> I didn't think it was abusive, just a bit daft, but then I wasn't paying
> much attention. I've just paid it a little more,and I still think it's not
> supposed to be abusive, just silly. But that may be my naivety.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jon
Jon,
This was my initial reaction too, but in the light of a backchannel email
today from Paul Murphy, agreeing that the post in question +was+ directed at
Candice, I've revisited it. Read in this light, rather than as some
inconsequential and self-indulgent ramble, it comes over slightly
differently. Do we all remember how Murphy began the post?
"
Hi, Candice has helped me to shake off the sordid roll
call of the past. Tu parlo Siciliana?
Vaffenculo = screw you
Propria una stronzo = you are a complete asshole
arresti questi bambini = arrest these children
"
Saying to someone (even dressed-up or concealed in mickey mouse Italian):
"Screw you, you are a complete asshole" seems to me to go a bit beyond the
normal dress-codes for britpo. Pretty abusive surely?
Add to this, the +context+ (or lack of) in which it appears -- a new thread,
"Sicily" -- and Murphy's remarks aren't simply abusive, but +gratuitously+
abusive.
I don't think for the moment I can be bothered to reread the remainder of
Murphy's post -- the beginning is enough. But I'd reiterate the point that
the post has a +completely+ different implication once you realise that it
was intended to be directed specifically at a fellow list-member.
I think there's a clear choice here -- either Murphy is a fool or he's a
knave. I used to think he was the former, now I think he's the latter.
Robin Hamilton
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