Was this really meant to be offensive?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph....n-in-wheelchairs.html

Oh dear, oh dear someone has once again dared to speak without first checking for unintended insensitivities.

Although Ms Currie isn't my favourite person by a long stretch of the imagination, I don't think she meant any harm when she said what she said.

/// One reply, from @mbisace described the comment as "singularly the most offensive thing I have seen on Twitter". ///

If that is so, I wonder how long it will be before the Police arrest Ms Currie?

[Mick-Talbot]

Was this really offensive?

Would have been a better question because this clearly wasn't 'meant' to be offensive.

[Baldric]

A 4 year affair with John Major,
and people still take her seriously??

[sp1814]

AOG

Unfortunately, I assumed you would get my point without other examples.

Okay, for you.

He was really tough, even though he was gay

He was a great father, despite being black

He was fine around kids, despite being...

Shall we stop there?

[sp1814]

Hang on AOG...

Are...you...really...criticising...me...for..
.using...stereotypes???


Did you have a wry grin on your face as you wrote that post?

[sp1814]

AOG

"Is there a word for someone who says "not bad for a person in a wheel chair"?

Yes.

It's 'jerk'.

[daffy654]

Are any of the people who have answered this question so far wheelchair users?

[bazwillrun]

A jerk is someone who is not only patronising but pompous at the same time

[craft1948]

I quite fancied one of the Norwegian team....................

[andy-hughes]

Just because someone did not mean offence in an observation does not mean that no-one has a right to be offended by what they say.

That argument gives largesse to people who like to say that they believe in 'plain speaking' which translates as saying what they think without the courtesy of an empathy filter based on the reception their observations may receive.

It does look as though EC was somewhat careless with her phrasing, but that is the worst that really can be said. If someone thinks that is the worst thing ever produced on Twitter, they must have joined about five minutes ago!

[sp1814]

AB Editor...perhaps it was meant in a light-hearted way, but it came across a little patronising.

...and it's very easy to be patronising sometimes...I should know!

[AB Editor]

Being offended is a bit of an odd thing, does it immediately validate the position of that person? Or is it a statement of opinion. Should something "be done" about something because it's offended someone?

http://i.imgur.com/EX5v4.jpg

I don't know to be honest - and I've been doing this job for a fair few years!

[sp1814]

andy-hughes makes a good point, re: Twitter offensiveness. The Kenneth Tong jokes about Gary Barlow's baby beat this particular story by a country mile.

[AB Editor]

I agree that "intent" isn't the important part of the argument.

[sherminator]

Was it meant to be offensive..? I think not. Does it come accross as offensive...Very probably. It is incredibly patronising and I can definitely imagine that some people would take offense from it. Also she does have a history of this!....

[DTCwordfan]

A much ado about nothing:

However to AOG's question "Is there a word for someone who says "not bad for a person in a wheel chair"? (nb. grammar, AOG)

Yes, a "crippled mind" perhaps.

[Maydup]

The reason she's not your favourite person AOG is because, among other things, she makes crass comments.

She should know better by now. I'm sick and tired of her and have no sympathy whatsoever. Whether she meant it or not, she shouldn't have said it.

[Ellipsis]

> "Italians are gorgeous even in wheelchairs"
> "Italians are gorgeous even in wellies"

Comparable.

> "He was really generous, even though he was a Jew".
> "Italians are gorgeous even in wheelchairs"

Not in any way comparable.

[DTCwordfan]

Yes, I agree, maidup, Edwina does have a reputation for putting her foot in her proverbial mouth from time to time, despite often speaking common sense, a thing that many politicians seem to be devoid of.

[sp1814]

Ellipsis

It could also be read that it's unusal for someone in a wheelchair to be gorgeous.

I suspect my taste in men to be a little more developed than someone who had consensual sexual intercourse with John Major.

[andy-hughes]

Actually - the wellies / wheelchair comparison is not valid -

wellies are a choice - wheelchairs are not.