Forgive me Emma... I do not always sign in but I am a member...

Any exactness of treatment to our fellow human beings that I imply is with full respect to their differences but within the law. I am sometimes scatterbrained at saying things the right way around but Richard Bridges sums it up well: "The concept of the rule of law (or what some might summarise as "justice") is that all are treated equally before the law - are equally restrained by it and equally protected by it."

That said if we do treat everyone with the same respect and fairness - with due consideration for differences of gender, colour, creed, sexuality, disability etc. etc. - it would be the same of sorts of treating everyone the same, but different! :-)

Where people are directly discriminated against because of difference then I do think we need legislation to correct the imbalance. Most folk in minority groups actually do not like a fuss being made or attention drawn. They merely wish to integrate mostly within the larger community. We are all so different. I maintain we all belong to a minority group of one.. our unique self. The sooner we can all be ourselves - within the law of the land - and have a true mix of all the diversity that exists within people, the sooner I think we will have reached beyond the hate and bigotry that often exists for no other purpose than a person being 'different' in some way.

It is an impossible dream I know. I doubt I could be up to such a task but we can strive to to get there. I once again use folk music as an example. Look at all the differences that constitute folk music: the songs, the instruments, those that sing it. No wrong way, no right way to do folk music. Just all very different and we are richer for those differences I think

I'll shush again now. If I make no answers for a few days it's because I go into hospital tomorrow so will not be ignoring anyone. I'll take a peep when I get back home hopefully by next weekend

Great thread!

mp