'Mallard' Callsign
Gentleman Aviator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,722
Likes: 91
From: Teetering Towers - somewhere in the Shires
But doesn't PC go too far if it tampers with historical accuracy?
Example: I am currently studying some 19th century US literature; and am re-reading, inter alia , "Huckleberry Finn" and "Moby Dick".
In Huck Finn, the n-word is used numerous times on many pages, and Jim the escaped slave often refers to himself as a n_____, because his character would have done so at the time! And it was (presumably) acceptable when it was written.
Should we change it, ban the book or what? Less contentiously, in the notes to my (admittedly old and dog-eared) copy of "Moby Dick", it states that the author, Herman Melville, was "the first noted native american novelist", meaning the first one born in the USA. Would people now read that, and believe that he was what I hope I am still allowed to call a red indian? And if they do - what has happened in the 30-odd years since my copy was published to cause such confusion?
Have we really got here from a thread on formation call signs - isn't PPRuNe truly wonderful!
Example: I am currently studying some 19th century US literature; and am re-reading, inter alia , "Huckleberry Finn" and "Moby Dick".
In Huck Finn, the n-word is used numerous times on many pages, and Jim the escaped slave often refers to himself as a n_____, because his character would have done so at the time! And it was (presumably) acceptable when it was written.
Should we change it, ban the book or what? Less contentiously, in the notes to my (admittedly old and dog-eared) copy of "Moby Dick", it states that the author, Herman Melville, was "the first noted native american novelist", meaning the first one born in the USA. Would people now read that, and believe that he was what I hope I am still allowed to call a red indian? And if they do - what has happened in the 30-odd years since my copy was published to cause such confusion?
Have we really got here from a thread on formation call signs - isn't PPRuNe truly wonderful!
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: UK
I agree that drawing the political correctness line is often a difficult call. A lot of the backlash against pc was whipped-up by the red top 'newspapers' in the 1980s, with their apochryphal tales of looney-left councils banning 'Bah Bah Black Sheep' and black bin liners.
I think political correctness has now found its own level, so that Channel 4's recent showing of 'Love Thy Neighbour' (not only racist, but dire 'comedy') can be viewed as an example of a 1970s British society not at ease with itself.
I suspect that if Channel 4 were to show 'Dambusters' today, post 9pm, it would probably be the original version (though, even then, one might expect an announcement at the beginning of the film explaining the reason for this). If the film were shown on BBC1 at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, the expurgated version might be deemed more suitable.
The fact remains that the word n****r, is and always has been an offensive term and that, even in a historical context, it should be used carefully and occasionally omitted altogether.
I think political correctness has now found its own level, so that Channel 4's recent showing of 'Love Thy Neighbour' (not only racist, but dire 'comedy') can be viewed as an example of a 1970s British society not at ease with itself.
I suspect that if Channel 4 were to show 'Dambusters' today, post 9pm, it would probably be the original version (though, even then, one might expect an announcement at the beginning of the film explaining the reason for this). If the film were shown on BBC1 at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, the expurgated version might be deemed more suitable.
The fact remains that the word n****r, is and always has been an offensive term and that, even in a historical context, it should be used carefully and occasionally omitted altogether.
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,584
Likes: 0
From: UK
As an ex mil pilot I find some of the replies above simply incredible.
Does anyone genuinely think that revealing the identity of a corporate callsign compromises anything! Honestly!!
PS; Guy Gibson's dog was called ******, just like my name is Paul. No more, no less, so what?
Oh dear, I see the PC Nazis prevent me from referring to the name of a dog, and a perfectly valid word in the English Language.
Shame, Shame Shame on them. The dog and the code word was was, and is, N1gger.
There is no implication, shame or inference to be made from the use of the above word. it is simply a historical fact, and the suppression of history and language is one of the less savoury attributes of dictators. One can only hope that this pernicious mind-poison has not reached the ranks of PPRuNe.
Does anyone genuinely think that revealing the identity of a corporate callsign compromises anything! Honestly!!
PS; Guy Gibson's dog was called ******, just like my name is Paul. No more, no less, so what?
Oh dear, I see the PC Nazis prevent me from referring to the name of a dog, and a perfectly valid word in the English Language.
Shame, Shame Shame on them. The dog and the code word was was, and is, N1gger.
There is no implication, shame or inference to be made from the use of the above word. it is simply a historical fact, and the suppression of history and language is one of the less savoury attributes of dictators. One can only hope that this pernicious mind-poison has not reached the ranks of PPRuNe.
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
Last time I was down secret Wilts airfield at 512' (or is it 513 now?) I noticed the Mallard is marketing itself as the Mucky Duck.
Is this an attempt to attract an even lower class of drinker than 47?
'tis an interesting method of picking a c/s however. "Leagate check-in", or for BEagle and the old hand "Wig and Mitre on handover".
Should use curry houses if you ask me. "Buchan, Balaka". If fact now I've written that and re-read it I'm sure I've actually heard it said before!
Is this an attempt to attract an even lower class of drinker than 47?
'tis an interesting method of picking a c/s however. "Leagate check-in", or for BEagle and the old hand "Wig and Mitre on handover".
Should use curry houses if you ask me. "Buchan, Balaka". If fact now I've written that and re-read it I'm sure I've actually heard it said before!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: North Lincolnshire
When I lived at Scampton in 1998 the old dogs grave was still there in front of the 617 Hangar. It had been fenced off and is well tended and looked after by an old chap who also runs the small museum at the back of the Families Club. This was at the time of the dividing of the unit prior to the return of the reds. Now a new entrance has been opened some 100 yards to the south of the main gate and the FQ patch is open to all. About half the houses have been handed over to Annington who have renovated them before sale to civvies (hang on isn’t there a thread on this subject already.........).
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: UK
So when these top secret officially denied chaps talk to a civvy ATC with their duck callsign do they not say what type they are??
And on the subject of political correctness, remember world cup fever, st georges flags everywhere and short sighted beurocrats (appologies for sp) telling us we couldn't be proud to be english - as if supporting your own country makes you a biggot or something (blood boiling rant)
I hope common sense can shine through, after all if people hide who they are and where they're from then this planet will become a very grey place
And on the subject of political correctness, remember world cup fever, st georges flags everywhere and short sighted beurocrats (appologies for sp) telling us we couldn't be proud to be english - as if supporting your own country makes you a biggot or something (blood boiling rant)
I hope common sense can shine through, after all if people hide who they are and where they're from then this planet will become a very grey place
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Lincs.
As for political correctness..... I wonder if DVLA has banned the index N16 GER... (and similar combinations)
If they havent I wonder who would be driving around with it on their motor?? May be a resident of that famous South London location close to Lambeth??
And probably very proud to have it on their car too!!
As for mallard formation, flew over my house this morning, had to duck when I saw how low they were flying!! (ouuch!! Sorry!!)
If they havent I wonder who would be driving around with it on their motor?? May be a resident of that famous South London location close to Lambeth??
And probably very proud to have it on their car too!!
As for mallard formation, flew over my house this morning, had to duck when I saw how low they were flying!! (ouuch!! Sorry!!)
