Renton

IThat's not really the point though is it?

You don't think "Jenas takes it up the arse" was sang with vitriol, you don't think it was intended to be an insult? Do you think the chants would stop if he came out and admitted he was gay? You can't tell the difference between taking the piss out of someone's race or sexuality and the fact they are tall? I wasn't surprised by some of the posts on N-O as I kind of expect it over there, but I have to say this coming from you surprises me. 113565[/snapback] maybe I didnt put the point forward very well, is it homophobic to state that someone takes it up the arse? what constitutes homophobic chanting? is the following racist? "Shola is black", its quite clear that "Shola is a black ba....." would be racist but Im not sure the first is. Therefore is "JJ takes it up the arse"? If Meenzer was to sing it would that make him homophobic? What are we allowed to take the piss out of these days then? and frankly what makes the abuse of someone being tall or short any less hurtful? can we not sing the likes of "wheres your drunken centre half?" if an alcoholic player is around? Keep going the way we are and soon there will be no banter at matches, players get paid shitloads of money, one of the downsides of this is they have to face thousands of fans who want to see them fail, week in week out. How you live your life shows in how people treat you. If a player was straight but enjoyed taking a phone up their arse would that be ok to rip the piss out of? 113574[/snapback] I agree, and I don't know what the acceptable line is and when it's crossed. However, reading on N-O it's clear a lot of people who think the chant is OK are clearly prejudiced, going on about "unnatural" acts and the like. On the one hand, this type of chant is not going to help homosexual players come out the closet and start being true to themselves (which will have a knock on effect with the general population), but on the other hand banning it is going to make football grounds increasingly sterile. Difficult one. However, I think the chants should at least try and be humourous like the "taxi for Rockshots" one. I did laugh at that.

You don't think "Jenas takes it up the arse" was sang with vitriol, you don't think it was intended to be an insult? Do you think the chants would stop if he came out and admitted he was gay? You can't tell the difference between taking the piss out of someone's race or sexuality and the fact they are tall? I wasn't surprised by some of the posts on N-O as I kind of expect it over there, but I have to say this coming from you surprises me. 113565[/snapback] But REALLY what is the difference, why is someone's physical appearance different in the slagging league than their sexuality ?????? 113568[/snapback] People aren't descriminated against on the basis of their appearance (at least not overtly). They aren't beaten up in the streets because of it, or refused jobs, or murdered. The problem I can see with these chants is that it reinforces prejudice already present in a small minority of idiots who can't cope with people having a different sexuality. I can't see much of a difference between it and racism; using your logic do you think it's OK to insult someone on the basis of their race? But as I said, I am also wary about over-sanitization in the game, and share LuckyPierre's reservations to an extent.

You don't think "Jenas takes it up the arse" was sang with vitriol, you don't think it was intended to be an insult? Do you think the chants would stop if he came out and admitted he was gay? You can't tell the difference between taking the piss out of someone's race or sexuality and the fact they are tall? I wasn't surprised by some of the posts on N-O as I kind of expect it over there, but I have to say this coming from you surprises me.

People said that about racist chants 20 years ago though. Attitudes will change on this I'm certain, but I'm worried things might get over-sanitized. Edit: I didn't see the N-O threadathon before posting this btw. To save me reading, what's the conclusion?

Just interested in what people thought about the homophobic chants aimed at Jenas yesterday. Now let me make it clear I'm not a prude and not really bothered by them, but is it acceptable in this day and age to shout homophobic insults at players, and if so, why? Having seen racist chants effectively thrown out of football, why is it still acceptable to chant "Jenas takes it up the arse"? Personally, I don't like it and won't participate in chanting it. I thinks it's nasty, will make it even harder for gay footballers to come out the closet, but worst of all I fail to see any humour in it. However, having said that, I am acutely aware that football is becoming over-sanitized as it is, and soon you will probably not be allowed to swear at all. Also, although I don't like "Jenas takes it up the arse", I have to admit I did find "Taxi for Rockshots" quite funny, and don't mind that. So am I a hypocrite? While we're on the subject, is acceptable to abuse the gf or wife of footballers, and where does this end? For instance, is it acceptable to suggest Ms Tweedy might like anal sex? Again, I've go no probem with this but I'm not sure why.... Any thoughts? Meenzer?

Source 113484[/snapback] We need to finish above Everton and possibly Man City then, and hope Blackburn get automatic qualification. It's doable.

Have you tried phoning it?

The best we can hope for is qualification throuh the inter-toto. Iirc, this is easier now as well - you only have to win one round to get into the preliminary rounds of the UEFA cup or something. But who else has applied for it?

If Hearts win today, Gretna get a place in the UEFA cup. Gretna ffs!

Happy Birthday Happy Face.

