Paralympics ad on TV

[wahwahwah]

...err 'I am a freak of nature'.

Um, the word 'freak' - I thought I midheard until it was on again last night. Am I being a bit 'PC' on this or is it really offensive?

.. DS is fascinated my amputees running on their blades. 'Mummy, can I do that when I am bigger?'

claig I must have missed it But I didn't think you were being patronising

thanks 2shoes

2shoes, you missed it so I collected a couple of claig's quotes for you.

"these athletes are told what to say by the execs who hand them the script and pay them for their services. They think the ad execs must know what they are doing, with their copies of the Guardian under their arms."

"I think the ad people approach the athletes and tell them of their ideas. I bet some of the athletes were hesitant to say what they said, but I think they are convinced to do it because the ad types tell them about the new powerful shock tactic techniques that they say can change people's minds"

"I think these athletes are vulnerable"

"I think the people who have the interests of the disabled most at heart are the parents of disabled children"

I'm off now.

" I personally cannot understand why you can't get offended for the sake of others."

If they want me to act on their behalf I will. My career is in a large part based on protecting the rights of those in society not able to speak for themselves. I know all about acting for the sake of others.

However given that the athletes in question have volunteered to appear in this advert of their own free will, knowing the content of the advert and yet are still happy to support the advert gives a clue that they don't find it offensive.

Just to say it again: I rather suspect the "disabled" athletes in the advert would be more offended being labelled as "vulnerable" than as a "freak". But I don't speak for them and wouldn't be so patronising as to try to do so.

Off you jog.

Goodbye.

The quotes are taken out of context, but I stand by them all, because I know that none of them were meant to patronise disabled people. It was you who implied that I thought the athletes were influenced by the ad execs because of their disability. I said "Are you sick? whatever gave you that idea? Are you projecting your thoughts onto me?"

I explained how many non-disabled people are influenced by PR people and ad executives. People such as Gordon Brown, and actors and comedians who participate in charity appeals and other public information commercials. But you keep insisting that I patronise disabled people. I know why you do it, and it is very sad.

"My career is in a large part based on protecting the rights of those in society not able to speak for themselves. I know all about acting for the sake of others."

I'm glad to hear it. I hope you also get offended on their behalf if they are abused or suffer injustice. I hope that if they are abused or insulted that your attitude is not "off you jog".