News thread

Homophobic adverts anybody? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21613433

I really like free speech and I really hate this advert. Don't know what my moral stance on it is, therefore.

There's a fine line between exercising one's right to free speech and committing a hate crime, and the people behind those ads raced over it in a speedboat. It's okay to have purely negative thoughts towards it.

I wouldn't say it was as far as a hate crime, seems like someone genuinely believes they can sell a service and they're advertising it. Perhaps it's a load of bollocks, but then so are many things that get advertised. Didn't seem to be being particularly offensive to me either.

andyman949 wrote:

I wouldn't say it was as far as a hate crime, seems like someone genuinely believes they can sell a service and they're advertising it. Perhaps it's a load of bollocks, but then so are many things that get advertised. Didn't seem to be being particularly offensive to me either.

Note the "and proud" part. The mentality behind it is one of "we're better than this silly little homosexuality thing". I consider it offensive and dangerous.

All right, made up my mind on this one.

While I don't like the "and proud" part, it really hinges around the meaning of "get over it". If, as I originally thought, it means "deal with the fact that that's what we are", then it's offensive but fine. If it means "get over your homosexuality", that suggests that it's something that needs to be got over, and that's not. And because it could be taken either way, it needs to go.

Problem solved, conscience clear.

@Balladeer wrote:

All right, made up my mind on this one.

While I don't like the "and proud" part, it really hinges around the meaning of "get over it". If, as I originally thought, it means "deal with the fact that that's what we are", then it's offensive but fine.

It's more likely that than the other, as they're lifting the comment straight from the advert it's countering/parodying.

I don't know what to think really. Both advertisements could do with more diplomatic wording, I don't think 'Get Over It' will particularly appease those who are homophobic, and after all is the reason someone decided to imitate it with a pathetic counter which then offends homosexuals.

Homosexuality is a subject which needs to be accepted, but the likeliness of this isn't foreseeable in the near future, i don't think either advertisement helps the cause.

/stupid neutral argument.

BATMAN

So the Queen's sick and we're all really sad. Right?

Who?

What queen?

Didn't she fall off her moped and sprain her ankle?
Or was that a different queen?
I'm so confused...

Bonnie Tyler confirmed as UK's Eurovision entry! That shikt, shikt noise you can hear is the bottom of the barrel being scraped.

Er... who?

You know what the UK needs now? It needs a hero.

Why? Are you holding out for a hero?

I'm sure we can wait until the end of the night.

Welp, it's morning now. Guess the UK's screwed.

(COMBO BREAKER!)

Yet more proof, were it needed, that SPL is Justin Bieber.

I hear he's having a catastrophic meltdown as of late. What's caused your breakdown SPL?

I have to admit: I love curly fries.

Yes, we know it's still snowing thank you. It's no longer news. How about updating us when it's sunny again?

Well that was today