WILL/SHOULD THE HORSE WORLD BECOME POLITICALLY CORRECT?

[timedjumpoff]

SERENDIPITY…On most of your points I shall respectfully agree to disagree, though no need to
get into it here. But i certainly am not in favor of most PC objectives, human or otherwise, and would be among the first to object to any of it invading the horse world.

No intentional attempt to stir the pot, but with all the recent publicity re: the dumbing down of
classroom curiculum to benefit the lowest common denominator(a friend of mine’s daughter was placed in such a class and is bored to death, yet her parents cannot afford private school and are angry their daughter is being terribly shortchanged), and the elementary school soccer/baseball
games,etc. where 9 and 10 year olds are not allowed to be winners or losers so as not to make them overly competitive (despite the fact that they will have to be in real life later on), not to mention the lowering of physical standards in certain professions to allow the formerly unqualified to now qualify, etc.

I understand that this is not yet an issue in the horseworld, aned hope and pray it will never become one. Yet because of its growing influence
in so many other areas, it’s not unrealistic to be concerned about our own sport. I think most of us oppose any kind of animal cruelty…but what happens when a group like PETA, can get women to stop wearing fur in the name of political correctness, then take their mission to its ultimate goal of banning animals from being used by humans for anything. Then PC becomes a major issue for all of us. Even if PETA can’t get everyone to stop eating/wearing animal products,
they can get a lot of “socially conscious” non-horse people to side with them in banning rodeos, racing, hunting…and then, of course, could the rest of the horse world be far behind?

[This message was edited by timedjumpoff on Sep. 04, 2002 at 01:50 PM.]

[This message was edited by timedjumpoff on Sep. 04, 2002 at 01:57 PM.]

[timedjumpoff]

Back when I was in school (about 100 years ago) dodgeball wasn’t the killer sport… GIRL’S GYMNASTICS was. The brainchild of our two very butch gym teachers…picture a bunch of chubby 10 year old girls being told to climb up a rope that was attached to the ceiling of the gym…then being smacked on the butt with a paddle for not getting up to at least 8 feet—most of us could barely climb 6 inches.

But there was a HORSE----the dreaded horse we all impaled ourselves on struggling to jump over —no Mary Lou Rettons in that group!

It seems Politically Correct behavior isn’t popular with horsepeople (except for hobson–are you really a horseperson?) on many levels.

VELVET–I must say you are the first DQ I could envision being friendly with—can’t find fault with any of your views. I bet you don’t even make those awful clucking noises when you ride!

BGOOSEWOOD—Don’t equate the Japanese/American experience during WWII with profiling today.
Sending American citizens to internment camps indefintely was wrong–and a lot different than profiling today where certain aliens and non-citizens are being detained for questionning,
then released unless they are found to have some connection with terror groups or related activities. However I do agree with your assertion that PCness is being taken to dangerous extremes, far exceeding its original intent and possibly impinging on constitutional rights.

hobson—You certainly provide much comic relief here—unfortunately I think you are serious in your beliefs. Are you sure you’re not a '60’s
child? Oh, the poor underpaid teachers, the teachers that have tenure so they can’t be fired no matter how poorly they perform, who get decent salaries in most parts of the country especially when you consider they get paid for only about
8-9 months work when you consider the long summer vacations, holidays, X-mas/winter/sping breaks, etc. The rest of the working world is lucky to get 2 weeks a year off. Oh, and those hours—
what is it 9 to 3? And above elementary school, they don’t even work a full 6 hours. Perhaps if they had to be accountable for their performance, and got promotions and raises based on performance (not union threats), the caliber of teacher and quality of schools would be a lot better.

Sandbarhorse—your dad was right–forcing the PC issue only makes people’s differences more obvious and goes against the whole concept of this country being a melting pot.

Fortunately the spirit of competition is alive and well in the horseworld. Life is about WINNING and LOSING and it’s never too early to get used to it. I’ve found that kids involved with horses (especially the non-overpriviledged ones) are some of the most responsible and considerate people I have known, all of which carries over into their non-horse activities and well into their adult lives. Even if the judging is sometimes considered biased and unfair in certain divisions, there are enough different venues available, so anyone can participate in the way that suits them best.

I think this thread has shown the detrimental effect that political correctness can have on so many aspects of people’s lives, that it’s important to realize, if not kept in check, it could do the same or worse to the one activity to which we devote so much of our lives.

