Sir Trevor McDonald

[jimmysipples]

I don't like Bernard Mannings comedy, it is dated and maybe wasn't suitable in this day and age but I am curious as to peoples opinions. Should Sir Trevor be allowed to get away with calling him a "fat white b**t*rd"?

Is this not a form of racism also? If the shoe was on the other foot, there would be public outcry. I do not support any kind of racism, but i am also not a fan of double standards. Are there any coloured ABers out there who laughed at Sir Trev's comments the way some white would laugh at Bernards? Does this not reflect how all of these comments should be taken? with a pinch of salt and not with the uproar which normally happens?

People may say it was said as a joke (which is still unacceptable to many) but i have saw the clip a few times now and it wasn't a joke. There was severe anger and hatred in Sir Trevors eyes as he made the comment.

I wasn't gonna bring this up in the AB as I reckoned it would just get me ridiculed but then I thought "why not" as the page would be full of comments had it been the other way round.

We cant have a half hearted approach to all of the race issues in the uk. Either its the same rule for all regarding comments or as i'd prefer we all just chill out and learn to laugh again at all walks of life, because not one of us is perfect.

[China Doll]

Vulcans aren't normally that offensive.... And usually a lot more bl00dy logical.

However, like Bernard, often not funny.

[Doc Spock]

No satire intended me old china,just an observation of what goes on in the world. It's a good job people like me and good old Bernard hold the majority opinion.
Not too worry , we will all be islamic soon.

[Doc Spock]

Lets see, a packed house every night for decades, multi millionaire, generous donator to charity.
No wonder you are jealous of his appeal.

[Doc Spock]

Lets sum it up.
Blacks can insult whites.
Whites cannot insult Blacks,
This is the fundamental ethos of the race relations board.
Any argument.

[China Doll]

The jealousy argument? Well to quote Trever... I've never really wanted to be a 'fat, white b@stArd.' And to be honest I can't be bothered to address anything else as a jealousy comment.

You have an opinion and it's your right as we have freedom of speech in this country, hence why 'good ole Bernard' was allowed to have his say for so long. However, opinions like the ones you have just displayed do make me long for a gagging order on people who just shouldn't talk/type. But then that would make me a dictator of sorts and I've never wanted to be one of those either.

It's a pity you can't live up to the logic of your namesake.

Oh and for the record, on Friday I followed a man dressed completely in a black shroud holding the head of a horse skeleton while others around him danced and waved sparklers... this pre-historic, back dated practice was set in penzance. Not generally known for it's tribal links.

[Doc Spock]

Just out of curiosity china do you live near a no go area. Somewhere where you dare not go because the locality has been taken over by gangs of Asian drug dealers.
A lot of stupid people who spout about the evils of racism have no bl00dy idea what is happening in the real world.

[Doc Spock]

Unlike the people you empathise with, I doubt it was real and cut off by him

[China Doll]

No. I'm actually from Peckham. Next question.

[Doc Spock]

I find it quite comforting that a lot of people are quite happy for Britain to become the sewer of the world.

[China Doll]

Well but of course you find it comforting... when your mind is already at gutter level there's really not much further to fall for you now is there?

I honestly hope you're on a wind up. And I think I just remembered why I stopped coming in to news.

[NJOK]

He is on a wind up.

[Doc Spock]

Bring back Enoch ( yes I know he is dead)
Now there was a great man. More foresight than anyone till the PC lot wet their pants and packed him off to Ireland.
Rivers of blood, yes had those.

[Doc Spock]

No wind up, just sickened by what this country has become.

[China Doll]

Has to be... So I guess I just go back to what I said about vulcans not known for their humour.

[feist]

I don't like swear words, so b##**** would be offensive. But fat and white,...well those are escriptive, nothing racist there at all. Especially 'fat' ... I mean he wasn't thin was he? What do you want me to call fat/chubby people if not fat? Give me a PC word and I'll use it.

[Doc Spock]

Hi feist, just seen the post above yours re Sheffield evacuation. What's that about.

[olddutch]

In spite of the arguments posted by OEV /WALDO / NJOK etc. re the irony & context of TMs racist comments, it is clear that if TM had been white and BM had been black TMs racist comments about a fat black bast**d would have brought about a huge PC furore, calls for action against TM and a Shilpa Shetty type media frenzy. For everyone with eyes to see, there is an obvious double standard in play and has been for many years.

[Doc Spock]

spot on old dutch, why can't the otheres see it ?

[WaldoMcFroog]

Radio 4's 'The Now Show' used ironic racism about Mugabe. Ricky Gervais *frequently* uses ironic racism about black people. Al Murray's whole act is based on ironic bigotry. Blazing Saddles had some hilarious ironic racism. By your reckoning, there should be bedlam. But there isn't.

Why? Because people of normal intelligence are perfectly capable of understanding the ironic use of racism for satirical purposes in comedy, as indeed they did with Trevor McDonald.

To try and imply that context is irrelevant and if 'a white man called a black man a 'fat black *******' is just dumb. Far from being irrelevant, context is *everything*. I honestly don't understand why you can't grasp this elementary point.

[sp1814]

WaldoMcFroog

I read your comments with interest, and agree wholeheartedly.

However, as an argument, it involves some complex issues which I think many people would not like to deal with.

Doc Spock...I don't wish to be rude, but the chip on your shoulder is so big that Sarsons would have difficulty in supply you with enough vinegar to cover it.

(D'ya see what I did there?)