Hello fellow Bedlam members and Mods,

You all know I am not a trouble starter so please don't think I am trying to be or starting to be one. I am just feeling sad about the threads on the Olympics being allowed to go where they have. The mods here have always kept TV a good place to visit and keeping us civil.....well most of the time , yet I am seeing the naked hate and rasicm which I know that many long time members have always found disgusting. I have reported what I saw I just wanted to give a shout to the Mods in the safe forum.......where most of the adults seem to be......and ask that they continue to keep this a nice on-line community to be a part of. We should always be allowed to express out opinions but we can do as adults not foul mouthed children. Thank you for listening to me.

Cheers all,

Thaibebop

Well said that man. TV is not the same as the other "darker" boards and long may it remain different.

We all make the odd joke from time to time about ourselves and the one's around us, but that's where it should end, a joke. When genuine abuse occurs, time to stand up and say no.

Hear, hear! I have never been able to get my head around the way some people think, especially those filled with hatred and racism.

Polite society* must take a stand against such bile filled narrow mindedness.

*well even if you are not polite that's fine too, just so long as you do the right thing

Thaibebop, we have all experienced different types of prejudices from some of the posters on Thai Visa. I must admit that I get very tired of the anti-American diatribes that we see from time to time. This is the first time I've seen such an anti-Chinese attitude. I have learned after a couple of years on Thai Visa to ignore most of the anti-American rants. They are predictable and very boring. As China grows in power, they will become an even more attractive target to some of the flamers who hang out on TV. Learn to ignore them. They are just trying to provoke an angry response from you. Don't give them that pleasure.

Funny that fp I've just bailed out of the general forum after reading the thread about putting US bases in S.E. Asia and seeing it degenerate into the usual anti American diatribes. I've given up with the Olympic torch thread due to the blatant anti Chinese racism so proudly displayed there by certain posters. A lot of the anti American, and to an extent anti UK, sentiment comes from a bunch of people who have no real opinions of their own but merely follow the herd. It is now trendy to knock the USA and UK without really thinking why or what are the alternatives? Comedians stand up on stage and make anti war statements and jokes about the politicians involved because it get them cheap applause not because they actually think that way. And the herd dutifully follows without thought because that is the easy way.

After a spell in general forum coming over to Bedlam is sometimes like stepping off the terraces at Chelsea Football Club, or out of the Dogs B*ll*cks, straight into the Bodleian library.

thaibebop. Excellent post - well said. All good points by our other esteemed brethren as well.

I don't see the problem. Once the Olympics allowed profesional athletes to enter and commercial interests to be involved, politicization was but a short step away. Given the above change in standards I don't view it anymore. Who cares?

A lot of the anti American, and to an extent anti UK, sentiment comes from a bunch of people who have no real opinions of their own but merely follow the herd. It is now trendy to knock the USA and UK without really thinking why or what are the alternatives? Comedians stand up on stage and make anti war statements and jokes about the politicians involved because it get them cheap applause not because they actually think that way. And the herd dutifully follows without thought because that is the easy way.

This should win an award as one of the best posts on Thai Visa - ever!

Funny that fp I've just bailed out of the general forum after reading the thread about putting US bases in S.E. Asia and seeing it degenerate into the usual anti American diatribes. I've given up with the Olympic torch thread due to the blatant anti Chinese racism so proudly displayed there by certain posters. A lot of the anti American, and to an extent anti UK, sentiment comes from a bunch of people who have no real opinions of their own but merely follow the herd. It is now trendy to knock the USA and UK without really thinking why or what are the alternatives? Comedians stand up on stage and make anti war statements and jokes about the politicians involved because it get them cheap applause not because they actually think that way. And the herd dutifully follows without thought because that is the easy way.

After a spell in general forum coming over to Bedlam is sometimes like stepping off the terraces at Chelsea Football Club, or out of the Dogs B*ll*cks, straight into the Bodleian library.

I'm sorry if this makes me anti-American and anti-British, but I do disagree with the war in Iraq, and I do feel that it has made the world a less safe place and it has certainly made Iraq a less safe place. I don't believe invading another country because you don't approve of their policies is the way to go -especially when you only apply it to small countries with lots of oil.

