Pope smoke; time for Political correctness?

[Dom Tuk]

I know it comes around once in 20 years but is it time for the vatican to start getting politically correct about the papal smoke? Black smoke for no vote hence disappointed crowds and white smoke for a decision and cheering crowds. Will they even consider this??

[Octavius]

Dark smoke signals that the ballot did not result in an election, while white smoke signals that a new Pope was chosen. Originally, damp straw was added to the fire to create dark smoke; since 1958 chemicals have been used. In addition, bells ring after a successful election in case the white smoke is not unambiguously white.

Nothing un-pc, It's all very grey really, hence, the bells, the bells...

[Lillabet]

Honestly, no I don't think that they'll consider it. Nor do I think that they should.

I have always hated the phrase 'political correctness gone mad' It is hugely overused. As a positive I understand political correctness to be about checking that you communicate in a way which is unlikely to offend any group needlessly. I have no problem with this.

There is a point though at which people seem to be looking for negative connotations to a point at which any value their general point is undermined. Baa baa black sheep being racist would be an example of this. Black and white smoke affecting how people view races is another.

Plus even if this point were a strong argument the church has a huge value for its traditions and is very slow to change - so I think it would be unlikely anyhow.

I think that there are more than enough real battles to fight about all kinds of prejudice without getting bogged down in those which are cosmetic.

[woofgang]

I don't know anybody who is smoke coloured, Do you?

[netibiza]

Yea you would think that this day and age they could colour code the smoke so as not to offend anyone - but does it really matter.  I think they should have a more ornate chimney instead of that grotty little thing.

[netibiza]

by the way - why does everything have to be PC these days - people seen to get offended by everything - so why are Zebra crossings allowed and not yellow and red stripes

[Lillabet]

It is odd isn't it how things get classified as PC or not. As far as I am aware it is meant to be about not denigrating groups of people. I'm not sure when some people decided that this applied to actual colours.. I think that has a lot to do with stupidity and nothing to do with Political Correctness. Though bright funky zebra crossings might be good.

[Mortartube]

I reckon political correctness is just people getting offended on other people's behalfs. Surely to even consider your argument implies that you made a link between black, black peoples skin colour and disappointment and therefore you thought in a racist way. I don't wish to start a long argument or to insult anyone here, but I submit the argument that for someone to say something like this, means that must have used a politically incorrect or racist thought process in the first instance to arrive at this conclusion. 

[galltin]

Right , it's alright , I'm asleep and any minute now I'm going to wake up..........................

[IggyB]

funny question Dom!

[Haggisdj]

Is the Vatican part of the European Community?  If so. do they know that when choosing a new Pope they shouldn't discriminate on grounds of race, gender, religion, etc.

[Dagman]

Stop this politically correct tat! who cares, it's smoke, just that, nothing more, it doesn't matter. The bible is littered with stuff you could throw PC at but no one does (let there be light....) not dark, see!  Pack it in, don't be childish and just get on with life!