Racist terminology

[philkensebben]

Check out the argument on the comments page here http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=xrMyz-YC79o&fromurl=/watch%3Fv%3DxrMyz-YC79o%26feature%3Drelated

It concerns the Australian commentators refering to a player for Western Australia as an 'import' as he is from Pakistan and was hired to play for Western Australia for that season. However the Pakistan fans seem to believe it is racist. I honestly dont understand where they are coming from. Does anyone know if it has a derogatory meaning in Pakistan ? The whole argument just seems to be based on a cultural misunderstanding.

Thanks for help in advance.

[Marduk]

you really don't understand how referring to a human being as an import is derogatory ?
seriously ?
:D

[Sledge]

I don't see how it's racist. Maybe not the nicest way of putting it, but the Aussies aren't exactly known for tact and subtlety.

[Marduk]

It isn't racist, its derogatory
;)

[learner]

I agree.

I have imported fruit to my country before, but never a human, theres a difference.
In the U.K. we have plenty of sportsmen and women from other countries playing in various sports, I have never heard anyone refer to them as "imports" and would expect disaproving noises if i did. Some are called crap sportsmen and the like, thats ok. Some are.

[Marduk]

for those of you who don't get it yet, an import is a reference to goods and commodities, its only ever been used historically with people when those people are slaves and are not regarded as people. In this case he should be referred to as what he is " a pakistani ringer" and not as what he isn't.

[Sledge]

Sportsmen are often treated as commodities, so I see no problem with referring to them as such.

[Marduk]

Sportsmen are often treated as commodities, so I see no problem with referring to them as such.

so using a term for a human being thats only ever been used before for slaves isn't an issue for you, but yanno, it maybe for them
:D

[learner]

Suppose it could work, David Beckham now known as Mr Import/Export. Put it on his passport I say! :)

[Ian Osborne]

It's a bit of a leap from calling a foreign player brought in for one season as an 'import', and aligning yourself with slavery.

And Sledge, I used to work with a guy who used your nick on another internet forum. Would that be you, sir? :D

[Sledge]

so using a term for a human being thats only ever been used before for slaves isn't an issue for you, but yanno, it maybe for them
:D

Better start taking issue with all those football commentators referring to players being bought and sold then.

Ian, it's entirely possible depending which forum you're thinking of.

[Marduk]

Suppose it could work, David Beckham now known as Mr Import/Export. Put it on his passport I say! :)

I've never heard him called that
link please ?

Better start taking issue with all those football commentators referring to players being bought and sold then.
I'm not taking issue with anything, I'm just saying I can see why others do, if you can't then youre being obtuse or are misunderstanding the culture of the people who don't like it
;)

[Ian Osborne]

Ian, it's entirely possible depending which forum you're thinking of.

If you don't recognise my name, probably not, but does the company Quay Magazine Publishing mean anything to you?

[Sledge]

Marduk: Nope, just trying to understand something. I've imported items quite a few times, so I don't associate the word with slavery. I would expect for most people the word "import" has no connotation of slavery. Is slavery still rife in Pakistan?

Ian: Nope, must be someone else.

[Marduk]

Marduk: Nope, just trying to understand something. I've imported items quite a few times, so I don't associate the word with slavery. I would expect for most people the word "import" has no connotation of slavery. Is slavery still rife in Pakistan?
don't know that it ever was, but the word is a reference to a commodity, I think the fans complaining think of this bowler as a person rather than that. He's quite popular so things are elevated in their minds and they are objecting to the commentators words as "inhumane"
:D

[learner]

I've never heard him called that
link please ?


I'm not taking issue with anything, I'm just saying I can see why others do, if you can't then youre being obtuse or are misunderstanding the culture of the people who don't like it
;)


My fault, I shoud have used a sarcasm smiley thingy. :rolleyes:

[Sledge]

don't know that it ever was, but the word is a reference to a commodity, I think the fans complaining think of this bowler as a person rather than that. He's quite popular so things are elevated in their minds and they are objecting to the commentators words as "inhumane"
:D
I think the people complaining are looking for an argument over racism that doesn't exist. Kinda daft when you think how easy it would be to find far more blatant examples of Aussie racism.

[Marduk]

I think the people complaining are looking for an argument over racism that doesn't exist. Kinda daft when you think how easy it would be to find far more blatant examples of Aussie racism.

Pakistanis are fiercely nationalistic, they'll complain along those lines at every opportunity, comes from being crapped on by India for aaaages
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistani_nationalism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partition_of_India

[Sledge]

Sounds like it should be easy to wind them up on Youtube then. Not that I'd do that. Honest.

[Marduk]

Sounds like it should be easy to wind them up on Youtube then. Not that I'd do that. Honest.

if Australia says something derogatory its an insult, if India said something derogatory it'd be war. I once had to introduce two colleagues to each other, one was indian and the other from pakistan, after they shook hands they found out each others nationalities, both of them went and washed their hands
:D

[Sledge]

I have this sudden urge to post that Youtube link on 4chan, then sit back and see what happens.

[The Atheist]

The whole argument just seems to be based on a cultural misunderstanding.

Thanks for help in advance.

Bingo!

It's a term used all the time in sports.

Sounds like quite a few people need to harden the **** up.

[philkensebben]

so using a term for a human being thats only ever been used before for slaves isn't an issue for you, but yanno, it maybe for them
:D

Its a reasonable point i suppose, akin to basically telling people from another culture what they should and shouldnt be offended by.

Its a fairly commen term i think in Australia though, frequently used to describe players from another AFL club, particularly from another state.

As i said before, i say its just some cultural misunderstanding, rather than some deep rooted racist belief

[philkensebben]

you really don't understand how referring to a human being as an import is derogatory ?
seriously ?
:D

Not in professional sport, no. Do you?

[The Atheist]

Its a fairly commen term i think in Australia though, frequently used to describe players from another AFL club, particularly from another state.

And NZ, and UK.

Obviously not in Pakistan, though.

This kind of stuff always looks like inferiority complex dressed to me. If you don't feel inferior to start with, why would that description offend?

[Marduk]

Not in professional sport, no. Do you?

I have already posted a response to that, If I didn't think you were new here I'd think you asking to repeat myself just for your benefit was antagonistic, rather than just dumb or a piss poor attempt to bump a dying thread

;)

[The Atheist]

I have already posted a response to that, If I didn't think you were new here I'd think you asking to repeat myself just for your benefit was antagonistic, rather than just dumb
;)

That's crap.

The term has never meant anything to do with slavery down here and it's used equally for people from one's own country or any other.

It's not derogatory in any way, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with slavery.

Not that there were very many slaves from Pakistan.

[Marduk]

That's crap.

The term has never meant anything to do with slavery down here and it's used equally for people from one's own country or any other.

It's not derogatory in any way, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with slavery.

