First they came for the haberdashers ...

[MagnoliaTaint]

... now they're after our glitter-crafters:

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/05/29/time-wasting-scottish-census-bosses-threaten-women-spoilt-forms/

'Women who attached glitter to census forms to protest against rules stating Scots can choose whether they are male or female are being threatened with £1,000 fines and criminal records'

For goodness sake they really hate it when women find a peaceful way to protest. A really low response rate, even with an extension, of 84 compared to 97% in England and the Scottish Gov are wasting staff time and expenses chasing after glitter!

It's absurd, of course. And somehow I feel unsuprised they're making a point of going after women.

Shocking. The hatred of women is very obvious. Will Scottish women end up as refugees? Can we house them? It's not much better here but there are hints things might improve.

Can't read the article because it's behind a paywall.

Is it because of the glitter itself? Does it clog up machinery or means the paper can't be recycled?

arabdawaer.com/tehiyuwi/news/2022/05/29/time-wasting-scottish-census-bosses-threaten-women-spoilt-forms/

Paper forms have to be read by a human, so no machinery involved. And from what I can tell, I think the glitter wasn't fixed.

Of course using Pritt Stick is a hanging offense.

Scotland determined to return to the good old days when witches were hunted and women knew their place.

Well I didn't add glitter to mine but I did fold it up very small so it had to be read by a human. Maybe I'll get a fine 🤔 or the government could look at why so many people either didn't bother with the census or ensured their forms couldn't be automatically read by a machine.

Just a thought

I'm getting hassled for not filling mine in yet.

Maggie Osbourne was burned alive in Ayr because "she spake unadvisedly with her lips", while delirious with an "attack of brain fever". Her illness did not warrant leniency because the Bible was clear — "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live". Unhelpfully, the record does not detail which words are best avoided.

Back in the day, at least you had to speak unadvisedly, it wasn't just low-impact, non-violent resistance.

thecritic.co.uk/women-wont-wheesht/

Some of us are still trying to work out what sex we were on census day. It's not easy what with perimenopausal long covid brain fog.

This is the one thing for me that would get the Conservatives my vote if there was an election tomorrow. Despite everything else they've done/not done.

That's a bloody briliant article, thank you!

I'd imagine the forms would have to be treated as potentially hazardous. While it seems 'harmless enough' does no-one remember the anthrax mail attacks? What's to say the glitter wasn't there to disguise something more nefarious?

Yes don’t think adding glitter is that clever. I had a low paid job opening mail and had some nasty things put in with the tax cheques. I was always worried about powders. Glitter, as we know, will get everywhere and it’s the employee who has no ask to grind, getting it all over themselves.

I think adding glitter is a twattish thing to do, as @ZandathePanda says. I don't think it's police investigation worthy.

(Disclaimer, I haven't read the article because it's behind a paywall.)

Second link is to a repost of the article, Motorina.

Tbh, having been the "delighted" recipient of many home-made glittery offerings over the years, I have every sympathy with the Scottish census staff on this one.

What, that it should result in a criminal record?

It's a proportionate response that should be extended to all primary school children and their facilitators (teachers). It's the only way they'll learn.

I didn't put anything on the form but I did put stickers all over the envelope! Hoping that doesn't mean a fine as it wasn't the form itself! Added benefit of starting some conversations in the sorting office!