As for bigots: SONG WARNING-SONG WARNING.

This one is down to my Geography teacher and it was just about the only constructive thing I remember learning there. He told me that the phrase, 'present company excepted', was the last refuge of the bigot. It enabled the bigotr to give full rent to her prejudice, whist seeming to excuse the individuals present, from it. Sorry about that.... I was only teasing. I was going to say 'he', and 'his' but stopped and went to put 'them and 'their', but then I just couldn't resist it. Would anyone have picked me up for saying 'he' and 'his', in this context, I wonder, or are all bigots male? Just to add yet another subject to this thread.

The bigot's song.

Present company excepted, they're robbing us blind,
It's my view, that I'm entitled to and its true I'm 'gonna' speak my mind
Present company excepted, they think that they're 'high fliers',
It's understood, that they're no good and should be known as cheats and liars
Present company excepted, you're the only one, that I might trust,
It's clear to see, you're a lot like me and nearly could be one of us.

Present company excepted, they've got it laid on a plate,
its such a shame, they're all the same, I blame it on the Welfare State.
Present company excepted, they seem to need to shout it,
With that hair and the clothes they wear, can't bear to even think about it.
Present company excepted, well you wouldn't know it,
You look all right, appear quite bright, well you might be but you don't show it.

Present company excepted; do they really believe it?
All the fuss they make, for religion's sake, well me, I can take it or leave it.
Present company excepted, I'm sorry if I tread on your toes,
I want to make it clear, to all those here, you don't appear to one of those.
Present company excepted,..... Why has everyone departed?
Well it goes to show, they have to go, when they know that they've been out-smarted.

Roger Gall 1997