Not that there were very many slaves from Pakistan.
oh wise one, please point me to any commentary from someone whos using "import" to mean people from outside Australia in a complimentary way. or stfu
or provide evidence that Australian slang is now included in the Oxford English dictionary so that people the whole world over who aren't familiar with made up terminology can be sure that this isn't another case of your lot just being insensitive again
and I feel a need to remind you that this isn't a "do you find this offensive" thread, its a "why did they find this offensive thread" which is a completely different nutshell
:D

[The Atheist]

oh wise one, please point me to any commentary from someone whos using "import" to mean people from outside Australia in a complimentary way. or stfu

There's your mistake there - it isn't used for people from outside the country, it's used for people from outside the area. An import can be a New South Welshman playing for Western Australia, or an Aussie playing for Canterbury.

The term is in use all the time here and has been for aeons.

or provide evidence that Australian slang is now included in the Oxford English dictionary so that people the whole world over who atren't familiar with made up terminology can be sure that this isn't another case of your lot just being insensitive again
:D

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dictionary-Australian-Colloquialisms-Oxford-paperbacks/dp/019553798X

[Marduk]

There's your mistake there - it isn't used for people from outside the country, it's used for people from outside the area. An import can be a New South Welshman playing for Western Australia, or an Aussie playing for Canterbury.

The term is in use all the time here and has been for aeons.
Yes so you say, but I don't see any supporting evidence of that and I would imagine the vast majority of the worlds population who aren't into australian colloquialisms don't know about it either, which was the whole point.

how would you feel if I called you say a "whore" on an internationally distributed medium, but you didn't know I was using it affectionately because thats a particular quirk of my family.



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dictionary-Australian-Colloquialisms-Oxford-paperbacks/dp/019553798X

irrelevant, did you understand my last post ?
it was in English, if you like I'll translate it into your mother tongue if youre having comprehension issues
:D

[Agatha]

American and Canadian (and indeed, German or Danish or any other nationality) hockey players are known as imports to UK hockey teams. In the EIHL, teams are limited to 10 imports on the roster at any one time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_Ice_Hockey_League#Players

[The Atheist]

Yes so you say, but I don't see any supporting evidence of that and I would imagine the vast majority of the worlds population who aren't into australian colloquialisms don't know about it either, which was the whole point.

Found in all of 11.2 seconds:

Canterbury import the most players (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/your-views/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501154&objectid=10421728)

Old Crusader Andy Miller - snappy Jap import. (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=3584021&pnum=2)

Hurricanes franchise that looked like it was trying to win an import award (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=186335)

If you bother checking, you'll find it used thousands of times in media in this part of the world.

how would you feel if I called you say a "whore" on an internationally distributed medium, but you didn't know I was using it affectionately because thats a particular quirk of my family.

Bad example; I'm a whore.

irrelevant, did you understand my last post ?

In what way is it irrelevant?

You asked for:

evidence that Australian slang is now included in the Oxford English dictionary

I gave you exactly what you asked for and now it's irrelevant?

it was in English, if you like I'll translate it into your mother tongue if youre having comprehension issues
:D

Nah, I think the problem's not so much with my English, which is actually my mother tongue, and which I bet I've been using for longer than you, so much as your inability to understand that cultural differences exist.

You could also answer how many Pakis were slaves and when "import" has ever been a simile for "slave" anyway.

:dl:

Sorry, but I was going to post a whole load of dictionary definitions which don't show slavery as a meaning for import, when I noticed the very first response:

noun: an imported person brought from a foreign country ("The lead role was played by an import from Sweden") (http://www.onelook.com/?w=import&ls=a)

Now, that's a US site, so now we have the exact same usage applying in a non-discriminatory way in USA as well!

Feel free to try finding a dictionary which backs you up at any stage.

[philkensebben]

I have already posted a response to that, If I didn't think you were new here I'd think you asking to repeat myself just for your benefit was antagonistic, rather than just dumb or a piss poor attempt to bump a dying thread

;)

Er....i wasnt deliberately intending to be antogonistic, apols if it seemed so.

Dying thread? Er, i thought the point of forum discussions meant i could post and return at a later date to comment back. No idea why you would construe this is 'piss poor attempt to bump a dying thread' particularly as i only posted it about 6 hours ago. One might consider that poor criticism to be an indication of your own level of intelligence.

;)

[BTMO]

What a load of nonsense.

I am Australian, living in New Zealand. I refer to myself as an import all of the time. It's perfectly acceptable language.

[Marduk]

Found in all of 11.2 seconds:

Canterbury import the most players (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/your-views/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501154&objectid=10421728)

Old Crusader Andy Miller - snappy Jap import. (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=3584021&pnum=2)

Hurricanes franchise that looked like it was trying to win an import award (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=186335)

If you bother checking, you'll find it used thousands of times in media in this part of the world.
I'm not seeing any link there that shows that "Import" is used to describe a person from another country in complimentary terms?




Bad example; I'm a whore.

aren't we all
:D


In what way is it irrelevant?

Because: having it as a colloquialism is by definition showing that it isn't widespread.



Nah, I think the problem's not so much with my English, which is actually my mother tongue, and which I bet I've been using for longer than you, so much as your inability to understand that cultural differences exist.

Strawman, thisisn't about me, its about why some fans find "import" offensive, are you having trouble understanding the point of the OP, it isn't about me, or what I believe, its about them and what they understand

You could also answer how many Pakis were slaves and when "import" has ever been a simile for "slave" anyway.

again irrelevant, this isn't about my knowledge of anything, except why a group of people in a certain demographic might find something offensive, I'm not in that demographic, half the time I'm not even a person



Sorry, but I was going to post a whole load of dictionary definitions which don't show slavery as a meaning for import, when I noticed the very first response:
Feel free to try finding a dictionary which backs you up at any stage.
any dictionary
you could read wiki, it has a whole page on the word "import"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Import
funny though, it doesn't say anything about colloquialisms which has been my whole point throughout this thread and which you seem to have missed
:D

[Marduk]

Er....i wasnt deliberately intending to be antogonistic, apols if it seemed so.

Dying thread? Er, i thought the point of forum discussions meant i could post and return at a later date to comment back. No idea why you would construe this is 'piss poor attempt to bump a dying thread' particularly as i only posted it about 6 hours ago. One might consider that poor criticism to be an indication of your own level of intelligence.

;)
you'd probably be better off considering it a poor attempt at humour, or a sparkling witty attempt at humour that you didn't understand because of your own level of intelligence, but mhelb, off topic either way
;)

but to answer your OP in simple terms
"Import" is an offensive way of describing someone, if you aren't familiar with Australian colloquialisms, I'm not familiar with them and obviously neither are the fans claiming its offensive.
got it ?

[Marduk]

What a load of nonsense.

I am Australian, living in New Zealand. I refer to myself as an import all of the time. It's perfectly acceptable language.

