Groups you can't criticize

[bedub1]

Are there groups of people you think are above criticism? Is it not OK to criticize certain people?

It looks like the Saudi King wants to make Islam above criticism. Do you think this is right? Are there other groups that should be included in here? Other religions? Races?

http://www.france24.com/en/20121027-sau ... us-insults

[PLAYER57832]

About the only people I don't criticize, if warranted are the mentally disabled.

Other than that, plenty of people never EARN criticism, at least in my presence. However, they are not "excluded".

[Woodruff]

Are there groups of people you think are above criticism? Is it not OK to criticize certain people?

It looks like the Saudi King wants to make Islam above criticism. Do you think this is right? Are there other groups that should be included in here? Other religions? Races?

http://www.france24.com/en/20121027-sau ... us-insults

I cannot think of any group that is above criticism. The idea doesn't even make sense to me.

[Woodruff]

About the only people I don't criticize, if warranted are the mentally disabled.

As a group, yes, you're right. Very good point. Amend my statement above. Individuals, of course, are different.

[bedub1]

Are there groups of people you think are above criticism? Is it not OK to criticize certain people?

It looks like the Saudi King wants to make Islam above criticism. Do you think this is right? Are there other groups that should be included in here? Other religions? Races?

http://www.france24.com/en/20121027-sau ... us-insults

I cannot think of any group that is above criticism. The idea doesn't even make sense to me.

So it's okay to criticize Islam? You disagree with the Saudi King?

[Woodruff]

Are there groups of people you think are above criticism? Is it not OK to criticize certain people?

It looks like the Saudi King wants to make Islam above criticism. Do you think this is right? Are there other groups that should be included in here? Other religions? Races?

http://www.france24.com/en/20121027-sau ... us-insults

I cannot think of any group that is above criticism. The idea doesn't even make sense to me.

So it's okay to criticize Islam? You disagree with the Saudi King?

Certainly. Unless I'm in Saudi Arabia, of course, where it's probably the law.

[ManBungalow]

Members of the fungus kingdom.

[john9blue]

nobody. why should i shy away from critical thought?

if (for example) a mentally disabled person is a huge asshole, then i'm going to criticize them for it.

[2dimes]

Fine but don't you dare criticize a huge asshole for being mentally challenged.

[Dukasaur]

Fine but don't you dare criticize a huge asshole for being mentally challenged.

Especially if he has a gun and a badge!

[isaiah40]

Fine but don't you dare criticize a huge asshole for being mentally challenged.

Especially if he has a gun and a badge!

Are talking about those Ontario Party Poopers??

[BigBallinStalin]

Members of the fungus kingdom.

They think that they're so high and mighty.

[chang50]

About the only people I don't criticize, if warranted are the mentally disabled.

Other than that, plenty of people never EARN criticism, at least in my presence. However, they are not "excluded".

Not sure why the mentally disabled are more exempt than say the physically disabled.Allied to this I've always wondered why it's generally accepted that we can laugh at the physically clumsy when they struggle with mundane tasks but it is taboo to laugh at someone struggling to read or write.
Certainly speculation and opinion about the true nature of reality,which includes Islam,should not be above reasonable and intelligent criticism.

[Maugena]

Are there groups of people you think are above criticism? Is it not OK to criticize certain people?

It looks like the Saudi King wants to make Islam above criticism. Do you think this is right? Are there other groups that should be included in here? Other religions? Races?

http://www.france24.com/en/20121027-sau ... us-insults

We should make every religion above criticism.
Oh wait. Then we'd have contradictions and tensions would escalate quickly. World War III!

[saxitoxin]

Symmetry and Symmetry's kitten, Max

[Funkyterrance]

About the only people I don't criticize, if warranted are the mentally disabled.

Other than that, plenty of people never EARN criticism, at least in my presence. However, they are not "excluded".

Not sure why the mentally disabled are more exempt than say the physically disabled.Allied to this I've always wondered why it's generally accepted that we can laugh at the physically clumsy when they struggle with mundane tasks but it is taboo to laugh at someone struggling to read or write.
Certainly speculation and opinion about the true nature of reality,which includes Islam,should not be above reasonable and intelligent criticism.