Some of the anti-American stuff is overboard and ridiculous, however, you can't ignore that a certain few people accuse any kind of criticism of their beloved country as just a racist hate campaign, whereas in fact it may just be a difference of opinion over controversial issues such as invading countries and torture etc...

Some of the anti-American stuff is overboard and ridiculous, however, you can't ignore that a certain few people accuse any kind of criticism of their beloved country as just a racist hate campaign, whereas in fact it may just be a difference of opinion over controversial issues such as invading countries and torture etc...

I don't have a problem with differences of opinion...on any subject. But after wading through post after post basically saying the same thing, it gets incredibly tedious. Occasionally someone will make a valid point and that makes it worthwhile having to dig through all the other crap.

A good point, well-made, Thaibebop. I hardly ever visit General now, or rather, I have a quick look and rarely post a comment. There seem to be a lot of posts like the ones you desribe along with the testosterone-drenched, "I beat-up ten Thais the other night" type. I really can't be arsed with them now. I tend to think of Bedders as Thai Visa nowadays.

I don't have a problem with differences of opinion...on any subject. But after wading through post after post basically saying the same thing, it gets incredibly tedious. Occasionally someone will make a valid point and that makes it worthwhile having to dig through all the other crap.

Yeah I can see that, the same continual criticism of Thailand by some people gets tedious as well.

I'm with micky. General can be tedious and boy does it repeat itself! Good OP by Bops, nice and thought provoking.

Just a small aside about americans, and no, I don't want to discuss america and americans, however, they often can't seem to discern between criticism and a 'micky take'. We, the Irish, have the piss taken all the time and with very little exception we laugh! I cracked a joke with an american friend of mine once and he said with some indignation, "How would you like it if I had a go at Ireland?" I said, "I'd like it very much!" He looked very confused!

Yes, one thing I can say is that Americans need to learn to laugh at ourselves, it will keep us sane. Also, I agree with most here, Bedlam is the true TV. Long live Bedlam!!!!

Viva la Bedlam!

Halleluyah, Bedlam!

I'm with micky. General can be tedious and boy does it repeat itself! Good OP by Bops, nice and thought provoking.

Just a small aside about americans, and no, I don't want to discuss america and americans, however, they often can't seem to discern between criticism and a 'micky take'. We, the Irish, have the piss taken all the time and with very little exception we laugh! I cracked a joke with an american friend of mine once and he said with some indignation, "How would you like it if I had a go at Ireland?" I said, "I'd like it very much!" He looked very confused!

cannot agree more! Plenty of Americans on this board make themselves easy target for taking the piss as they come across so......unrelaxed. Their national pride can be quite painful at times as they take the slightest jab personally.

People who cannot laugh about themselves really miss out something!

I have noticed many people unable to have the mickey taken out of them, without getting uptite.

Laugh at themselves.

Yet they make fun of others, and see nothing wrong with it.

Tuff cheese to them.

Some of the funniest times have been when I intentionally prolong a joke at my own expense.

Humour makes the world go round, without humour, misery gutzers would reign.

The jokes going round in my circle of friends about my Bic C, last thing I want is, sypathy.

Hey, I love it, keeps me from worrying, but not many would have fun at their own expense on such a subject.

"Hi Pete, ya gotta bra, yet?." PMPL.

My thereapy has made my breats begin to grow, true.

"Having a PMS day, mate?"

My therapy kills off the male hormone, testosterone, which the cancer feeds off, almost turning me into a female.......LOL.

Google ZOLADEX.

"How the hot flushes going, Pete?"?

I reply, "On cold nites I just think, 'hot flush' , lo and behold, I have one and I am warm again."

Life is to be lived, not skulking in misery, no matter what befalls a person, I am a fatalist.

Must admit I started the fun myself, so many were being sorry for me, <deleted>., psst me orf.

Was/is there a movie, "Carry On Laughing"?

PS: I will be at friendship Beach pizzup, come hel_l or tsunami..... hehe

I'm with micky. General can be tedious and boy does it repeat itself! Good OP by Bops, nice and thought provoking.

I like General section, however, I reckon only one thread in twenty tickles my interests enough to become involved in the discussion.