I refer to myself as a bit of a **** all the time, but I don't think I'd like it if someone else did
;)

[BTMO]

I refer to myself as a bit of a **** all the time, but I don't think I'd like it if someone else did
;)

If I referred to myself as four asterices, I am sure I, and everyone around me would just be confused.

And yes, other people here refer to me as an import.

And probably a **** as well. But that is just the way we talk.

(interestingly enough, it was easier to just write "****" than labouriously typing out the asterices!)

[lionking]

What a load of nonsense.

I am Australian, living in New Zealand. I refer to myself as an import all of the time. It's perfectly acceptable language.

Absolutely true. It is not racist or offensive in any way.

[Marduk]

Absolutely true. It is not racist or offensive in any way.

from the perspective of someone who understand local colloquialisms I agree, but we're not talking about them, we're talking about Johnny foreigner who in this case would take offense if you inadvertently trod on his shadow and didn't apologise quickly enough
;)

[funk de fino]

Import is not racist. We tend to call them foreigners or foreign players over here when talking about football. Overseas players if it is cricket.

However I was stunned to see that the use of words like Paki, Jap, Chink, etc were fair game in Australia while being taboo in the UK and deemed racist. One of those strange cultural differences you do not expect when the culture is not too far removed from your own. Whats the script in NZ with this?

[gtc]

You don't hear paki used so often in Australia anymore because of the racist connotation of the word in the UK. It was just a neutral shortening of the word like Brit.

Import is a neutral word for someone from overseas or out of town.

I don't know if 'ring in' is used in Australia much, I can't recall seeing the term often. 'Ringer' would not be used to describe a ring in as it has specific meanings in Australia (the fastest sheep shearer and 'dead ringer').

[Wildy]

You don't hear paki used so often in Australia anymore because of the racist connotation of the word in the UK. It was just a neutral shortening of the word like Brit.

Was there an issue on "Paki" over here that I missed?

[BTMO]

from the perspective of someone who understand local colloquialisms I agree, but we're not talking about them, we're talking about Johnny foreigner who in this case would take offense if you inadvertently trod on his shadow and didn't apologise quickly enough
;)

**** Johnny Foreigner, and the goat he rode in on.

[athon]

I'll add my vote in for 'not seen as racist in Australia'. As others have pointed out, it's commonly used to describe anybody who is brought in from elsewhere in a sport. You can be an import in a Sydney rugby league team if you were brought down from Queensland, for instance.

If I knew others might be offended by its use, I might abstain in their presence. But it's hardly an uncommon way to describe the movement of people in sport here.

Athon

[lionking]

Import is not racist. We tend to call them foreigners or foreign players over here when talking about football. Overseas players if it is cricket.

However I was stunned to see that the use of words like Paki, Jap, Chink, etc were fair game in Australia while being taboo in the UK and deemed racist. One of those strange cultural differences you do not expect when the culture is not too far removed from your own. Whats the script in NZ with this?
Not quite right. Referring to someone with Chinese ancestory as a "chink" would get you into a bit of strife.

[Alan]

There's the show Spicks and Specks, which has no racial connotations.

[Marduk]

There's the show Spicks and Specks, which has no racial connotations.

youd have to check with the beegees about that one
:p

[Wildy]

youd have to check with the beegees about that one
:p

It certainly does help if you know what the show is about (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spicks_and_Specks_(TV_series)). :)

[rockinkt]

The use of "import" to describe Canadian Football League players who are not Canadian citizens is perfectly normal and widespread.
The term is used in every broadcast of every game and you can find it in the sport pages regularly.

Doesn't matter what your color, creed or country is - if you are not a Canadian in the CFL - you are an import.

http://www.cfl.ca/page/game_rule_ratio

[funk de fino]

Not quite right. Referring to someone with Chinese ancestory as a "chink" would get you into a bit of strife.

Whats the difference between that and jap or paki then? Same thing in my book.

[lionking]

Whats the difference between that and jap or paki then? Same thing in my book.

That's the point though. The "N" word is not that big a deal here.

[funk de fino]

That's the point though. The "N" word is not that big a deal here.


Is it the same in NZ?

[Mojo]

for those of you who don't get it yet, an import is a reference to goods and commodities, its only ever been used historically with people when those people are slaves and are not regarded as people. In this case he should be referred to as what he is " a pakistani ringer" and not as what he isn't.


I've frequently seen it used with reference to people, especially people brought in to do a particular job. For an example (http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2004/03/09/at-the-centre-of-the-storm-50081-14031070/) of it being used as a derogatory term, Ian McGregor, who was installed by Maggie Thatcher as chairman of the UK coal board in the 80s, was frequently referred to as an "American import".

If you want a non-derogatory example, here's (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/breakers-basketball-team/news/article.cfm?c_id=135&objectid=10588496&pnum=1) a basketball player in NZ referred to as a "popular American import".

[BTMO]

Is it the same in NZ?

It is considered rude and is a "referred" offence. By that I mean, we get a lot of US tv and movies here. I doubt one person in ten actually understands where the word comes from - but most people know it is offensive in the US, so it isn't used here.

The slightly earlier settlers of NZ (they aren't "native" - but they did beat everyone else here by about 500 years) find it quite offensive, and as they have brown skin (about Hawaiian brown - and for a very good reason. Essentially the same genetic stock) have some claim to be offended by it. Of course, a lot of younger Maori (but not all by any possible stretch of the imagination) embrace urban "gangsta" culture... to the point were you see "Westside" grafitti in the larger cities, so they embrace the word that must not be typed as well.

Personally, I find it all a bit silly. Maori have their own culture, and it is far more interesting and relevant than a second hand culture experienced almost exclusively through music videos.

[funk de fino]

It is considered rude and is a "referred" offence. By that I mean, we get a lot of US tv and movies here. I doubt one person in ten actually understands where the word comes from - but most people know it is offensive in the US, so it isn't used here.

The slightly earlier settlers of NZ (they aren't "native" - but they did beat everyone else here by about 500 years) find it quite offensive, and as they have brown skin (about Hawaiian brown - and for a very good reason. Essentially the same genetic stock) have some claim to be offended by it. Of course, a lot of younger Maori (but not all by any possible stretch of the imagination) embrace urban "gangsta" culture... to the point were you see "Westside" grafitti in the larger cities, so they embrace the word that must not be typed as well.

Personally, I find it all a bit silly. Maori have their own culture, and it is far more interesting and relevant than a second hand culture experienced almost exclusively through music videos.

What about the use of Paki, Jap etc?

[Elizabeth I]

I'm not seeing any link there that shows that "Import" is used to describe a person from another country in complimentary terms?

"Not derogatory" doesn't necessarily equal "complimentary." It could simply be descriptive. A lot depends on context. But just saying something is "not derogatory" doesn't mean that it was intended as a compliment.

FWIW, I have heard "import" used to describe players from other countries in various sports in the U.S.