Many, many people love to criticize the mentally disabled, just not publicly as it's not politically correct. It makes themselves feel more intelligent while there is in fact no correlation(irony?). I should say it's pretty common that someone would criticize anyone whom they feel is mentally inferior, this includes the "mentally disabled". Besides, where do you draw the line? (this is akin to chang's quoted part about the physically clumsy). I know a person who is constantly referring to others as "stupid" but if anyone brings up the subject of mentally disabled people in any sort of critical manner he gets extremely offended because he has a very personal history regarding one. It always irks me, either way.

If I would to pick a group I would say mothers. Unless you're obviously joking and know the person really well, criticizing someone's mum is really low class.

[chang50]

About the only people I don't criticize, if warranted are the mentally disabled.

Other than that, plenty of people never EARN criticism, at least in my presence. However, they are not "excluded".

Not sure why the mentally disabled are more exempt than say the physically disabled.Allied to this I've always wondered why it's generally accepted that we can laugh at the physically clumsy when they struggle with mundane tasks but it is taboo to laugh at someone struggling to read or write.
Certainly speculation and opinion about the true nature of reality,which includes Islam,should not be above reasonable and intelligent criticism.

Many, many people love to criticize the mentally disabled, just not publicly as it's not politically correct. It makes themselves feel more intelligent while there is in fact no correlation(irony?). I should say it's pretty common that someone would criticize anyone whom they feel is mentally inferior, this includes the "mentally disabled". Besides, where do you draw the line? (this is akin to chang's quoted part about the physically clumsy). I know a person who is constantly referring to others as "stupid" but if anyone brings up the subject of mentally disabled people in any sort of critical manner he gets extremely offended because he has a very personal history regarding one. It always irks me, either way.

If I would to pick a group I would say mothers. Unless you're obviously joking and know the person really well, criticizing someone's mum is really low class.

i was thinking more of handicaps like illiteracy or innumeracy, the mocking of which are surrounded by greater social taboos than say handicaps like poor hand eye co-ordination which are considered fair game.The klutz is nearly universally ridiculed where the simpleton is often sympathised with,and their feelings spared.

[DoomYoshi]

Isn't being an asshole another form of mental disability?

If you are going to criticize anybody for any action that has its source as the brain, you should be open to criticism for all actions that start in the brain.

[2dimes]

Same reason you can't drive with a glass of bourbon in one hand, a cigarette dangling from your mouth shooting a Side arm out the widow at cats anymore. These things happen once women get to vote.

[Woodruff]

nobody. why should i shy away from critical thought?

if (for example) a mentally disabled person is a huge asshole, then i'm going to criticize them for it.

Right, but I thought we were talking about GROUPS, not individuals?

[Funkyterrance]

The klutz is nearly universally ridiculed where the simpleton is often sympathised with,and their feelings spared.

Really? You'd never know from these forums.

It's a good point you have about clutzes but I do still think there is a pretty good similarity between a clutz and someone who is just a little slow on the uptake. When someone is awkward in their own body it's generally considered "not nice" to make fun of them for it so there is at least a little frowning upon this sort of criticism. Admittedly this sort of criticism is probably slightly more politically correct. I'm not sure why though. I feel that there is equal opportunity to get impatient with either handicap.

[Dukasaur]

The klutz is nearly universally ridiculed where the simpleton is often sympathised with,and their feelings spared.

Really? You'd never know from these forums.

It's a good point you have about clutzes but I do still think there is a pretty good similarity between a clutz and someone who is just a little slow on the uptake. When someone is awkward in their own body it's generally considered "not nice" to make fun of them for it so there is at least a little frowning upon this sort of criticism. Admittedly this sort of criticism is probably slightly more politically correct. I'm not sure why though. I feel that there is equal opportunity to get impatient with either handicap.

chang says klutz, funky says clutz.

Is there a cultural difference there? Perhaps you're talking about different things.

[jimboston]

About the only people I don't criticize, if warranted are the mentally disabled.

You mean I'm not allowed to criticize you?

(in before someone points out that I'm being an ass again.)

[Timminz]

criticizing someone's mum is really low class.

Yo mama is so classless, she could be a Marxist utopia.

[Woodruff]

About the only people I don't criticize, if warranted are the mentally disabled.

You mean I'm not allowed to criticize you?

(in before someone points out that I'm being an ass again.)

You're being an ass again.