What is the problem?

[jedimistress]

I can't understand the problem with having a bit of fun...even if you are at work...like I am just now.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1 3546624,00.html

[admarlow]

Because its VERY dangerous and he could have killed himself, plus it could encourage children to do the same.

[jno]

I guess the problem was that he was on duty. If it was your house burning down, would you want a fireman turning up fresh from his spin cycle and trying to remember which way was up? (God forbid that he should actually be driving the fire engine.) I don't imagine there would have been any complaint if he did it in his own time.

[sp1814]

The answer is to never do anything which you wouldn't want posted on a website (such as YouTube) when there's someone with a camera phone nearby.

Ridiculous prank, and I'm sure he regrets it, especially being a fireman...but in the grand scheme of things, I don't think it was as bad as some of the things I've seen at office Christmas parties.

[Zen]

Got off lightly compared to these victims of Political corectness.....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_an d_west/5301334.stm

[brachiopod]

They obviosly weren't the PC Brigade then, were they, Zen?
(Sorry, little joke at the expense of indignant Daily Mail readers, there)

However, that item (about firefighters refusing to attend a Gay Pride festival to hand out Fire Safety leaflets), has been much reported and mainly mis-reported since it happened.
If some papers were to be believed, it was almost implied that the firefighters were asked to wear nothing but pink thongs.

The reality is somewhat different - being a large gathering - they were asked to be in attendance to hand out safety leaflets -as they are often seen at large gatherings doing the same.
(As I have seen at 'Free Festivals', 'Country Shows' etc. etc.)

Would there be as much sympathy if they had refused these latter events because they "didn't like the music" or were "morally opposed to exploitation of animals in the countryside"?
Or would fears of "being the subject of taunts and jokes" by these country folk be a 'legitimate concern' for them to refuse?

[littleoldme]

Do you mind, brachiopod? This is the Knee-jerk Reaction Right-Wing Ranting Section (sponsored by the Daily Mail) - there's no place for your calm, rational, well thought out arguments here. ;-)

Just as some people will agree with all sorts of nonsense in the name of political correctness, so will some people go along with all sorts of nonsense to be against political correctness. If people forgot the whole PC/anti-PC debate and we could get back to good old common sense (ahh, remember that?) things might get done once in a while.