[The Atheist]

from the perspective of someone who understand local colloquialisms I agree, but we're not talking about them, we're talking about Johnny foreigner who in this case would take offense if you inadvertently trod on his shadow and didn't apologise quickly enough
;)

Methinks you've arrived at deliberate contrarianism.

I can relate to that, but give up now.

FWIW, I have heard "import" used to describe players from other countries in various sports in the U.S.

That's every English-speaking country now, so the issue seems to be well and truly closed.

[Marduk]

That's every English-speaking country now, so the issue seems to be well and truly closed.

then youve missed the point of this thread entirely, despite me pointing it out more than twice. The OP asked why the fans were acting offended, not wether it was justified
:rolleyes:

[The Atheist]

then youve missed the point of this thread entirely, despite me pointing it out more than twice. The OP asked why the fans were acting offended, not wether it was justified
:rolleyes:

Nope.

Show me some offended fans then explain what they're offeended about.

You're the one who felt they had a right to be aggrieved, and since you're the only one, you're wearing that hat.

[Marduk]

Nope.

Show me some offended fans then explain what they're offeended about.

You're the one who felt they had a right to be aggrieved, and since you're the only one, you're wearing that hat.

Didn't read the OP then, where he commented on offended fans
and linked to them
:D
here to save you some time
the OP
I have highlighted the relevant areas to help with your miasma
Check out the argument on the comments page here LINKhttp://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=xrMyz-YC79o&fromurl=/watch%3Fv%3DxrMyz-YC79o%26feature%3Drelated

It concerns the Australian commentators refering to a player for Western Australia as an 'import' as he is from Pakistan and was hired to play for Western Australia for that season. However the Pakistan fans seem to believe it is racist. I honestly dont understand where they are coming from. Does anyone know if it has a derogatory meaning in Pakistan ? The whole argument just seems to be based on a cultural misunderstanding.

Thanks for help in advance.
might help in future if you understood what a thread was about before you started posting in it
:rolleyes:

[Sledge]

I'm not sure you've demonstrated actual offended fans, just people posting illiterate drivel on Youtube.

[Marduk]

I'm not sure you've demonstrated actual offended fans, just people posting illiterate drivel on Youtube.

ok, so youre saying the fans think its racist, but aren't offended, or that people whos passions are running high because of a sporting event arent fans ?

get yourself a dictionary and read it, it will do your ability to understand simple english words a world of good
;)

[Sledge]

Nope, you're not making any sense. Had a few too many?

[Marduk]

Nope, you're not making any sense. Had a few too many?

are you really expecting everyone reading your last post to believe that it isn't another attempt to save face after making a complete ass of yourself ?
good luck with that
:rolleyes:

heres a clue for you, it wasn't my job to demonstrate anything, that was for the OP, if you don't think hes demonstrating offended fans then perhaps you need to
1. go back and read what he wrote again
2. take it up with him
3. ask yourself what the subject of this thread is
4. get help from mummy

really this place is going downhill fast, I'm thinking about doing a thread about reading comprehension and then just linking to it any time someone posts something that retarded
:D

[Sledge]

I really don't advise you start a thread on reading comprehension. I realise you're deep into your devil's advocate role now, but that doesn't excuse the frankly sloppy spelling and punctuation.

Now, try comprehending this: The Atheist asked someone to show him some offended fans. You replied by quoting the OP. I pointed out you haven't demonstrated offended fans, only people posting on Youtube. You cogitated and deliberated, wiffled and waffled, before posting something of no relevance to anything posted anywhere on the internet ever. So, do you have something of relevance to add to the discussion or are you just trolling?

[Marduk]

I really don't advise you start a thread on reading comprehension. I realise you're deep into your devil's advocate role now, but that doesn't excuse the frankly sloppy spelling and punctuation.

Now, try comprehending this: The Atheist asked someone to show him some offended fans. You replied by quoting the OP. I pointed out you haven't demonstrated offended fans, only people posting on Youtube. You cogitated and deliberated, wiffled and waffled, before posting something of no relevance to anything posted anywhere on the internet ever. So, do you have something of relevance to add to the discussion or are you just trolling?

ok last chance sledge, what do you think the OP was about, if it wasn't a comment on offended fans, did you follow the link, did you see them all commenting on something that happened at a cricket match, can you offer up an explanation as to how they would even know what the commentator said if they weren't interested in cricket, whats your definition of fan exactly ?

you commented yourself that if the people commenting were just complaining because they wanted a racism argument that it would be "kinda daft" because there are lots of better examples of Australian racism. Soooo, guess theyre commenting then because theyre Umar Gul fans eh. The OP did actually use the term "pakistan fans" when describing the injured party, did you miss that ?

make up your mind eh sledge, you can't have it both ways.
:p

[Sledge]

ok last chance sledge, what do you think the OP was about, if it wasn't a comment on offended fans,Oh, have you not read the OP? I think it was pretty clear what it was about. The OP asked if anyone knew if the term "import" had a derogatory meaning in Pakistan. Pretty obvious I would have thought, but I'm glad I could help you out with that.
did you follow the link, did you see them all commenting on something that happened at a cricket match,
Certainly did.
can you offer up an explanation as to how they would even know what the commentator said if they weren't interested in cricket,
Yes, the only reason someone could possibly have seen this video is because they're a cricket fan. There's certainly no chance whatsoever that someone might have linked to the video on a forum asking "what do you think of this?" Oh, wait. That's why I've seen it. And I hate cricket. Huh. That kinda undermines your "only cricket fans would watch this" point. Sorry about that.

whats your definition of fan exactly ?
It's the thing in the corner of my bedroom that gets used to cool the room down in the summer.
you commented yourself that if the people commenting were just complaining because they wanted a racism argument that it would be "kinda daft" because there are lots of better examples of Australian racism.You can remember what I wrote but not what the OP wrote? Huh. I'm flattered that you pay so much more attention to me, but maybe you should try reading everything in a post. Although that might get in the way of your "devil's advocate" trolling.
Soooo, guess theyre commenting then because theyre Umar Gul fans eh.What strange logic you use. I'd love to see you picking breakfast foods. "Hmm, it's a cold morning so something hot would be nice. I'm in a rush so it needs to be fast. I know! I'll dig a hole in my neighbour's garden!"

make up your mind eh sledge, you can't have it both ways.
:p[/QUOTE]

[Marduk]

Oh, have you not read the OP? I think it was pretty clear what it was about. The OP asked if anyone knew if the term "import" had a derogatory meaning in Pakistan. Pretty obvious I would have thought, but I'm glad I could help you out with that.

Certainly did.

Yes, the only reason someone could possibly have seen this video is because they're a cricket fan. There's certainly no chance whatsoever that someone might have linked to the video on a forum asking "what do you think of this?" Oh, wait. That's why I've seen it. And I hate cricket. Huh. That kinda undermines your "only cricket fans would watch this" point. Sorry about that.


