State of the parties as 2015 General Election looms.

[Serial_Apologist]

That may well be true but, according to my dictionary, a 'witch' is 'commonly portrayed as a wicked old woman', so I feel confident jean will vehemently disagree with you on that?

However, on what the official and mandatory PC view is on the matter I am rather less confident, S_A ...

I suppose anyone, of either sex, could be described as a witch for casting a spell over a sizeable section of a nation's population for a considerable length of time; so I'm going to defend use of the term in reference to Mrs T.

[jean]

If anyone had ever used 'witch' to describe a male politician, I'd agree. But AFAIK they haven't.

That's why I wasn't especially happy about that song being sung around the time of her death.

It rather trivialises her vileness, IMO.

[Serial_Apologist]

If anyone had ever used 'witch' to describe a male politician, I'd agree. But AFAIK they haven't.

That's why I wasn't especially happy about that song being sung around the time of her death.

It rather trivialises her vileness, IMO.

Fair comment.

[Beef Oven!]

If anyone had ever used 'witch' to describe a male politician, I'd agree. But AFAIK they haven't.

That's why I wasn't especially happy about that song being sung around the time of her death.

It rather trivialises her vileness, IMO.

And is sexist?

[jean]

I think you could say that. But then, so is calling her a lady, as Mr Tipps rather cringingly does in his #1440.

[Beef Oven!]

I think you could say that. But then, so is calling her a lady.

I could say many things, the question was really whether you think pejoratively referring to a female as a witch is sexist. How about a simple yes or no answer, with no strings attached?

[ahinton]

I could say many things, the question was really whether you think pejoratively referring to a female as a witch is sexist. How about a simple yes or no answer, with no strings attached?

I know that you weren't asking me, but I would say that it wasn't; such reference need to be understood in the particular context in which they are made.

That said, any chance of further comments from anyone on the State of the parties as 2015 General Election looms? Just a thought...

[Flosshilde]

No. Calling a woman a witch is misogynist, sexist etc, and people should not talk about any women like that.

It might be misogynist, but I don't think it's sexist.

[P. G. Tipps]

It might be misogynist, but I don't think it's sexist.

No, that only applies if it's misandristic ...

[amateur51]

Farage's personal insights into Kerry Smith ... it's all down to those snobbish people in London

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2014/dec/19/nigel-farage-ukip-defends-word-chinky-video

Nick Ferrari is trying to keep his face straight.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I think you could say that. But then, so is calling her a lady, as Mr Tipps rather cringingly does in his #1440.

is calling a man a gentleman a problem too?

[P. G. Tipps]

is calling a man a gentleman a problem too?

Oh yes, it is gender specific and therefore sexist and also clearly misogynistic as it suggests the male being addressed is nice and sweet and not, as we all know, a potential rapist.

The word itself is a clear product of the male hierarchal system and it's use is now discouraged by BBC Management, and Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, and hopefully eventually within the British Army itself.

[MrGongGong]

Oh yes, it is gender specific and therefore sexist and also clearly misogynistic as it suggests the male being addressed is nice and sweet and not, as we all know, a potential rapist.

Feeling better now love?
I've put the kettle on

[ahinton]

Any chance of further comments from anyone on the State of the parties as 2015 General Election looms? Or has that one outlived its usefulness or gone its distance or both?...

[MrGongGong]

I think (getting back on task) that when asked about policy that most people would actually be supporters of the Green Party, but alas people prefer the theatre.

http://eastern.greenparty.org.uk/assets/images/eastern_images/green-party-policies-list-web-250px.png