Posted on August 10, 2022 by talkaholics
Language and bullying by Susan Grimsdell
Pattern of bullying Today it was revealed that along with two mates, one of our National MPs, Sam Uffindell, at the age of 16, violently assaulted a 13-year-old boy at night in a dorm at a prestigious boarding school. He now describes that event as “stupid” and “dumb”. I wonder what words the parents of the victim would choose to describe the event. If my son had told me he had been beaten by three older boys allegedly using wooden bedlegs, I would not say “Well, they were being dumb and stupid”. … Read More
Posted on March 6, 2019 by talkaholics
The Wimp’s progress by Trevor Plumbly
Systematic selection As technology continues to herd us into a convenient mass to maintain its influence, let’s spare a thought for the poor sods struggling to survive under the thumb of the ‘wimps’. These previously insignificant little buggers now rule cyberspace. Such folk were once the dross of the school system; in those days ‘average’ set the standard for academic achievement, above or below that attracted unhealthy attention. Thus the more active thugs were labelled ‘misfits’ and those unable to fit in either slot were deemed to have a ‘nervous disposition’ i.e…. Read More
Posted on January 9, 2015 by talkaholics
Gossip: harmless chat or destructive bullying? By Angela Caldin
I was interested to see that one of my fellow blogger’s heroes of 2014 is Pope Francis. I have to agree that many of his calls for action have come as a breath of fresh air to those of us who think of the Catholic Church as bogged down with stale theological argument rather than giving us a helping hand in our daily lives. He’s advised us not to waste food, to make time for others, to choose more humble purchases and to meet the poor and marginalised person to person. I… Read More
Posted on September 5, 2014 by talkaholics
Blaming the Victim by Angela Caldin
Some societies and cultures view a rape victim as to blame for what has happened to her. She is seen as damaged and may suffer isolation, be disowned by friends and family, be severely punished or even be killed. When this happens, we are shocked and call such behaviour barbaric. But the same phenomenon of the shifting of blame has now been revealed to have happened here on a big scale. One of the many horrifying things to come out of the report on the grooming of young girls by predominantly Asian… Read More
Posted on June 19, 2012 by talkaholics
Be a Sport! By Trevor Plumbly
Most countries seem to have an unhealthy obsession with breeding world champions at some sport or other. It’s probably inherited from the Stone Age ‘mine’s bigger than yours’ contest, with the winner claiming the prize of the maiden. I have reached that august age where prowess of any sort is not of great import, thus I can look at the fleeting fancies of conquest with a jaundiced eye. Ordinarily, embryonic world champs (if there are such creatures) have some sort of sporting implement or ball practically glued to their hands or feet… Read More
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