Is this offensive? (1 Viewer)

[jhib]

In yesterday's Random Shots, I said:

"I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. And I hope this was not your Thanksgiving dinner experience..."

And then shared this tweet.

Your question was about the tweet itself, but I actually think the manner you shared it makes it even less offensive than it should already be.  I mean, you could have meant that you hoped the reader didn't find themselves drinking and talking that way, or that the reader wasn't subjected to someone else drinking and talking that way. It's pretty clear that you just hoped they had a peaceful holiday without confrontational political talk ruining it. 

 

[Tom Servo]

for anything to be offensive, one of three criteria must be met - intent, ignorance or willful oblivion. anything else must be considered no more than opinion, reflective or formulated. people may find offense in anything (half the t-shirts & artistic body expressions one sees everyday now would indignify the entire population 50 yrs ago) but, without one of those qualifiers, it's on them, not the expressor. offendees are within their rights to express equal & opposite reaction as long as they also remain short of offense

NOW SEE HERE GOOD SIR - WE SHALL NONE OF THAT THERE REASONABLENESS ON  THIS HERE FORUM!!!!

 

[Joe Bryant]

It's not offensive, but posting it suggests a lack of awareness of today's political climate.  I'm surprised you posted it because I know you don't lack such awareness.

Thank you for the kind words @Captain Cranks But apparently, I do lack such awareness.  

 

[Tom Servo]

Oh, and I voted zero.  Given that @Joe Bryant has never given me a cause to reach for the Yikes Hard Lemonade, I'd give it a pass.  However, I generally apply the three topics you shouldn't discuss at parties to my whole life.

 

[NutterButter]

Oh, and I voted zero.  Given that @Joe Bryant has never given me a cause to reach for the Yikes Hard Lemonade, I'd give it a pass.  However, I generally apply the three topics you shouldn't discuss at parties to my whole life.

Politics, religion and ?; bowel movements?  

 

[Joe Bryant]

From what I can gather, the people who are offended are just saying don't mix politics in with FF.  And to somewhat be fair to the folks that fall in that category - things have become so toxic over the last several years that there's many people that don't want to hear anything about politics - nothing at all.  Can't say that I blame them. 

I don't disagree with you @AAABatteries But from what I can tell, this wasn't a thing of "don't mix football with politics.". The person who had an issue thought I was taking a side.

They said they were canceling their subscription and would not be buying another one because I was trying to "own the libs". 

Granted it was just one person and as @Jackstraw and others said, that's probably not too surprising with just about anything. 

I was surprised though.

We lose business at Footballguys for plenty of different reasons. I just was just kind of surprised by this one. Although I suppose I shouldn't be. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

Your question was about the tweet itself, but I actually think the manner you shared it makes it even less offensive than it should already be.  I mean, you could have meant that you hoped the reader didn't find themselves drinking and talking that way, or that the reader wasn't subjected to someone else drinking and talking that way. It's pretty clear that you just hoped they had a peaceful holiday without confrontational political talk ruining it. 

Exactly. I know holidays can be contentious. And I said I hoped theirs wasn't like the wine graphic. Meaning I hoped they had a non contentious holiday. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

I do think I should have been more considerate with the alcoholic angle on it. 

 

[ProstheticRGK]

I do think I should have been more considerate with the alcoholic angle on it. 

No, Joe, you really shouldn't have. The joke was lame, and the twitter feed you quoted probably is, too.

But, man, sometimes it's ok to just make a joke without having to consider everybody in the world's perspective first.

 

[belljr]

No, Joe, you really shouldn't have. The joke was lame, and the twitter feed you quoted probably is, too.

But, man, sometimes it's ok to just make a joke without having to consider everybody in the world's perspective first.

Your face is lame......

That's how you do jokes!@!#!#!#

 

[Zegras11]

I might report it so the random admin guy comes in here and doesn't see/look for the context and bans you for a week. 

 

[ProstheticRGK]

Now, I'm offended. Have you guys seen belljr's face? Marjorie Taylor Greene wants him to keep wearing masks.

 

[Jayrod]

That's a block all day.  Defender was not in a legal guarding position prior to the shooter leaving his feet.

 

[belljr]

That's a block all day.  Defender was not in a legal guarding position prior to the shooter leaving his feet.

Odd take.............

 

[Pip's Invitation]

First stage of drinking, you start hitting on grandma.  Second stage, you're getting a little looser and find it a good time to bring up politics, hopefully with grandma in your lap.  Third stage, the political discussion takes a quick left turn and your chances with grandma are shattered because she's always had a thing for cousin John who you just insulted.

Ok, I get it now. Don’t think it’s offensive — or good.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

It might also be offensive to families that have struggled with alcoholism.
 

Are those people offended when they walk past the wine section at the grocery store ?

The beer cooler at the corner market ?

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

I chuckled. 