Bitter tbh. 113051[/snapback] Admit it. You prefer it here really. Btw, superb post Alex. 113077[/snapback] I'm not really fussed tbh, when you've posted on Tyne-Talk and survived, this place is a piece of piss. Anyway I sense I'm part of the clique now BTW what's with the username, fan of Trainspotting? Loved the book myself, thought the film was gash after reading the book. Superb writer that Welsh. 113084[/snapback] You're keeping this place alive tbh. Re: Trainspotting I think it's one of those where the film and the book are class. Have you read much of Welsh's other stuff though, I thought Maribou Stork Nightmares was excellent but I think he's been scraping the barrel for a while now in all honesty. Bit of a one trick pony I reckon. 113094[/snapback] I read one where they were football hooligans, something about some lass with nee arms because of some chemical thing, didn't like it. Love Trainspotting the book, loved the film too and still do but when I watch it now it seems like they haven't done the book justice, I think they could have gotten more out of the hour and a half or whatever it was. Begbie, what a character creation, they all were. Superb book. I'm not a big lover of fiction, but I really enjoyed that and like to read it every now and again. 113122[/snapback] Yep, it's after Mark Renton HTT, don't know why, it was the only username I could come up with at the time. Trainspotting the book is a masterpiece imo, I believe you have to read it more than once to pick up on all its subtlety. The thing I love about it is I can still to this day pick it up and just read a chapter or so in the bath - each one works as a stand alone, but the whole lot intertwine like a mesh to tell an amazing story. Like you say, the characters are superb and so memorable - Renton, Sickboy, Spud, Tommy, Begbie, Kelly, etc. Inevitably, the film doesn't really do the book justice but it's a fair attempt. I like Welsh's other stuff including Ectasy, but it doesn't really come close to Trainspotting. The sequel to trainspotting, Porno, is only average for instance. I haven't heard about this nightmare book though, I'll check it out. Glad we agree on something btw.

Bitter tbh. 113051[/snapback] Admit it. You prefer it here really. Btw, superb post Alex.

I'll tell you one thing. You wouldn't get a thread like this on N-O. That's the difference imo.

She'll do for me I think she's LUSH 112549[/snapback] Pah! Nowt on Michaela... 112565[/snapback] I love Michaela.

I'm not too sure how seriously employers will take an OU degree, especially as degrees from "proper" universities are much more common than they used to be. Depends what you want to do with it, but if it's to enhance your employment prospects rather than for pleasure, it might be a waste of time.

Wooooo-hoo-hooOOOOOooooooOOooo!!! 112170[/snapback] Phnarr phnarrr..... I'm pretty hooked, which is surprising as I usually hate these type of programs (BB, shipwrecked etc). Have to say if you watch the accompanying "You're fired" program most of them don't come across as bad as they do on the program, Manny being an example.

Brimming with show tunes, no doubt. Just finished watching "The Contest", I am thoroughly unimpressed, can someone explain to me what;s genius about it? 111940[/snapback] Why does Gemmill like chocolate? The reasons for liking a comedy are usually not that easy to explain. The first episode I saw was one where Seinfeld starts going to a restaurant because he feels sorry for its owner (as no one else eats there). A feeling I am well familiar with. Of course, all this serves to do is boost Seinfeld's opinion of what a good person he is, and it all ends in tears. I was hooked from then on. For me, it's about the characters, storylines, and the pure surrealism of it all, absent from most other comedies. Btw, I wasn't particularly keen on the Contest, a bit ott imo....

Bad girls? Scum? Scrubbers?

My wife watches ER so I occasionally watch bits of it between flicking the pages of a book or magazine if I can't be arsed to go upstairs. It is utter horse shit now, and completely unrealistic I would think. Should have finished years ago when Greene died. 111891[/snapback] I know, I only really watch it out of nostalgia. Still, if you think it's unrealistic you should watch House. I would rather stab myself in the eyes than watch that steaming pile of horseshit again. I like the Apprentice though, forgot about that one. 111910[/snapback] I like the apprentice too. I think its for the Schaudenfraude (sp?) aspect.

Saw one episode and it scared the shit out of me. Decided I was better off watching Prisoner Cell Block H.

I've heard there is no plot that's been planned in advance and don't know if I can be arsed to watch it now. Agree about Twin peaks too. Did you know there's a bloke who is the absolute spit of Fire Walk With Me who lives in Tynemouth? I see him at the match occasionally too - scarey stuff. Edit: also TT went to pot because David Lynch didn't direct the second series iirc.

My wife watches ER so I occasionally watch bits of it between flicking the pages of a book or magazine if I can't be arsed to go upstairs. It is utter horse shit now, and completely unrealistic I would think. Should have finished years ago when Greene died.

Likes golf, eh? I can recommend a good article he should read! 111878[/snapback] Why do you think he came here? Persuaded by an N-O dossier, obviously.

Maybe the yanks couldn't tell the difference. I never really got into Frasier, don't know why. If anything, I preferred cheers. Oh, and I used to fancy Kirsty Alley on Cheers. Have you seen the state of her now? God's son cried profusely!