bigot

n. a person who is intolerant of any ideas other than his own,
esp. on religion, politics, or race.

After some due consideration I have decided to withdraw from Mudcat.

Right or wrong (this is no longer open to discussion as too much has already been said), I posted some jokes at which someone else took offence.

Even though I apologised, this person saw fit to repeat and prolong the haranguing, and I'm afraid I'm not prepared to put up with such bigotry here, or anywhere else for that matter.

Anyone wishing to speak to me on the subject (or any other subject!) may do so via normal email...

Posting, or Personal Messaging, will be to no avail, as I will not be here. Those who know me well will realise that depression is getting the better of me once more - and this is one reason why I must withdraw from the Forum.

I am not a bigot, nor am I racist or homophobic (although people close to me find that quite surprising, considering what I was put through), and I believe in 'live and let live'.

I am not tolerant of bigots and I know what the term means. A bigot is not necessarily racist per se, but is very narrow minded and self-opinionated. I have always thought myself to be broad minded, and open to the ideas of others.

Children are among the worst 'bigots' imaginable, but they do not know any better. So, by definition, they are not really bigots, they are simply displaying such characteristic behaviour. An adult, on the other hand, does know better, and should, therefore, behave in a more adult manner.

Okay - perhaps it was a serious error of judgement on my part when I posted the jokes. But I believed that others were as broadminded as I - and that was my big mistake. I am renowned for my irreverent sense of humour, and still believe that someone who takes offence to such an extent is spoiling for a fight - just a little too indignant for credibility. I don't want a fight, so sod off!

I am not prepared to put myself at risk again (given my mental ill-health), as I feel I ought to be able to say what I like without having to censor myself. If someone takes exception to what I have said, and is prepared to discuss it in an adult, non-bigotted manner, I do not mind.

Mudcat is voluntary in more ways than one. It is free in more ways than one. If someone visits a thread expecting to be offended, they shouldn't be surprised if they are offended. Certainly, neurotic histrionics do nothing to give a complaint any credibility.

Censorship of the Mudcat Forum is a bad thing - members should accept that they aren't always going to find they agree with everything they find. Such is life.

I have said enough.

Goodbye...