gareth thomas suffers homophobic chants.

Quote: SmokeyTA "then you're an idiot. There is no other way of explaining it. If you think its petty political correctness to know the difference between mild insults and offensive behaviour then you lack either integrity or empathy

][i[sizeYou are as hard as the Cas fans when it comes to directing abuse then? Feel free to explain where the line between mild insults and offensive behaviour actually exists in this case[/size[/i.]

There should be.

][i[sizeI look forward to reading your faux indignation as and when it's is necessary on all other matters of abuse at games. Be sure to differentiate between mild insults and abuse, giving explanations of how you arrived at those classifications[/size[/i]

And i think you are underplaying the issue to try and pretend that your own ignorance isnt real. If you really dont think that homophobia is a problem in this world then a you should really just have a cursory glance at the internet news sites.

[i][sizeI am not underplaying anything, merely sitting this massively overhyped occurence alongside issues that are given far less prominence but that exist to a far greater extent within the game and society in general.[/size[/i]

because it isnt Thomas's place to act as arbiter of what is offensive and what isnt for all gay people. They arent all the same, and whilst Thomas wasnt offended there were almost certainly other gay people or friends of gay people who could have been. The fact Thomas was a strong enough person to rise above the bigots doesnt mean we should just accept the behaviour.

[i][sizeNo one said it was his place to be an arbiter of anything but his own circumstances. There is a procedure in place and a set of guidelines laid down that he had a means of recourse through. he chose not to avail himself of this opportunity. Why then comment in the press,? You demonstrate beautifully the art of offence by proxy, especially for all those who could have been offended had they been there, but weren't so no one will know. Still if it feeds your desire to self flagellate, something has been achieved[/size[/i]

like throwing bananas at black players is just a bit of ribbing, like monkey chants is just taking the mickey. That must also be perfectly acceptable, after all there is no hierarchy of offence and anyone finding such behaviour unacceptable should get of their high horse, apparently

[i][sizeSure sign of losing an argument is to bring in irrelevant and entirely sperate issues[/size[/i]

no, it isnt the same. When you are shouting w@nker at somebody, you are simply expressing your frustration, you arent really picking on them because they masturbate. You arent differentiating them because their lifestyle choice includes masturbation. In fact the dictionary recognises this, look it up you will see.

[i][sizeWhatever motivation you claim is the reasoning, what mitigating circumstances are there because frustration doesn't wash, is it not abuse of an individual based on an alleged sexual proclivity? How do you know that the person targetted isn't offended by being called a w@nker? It's a sexual act partaken by some and not others, so how about clarifying whether those others who are either viewing in the ground or the thousands watching on TV are/aren't offended? Maybe because it's abuse you have dished out, it's OK?? Rank hypocrisy by any chance?[/size[/i]

When you call somebody a faggot, you are picking on them because of a choice they have made in how they live their life. You are abusing something intrinsic about them. If you cant tell the difference between them, i not only pity you but the people around you.

[i][sizeWho called anyone a faggot? Is it a lifestyle choice to be gay or is it pre-determined? Do people choose to masturbate or is it an intrinsic part of their own sexuality? Do people choose to be fat, ginger or cosmetically challenged?[/size[/i]

[i][sizeYou really do need to keep some sense or proportionality and consequence. Apart from the very small comment in the Sunday Times, and the comments on a couple of league forums, just exactly how big an issue has this become?[/size[/i]

'"