When someone can get fired because of the ignorance of others, political correctness and the power it wields in our everyday lives has gone ***way, way*** to far.
##We’re doomed
No, this is not about PC compatible computers and the great
evil empire up in Redmond. It’s about political correctness run amok.
Our society was founded on some amazing principles. Among
them is the first amendment to the Constitution:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free execise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a reress of gievances.
Notice the part that’s italicized above. Free speech. It’s considered
sacred here in the United States, or at least it was. Now,I know that the
above has to do with the government making laws, but it’s generally
accepted that people should be able to say what they wish.
Now, I know that there’s been limits placed on free speech over the years
(you can’t yell “fire!” inside a crowded theatre for instance), but now
we’ve gone too far.
##n != N
Let’s get something straight right now {dictionary(“niggard”)} has nothing
to do with (pardon me) {dictionary(“nigger”)}. The two are unrelated
etemologically, and the meanings have nothing in common. But that’s not
good enough for the politically correct these days. To them, since it
*sounds” like it ”could* be related, it shouldn’t be used. And if
you do use it, you loose your job.
##Embarassment
This whole issue has nothing to do with racism or harrassment, but everything
to do with embarassment. The people who raised their voices in protest
were so embarassed at how stupid they looked that they couldn’t do the
right thing and laugh it off as a misunderstanding.
##It’s not my problem
I consider myself to be a fairly well educated person. I read the paper and
stay well informed (at least as well informed as I can), I read books, and
I like being challenged intellectually. I find listening to people such as
George Will and William F. Buckley to be interesting not for their
politics, but because they refuse to lower their use of vocabulary so that
the masses can understand them. They (rightfully so) expect people to
understand the English language, *all of it*. I’ve found myself on
occassion consulting a dictionary while listening to them so that I could
understand what they were saying. This isn’t a failing of mine. Rather,
it’s an opportunity to learn something I didn’t know before and expand my
vocabulary.
They decided a long time ago that it’s not their problem if we (the
masses) don’t understand them, it’s our problem. Just the same, it’s those
people’s problem that didn’t understand the word *niggardly* who have
the problem, not the guy that used it.
Grow up people. There’s a lot more out there that’s actually *worth*
worrying about!
CarneyWeb 