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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

When did any view expressed make you 'genuine' and not bigoted

259 replies

Brokenme · 07/09/2017 21:13

I'm really struggling to get my head around people saying Jacob Rees-Moggs views are ok because he is being 'genuine' and expressing himself. Where do we draw the line? Is it ok for politicians to be racist as long as they are 'genuinely' expressing their views. AIBU to be completely appalled by this stand point?

OP posts:
Original poster
Brokenme · 07/09/2017 21:30

Just me then🙈

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BoneyBackJefferson · 07/09/2017 21:34

Just because they are "genuine" doesn't mean that they aren't "bigoted" or that he isn't a grade A arsehole.

Moanyoldcow · 07/09/2017 21:34

I think he's perfectly entitled to hold those views. I disagree with him vehemently and I don't have any respect for him but he is perfectly within his rights to have them. Isn't that more what people are saying? Not that they're 'ok' as such?

birdsdestiny · 07/09/2017 21:36

It's not really to do with his views in my opinion. People like him, I have no idea why But they do. Therefore they either don't care about his views or excuse them. Personally I think the internet leads to a lack of critical thinking but I am old Smile

Original poster
Brokenme · 07/09/2017 21:36

That's exactly what I think. The amount of people I've heard/read saying well 'I don't agree with him' BUT at least he is a genuine politician! How is this right?! Has politics really sunk this low?

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BoneyBackJefferson · 07/09/2017 21:37

"genuine politician"

an oxymoron if I ever heard one.

Original poster
Brokenme · 07/09/2017 21:37

Sorry cross post moan that's exactly my problem. In today's society can we really be saying his views are acceptable because they are his? When does that line get drawn?

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VestalVirgin · 07/09/2017 21:37

I'm living a bit behind the moon apparently. What kind of views did he express?

balsamicbarbara · 07/09/2017 21:39

There was a lengthy thread here yesterday where the majority were being pretty transphobic. Perhaps genuine and heartfelt views but no I don't think it makes anything more ok but it can still be genuine. That's not always a good thing.

BoneyBackJefferson · 07/09/2017 21:39

VestalVirgin

he is completely opposed to abortion including in cases of rape abuse etc.

Tinycitrus · 07/09/2017 21:39

He's entitled to hold these views. At least he was honest about them.

Original poster
Brokenme · 07/09/2017 21:39

Yes boney politics has sunk so low that expressing bigoted views make you genuine. Perhaps it's a kick back to the sound bites delivered by so much spin but that still doesn't make it right

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birdsdestiny · 07/09/2017 21:39

You won't like them vestal. Abortion is wrong under any circumstances including rape and abuse. Gay marriage is wrong too.

Original poster
Brokenme · 07/09/2017 21:40

vestal and same sex marriage too

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MaidOfStars · 07/09/2017 21:40

The word 'genuine' applies to, in this instance, the act of giving an opinion - sincere, honest, etc. But it doesn't apply to the opinion itself, in the sense of 'truth'.

You can be genuine and a cunt.

Original poster
Brokenme · 07/09/2017 21:40

tiny so if he was being overtly racist we'd accept that?

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ChocolateRicecake · 07/09/2017 21:41

But he hasn't been racist. He has expressed views which I completely disagree with - but we are both entitled to our stances

I can only hope that commenters mean that at least he is standing up for what he believes rather than lying or avoiding the topic...

BoneyBackJefferson · 07/09/2017 21:41

Brokenme

I agree with you completely. I have no idea how people can think that he is a decent man.

HootieMcBoooob · 07/09/2017 21:42

I thought JRM was a cunt last year, I thought JRM was a cunt last Sunday, I thought JRM was a cunt yesterday & I will still think he is a cunt tomorrow & in the future.
If anyone thought previously that he held pro choice views, then they are clearly deluded. The man took his nanny campaigning, is a practising catholic & has consistently voted against gay rights, women's rights & anything that involves equality or public services.
In short the bloke is a grade A cunt who would be happier living in the last century.

MaidOfStars · 07/09/2017 21:42

expressing bigoted views make you genuine
No.

Expressing sincerely held views/beliefs makes you genuine (authentic, real, truthful). The fact those views may be bigoted has nothing to do with the sincerity with which they are expressed.

You're conflating two separate ideas.

Original poster
Brokenme · 07/09/2017 21:43

chocolate so as long advice he is 'honestly' stating his opinion he can say what he likes? Seems a slippery slope to me

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MaidOfStars · 07/09/2017 21:44

so if he was being overtly racist we'd accept that?
We could accept that he is genuine in his belief, while dismissing the belief as hateful/bigoted/nonsense.

Original poster
Brokenme · 07/09/2017 21:44

*as he

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birdsdestiny · 07/09/2017 21:44

I don't agree with him but I think he can say those things. So in that sense I accept it. I am very uncomfortable about saying people can't say things. I think he has also just talked himself out of being the next Tory leader which can't be a bad thing.

Original poster
Brokenme · 07/09/2017 21:44

maid and we would praise him for that?

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