 

[belljr]

I chuckled

@ProstheticRGK FACE#@!$@

 

[Cowboysfan8]

No, Joe, you really shouldn't have. The joke was lame, and the twitter feed you quoted probably is, too.

But, man, sometimes it's ok to just make a joke without having to consider everybody in the world's perspective first.

Yes. This. All of this

 

[ren hoek]

I don't think it's offensive at all.  But some people are offended by the mere suggestion of having to think about anything political.  What can you do?  

 

[Gally]

Yeah and also I'm not saying that it's right for someone to get offended over this joke, just that people over-react to things that push their political buttons, so it's a good idea to leave that stuff at the door.  I would have omitted this one just to avoid triggering people.

With this philosophy you will eventually stop communicating in any way with anybody.  Every statement will trigger someone so if you avoid posting to "avoid triggering people" you might as well close up the site.  

This was nothing and it shouldn't be thought about twice (mainly because it wasn't very good...hahah).   

 

[AAABatteries]

I don't disagree with you @AAABatteries But from what I can tell, this wasn't a thing of "don't mix football with politics.". The person who had an issue thought I was taking a side.

They said they were canceling their subscription and would not be buying another one because I was trying to "own the libs". 

Granted it was just one person and as @Jackstraw and others said, that's probably not too surprising with just about anything. 

I was surprised though.

We lose business at Footballguys for plenty of different reasons. I just was just kind of surprised by this one. Although I suppose I shouldn't be.

I've never owned a business so I'm sure what I'm about to type is probably wrong and/or I would change my mind but my knee jerk reaction is I wouldn't really miss having that person as a customer anyway.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I've never owned a business so I'm sure what I'm about to type is probably wrong and/or I would change my mind but my knee jerk reaction is I wouldn't really miss having that person as a customer anyway.

Thanks GB. We have people stop being a customer for all kinds of different reasons. I guess I really shouldn't be surprised.

I will say I don't think I've ever been accused of "trying to own the libs" though. Oh well. 

 

[IvanKaramazov]

This whole thread doesn't really move the needle for me but I'm bored....

Just to make sure I understand, you think the offensive part is Joe including the Tweet in his FF email/article?  Or is someone else supposed to be offended?  If the former, then I could maybe get behind someone saying they are very slightly offended because they don't want political stuff in FF.

I don't think it's really offensive.  Just that if you're sending anything that's even remotely political out to a large mailing list, you can rest assured that somebody is going to get bent out of shape over this.  Is that reasonable?  No, not really, but political neuroticism is a fairly common, predictable flavor of unreasonableness.  That's all.

 

[beer 30]

Your face is lame......

That's how you do jokes!@!#!#!#

That's gold right there

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

It's not offensive, but posting it suggests a lack of awareness of today's political climate.  I'm surprised you posted it because I know you don't lack such awareness.

I agree.  I would have said it's more inappropriate than offensive.  I have no idea why this was in a football post.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I agree.  I would have said it's more inappropriate than offensive.  I have no idea why this was in a football post.

It's in the Random Shots column which is a ton of just goofy stuff I've seen this week. There is basketball and music and other things in that column. It's definitely not football only content. 

 

[Judge Smails]

Not offensive. 

 

[ghostguy123]

Who could this even be offensive towards??

 

[-fish-]

Not inappropriate or offensive in the slightest.  

 

[Captain Cranks]

Who could this even be offensive towards??

I'm offended that 'trash jones' didn't show a little more bra in her pfp.  

 

[Summer Wheat]

If someone finds that offensive they probably look for things to be offended by.

 

[Manster]

I think the interesting part of this for me is.....

I'm not listening to much of the constant political chatter on any side, whether it be from the from echo chambers of the left, or right, or anything in between .  I'm not on the big social media platforms.  I don't watch hardly any news.  I am, however, aware of the the underlying political turmoil in our country.  And I guess what I see is an almost apathetic approach to prospect of revolution in this country.....so while I understand it's a stupid joke, it's also a snapshot of real political issues in our country

 

[DJackson10]

Trying to get some feedback from a larger audience.

In yesterday's Random Shots, I said:

"I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. And I hope this was not your Thanksgiving dinner experience..."

And then shared this tweet.

If you don't want to click on it, it's a silly joke that shows a wine bottle.

The top third says something like, "Grandma, you're looking lovely tonight".

The middle third says, "Look guys, I just thing healthcare is a universal right"

The bottom third says, "Cousin John you'r a fascist and the revolution will not spare you"

My question: On a scale of 1(Not offensive) to 5 (Extremely offensive), how offensive was the tweet?

And to be clear, I don't mean "Offensive because the joke was so lame."

It was funny because it's true. if the person was offended they were probably the guy insulting John in that tweet and it hit too close to home for them. The first thanksgiving after 2016 election my mom posted a sign on the front door before entering and everyone signed it that said politics would not be discussed the entire visit 

So no I don't find it offensive. But I will say in terms that considering what some of us have been banned for lately and in the past this post is ban worthy in itself......

