Wednesday 9 March 2011

Ding Ding Ding! All Aboard The Outrage Bus!

Offensive internet comments about blind people from a Gravesham Council candidate have been slammed as “shocking.”
Well, one comment, actually.
… in what has been described as “totally inappropriate”, Mr Parker tweeted in August last year: “Is it fair to say that there’d be less litter in Britain if blind people were given pointed sticks?”
Here comes the Legion of the Perpetually Aggrieved:
…Kevin Alderton, 39, who was left blind after trying to stop a gang attacking a woman in 1998, told News Shopper he was offended by the post.
The father-of-five, of Heather Drive, Dartford said: “It’s totally inappropriate. What’s going to be next? ”
Dunno, maybe whatever Mr Parker feels like Tweeting that doesn’t breach Twitter guidelines?

And I love the implied 'you can't ask questions, he was blinded whilst being a hero!' inference that the paper gives by including the details of his injury.
The Kent Association for the Blind, which has an office in Gravesend, also labelled the post inappropriate.
It must have been glad of the opportunity for some free publicity. But wouldn't it be refreshing just once to hear one of these organisations refuse to be drawn into the argument?
Mr Parker also tweets frequently about his dissatisfaction with Arriva buses.
In one post, he called a driver a “tw*t" for arriving early, causing him to miss his bus.
Arriva publicity manager Richard Lewis told News Shopper Mr Parker should contact customer services instead of posting comments on the internet.
He ‘should’, should he?

Maybe he realises it’s utterly pointless to go through a complaints team that will simply regurgitate a form letter and do nothing. Maybe he feel that he has as much right to use the new technology the way everyone else does - grumbling about missed buses and trains, passing on jokes, sharing whatever he's thinking or doing at the time.

I mean, we complain that political representatives are a world apart, don't live like 'ordinary people', and then when they do just that, we complain some more.

What gives?

11 comments:

Mr Eugenides said...

Would it be harsh to point out that blind people cannot, by definition, be offended by internet comments about them? Someone else must be offended on their behalf.

Rob Fisher said...

I see what you mean, Mr Eugenides, but it's not true.

Mr Eugenides said...

Damn you, Rob Fisher, and your evidence-based commenting...

Clarissa said...

It is people like Richard Lewis that make me thankful that we have Andrew Monk around to respond when we bitch about c2c on twitter.

mj said...

@MrE - AIUI, the majority of the 'being offended community' seem to act on someone else's behalf - even when the offendee(?) couldn't give a D*** either way.

(For further sarcasm - see the "Campaign For Equal Heights" in Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' stories)

Lynne said...

Actually I found the commment to be funny and possibly a semi-practical solution.

But then, I've never undergone a humour bypass...

PS Good to see you around Mr E. :0)

Angry Exile said...

Can't see what the problem is myself. Am I going to get in trouble for saying that?

Jiks said...

"Man found in possession of humour in a public place, police response to follow, more news at 11"

Captain Haddock said...

And I suppose the professionally "aggrieved" will be up in arms when they learn that I was going to join my local Alzheimer's Support Group .. but I'm buggered if I can remember which night they meet ...

UK Fred said...

The best complaint is to turn up to a company's AGM and ask if the service provided by Branch X is typical and if not what are the board going to do to improve it, and if so to ask how low the board expect their share price to fall. Even better if you have written to every board member and had no relpies from the executive directors or chairman (Argos anyone?)and can ask if this is the level of customer service the show by example to their staff.

JuliaM said...

"Damn you, Rob Fisher, and your evidence-based commenting..."

:D

"It is people like Richard Lewis that make me thankful that we have Andrew Monk around to respond when we bitch about c2c on twitter."

Yes, definitely!

"Can't see what the problem is myself. "

Heh!

"The best complaint is to turn up to a company's AGM and ask if the service provided by Branch X is typical..."

Wow! I thought I was a good complainer, but even I've never gone that far!