of you getting your whining, unlettered, and just plain irritating pants on once again.
I am writing to explain to you, that nobody cares, and that you, as an insignificant spec in this universe, with an expiry date I might add, should use your time more wisely.
I would like to take this opportunity to refer you to a quote from Stephen Fry.
'It's now very common to hear people say, "I'm rather offended by that", as if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more than a whine. It has no meaning, it has no purpose, it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. "I'm offended by that." Well, so f-----g what?'
I want you to take something out of that quote, my politically correct chums. Nobody has the right not to be offended. That's right, not even you! You are not special, and guess what, sometimes things are not going to go your way, and sometimes people will have a different opinion to yours. Suck it up sunshine, this is the way the world works.
Even though I am not a tweeter, or a twitter, or a twonk, or whatever you want to call it, I do get wind of some of the goings on in this space.
I got shown during the week a tweet from our forwards coach 'The Lord' Laurie Fisher. It read as follows:
"Suicide watch in Limerick tonight. Got to dust off and give 100% to the team next week. Only 80 mins away from HC semi-final."
Along with the majority of the world, I see nothing wrong with his statement. Yet, some of you little PC pilgrims, who are in desperate need of a hobby, felt the need to get your tedious voices heard. Apparently the word 'suicide' is now on the PC black list.
Laurie got some feedback for his time. A few examples follow.
'Your flippancy about suicide is unacceptable and in bad taste.'
'An absolute disgraceful comment to make! Have tweeted local journalist about it'
'He should apologise. Life will always be bigger than sport!!!'
Neither Laurie, or myself, are advocating an increase in suicide. I cannot believe that sentence has to be written. To any thinking person, this is obvious.
I noticed, when shown this, that Laurie apologised for his 'indiscretion'. I will do no such thing. I'm here to tell you that if you are so politically correct that you take offence to Laurie's comment, you are an idiot. Offended? I don't care. Thinking of commenting on this story to tell me I'm the devil? Go for it, you might amuse me for a short period of time.
Please don't get me wrong, you are allowed and encouraged to have an opinion, I am a huge advocate of free speech. Free speech is one of the most essential parts of our society and without it civilised progress would be impossible.
In saying that, just because we are both entitled to an opinion, does not mean that both opinions are equally valid. Therefore, at times, it is necessary to offend.
Consider this simple thought experiment:
I would like you to imagine you are a doctor. You have a patient who is a young child recently diagnosed with leukaemia. The child's well intentioned mother is reluctant to use any kind of medical treatment, because she is a person of deep religious faith and believes her 'faith healer' will cure her child. The mother is a good person, she is just under an immense delusion. You know that modern medicine has the best chance of saving this child's life, which is rapidly decaying. Is it not appropriate to offend the mothers belief system for the benefit of the child? Should you stay quiet and watch on as the child suffers? Are the mother and the doctors opinions equal in regards to what is best for the child? Of course not.
We should not be scared to offend people. Political correctness at its worst is damaging, and we should be careful how deeply entrenched we let it become.
I will fight for your right to have an opinion, but I will also fight for my right to find it absolutely ridiculous.
In closing, I would kindly ask if you could lower your political correctness flag, and maybe raise the common sense one more often.
Much appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Palmer.