I was joined today by my old friend BRIAN HUGHES who when here, usually dispenses all manner of legal advice.
But Brian was wearing a different hat today and is hoping that listeners could help him by possibly giving up some time to act as collectors for this year’s POPPY APPEAL for the Royal British Legion.
And, of course this year is especially poignant marking, as it does, the centenary of the ending of The First World War.
The Royal British Legion is there to provide lifelong support for the Armed Forces community – serving men and women, veterans, and their families and it’s worth reminding ourselves that the whole REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY celebration is to honour all those who have given their lives, not just in the First World War, but in subsequent conflicts so that we are able to enjoy the liberties we have today.
So if you DO feel able to help please do make contact.
The Billericay Branch, of which Brian is President, is holding a meeting for prospective collectors between 8 and 9pm on Wednesday 7th November at the 2nd Billericay Scout Hut on Laindon Road, Billericay or you can e-mail billericay.secretary@rbl.community.
If you are in Brentwood then please take a look at http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/brentwood .
It should also be noted that the motto of the Legion is “Lest We Forget” and in spite of some recently voiced opinions, has nothing to do with the glorification of war.
Listen here to what Brian had to say about this here: –
Now people who know me will attest to the fact that I an not exactly renowned for paying lip service to “political correctness”.
Mention that and “health and safety” and I’m likely to “go into one”.
So you can imagine my reaction to the news that students are reportedly seeking to have “clapping” replaced by “jazz hands”or British Sign Language, arguing that the loud noise of traditional clapping and whooping, poses an issue to those with anxiety or sensory issues.
Well that should go down well with politicians hoping to get a rousing response when out on the campaign trail!
And now another group of students are seemingly getting worked up over fancy dress costumes in the run-up to Halloween.
Fancy dress parties, particularly around Halloween, are apparently, a staple part of university life. However, students in Kent have been given guidance that tells them not to wear a number of different outfits.
Among the list of costumes that are deemed offensive are cowboy outfits and sombreros!
Informing students of the new guidelines, the union decreed: “Dressing up as a particular race, culture or stereotype is offensive and Kent Union will not tolerate such costumes!”
Fancy Dress themes should also not be centred around political group stereotypes or the stereotypes of different levels of perceived class in the means to diminish their worth or validity.
Banned costumes and themes include:
The Crusades, Priests, Nuns, Cowboys, Native Americans, Tory boys (what does that look like?) and Chavs .
Dressing up as a gender or sexuality they don’t identify with, but only if that is intended to belittle – though quite how that can be proved might be more difficult.
Helpfully, the union, which says it is simply acting to give other students the ‘right to a safe space’, has guidance for what is allowed.
The IN list includes: Aliens, Cavemen, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Doctors and Nurses.
And there was me thinking that one of the key features of university life was to instil the intellectual challenge of debating conflicting views, whereas it would appear that self-censorship is turning campuses into over sanitised ‘Safe spaces” where no one can be hurt or offended by an opposing view.
Silly me!
Unless I’m censored, I’ll see you again tomorrow,
Scott