Bedlam hit/miss ratio is more like one in two.

Personally I find country & culture bashing by individuals who have little clue about what they are on about to be stupid idiots. Informed opinions and reasonable observations I can live with.

Like the old line goes:

"I hate Americans and Americanism!"

"Why?"

"Dunno mate, just do."

"Have you ever been to America?"

"Nah"

"How many Americans have you personally met?"

"None really."

"Well why do you hate Americans then?"

"Dunno mate, just do."

With this type of attitude, there is no wonder at all why we have rascism and pre-judged predjudices in this world.

Halleluyah, Pete! (Thanks for providing me with all of those lines to bombard you with at Friendship Beach - to add to the usual collection of 'sheep' gags - you'd better wear a flak jacket!)

Halleluyah, Pete! (Thanks for providing me with all of those lines to bombard you with at Friendship Beach - to add to the usual collection of 'sheep' gags - you'd better wear a flak jacket!)

You betta be careful, I gunna build my Ockor jokes armoury..... hehe

Good points Sounders. There are racists and hatemongers to be found everywhere - and these unfortunate qualities are often erroneously ascribed to the dull or uneducated. So many people think that wisdom necessarily accompanies intelligence...

The recipe for racism seems to be a cup of ignorance with spoonfuls of conceit, distrust, intolererance and inflexibility. (I may have missed an ingredient or two, but if left to stand, the mixture will inevitably rise.)

The recipe for racism seems to be a cup of ignorance with spoonfuls of conceit, distrust, intolererance and inflexibility. (I may have missed an ingredient or two, but if left to stand, the mixture will inevitably rise.)

I think you got the main ingredient right.

As a younger boy - I used to fall into the "hate what you don't know group". It was just normal for everybody in our circles.

I used to "hate" Thai food, until I actually tried it for the first time.

I used to "dis-like Americans", until I actually met one. Why? Because everyone else around me "dis-liked" Amercans & I didn't know any better.

Thank god I've opened my eyes a little in the last twenty years.

PS. I used to hate haggis & after I tried it I still do.

Yes, one thing I can say is that Americans need to learn to laugh at ourselves, it will keep us sane. Also, I agree with most here, Bedlam is the true TV. Long live Bedlam!!!!

Oh, so the OP was your negative reaction to the American bashing? I didn't get that, particularly since you are one one of the leading practitioners of it in is this forum. Americans can't laugh at themselves? Sure they can. Not only that, they can laugh at others laughing at them. Some can anyway.

^^ You don't like haggis, Sounders? You'll be in Jockstar's sights for a while now!

^^ You don't like haggis, Sounders? You'll be in Jockstar's sights for a while now!

Gotta try it sumtime.

Always wanted to, but neva dun so.

Haggis on sale at DON's?

People who cannot laugh about themselves really miss out something!

I live down the road from Menwith Hill American Base. There is a bit of dislike/distrust of Americans in my town because of this, I think though that maybe to with we don't really know what they do up there and, it puts our town very high on the terrorist bomb list.

I will add, I don't feel that way about Americans. I feel that way about people. I have seen a lot of idiotic Americans, I know they don't represent the country as whole. Measure people as you find them, a single person standing alone and responsible for their own actions. This should determine whether you like that 'person' or not, not where they were born.

We also have Penny Pot (English) Army Training Camp up the road too. Now I do wish someone would bomb that....!

redrus

Just another observation re General vs Bedders...

I can think of several, one especially, high post-count BMs who are conspicuous by their absence in Bedlam. They seem to prefer hanging out in General where they can dazzle the Newbies with their long-winded posts which, when one actually reads them carefully, go all round the houses and say absolutely zilch. It's not that I always disagree with them; in fact, I usually see where they're coming from. It's just the way that they give this impression of "Ok, ok, I'm here now. What's all this about?" And then down comes the word from Olympus. I don't think they really like Bedders; we wouldn't show them the right amount of respect, probably tell them to get their head out of their arse or something.

I'm sorry Bedlamites, I feel I steered this thread (unintentionally!) to a discussion on America etc. So to get it back on Topic - Those bloody Aussies!