Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<But since you've already used two separate threads to make virulently anti-semitic remarks...>> Actually, I haven't. YOU decided that I did, called me a bigot, and then killed any opportunity for me to respond. <<...what a surprise that you'd want to jump in to try and make some in a third.>> Actually, I have no interest in making anti-semitic remarks. You so don't know me. <<Not that you have, but I'm sure it does your heart well to see others do it.>> Not at all. What would make me happy is the ability to DISCUSS topics in World Events -- not have one poster declare that a topic is verboten, insist that any comments contrary to his are de facto bigoted, and continue to make personal attacks.
Originally Posted By jonvn yes, you have. And you are so obtuse about it you don't even realize what you've said. In any case, what I was talking about was a religion. Not individuals, as the perosn who wrote post 153 has done a couple of times now. He can't even accept that he's said it. Oh well. It's pretty typical. I have not declared any topic verboten. I simply do not wish to hear bigoted ocmments directed towards myself or others. If someone came on here and started talking about black people, or another group the way you did about jews, I'd say it was just as wrong. you simply seem to not even notice your statements as being offensive. Again, that's a typical attitude.
Originally Posted By jonvn In any case, a thread where anti-semitism is mentioned, and you manage to show up in it again. Telling. Hopefully to you.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "Most people find south park hilarious...it's a very popular show (and movie)." Only to those who have seen it. South Park means nothing to most of the demograhic of 35 and over.
Originally Posted By jonvn I'm over 35. I saw South Park. It's been on for a decade. But I don't I've seen an episode in years now.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal I've seen it. We actually own the movie. But I don't find it funny. And to say that it's downright funny to make fun of Jews is ignorant. It doesn't matter how many people watch it. Lots of people listen to Eminem, too, and I find him despicable. It caters to the lowest common denominator. I wouldn't say that most people find South Park hilarious. Maybe most people who actually watch it week to week. But the rest of us avoid it.
Originally Posted By jonvn no, actually, it's not funny. It used to be considered base and crude. Now, it's just fine to make disparaging racist remarks. Finally Imus got caught in it, when someone actually noticed what a vile piece of work he is. Our society is simply becoming more and more crude and dim. And the slide is going ever faster. What is going to be left here in a few years? Endless Wendy's and KFCs and WalMarts with nothing nice, no refinement and no culture past monster truck shows. The basic knowledge of the society is faltering, the basic gentility is faltering, our leaders are gutless and craven and we deserve them.
Originally Posted By Mr X **What is going to be left here in a few years? Endless Wendy's and KFCs and WalMarts with nothing nice, no refinement and no culture past monster truck shows. The basic knowledge of the society is faltering, the basic gentility is faltering, our leaders are gutless and craven and we deserve them.** Ah, the good old days. Too bad that's a load of crap. 50 years ago a black person could be arrested for drinking out of the wrong water fountain. Women as a whole were confined to home-based servitude, or at best a really crappy, low paying job. Now the secretary of state is a black chick. Get with the program, things are better NOW. Besides, I like Wendy's, KFC and Walmart (I won't go so far as to endorse monster trucks). Tons of stuff at cheap prices, fast foods anytime you're in the mood for a tasty treat. What's not to like? Besides, I still enjoy evenings at the symphony, fine meals, and tons of travelling anytime I want. Nothing is "missing". I don't know what "basic gentility" you think was so much better back in the olden days, but I'm fine with good old 2007. Not a big fan of the current leadership myself, so that statement is fair enough. But we've had our share of bad eggs all throughout U.S. history, and you could find plenty of gutless and craven leaders throughout the world since the beginning of time.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip ^^^ Yes, Yes, Yes!! People keep looking back to golden days that never existed. As a society we are far more genteel than we have ever been in the past. Violent crime has been significantly reduced over the past 30 years. Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_the_United_States" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C rime_in_the_United_States</a> Although we still have many ways we could improve as a society, we are a vastly better country now than we were 50 years ago.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal I'm not necessarily talking about the good old days. Frankly Jews have it better now than before, and I know it. That said, it doesn't make it right to make fun of someone just because they're Jewish. It's ridiculous, rude, and uncalled for. I get the South Park idea that anyone is fodder for their so-called "humor" but it's not, I repeat NOT, funny "to make fun of Jews." And that fact is regardless of how things were 50 years ago. It's still not funny.
Originally Posted By gadzuux Anything can be funny, as long as it's done with some intelligence, taste and/or discretion. I don't agree that some topics are so sacrosanct that they're off-limits for humor - even jews. "Jewish humor" is practically an entire genre of comedy.