It's the thing in the corner of my bedroom that gets used to cool the room down in the summer.
You can remember what I wrote but not what the OP wrote? Huh. I'm flattered that you pay so much more attention to me, but maybe you should try reading everything in a post. Although that might get in the way of your "devil's advocate" trolling.
What strange logic you use. I'd love to see you picking breakfast foods. "Hmm, it's a cold morning so something hot would be nice. I'm in a rush so it needs to be fast. I know! I'll dig a hole in my neighbour's garden!"

make up your mind eh sledge, you can't have it both ways.
:p

is that all you got, a complete misreading of the term "Pakistani fans" in the OP and youre asking me to substantiate that they are actually fans when I wasn't the person who described them as such in the first place and getting your knickers in a twist because youre incapable of logical discussion

nice try
Epic fail
:p

[Sledge]

I'm sure this trolling is hilarious to you, but it's boring the arse off me. Do you have a point to make in this thread?

[Marduk]

I'm sure this trolling is hilarious to you, but it's boring the arse off me. Do you have a point to make in this thread?

Edited for civility. you'll find that you haven't made any real contribution to this thread and this is supported by the fact that you still don't seem to understand what its about, Just for the record, its about wether the pakistani cricket fans have a right to be offended by the use of the term "import", its not about your inability to read two words that appeared in the OP, for you once again those two words were "Pakistan fans"

your attempt to label me as a troll when I have given my opinion before you even noticed this thread and have stuck by that opinion throughout (which was completely non controversial) shows that if anything, you by constantly picking on me for something someone else said are a troll of the worst kind, one who doesn't realise he is. Edited for civility. You have totally misrepresented my position and its very noticeable.

you already Epic failed once
did you want to try for double jeopardy where the points can really count ?
:D

[gtc]

Was there an issue on "Paki" over here that I missed?

Not that I am aware of. I just remember a reference in an opinion piece in the sports section of the SMH (iirc) that its usage is declining in Australia due to the negative connotations overseas.

What about the use of Paki, Jap etc?

Paki is used occasionally in sports reports as a shorthand version of Pakistani. It is my belief based on a report I read a few years back, but I can't back it up, that its usage is decreasing due to the negative connotations overseas.

Australia doesn't have the same history of Pakistani immigration that the UK has. India and Sri Lanka provide the vast majority of South Asian migrants (http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/ViewData?action=404&documentproductno=0&documenttype=Details&order=1&tabname=Details&areacode=0&issue=2006&producttype=Census%20Tables&javascript=true&textversion=false&navmapdisplayed=true&breadcrumb=POTLD&&collection=Census&period=2006&productlabel=Ancestry%20by%20Country%20of%20Birth% 20of%20Parents&producttype=Census%20Tables&method=Place%20of%20Usual%20Residence&topic=Ancestry&). Racists are more likely to complain about East Asians, Lebanese or Indians than Pakistanis. As such Paki is a neutral shortening of the word.

I remember the use of Jap as a negative term for Japanese in the context of memories of WWII and fears of cheap Japanese imports costing Australian jobs and fears of economic dominance from Japanese investment in Australian real estate. But those fears died during the 1990s. I have only heard its use as a neutral term for Japanese in recent years. For example a sign on a mechanics might say they fix 'Jap cars'.

Australian English has a strong tendency to shorten words. This can signal respect (Ambo for Ambulance officer) or disrespect (nip for Nippon, abo for Aborigine) or anything in between. It really depends on attitudes towards the term that is being shortened.

[EvilSmurf]

Back when basketball was establishing a foothold in the Australian sports scene (a foothold it has since lost) I remember many players who came from the US referred to as "imports" including many who later went on to become citizens and play for our national team (Leroy Loggins and Ricky Grace to name the two that come to mind off the top of my head).

The two men I mentioned above were African-Americans, so I imagine if "import" had any slavery connotations we would have heard about it then.

[Skeptic]

As one of the commentators noted, correctly:

Import simply means imported player. Its certainly not meant or used in any derogatory sense. In fact, i didnt realise you could use it in such a way, i doubt the commentators do either. Is it an offensive term in Pakistan ?

Players are routinely referred to as "imported", "exported", "bought", or "sold". That doesn't mean the players themselves are property, it's just a shorthand for noting what team it was decided they will play for.

Nothing racist here. Just sports lingo. Applies, by the way, to white players just as much as it applies to black or brown players.

[Darth Rotor]

I have highlighted the relevant areas to help with your miasma

Don't be so niggardly with your links. Give us more.

DR

[The Atheist]

Don't be so niggardly with your links. Give us more.

DR

Damn, that's one of my favourite words.

[GlennB]

Checking out how every single nation in the world might interpret your genuinely innocent use of a word or phrase sounds like terribly hard work.
What should you do? Put every potential utterance out on Reuters for a couple of days, asking for feedback on your first draft?

[Jeff Corey]

Let me see, was Mel Gibson an import to Oz and then sent back as an export?

[gtc]

Some of the phrases he used in his run-in with the law were ones I had never heard before; so I don't think they are of Australian origin.

To paraphrase:
'Officer, I posit that your bosom is composed entirely of sucrose'.

[sigmund]

Import itself is not racist, but there is alot of fuss going on down here in terms of what is and is not politically correct, especially after that blackface Hey, Hey It's Saturday skit.

Personally as an Australian with ancestory dating back to the First Fleet, and probably some indigenous as well, I think it's damn cheeky when someone of anglo-saxon extraction uses derogatory terms to describe more recent ethnically diverse immigrants. I would not classify import as one of those terms however. (My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it i.e. not much)

[novaphile]

I can't see evidence of Pakistani cricket fans objecting to the term here:

PakPassion.net (http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?t=87652&page=6)

Search the page of comments for the term import.

[six7s]

I can't see evidence of Pakistani cricket fans objecting to the term here:

PakPassion.net (http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?t=87652&page=6)Nor here: Pakistan Cricket Board - official website - www.pcboard.com.pk/Pakistan/Articles/6/6646.html (http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Pakistan/Articles/6/6646.html)

Nor here: The News International - No. 1 English Newspaper from Pakistan - www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=136822 (http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=136822)

[GreyICE]

Absolutely true. It is not racist or offensive in any way.

Why is it that you and other Australians seem to post that about your country more than every other nationality in the forum combined? Inevitably after a conversation that reveals that yeah, it's common usage.

I'm sorry, referring to someone as an 'Import' like they're a commodity that is bought and sold is offensive. I don't know if it's racist or not, but I'd sure as hell be uncomfortable with being referred to like that, and be offended by someone doing it. Referring to someone as 'Paki' or 'Abo' is offensive.

But Hey, Hey, It's Saturday in Australia, so who cares, right?