 

[DJackson10]

Agree with both but also grew up in the 80's. Times are different now, not sure how some people make it through the day being as offended as they are at the world.

Not trying to argue and agree some people take things too seriously but it's also nice now seeing and hearing people held accountable for worthy offensive comments or actions instead of people shrugging it off or just plan getting away with it. It's nice that people don't feel the need to be censored to be quit if they feel something was offensive to them and speak up. What I do hate is people digging up old posts or comments from people from back 10 yrs ago. Most of us are different people then 10 yrs ago. if you have to go back that far to find something on someone your intentions were never good to begin with. 

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

It's in the Random Shots column which is a ton of just goofy stuff I've seen this week. There is basketball and music and other things in that column. It's definitely not football only content. 

I know.  It's just that poking the bear seems to not be such a good idea right now.  People are extra sensitive about anything remotely political.  I come here to avoid that crap.

 

[DJackson10]

First stage of drinking, you start hitting on grandma.  Second stage, you're getting a little looser and find it a good time to bring up politics, hopefully with grandma in your lap.  Third stage, the political discussion takes a quick left turn and your chances with grandma are shattered because she's always had a thing for cousin John who you just insulted.

Damit I read that while drinking water laughing and it almost came out my noise!!!!!

 

[Hoh]

I would not want to associate with anyone who finds that offensive.  Some folks are bound and determined to be unhappy.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I don't disagree with you @AAABatteries But from what I can tell, this wasn't a thing of "don't mix football with politics.". The person who had an issue thought I was taking a side.

They said they were canceling their subscription and would not be buying another one because I was trying to "own the libs". 

Granted it was just one person and as @Jackstraw and others said, that's probably not too surprising with just about anything. 

I was surprised though.

We lose business at Footballguys for plenty of different reasons. I just was just kind of surprised by this one. Although I suppose I shouldn't be. 

id reply with “lighten up Francis” 

 

[top dog]

Voted 0. Not offensive at all. Everyone needs to lighten the hell up nowadays.

 

[brun]

Not funny, so offending someone is probably the only way that joke has any value.

 

[Dwayne Hoover]

I didn't find it offensive but didn't find it funny either.  

 

[fatness]

A non-funny joke about how alcohol might affect the conversation of a liberal at Thanksgiving? Booze does that to conversation, but people here don't expect or want politics in Random Shots. The same way you don't want politics in places other than PSF.

If you really want to show the effect alcohol has on conversation then you could have also included a similar non-funny image about how it would have gone with a conservative talking. It would have had no effect on the lack-of-humor level.

Better yet don't include something political in Random Shots. Read the room.  

"Please post topics about politics in The Politics Forum."

 

[Manster]

A non-funny joke about how alcohol might affect the conversation of a liberal at Thanksgiving? Booze does that to conversation, but people here don't expect or want politics in Random Shots. The same way you don't want politics in places other than PSF.

If you really want to show the effect alcohol has on conversation then you could have also included a similar non-funny image about how it would have gone with a conservative talking. It would have had no effect on the lack-of-humor level.

Better yet don't include something political in Random Shots. Read the room.  

Now that's offensive......the funniest people I know are conservative.....and I know a good mix politically

 

[shuke]

Tweet itself: 0

Telling people you hope their Thanksgiving wasn't like that: I said slightly offensive.  Not to me personally, but I can see how people could interpret this as some kind of passive aggressive dig.

 

[Sea Duck]

The joke's premise is fine, but the execution is flawed.

Change "Grandma" to "Neighbor's wife" and remove "Cousin John" from the punchline, and now you've got a joke worthy of Jeff Dunham.

 

[matuski]

It depends entirely upon whether the reader is looking to be offended or not.

 

[FairWarning]

I don't disagree with you @AAABatteries But from what I can tell, this wasn't a thing of "don't mix football with politics.". The person who had an issue thought I was taking a side.

They said they were canceling their subscription and would not be buying another one because I was trying to "own the libs". 

Granted it was just one person and as @Jackstraw and others said, that's probably not too surprising with just about anything. 

I was surprised though.

We lose business at Footballguys for plenty of different reasons. I just was just kind of surprised by this one. Although I suppose I shouldn't be. 

NM, I don’t want to offend.

 

[jvdesigns2002]

I agree with what some of the others mentioned—not offensive—but not really funny imo either.   Most importantly—I think it was clearly unnecessary.    A lot of people (and myself included to a certain extent) try to keep any mention of politics out of our leisure activities.  It’s a fantasy football subscription that people are paying for—I’m not surprised at all that many could have the expectation that any communications from a fantasy football company would be free of politics (even in a joking manner).   I’d bet that even though you only had 1 person that actively communicated that they disliked it enough to cancel a subscription—that a lot of people probably thought to themselves that it was weird and out of place. 

 

[JaxBill]

Who could this even be offensive towards??

Duh. Cousin John...that Fascist pig