[cweimer]

Fat Appy, I think EVERYONE would agree with this plan! There would probably only be one issue with it:

1. are we as a country willing to pay more in taxes to fund it? I am . . .

2. Or, which programs should we cut to pay for it? I can bet you (see hobson, above) that it’s not going to be corporate bailouts or defense, but more likely, one of the other “softie, liberal leftie” programs - you know, health, education, stuff like that

[Pixie_Dust]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by timedjumpoff:

To whomever—re: “competition” as a part of life.
If you think kids should be shielded from it to make them feel good about themselves all the time,
you set them up for a rude awakening when they become adults.

.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I never said kids should be sheilded from anything. I never said dodgeball should be banned; I said kids shouldn’t be forced to play dodgeball. You keep talking about what a competitive place the world is I don’t know exactly what you are talking about. I don’t feel I need the play in a team sport EVER in order to live out my life as a happy, well-adjusted adult. Some people do; fine by me.

But back to the original question, no, I don’t think it has anything to do with society, but everything to do with money. I think it was Midge who stated it, but no one addressed. Shows/events need entries in order to survive.

If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody ELSE’s dog around- A Cowboy’s Guide to Life

[Sannois]

Your important to me too! Amazing they say they are pc, but when it comes to a civilized debate, they are anything but!

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety” Benjamin Franklin, 1755
Founding member of The Fossils over Fences Clique!

[Ghazzu]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Duffy:

I But, I do have a problem with turning down academically superior students who can afford the tuition OVER those not as qualified academically or financially. Why should someone be discriminated AGAINST because they can afford the tuition? My alma mater is big into offering scholarships to “Northern Country” needy students. I think it is wonderful to have such regional goals and ideals. I just don’t see how it makes someone more “worthy”. A certain percentage is fine. Unfortunately, the school powers-that-be and I do not agree on the stipulations/percentages, etc.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

What about marginally qualified students who get accepted over more qualified ones because their father and grandfather attended the school?

Unashamed member of the Arab clique…just settin’ on the Group W bench.

[Velvet]

What was so inflammatory?

If single, white women around my age were going around crashing planes into buildings, I don’t believe I would mind them taking a closer look at me–as long as they were looking more closely at all women who matched the discription and it was actually making me more safe.

It’s all about ME, ME, ME!!! (The only signature worthy of a real DQ.)

[HeyYouNags]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by timedjumpoff:

Life is about WINNING and LOSING and it’s never too early to get used to it.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Absolutely. That’s why I always take candy from babies. And if they don’t have candy, then take the pacifier.

[hobson]

bgoosewood, you goofball, that was us! The argument went something like this:

They aren’t communists.
Therefore they are our friends.
We should give them money and big cannons and training and stuff to kill the communists and any women who make noise when they walk, because right-wing dictatorship is better than self-determination. How dare they not respect us, and so what if they are a sovereign nation. They are in a key strategic area for us.

[Midge]

But she listed kinds of BBQ!!! As in BBQ ribs, BBQ suasages!!!

BBQ just is.

---

Just because you’re not paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.

[buryinghill1]

Best thread ever!
Better than Jerry Springer!

What’s next?!

Banning pedophiles from the pony ring ingate?

[Sannois]

of my last post!!! Weird huh! Oops well it did say 911!

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety” Benjamin Franklin, 1755
Founding member of The Fossils over Fences Clique!

[Velvet]

It’s a choice. WE have a choice. We can pay someone to make us safe and bite our tongues when it comes to profiling and allowing those people to infringe our right to freedom. Or, we can remain open and free, and deal with the risks that opens us up to. I think that is beyond political correctness. The world of the PC lovers is those who think we should all sit around ignoring differences in people and force a level playing field no matter what the cost to individuality.

The two things are not the same.

So, I agree on that point. Which one should be talk about now?

It’s all about ME, ME, ME!!! (The only signature worthy of a real DQ.)

[jl1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>It seems Politically Correct behavior isn’t popular with horsepeople (except for hobson–are you really a horseperson?) on many levels.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
What a snide little remark. I’m firmly in hobson’s camp and I own 3 horses. Does that fulfill your requirements?
Actually, this form of erroneous logic is a common diversion-I can’t argue effectively against your ideology so I’ll attack your right to be part of the group. Yawn.