[six7s]

I'm sorry, referring to someone as an 'Import' like they're a commodity that is bought and sold is offensive. I don't know if it's racist or not, but I'd sure as hell be uncomfortable with being referred to like that, and be offended by someone doing it. Please suggest a term that (i) you would not find offensive and (ii) concisely and accurately describes such a sports person
TYIA :)

[VespaGuy]

I'm sorry, referring to someone as an 'Import' like they're a commodity that is bought and sold is offensive.

How about a player being "traded"? Is that offensive, too?

Athletes are commodities.

[Ian Osborne]

Athletes are commodities.

Quite. It's his services that are imported.

[GreyICE]

Please suggest a term that (i) you would not find offensive and (ii) concisely and accurately describes such a sports person
TYIA :)

"Pakistani?"

[six7s]

Please suggest a term that (i) you would not find offensive and (ii) concisely and accurately describes such a sports person
TYIA :)"Pakistani?"Nope

The specific nationality of such players is irrelevant

It seems that the ICC, in the rules of Player Eligibility (pdf) (http://static.icc-cricket.yahoo.net/ugc/documents/DOC_37CE1CD9A2F8BC0C0053716144283ACA_1257677746881 _78.pdf), refers to such players under the terms of 'Associates and Affiliates' without giving them a generic name

3. i) Subject to 3(ii) below, Affiliate and Associate Members may not field more
than 2 players in any one team who are deemed nationals under paragraph (b)
2.

<snip/>

4. A player wishing to represent an Associate or Affiliate Member Country shall be required to satisfy one or more of the following additional Development Criteria:
i) the player shall have played 50% or more of the scheduled games for his team in a national cricket competition in the relevant Associate or Affiliate Member Country in any 3 of the preceding 5 years; or
ii) the player shall have spent a cumulative total of 100 days or more during the preceding 5 years in the relevant Associate or Affiliate Member Country coaching, playing or working in the administration or development of cricket in that country; or
iii) the player shall have played Representative Cricket for the relevant Associate or Affiliate Member Country either under previous ICC rules or where the current ICC development criteria had applied; or
iv) the player shall have dedicated a reasonable period of time to activities which, in the opinion of the Chairman of the Cricket Committee (CC), constitute a sufficient demonstration of a player's genuine commitment to the development of cricket in the relevant Associate of Affiliate Member Country.

So...

Can you suggest a term that concisely and accurately describes such a sports person?

[GreyICE]

Nope

The specific nationality of such players is irrelevant

It seems that the ICC, in the rules of Player Eligibility (pdf) (http://static.icc-cricket.yahoo.net/ugc/documents/DOC_37CE1CD9A2F8BC0C0053716144283ACA_1257677746881 _78.pdf), refers to such players under the terms of 'Associates and Affiliates' without giving them a generic name



So...

Can you suggest a term that concisely and accurately describes such a sports person?
I've rarely seen epic fail so concisely described on this forum. Six7s, you have a record here.

Lets quote your own rules:


3. i) Subject to 3(ii) below, Affiliate and Associate Members may not field more
than 2 players in any one team who are deemed nationals under paragraph (b)who are deemed nationalsnationals

I guess you solved that one for me, didn't you? :rolleyes:

Really, did you even read what you posted?

[six7s]

I've rarely seen epic fail so concisely described on this forum. Six7s, you have a record here.

Lets quote your own rules:



I guess you solved that one for me, didn't you? :rolleyes:

Really, did you even read what you posted?Yes. Did you?

You can roll your eyes all you want... but... suggesting nationals as a term that concisely and accurately describes such a sports person? :confused:

Are you drunk?

[GreyICE]

Yes. Did you?

You can roll your eyes all you want... but... suggesting nationals as a term that concisely and accurately describes such a sports person? :confused:

Are you drunk?

Your own rulebook describes them this way. When you post things like this:

It seems that the ICC, in the rules of Player Eligibility (pdf), refers to such players under the terms of 'Associates and Affiliates' without giving them a generic name

In posts where you quote this:
who are deemed nationals under paragraph (b)
You fail, completely and utterly.

You're right, I'd have to be drunk not to notice that failure. Or, more likely, dead.

[Wildy]

Why is it that you and other Australians seem to post that about your country more than every other nationality in the forum combined?

Care to back that up?

I'm sorry, referring to someone as an 'Import' like they're a commodity that is bought and sold is offensive. I don't know if it's racist or not, but I'd sure as hell be uncomfortable with being referred to like that, and be offended by someone doing it.

And? Just because you don't like it doesn't make it racist.

Referring to someone as 'Paki' or 'Abo' is offensive.

The former isn't in Australia, but you don't usually hear it, the latter definitely is.

But Hey, Hey, It's Saturday in Australia, so who cares, right?

Congratulations. You've just shown all the Aussies here how little you actually know about our country.

[six7s]

You're right, I'd have to be drunk not to notice that failure. Or, more likely, dead.Or just too lazy/inept to follow the link

If/when you can be bothered, you'll see that there is a distinction between nationals and deemed nationals...

Sure... such phrasing might work for the ICC in the darker recesses of St John's Wood... However, like you, it fails to concisely and accurately describes such a sports person

Please, make the effort to actually think for yourself before posting any more twaddle

TYIA :)

[GreyICE]

Or just too lazy/inept to follow the link

If/when you can be bothered, you'll see that there is a distinction between nationals and deemed nationals...

Sure... such phrasing might work for the ICC in the darker recesses of St John's Wood... However, like you, it fails to concisely and accurately describes such a sports person

Please, make the effort to actually think for yourself before posting any more twaddle

TYIA :)

Heh, this has to be the saddest attempt to imitate me ever.

That being said:
without giving them a generic name
nationals

The other step to imitating me is actually being right. Try it sometime.

[Last of the Fraggles]

I agree.

I have imported fruit to my country before, but never a human, theres a difference.
In the U.K. we have plenty of sportsmen and women from other countries playing in various sports, I have never heard anyone refer to them as "imports" and would expect disaproving noises if i did. Some are called crap sportsmen and the like, thats ok. Some are.

I have often heard it used to describe footballers in Scotland and I'm sure I have heard it in England too.

Not a racist term as it is used to describe people of any race including white Europeans.

Never particularly thought of it as derogatory or demeaning. No more so than referring to someone as 'foreign' in any case.

Think this is just over-sensitivity and looking for a problem where none exists although you would have to understand the context of the original piece to see if it was intended as a slight.

[six7s]

Never particularly thought of it as derogatory or demeaning. No more so than referring to someone as 'foreign' in any case. As evidenced in the link in the OP (http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=xrMyz-YC79o&fromurl=/watch%3Fv%3DxrMyz-YC79o%26feature%3Drelated) and in posts 81 and 82, other Pakistani cricketers/fans have no qualms using the term import

Think this is just over-sensitivity and looking for a problem where none exists although you would have to understand the context of the original piece to see if it was intended as a slight.I get the impression that for some, it is - sincerely - a problem... However, there's a saying: If y'ain't part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate

[VespaGuy]

I guess I'll try again...

