Originally Posted by
Heathcliff
The benefit of the doubt can be given to the crew without denigrating the victim.
To be fair, that is all in an individual's interpretation, based on their own perspective, sensitivities and ease of offence when someone says or does something they don't personally like.
With diverse communities come diverse points of view and character, that's part of the charm, or would you prefer everyone be the same as you?
Whilst I appreciate that some may not have liked what was a mediocre pun, that a pun can cause such offence and outrage is more of an indictment on modern offence culture than it is on the pun.
Personally, my sympathies lean to the potential fatal blow to careers, the possible protracted legal battles, emotional torment and subsequent financial ruin that this can cause for the crew, operator, employees and their dependants. Something which is neither quick, nor painless.
If it is true that the pax was negligent, then, there will be little sympathy because of the burden it created that others will have to carry for the rest of their lives, for all involved.
Of course a pro outfit needs to plan for such events, and hopefully they took precautions, but we all know you can't make the system foolproof.
We live in a world where we are expected to protect people from themselves, if we fail then we are vilified while thoughts, prayers and flowers are laid out for the victim.
Is it that foreign a concept that people can be so indifferent to a life lost, when so many are littering the news pages each week, each one neatly filling a stereotype?