I thought that I'd ask this question here rather than get into a Naafi bar chestpoking session, even though there is an element of outrage about it; what is the 'Paralympics' about, other than a celebration of being second-rate? If it's better placed elsewhere, I'm sure a Moderator will oblige.
I can certainly see the use of them as a socially inclusive (a word I loathe but am legally bound by the EU to use in this context) event, but I'm driven to this question by a quote I saw in the Irish Independent - I don't know who said it - that: âparalympic athletes are on the same level as ablebodied championsâ.
This is such self-evident balls that I'm horrified to see it in print, as it means that our values (OK, the Irish public's values) are skewed to equate disability with ability. As I said, self-evident balls.
These events may be great for those who take part, I'm sure, and I wish them the very best of their day in the spotlight, but the sight of someone with cerebral palsy competing against someone with one leg or mongolism has to be on a par with every other socialist drive to instil a culture of grossly unfair and deeply stupid 'equality' on us.
We've lost the ability to distinguish between the 10% of everything which is good; the 1% which is excellent, and the rest, which is crap. I blame Blair, Clinton and the EU. And Hazel Blears, who should be painted red and gasped at by Japanese tourists.
I can certainly see the use of them as a socially inclusive (a word I loathe but am legally bound by the EU to use in this context) event, but I'm driven to this question by a quote I saw in the Irish Independent - I don't know who said it - that: âparalympic athletes are on the same level as ablebodied championsâ.
This is such self-evident balls that I'm horrified to see it in print, as it means that our values (OK, the Irish public's values) are skewed to equate disability with ability. As I said, self-evident balls.
These events may be great for those who take part, I'm sure, and I wish them the very best of their day in the spotlight, but the sight of someone with cerebral palsy competing against someone with one leg or mongolism has to be on a par with every other socialist drive to instil a culture of grossly unfair and deeply stupid 'equality' on us.
We've lost the ability to distinguish between the 10% of everything which is good; the 1% which is excellent, and the rest, which is crap. I blame Blair, Clinton and the EU. And Hazel Blears, who should be painted red and gasped at by Japanese tourists.