Now back the issue at hand: Yes, the have been recent excesses in the name of political correctness. So what. The very fact that this is such a hot button issue indicates to me that the pendulum is about to swing back in the other direction.
More to the point I’m proud to live in a country that is attempting to rectify past social injustices. As those that read their history know, the Supreme Court ruled against the Jim Crow laws in Texas in 1954. That?s only 48 years ago. Do you really think we?ve achieved true racial equality in that time? I remember when woman were expected to be wives or mothers and their only job opportunities were in the ?pink collar ghetto?. Do you really think we’ve achieved true equality in the work place?
I remember when gay men and women lead lives of desperation because it was ?politically correct? to discriminate against them. Hell, faggot bashing was right up there with nigger stomping as a fun Saturday night act in certain social sets. Does the name Matthew Shepard ring any kind of bell?
If you?d like to refresh your knowledge lynching, may I refer you to =http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/shipp/lynchstats.html
Ever hear of a town called Tulia? A legal lynching is happening right there right now.
There are worst things to be called than bleeding heart liberal in my book.

[Velvet]

Oh, puhlease. Sex-Ed in my school was pretty darned basic and I figured it out! Besides, who needs family planning clinics when it’s all available over the counter WITH instructions?? (And it isn’t that outrageously expensive to buy a condom.)

I have a really difficult time with the “single parent who can’t work” issue. I had a distant relative who’s wife died and he had to give up his kids. It’s part of the family history. It was awful, but it was all he could do. Luckily it turned out well for most of the kids (one didn’t fare so well).

Do I want this to happen to everyone? NO! I’m just stating that this has happened in the past and was dealt with even back then. Is daycare the solution? I’m not so sure it is. They are starting to find that the effects of day care on kids might be detrimental to their overall development. Shouldn’t the people who decide to have the children also be the ones who have to find a way to care for them? Why should I have to? I don’t have kids. I’m a responsible citizen. I wouldn’t have them unless I could afford them (as I do not have horses when I can’t afford them). Why should I have to pay for their kids?

I know, I know, this is all extreme, but it seems to be the only way to discuss any of the issues we’ve been raising on this thread. You seem to have to take either a far left or far right approach to make a point.

It’s all about ME, ME, ME!!! (The only signature worthy of a real DQ.)

[Sannois]

I have had it since Sept 11 of last year! This is the first anyone has mentioned it. If you would like to fix it that is fine. Jl… I answered you eventing question!

“Those who would give up
essential Liberty, to
purchase a little temporary
Safety, deserve neither
Liberty nor Safety” Benjamin
Franklin, 1755
Founding member of The Fossils over Fences Clique!

[Miss_Perfect]

I’m glad that you clarified that you meant to say “qualified” rather than “entitled”. The word “entitled” rubs almost everyone the wrong way.

I applaud you for working hard and getting your education to better your circumstances. I think that help for the working poor is a subject that all, except those with the most extreme views, can agree on. If getting a Pell grant or a student loan will ease the financial stress in your life, then by all means - do it!! All the middle-class and upper middle-class kids do - you, in your circumstances, certainly should! In your posts, one can really sense the stress you are under - the very kind of stress that student loans were designed to relieve.

Education is the fastest way to a better life, and I, for one, certainly applaude my tax dollars going to those who are struggling for an education. Good for you. I wish you all the best.

[Jeannette_formerly_ponygyrl]

Please note by the times: I posted before hobson, even if she got placed first in the thread. Preferential treatment! Wahhh!

[Sandbarhorse]

Bgoosewood: Sorry you had such a bad experience with dodgeball. What type of ball did you guys use? The one we had was about as harmless as they get, not much worse than getting hit with a foam ball, imho. By the way, I was not one of the most athletic kids in elementary school.

Maybe I’m just missing something. How is that worse than losing at soccer (which I was awful at by the way) or football, etc.?

Midge- I have been told that it is impolite to use the handicapped stalls at all (though it has never stopped me when there was a line ) Apparently the issue is that handicapped people may NEED the stall quickly (besides being bursting) and they would have to wait that much longer for the limited stalls that they can use. Just what I’ve heard.

Now that I think about it, I guess it’s a lot like the handicapped parking spots. how many times would I have liked that spot, especially if I had to go to the bathroom?

[hobson]

Ghazzu, you go with your hairy liberation ears Arab self!