HEY GREYICE:

I'm sorry, referring to someone as an 'Import' like they're a commodity that is bought and sold is offensive. I don't know if it's racist or not, but I'd sure as hell be uncomfortable with being referred to like that, and be offended by someone doing it.

Is it offensive to say an athlete has been "traded" to another team? Why or why not?

[GreyICE]

I guess I'll try again...

HEY GREYICE:



Is it offensive to say an athlete has been "traded" to another team? Why or why not?

What are you trying to do, exactly? Really, you should have withdrawn your question. Since you chose not to withdraw it, I'm going to point out why it was stupid: 'trading' an athlete is an action.

I'd say calling an athlete a 'trade' for the rest of his career would be offensive. I mean seriously, the most notable thing about him is that he was traded at some point?

Similarly, if they said they'd 'imported' a player I wouldn't really have a problem. Referring to a Pakistani person as an 'import' for the rest of his career because of where he happened to be born? Offensive. It's distilling the most important characteristic of the person down to an accident of their birth.

The difference, it was not too hard to grasp. But hey, you found the bold button. Irrelevant analogies FTW.

[VespaGuy]

What are you trying to do, exactly?

Just pointing out your ridiculousness. It worked.

Really, you should have withdrawn your question. Since you chose not to withdraw it, I'm going to point out why it was stupid: 'trading' an athlete is an action.

So is being bought and sold... two other actions that offended you. "Trade/trading/traded" is a common word in the world of sports - a common nonoffensive word.

Here's your original claim:

I'm sorry, referring to someone as an 'Import' like they're a commodity that is bought and sold is offensive.

Bought, sold, and traded are all actions that are done with commodities - the exact same issue you had with the term "import".

So, I'll ask again since you sidestepped the original question. More specifically, is this phrase offensive:

"[Athlete A] was traded to the New York Yankees today."

If you say "yes", then the debate is over. Society sees no problem with the term and phrasing, and neither do I. Athletes are commodities. No use arguing with someone who is looking for places to be offended.

If you say "no", then how is the term "trade" any different than "buy", "sell", or "import"? It is a term used for the handling of a commodity, which I will remind you, was why you found the term "import" offensive.

I'd say calling an athlete a 'trade' for the rest of his career would be offensive. I mean seriously, the most notable thing about him is that he was traded at some point?

Whoa, whoa, whoa... where are you going with those goalposts? "Rest of his career"? Who said anything about that? I'm talking about "trading" an athlete - using a word that is normally used for commodities on people. This was your issue. Let's try to stick to your original claim without performing semantic gymnastics to attempt to make these words more offensive (which frankly, isn't working)


Similarly, if they said they'd 'imported' a player I wouldn't really have a problem.

But your original claim was that being treated like a commodity was offensive. So being imported isn't being treated like a commodity? Now it's okay?

Bolding mine:
Referring to a Pakistani person as an 'import' for the rest of his career because of where he happened to be born? Offensive. It's distilling the most important characteristic of the person down to an accident of their birth.

Again, I don't understand your "rest of his life" disclaimer. I thought it was offensive because he was treated like a commodity? Now it's offensive because it's refering to a player as a characteristic of his birth? So, are you saying that there is a legitimate amount of time whereupon you can call someone an import? Could you clarify for us how long that time span is? At what point does it go from inoffensive to offensive?

The difference, it was not too hard to grasp.

But I'm addressing your original claim... not the mumbo-jumbo, hand-waving that you think somehow vaildated your point.

But hey, you found the bold button. Irrelevant analogies FTW.

Perhaps you should go back and reread your posts to get your story straight, since you can't even decide on what is offending you, or even why.

[six7s]

...for the rest of his career...It's patently obvious that you have NO idea about the rules governing cricket

Consequently, your posts are inane

Please, stop wasting bandwidth

[GreyICE]

It's patently obvious that you have NO idea about the rules governing cricket

Consequently, your posts are inane

Please, stop wasting bandwidth
:dl:

Try harder next time, kid.

Vespa, I can't even read what you wrote. How the hell did you manage to string my post out into like 12 chunks? Coherent thought, that is not.

[VespaGuy]

Vespa, I can't even read what you wrote. How the hell did you manage to string my post out into like 12 chunks? Coherent thought, that is not.

Dodge noted.

[Yoink]

Hey, GreyICE: when People (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20054216,00.html)magazine refers to David Beckham as "the British soccer import" exactly what aspect of Australian racism are they exemplifying?

[six7s]

:dl:

Try harder next time, kid.If you want/need to pretend that you're adding anything of interest to this discussion then you're only fooling yourself

Note: ignorance based nonsense is NOT interesting

[Alan]

Nicole Kidman is called an Australian export. http://www.mos-wine.com/blog/2008/02/18/nicole-kidman-not-the-only-fine-aussie-export/

Oh dear, this article has so many exports! http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/the-choicies-celebrity-scandal-and-export-of-the-year/story-e6frfmqr-1225812568522

Olivia Newton-John, not you too. http://www.defamer.com.au/2007/07/olivia_newtonjohn_arrouses_sus/ :(

The second definition of "import" that google shows is "an imported person brought from a foreign country; "the lead role was played by an import from Sweden"; "they are descendants of indentured importees".
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=define%3A+import&btnG=Search&meta=

[Jeff Corey]

Much of this thread is of no import.

[Yoink]

Nicole Kidman is called an Australian export. http://www.mos-wine.com/blog/2008/02/18/nicole-kidman-not-the-only-fine-aussie-export/

Oh dear, this article has so many exports! http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/the-choicies-celebrity-scandal-and-export-of-the-year/story-e6frfmqr-1225812568522

Olivia Newton-John, not you too. http://www.defamer.com.au/2007/07/olivia_newtonjohn_arrouses_sus/ :(

The second definition of "import" that google shows is "an imported person brought from a foreign country; "the lead role was played by an import from Sweden"; "they are descendants of indentured importees".
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=define%3A+import&btnG=Search&meta=

How dare they allude to the long history of enslaved Swedes in that way! Racist pigs!

[gtc]

Why is it that you and other Australians seem to post that about your country more than every other nationality in the forum combined?

Its not our fault you have a bee in your bonnet about Australia.

Inevitably after a conversation that reveals that yeah, it's common usage.

That sentence is completely unrelated to what lionking wrote. I think your idea that Australians are inveterate racists and homophobes is based on a lacking of reading comprehension.

[lionking]

More ammunition for GreyIce. We use the word "Jap" as short for Japanese, just as "Paki" is short for Pakistani. We're big on that here.


Aus Jap Spares is one of Australia's leading Japanese vehicle and forklift import companies

[GreyICE]

Dodge noted.

Yes, your inability to use English is a 'dodge.'