Originally Posted By Mr X **That said, it doesn't make it right to make fun of someone just because they're Jewish** Only jews? Or is it not okay to make fun of ANY group of people? Or, like in the case of Chris Rock style comedy, is it only okay if a MEMBER of that group does it? Keep going along these lines of logic, and there wouldn't be a whole lot of comedians still in business. And yes, the reason I think South Park is okay is BECAUSE they rip on everyone. One of the creators is Jewish, and so obviously they have a lot of material from there. The other part about South Park is that, when they actually "make fun" of all these particular groups, they are actually just ripping on the biggots themselves. South Park, in fact, is PRO-jew, PRO-gay, and so forth. They pretty much stick to slamming religious nuts and rednecks really, when you analyze the humor. Think about it. One of the two COOL kids is a Jew. Get it?
Originally Posted By imadisneygal I'm going to have to still disagree that it's alright just because one of the creators is Jewish and they made one of the characters Jewish. And yes, Jewish humor is one of the oldest forms of comedy. I just read a very well written dissertation about the roots of Jewish humor, the Catskills, etc. It's not about Jews or anyone else being off-limits. However, there is a big difference between finding humor in traditions and rituals, and just plain insulting and belittling someone because of a particular group to which they belong. And just because South Park is an equal opportunity insultor doesn't make it right. And no, it's not right to make fun of ANY group just for the sake of making fun. I grew up with people saying to me, "Hey, this is a Jew joke so don't get offended, O.K.?" I guess I see things differently now than I did when I was younger. And no, I did not mean to imply ONLY Jewish people. For me, it applies to all people for any reason. Humor is in the eye of the beholder. If either of my kids thought it was O.K. to walk around and say, "Dude, Jews are lame," or "Dude, black people are lame, or "Dude, Asian people are lame," I'd be very sad and angry. I don't agree that it's alright. Ever. And nothing you say about how popular South Park is will change my mind.
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, it's obvious we disagree and my arguments are not going to change your mind. But the part that I was hoping you'd catch was the fact that when you hear "jews are lame", or "asians are lame" usually the POINT of the joke is to make fun of the person SAYING such things...as they are usually the "lame", stupid characters on the show displaying their ignorance and idiocy. Then the 8 year olds teach them it's not right. That's the whole, hilarious point of South Park. To make fun of idiots and jerks of all stripes. I suppose you COULD argue that it's not nice to make fun of the "group" consisting of idiots and jerks...and in that case your argument would be entirely logical and you'd win.
Originally Posted By Mr X Wow, I just realized that my entire first post about jews and southpark has been erased anyway! What did I say? "jew"? Can't say "Jew" anymore? I didn't know it was a naughty word????
Originally Posted By imadisneygal I do see what you're saying, Mr. X. I think my TV watching habits have changed now that I have very young kids who cannot yet discern between making fun of other people and making fun of people who are making fun of other people. I'd just rather avoid the whole thing now. I do get that it's bagging on ignorance. And I do get that it's not meant to be serious.
Originally Posted By jmoore1966 I'll have to agree with Mr. X. First off, South Park is definitely for adults, and hilarious. Cartman, the idiot redneck 8 year old is constantly ripping the Jew jokes towards Kyle (the normal kid). Cartman always looks like an idiot. All the kids like Kyle, not Cartman. South Park is great at examining all sides of issues in our country and making fun at it from all angles, all the while with a "good beats evil" message. Its all "good" dirty fun. Its not for everyone though. Some can't stand it, and sometimes it takes a few episodes to understand the characters to really enjoy it. When I first heard about it I thought it was mindless nonsense going for a cheap laugh. But its actually a very well written show.
Originally Posted By ClintFlint2 ////it's not right to make fun of ANY group just for the sake of making fun/// ///I did not mean to imply ONLY Jewish people. For me, it applies to all people for any reason./// Hey everybody out there no more jokes about Republicans, terrorists, athesists or the ACLU. I guess lawyer jokes, pet owners, and the Detroit Lions are off limits too. If this is the world you want to live in get me back to the 1970's as quickly as possible. A world without jokes about people and groups is a world not worth living in because I like to laugh.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Hey everybody out there no more jokes about Republicans, terrorists, athesists or the ACLU. I guess lawyer jokes, pet owners, and the Detroit Lions are off limits too.>> Short people too... no more damned short people jokes!! ;-)
