I've always thought the term "politically correct" is a strange choice of words. Nothing offends people more than having an opposing political viewpoint.

As a matter of fact, the one and only time I've ever been temporarily banned from this website was for making a political post.

To all those I have offended I appologize. I guess that I find humor in all situations even if others can not. It is a defence mechanism that I have EARNED! I too have a brother that is "challenged", so I guess I should be offended by what I said. With that said, feel free to make fun of or poke fun at me and any situations that I have done, because I can laugh at myself right along with those that are laughing at me. Ask anyone that knows me - Am I politally correct? Not even close! I am not too concerned about it as I am part of the world with the rest of the people. My response is get over it as it is not meant maliciously to hurt - it is meant to bring a little humor into the world that is desperately lacking it!

Well, I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. Or in a bad paraphrase - I disagree with (some of) what you are saying but I will defend your right to say it. From your statements I am pretty sure you will grant me the same consideration.

Free speech involves an open dialog where people are free to express their thoughts and opinions. That is what I did - and certainly not for my own benefit (not with this as an intro to a group and to individuals I respect greatly). If in doing this I spoke poorly or came off as attacking epirider or trying stop him from participating I am truly sorry. My intentions were honorable even if the execution was flawed.

Political correctness is the dumbest blasted concept I have ever heard of in a country that supposedly enshrines freedom of speech. My personal belief is that sometimes people need to be inflammatory or rude etc. to make a point. I also think that people do need be aware of the potential collateral damage to others and to the point they are trying to make.

Being considerate of others is not being politically correct. Being considerate is basically being aware of the potential collateral damage of your words and actions and acting accordingly. Sometimes the benefit is worth the cost, sometimes maybe not. No one can make this call for anyone else.

As I said earlier, I have been very impressed with the general tone and consideration for others in these forums. I was trying (however poorly) to make a positive contribution in that area.

Thanks,

- Eric

If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.

Epirider,

I appreciate the apology and I hope you will accept mine as well.

I fully understand about having EARNED the right to certain views and actions. I actually have a rather dark and sarcastic sense of humor that is my defense against the challenges that face some truly amazing people I know that have to fight to overcome their mental/learning "challenges". Unfortunately on forums of this nature the context can get a bit lost and laughing with can be taken as laughing at. I think a loss of context is also noticeably present in my response to your post.

A frightening statistic I ran into the other day claimed that less than 20% of communication attempts are successful. I fear I have achieved a much lower percentage than normal this time around.

Best of Luck,

- Eric

Accept the challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.

It appears that at the Darwin Awards site, you can vote for your favorite idiot of the year. If Grylls DOES get himself killed, do you suppose he would win?

Sue

He'd get my vote!

- Eric

Take calculated risks. This is quite different from being rash. - - General George S. Patton, Jr

I can't believe PETA hasn't gone after this guy. So in the swamp episode over a week period, he kills a snake..that happens to be non-posinous..wink wink, probably dropped there by the cameraman, he then kills about a 3 ft alligator and follows that up by noddling for about a 20 lb catfish. Now was he feeding the whole crew? As on person has already stated, I see them sitting around drinking cokes and eating ding dongs when off camera.

He takes a couple of nibbles of the snake..raw and then throws it away...what a waste. Eats just a few pieces of the tail of the alligator...and just eats some of the fillet on the catfish. I was really aggravated at the wastefulness.