[Wildy]

Yes, your inability to use English is a 'dodge.'

Mate, you were the one who "dodged". You ignored a post because VespaGuy formatted the post in a way that you don't seem to like. You might as well have saved bandwidth and just said his name and "tl;dr".

Perhaps you should answer his post.

[GreyICE]

Mate, you were the one who "dodged". You ignored a post because VespaGuy formatted the post in a way that you don't seem to like. You might as well have saved bandwidth and just said his name and "tl;dr".

Perhaps you should answer his post.

Perhaps I would like to point out that he apparently spent lots of effort on his post, but it's entirely wasted, as he has channeled his energy in a direction that is utterly unreadable.

I do not think that there is a requirement to quote two paragraphs in 8 quote boxes. I certainly cannot figure out what he wants to say when he does this.

[Wildy]

Perhaps I would like to point out that he apparently spent lots of effort on his post, but it's entirely wasted, as he has channeled his energy in a direction that is utterly unreadable.

I do not think that there is a requirement to quote two paragraphs in 8 quote boxes. I certainly cannot figure out what he wants to say when he does this.

It's only unreadable because you don't want to answer him. You're making an excuse, not a valid point.

[GreyICE]

It's only unreadable because you don't want to answer him. You're making an excuse, not a valid point.

It's a funny thing. If I didn't want to answer him, I wouldn't answer him.

It can't have been that hard to think through.

[Wildy]

It's a funny thing. If I didn't want to answer him, I wouldn't answer him.

It can't have been that hard to think through.

Then why didn't you?

[VespaGuy]

Then why didn't you?

He already answered you: He doesn't understand English.

[GreyICE]

Then why didn't you?

Hysterically, I did in post #112. But you decided to demonstrate your Sylvia Brown skills, and now here we are.

[Wildy]

Hysterically, I did in post #112. But you decided to demonstrate your Sylvia Brown skills, and now here we are.

Mate, these:


Vespa, I can't even read what you wrote. How the hell did you manage to string my post out into like 12 chunks? Coherent thought, that is not.

Perhaps I would like to point out that he apparently spent lots of effort on his post, but it's entirely wasted, as he has channeled his energy in a direction that is utterly unreadable.

I do not think that there is a requirement to quote two paragraphs in 8 quote boxes. I certainly cannot figure out what he wants to say when he does this.

Are not answers.

They are dodges. So before you tell me that I'm demonstrating "Sylvia Browne" skills you should take a look at what you've said.

He already answered you: He doesn't understand English.

Clearly. I wonder if he has a Master's Degree in English Literature?

[GreyICE]

Ah, I see that your advice is that I do not respond to you, rather than explain why I do not feel I can formulate a response to your post (any more than I could respond to one written in Latin).

Perhaps it does not take a Masters in English Literature to exceed the capacity of the average 4chan poster. Sadly, I see no evidence that that occurred here. But, me and my Masters in 'Not Posting Like 4chan' will have to drown our sorrows with big glasses of 'don't really care.'

[Wildy]

Ah, I see that your advice is that I do not respond to you, rather than explain why I do not feel I can formulate a response to your post (any more than I could respond to one written in Latin).

Perhaps it does not take a Masters in English Literature to exceed the capacity of the average 4chan poster. Sadly, I see no evidence that that occurred here. But, me and my Masters in 'Not Posting Like 4chan' will have to drown our sorrows with big glasses of 'don't really care.'

Meh, I don't care. I'll just leave you dodging his post.

[lionking]

Ah, I see that your advice is that I do not respond to you, rather than explain why I do not feel I can formulate a response to your post (any more than I could respond to one written in Latin).

Perhaps it does not take a Masters in English Literature to exceed the capacity of the average 4chan poster. Sadly, I see no evidence that that occurred here. But, me and my Masters in 'Not Posting Like 4chan' will have to drown our sorrows with big glasses of 'don't really care.'
The craziest appeal to authority I've ever seen. You have a Masters in English Literature? Big deal.

[Arcade22]

Yet again liberals and other dark forces are getting their panties in a bunch because someone said something that could , in the most absurd way, be understood as being 'racist'.

Who needs comedy shows when you have this kind of entertainment?

[GreyICE]

The craziest appeal to authority I've ever seen. You have a Masters in English Literature? Big deal.

Slightly different field, it does start with an 'E' though. Also, techy reading comprehension skills.

[VespaGuy]

4Chan? The more it's pointed out how silly GreyICE looks with his weak dodges, the further he goes with his "clever" insults.

[six7s]

4Chan? The more it's pointed out how silly GreyICE looks with his weak dodges, the further he goes with his "clever" insults.Curious, huh?

Mind you, he has NO idea what he's waffling about, let alone an argument... so what else can he do?

[GreyICE]

Curious, huh?

Mind you, he has NO idea what he's waffling about, let alone an argument... so what else can he do?

Mostly laugh at you. Your last insult was that I was too educated, now I have no idea. Is curious, neh?

[GlennB]

Meanwhile, back on topic ....

Looking at the English perspective, if you put a sports team into Google together with the term "imported players" you'll get many a hit. For example:
+tottenham +"imported players" or +surrey +"imported players".
It doesn't look the slightest bit racist to me and I can't quite see why it would.

[gtc]

Mostly laugh at you. Your last insult was that I was too educated, now I have no idea. Is curious, neh?

Only if you think that it is impossible to be both educated and clueless.

[GreyICE]

Only if you think that it is impossible to be both educated and clueless.

It's possible. I find a more likely scenario, based on existing evidence, to be that the person making these accusations is only one of the two.

[MikeMangum]

you really don't understand how referring to a human being as an import is derogatory ?
seriously ?
:D

I've heard this multiple times in regards to sports, and most of the time it was in reference to a person from another region within the same country. I've also heard it apply to politicians who have lived most of their lives in one area and move to another area specifically to run for office when the incumbent is retiring, is politically weak, etc.

I recently saw Harold Ford, Jr. referred to as an import.

ETA: How about this headline:

How Well Will Japanese Baseball Import Akinori Iwamura Do in the Major Leagues This Year? (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/176072/how_well_will_japanese_baseball_import.html?cat=14 )

Or this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narangba_Demons_Baseball_Club) wikipedia article:
The club currently has the only Swedish baseball import in the Greater Brisbane League, Henrik Johannson.

Or the Philippine Basketball Association Best Import of the Conference Award (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Basketball_Association_Best_Import_of_t he_Conference_Award)?

[six7s]

Mostly laugh at you. Your last insult was that I was too educated, now I have no idea. Is curious, neh?Curiouser and curiouser...

:confused:

On which planet did you read a post from me saying you were "too educated"?

[The Atheist]

How Well Will Japanese Baseball Import Akinori Iwamura Do in the Major Leagues This Year? (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/176072/how_well_will_japanese_baseball_import.html?cat=14 )


What a bunch of racist bastards!