Thread: Political Correctness Is Often Taken Too Far...

I say this because of my experiences in this forum and others. When taken too far it stifles many discussions. I have been called mentally ill in this forum because of my failure to live up to some members notions of what is politically correct.
I sense that much of this is the result of my to a large degree having spent most of my life around working class people who do not concern themselves with political correctness.
I would go so far as to say that the sorts of things I have been critisized for saying would be the norm in say a working class bar. And that if a person tried to CORRECT me or anyone else in one of these establishments they would find themselves on the wrong end of the stick so to speak.
I just recently returned some business I had to take care of in UPSTATE NEW YORK. UPSTATE and New York City are totally different culturally. It`s communities are made up of almost entirely working class people. Lot`s of farmers, loggers, people like that. Deer hunting is a big deal in these areas for one thing. I am a vegetarian. So what you say. Well, I stay true to myself in any environment. I also drink mixed drinks and like martinis also. So, I am sitting in one of these establishments having a martini and this group of 5 or 6 hunters comes in and they all order beers. One of them looks over at me and notices that my drink is in the customary stemware glass martinis are served in. He kind of laughs and asks what is THAT I am drinking ? I inform him it is called a martini. He looks over at his buddies and they all exchange some KNOWING little smile amongst themselves. I am getting ready inside for whatever is about to happen. He asked me why do I drink these martinis, hee hee. I tell him because I LIKE THEM. IF YOU DON`T LIKE THEM DON`T DRINK THEM. I am pissed and I am letting them know it and I am not backing down. They look me over and decide I am not the sissy they figured me for. We all calm down and manage to have a more or less enjoyable conversation.
Out that way I am seen as a liberal. I tell them I am a Democrat if asked.
I get along fine with the women in these establishments and had a young 22 year old woman ask me to take her to the Marine Corps Ball which was to happen in 2 days. She is hugging and kissing me, just like that and I am taken by surprise and not sure what to make of it. She had arrived there with a young Marine all decked out in his dress blues and me and him had already shared a drink or two. So I really do not know what to make of it. It turns out they were not sure of what their relashionship was exactly. He had recently arrived back from Iraq and they hadn`t seen each other in more than a year and were not boyfriend and girlfriend yet. As much as I would have liked nothing better than to spend a night or 100 nights with her, she was a real beauty, I figured it would mean trouble for me if I pursued her offer and I very reluctantly declined assuring her she was definately the sort of woman I would like to spend some quality time with, but did not think it would be a good idea with the iffy situation with her and this Marine and there was yet some other sort of boyfriend that she had.
So, in some places I am seen as some sort of redneck and in others a liberal. I almost always manage to get along well with most people. Buy a few drinks for the ones I am with, things like that will almost always make things amicable and having been around as much and as long as I have ,I can almost always find some common ground to relate on.
So, what is politically correct in one venue can be incorrect in another. Who decides these things and for who ? And things change over time also. So don`t be so quick to judge me those of you that have. And to call me mentally ill for not adhering to your standards of political correctness is preposterous. Why is it OK for people to call me mentally ill ? I do not like it so stop doing it. It is not OK with me. ...Dr.Syntax

I don't think I have called you mentally ill, but am willing to be corrected on this.
I have criticized your attitude to women. This has nothing to do with political correctness, but everything to do with respect for fellow humans. Don't hide your antiquated attitude to women behind a smokescreen of anti-PC talk.

Originally Posted by Ophiolite

I don't think I have called you mentally ill, but am willing to be corrected on this.
I have criticized your attitude to women. This has nothing to do with political correctness, but everything to do with respect for fellow humans. Don't hide your antiquated attitude to women behind a smokescreen of anti-PC talk.

REPLY: Ophie, those events occurred while I was in my early to mid 20s. I had had a very rough and wild time of it from my teens until I was about 21 or 22. I was having a little fun with Pong because he got a kick out of my generation`s goings on. I sometimes forget somewhat that other people may read those postings. I assure you that by the time I was 26 or so I ended my STATISTICAL SURVEY. It all seems so long ago. I did get some good laughs out of it all. I can`t deny it. Should I become a liar ? Perhaps so. But I won`t do it for you or anyone else.
There is something important to me about staying true to myself. Oh, there are many ugly truths I know about myself. Truly painful ones. Painful to me truths I do not hide from. I have noted one in particular I will never forgive myself for. Is your life so pure and free of regrets ? If it is, good show, and I mean that. I have a sister who I believe can honestly say she has never knowingly caused any harm and done much good for others including me. Some of the women in my family have been truly virtuous and therefore I know such people do exist.
This is not the case with the men except for one uncle on my mothers side of the family. But he is not a Syntax is he. Uncle Harry. Joined the Marine Corps right after Pearl Harbor. Fought with the first Marine Division from Guada Canal through the battle of Okinowa. Served as a Company commander, a Marine Captain, throughout the Korean War and as a regimental commanding officer , full colnel during the Viet Nam War. And some minor actions after that. Retired from the USMC and did some volunteer work and such. He is still alive and gets about just fine. An amazing man in so many ways. I am quite sure he is a Christian. One of his brothers died fighting the Germans. These are my Mothers brothers.
I know military service does not count for much amongst the scientific community here in America. What is it like in that regard in the UK ? I would expect it has more regard in the UK. The UK`s civilian population has far more experience with the consequences of war than most in the USA.
Anyway, I am one of the Syntax men. A selfish clan of very combative heathens really. We believe in nothing, but always fight for any stupid reason that suits us. We all love having sex and are loyal to no one in that regard. But I am generous, always give out tens to beggars and such. I get the party going in any situation. I know how to do it. Those years in the Marines taught me: make the best of what time you have. It could all end for me at any time. So that is the way I live my life. As far as I am concerned: virtue is it`s own punishment. And any dickhead who buys into it gets what he asked for. A stupid boring life sitting around wondering why he never has any fun. Well Ophie, ponder all that and issue forth your objections. I really do never know what will pop out of me. ...Dr.Syntax